CHOCOLATE CREAM PIE RECIPE FOOD NETWORK RECIPES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
• For the crust, combine the graham cracker crumbs, sugar and butter in a bowl. Press the mixture into an 11-inch false-bottom tart pan, making sure the sides and the bottom of the crust are an even thickness. Bake for 10 minutes and set aside to cool completely.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the sugar, egg yolks, cornstarch and salt. With the mixer on low, slowly add the scalded milk until the mixture is combined.
• Pour the mixture into a large saucepan and cook over medium-low heat for about 5 minutes, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until the mixture is very thick. Off the heat, add the chocolate, butter, coffee liqueur and coffee powder and stir until the chocolate is melted. Pour the filling into the cooled tart pan and smooth the top. Place plastic wrap directly on top of the chocolate filling and chill for 6 hours.
• When ready to serve, remove the plastic wrap from the chocolate and arrange the banana slices in concentric circles on top of the filling.
• Place the heavy cream, sugar and vanilla in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment and beat until the cream forms firm peaks. Spoon the whipped cream on top of the bananas and gently spread the cream with a spatula to cover the pie, leaving a border of bananas visible at the outside edge. For a garnish, shave curls of milk chocolate on top of the whipped cream. Remove the pie from the pan, place it on a cake plate and serve.

Steps:

• For the crust: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Roll the pie dough out on a lightly floured board to about 1/4-inch thick, then fit into a 9-inch pie dish and crimp the edges.
• Place a piece of parchment paper into the pie crust and fill with dried beans or pie weights. Bake until the crust is starting to set and the edges are browning, 20 minutes. Remove the parchment and beans, and continue to bake until completely golden and crisp looking, another 5 minutes. If the edges start browning before the center cooks, cover them with some foil. Let cool completely.
• Melt the bittersweet chocolate over a double boiler. Using a pastry brush, paint the inside of the pie shell with the melted chocolate in a thin even layer. Set aside to harden.
• For the chocolate filling: Meanwhile, in the top of a double boiler heat 2 cups of the milk until almost, but not quite, boiling. Add the chocolate and stir until it's completely melted. Set aside off the heat.
• In a big bowl, whisk together the sugar, cornstarch, flour and salt. Whisk in the remaining 1/2 cup milk.
• Stir the flour mixture into the hot chocolate mixture. Return the double boiler to the heat, whisk in the egg yolks, and cook, whisking constantly, until the mixture is very thick, about 20 minutes. Remove from the heat, then transfer to another bowl. Cover with plastic wrap directly touching the surface, and refrigerate until cold.
• At least 3 hours before you are ready to serve, add the chocolate filling to the pie shell, and refrigerate.
• For the whipped cream: Right before serving, cream together the mascarpone with the sugar and vanilla bean seeds in a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Add the heavy cream and continue to beat until it holds medium-stiff peaks.
• Add the whipped cream to a pastry bag fitted with a large star tip. Pipe the cream generously on top of the pie. Sprinkle with chocolate curls and shavings, and serve.