PW Chocolate Pie

Ree, The Pioneer Woman, is my girl.  In my mind, we are friends.  She doesn't know it because she's busy in Pawhuska homeschooling, cooking, ranching, and such.  But we are.  So anyway, I "borrrowed" her chocolate pie recipe for Thanksgiving and it was so amazing that I made it again for my Dad's birthday.  You should really make it too...it's just that good.

(PW Chocolate Pie is on the left, more about the one on the right in the next post.  Also, pie tastes better when transported via laundry basket.  Try it.)

1 Pet-Ritz deep dish pie crust, baked

1 1/2 c. sugar

1/4 c. cornstarch

1/4 tsp. salt

3 c. whole milk

4 egg yolks (separate eggs using the water bottle method...you're welcome)

6 1/2 oz. bittersweet chocolate (Ghirardelli is my pick - 60%)

2 tsp. vanilla extract

2 Tbsp. butter

Stir together first three ingredients in a saucepan.  Pour in milk and egg yolks and whisk together.  Stir over medium heat until the mixture barely comes to a boil and begins to thicken (6-8 minutes).  Remove from heat and add chocolate, vanilla, and butter.  Stir to combine.  Pour pudding into pie crust.  (You will have some leftover.  Eat it, put it in cups, or make another pie!).  Chill in the fridge for 4 hours.