Easy Peasy HOMEMADE Chocolate Cream Pie

Mindy here, and you might be wondering why the emphasis on homemade in the title of this post. It's because many easy cream pies involve a box of pudding mix. This one is still easy, yet it's totally from scratch. Well, unless you're like me and use premade crusts, but since I'm talking about the filling, that doesn't count.

Yes, today we're talking pie because last week was my husband's birthday and he always asks for a coconut cream pie (recipe here) instead of a cake.

However, not everyone in our family likes coconut, so rather than making cupcakes as I usually do, this year I decided I'd simply make a second pie. A chocolate one.

Not only is it my girls' favorite, it's one of their grandmother's signature recipes. Whenever she asked them what they wanted for a dessert, chocolate pie was their response.

Actually, I've shared this recipe before as part of my post on coconut cream pie, because the basic recipe can go several different ways, depending on what you add to it.

Bottom line, though, it's so easy, it can be made in the microwave.

So here's what you're going to need:

Pie:

• 1 - 9 inch baked pie shell
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 4 level tablespoons all purpose flour
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 2 cups milk (any variety will do, but I prefer whole milk in this)
• 4 egg yolks, beaten
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1-2 oz unsweetened baking chocolate, melted
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla

Meringue:

• 4 egg whites
• 1/4 tsp cream of tartar
• 6 tablespoons sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

In a large microwave safe bowl (I use an 8-cup measuring cup), mix together  the sugar, flour and salt.

Now add a little bit of your milk to this to make a thick paste.

Mix in your egg yolks.

Then the chocolate.

You can add more or less, depending on how chocolatey you like it.

And, finally, the milk and mix well.

Cook in microwave on high at 2 minute intervals, whisking between each interval.

The mixture will be the same basic consistency after the first 4 minutes, but during those last 2 minutes, it really thickens.

Generally, it only takes 3 - 2-minute sessions (for a total of 6 minutes), but, occasionally, another minute is in order.

While the filling is cooking, start on your meringue.

Beat your egg whites and cream of tartar until foamy, then add your sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time.

Yes, you will have to pause to whisk your chocolate mixture, but that's okay.

Continue beating egg whites until stiff peaks form.

Then beat in your vanilla.

Now back to the filling, which may be done before or after your meringue, depending on how fast your mixer whisks those egg whites.

Whatever the case, once your chocolate mixture has finished cooking, stir in the vanilla.

And pour mixture into baked and cooled pie shell.

Spoon meringue onto hot pie filling, spreading to seal meringue to edge of crust.

Bake for 10 minutes, or until top is golden.

Cool completely before serving.

Yep, the cooling is what takes the longest, so be sure to plan ahead, giving it a good 2 hours to cool.

Homemade goodness, without all that time standing at the stove, stirring and stirring.

The kids were happy, hubby was happy, I was doubly happy, since I sampled both.

 So how 'bout that super game on Sunday? I didn't really care who won, however it turned out to be one of the best football games I've ever seen. Loved that my boy, Luke Bryan, sang the National Anthem beautifully and though I'm not really a Lady Gaga fan, she put on one of the best halftime shows they've had in a long time. Throw in some good friends and party food and it was a great day.

So, Houston, we have NO problem. You put on a heck of a show.

Now it's your turn.

Did you watch the Super Bowl? Were you cheering for any one team, or just in it for the commercials and all that food? What was your favorite part?

Mindy Obenhaus lives in Texas with her husband and kids. She's passionate about touching readers with Biblical truths in an entertaining, and sometimes adventurous, manner. When she’s not writing, she enjoys cooking and spending time with her grandchildren. Learn more at www.MindyObenhaus.com.