Chocolate Cream Pie: The Perfect Indulgence for Your Valentine

Chocolate curls add flair to this festive dessert. Peter Ardito/TNS

Chocolate cream pie isn’t just a diner special; it’s the perfect dessert for any celebration. We love the added flair of chocolate curls on top, but a pretty dollop of whipped cream on each piece would look just as elegant.

Chocolate Cream Pie

Active Time: 1 hour Total Time: 4 hours (including 3 hours chilling time)

Serves 10

For the Crust

• 7 ounces chocolate wafer cookies (about 32 small cookies)
• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 2 tablespoons low-fat milk

For the Filling

• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• Pinch of salt
• 2 1/2 cups low-fat milk
• 2 large eggs
• 4 ounces chopped bittersweet chocolate

For the Topping

• 1/2 cup whipping cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Chocolate curls for garnish

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a 9-inch pie pan with cooking spray.

To prepare the crust: Process chocolate wafers in a food processor until finely ground. Add oil and milk; pulse until combined. Using your hands, press the mixture into the bottom and up the sides of the prepared pie pan. Bake for 12 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack.

To prepare the filling: Combine sugar, cornstarch, and salt in a large saucepan. Whisk milk and eggs in a medium bowl, then whisk into the sugar mixture. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until bubbles begin to form around the edges. Cook, stirring vigorously, for 2 minutes more. Strain through a sieve into a large bowl. Whisk in chocolate until completely melted.

Pour the filling into the crust. Press a piece of plastic wrap directly on the surface to prevent a “skin” from forming. Refrigerate until firm, about 3 hours.

To prepare the topping and decorate the pie: Just before serving, beat cream and vanilla in a bowl with an electric mixer until soft peaks form. Smooth any lines on the pie’s surface with the back of a spoon. Spoon or pipe (with a pastry bag) 10 dollops of whipped cream around the edge of the pie. Garnish with chocolate curls.

Chocolate curls add flair to this festive dessert. Peter Ardito/TNS

Make-ahead Tips

Prepare through Step 4 and refrigerate for up to one day. Decorate just before serving.

To make chocolate curls, start by microwaving a block of chocolate on Low, in 15-second bursts, until barely softened, not warm. Use a vegetable peeler to shave the chocolate into curls.

Recipe nutrition per serving: 309 Calories, Total Fat: 15 g, Saturated Fat: 6 g, Cholesterol: 57 mg, Carbohydrates: 42 g, Fiber: 2 g, Added Sugars: 19 g, Protein: 6 g, Sodium: 199 mg, Potassium: 162 mg, Folate: 27 mcg, Calcium: 100 mg.

Carbohydrate Servings: 3.

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