MEXICAN CREAM PIE RECIPES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°.
• To prepare the crust, reserve 1 tablespoon crumbs for topping. Combine the remaining crumbs, 2 tablespoons sugar, cinnamon, and 1/8 teaspoon salt in a bowl, stirring well. Stir in egg white and butter. Press crumb mixture into bottom and up sides of a 9-inch pie plate coated with cooking spray. Bake at 375° for 9 minutes or until lightly toasted; cool completely on a wire rack.
• To prepare filling, combine 1/2 cup sugar and the next 7 ingredients (through egg yolk) in a bowl, stirring well with a whisk. Place milk in a medium, heavy saucepan over medium-high heat; cook until milk reaches 180° or until tiny bubbles form around edge (do not boil). Gradually add hot milk to egg mixture, stirring constantly with a whisk. Return milk mixture to pan; cook over medium heat 10 minutes or until thick and bubbly, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Add chocolate; stir until smooth.
• Place pan in a large ice-filled bowl for 10 minutes or until mixture cools, stirring occasionally. Spoon filling into crust, and cover surface of filling with plastic wrap. Chill 3 hours or until set; remove plastic wrap. Spread whipped topping over pie; sprinkle with reserved cracker crumbs.

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F.
• Combine crumbs and melted butter in bowl. Press onto bottom and up sides of ungreased 9-inch pie pan. Bake 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool completely.
• Melt butter and cinnamon in 2-quart saucepan over low heat. Add chocolate; continue cooking 2-3 minutes or until smooth. Stir in milk. Increase heat to medium; continue cooking, stirring occasionally, 6-7 minutes or until bubbles begin to form around edges. Remove from heat.
• Combine egg yolks and sugar in bowl; beat at medium speed 1-2 minutes or until pale yellow in color. Sift in cornstarch and cocoa powder; mix until combined.
• Gradually add hot milk mixture to egg mixture until completely combined. Add mixture back to saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture reaches 175°F-180°F. (Do not boil.) Continue cooking 6-8 minutes or until mixture has a thick, pudding-like consistency. Pour pudding mixture into prepared crust. Press plastic food wrap onto pudding. Refrigerate 2-3 hours or until set. 
• Beat whipping cream in bowl at high speed until stiff peaks form. Gently stir in powdered sugar. Refrigerate until serving time.
• Dollop each slice of pie with whipped cream. Garnish with almond slices, if desired.