Homemade Chocolate Custard Pie!

This post is part of our 'Sweet and Sour' food series here at Bubby and Bean, written by my little sis Morgan.  You can read the story behind the series here.  Want to learn how to make some of her other amazing goodies?  Check out the recipes for her dark chocolate cupcakes w/peanut butter frosting, homemade cinnamon rolls, homemade peanut brittle, cajun grilled shrimp, and homemade dog treats!  xo, melissa 

One of Melissa's favorite nights of the year - her 'Super Bowl' as she refers to it - is the Academy Awards.  I'm a big fan as well.  I have to get up at 5 AM for work (I'm a high school teacher), but I forced myself to stay up and watch as much as I could Sunday night.  My sister and I texted back and forth, commenting on the red carpet looks, not-so-funny jokes, winners, losers, and awkward moments in between.  My favorite part of the night was when Octavia Spencer (one of Melissa's 'best dressed' picks!) accepted her Best Supporting Actress award for her role as Minny Jackson in The Help. After bursting into tears right along with her, I thought I’d honor her character by making my own version of 'Minny’s Chocolate Pie.' (Minus the special extra ingredient of course; I won’t spoil it in case you haven’t seen it or read the book).  I absolutely love The Help. I've read the book, seen the movie MANY times, and literally just finished listening to the audio book on my way to work this morning.  It is an amazing story and if you haven’t already read/seen it, go out and get it now. Seriously, now!  And on your way, grab the ingredients for this classic chocolate custard pie. 

For those who have followed along with my Sweet and Sour series, you know that my husband is quite possibly the world's pickiest eater.  One of his least favorite things in the world is pie, especially if there is fruit of any kind involved.  This particular pie, however, is something he loves through and through.  It's that good. :)

Total time required: 1 hour (2 hours if you make your own crust)
Makes approximately 8 servings

Prepared pie dough crust for a single crust pie* 
*I made my own from scratch, but you can use premade or refrigerated dough
1 1/2 cups white granulated sugar
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder.   I used dark cocoa powder.
5 tablespoons butter, melted then cooled to the touch
1/4 teaspoon Salt (optional; only necessary if you use unsalted butter)
2 eggs
3/4 cup evaporated milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (only the real stuff please!)
whipped cream or vanilla ice cream to serve on top (also optional; but extra delicious!)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Partially pre-bake pie crust according to directions. You want the crust to be dry, not browned.

3. Whisk together the sugar, cocoa powder, butter, eggs, evaporated milk, vanilla, and salt if necessary in a large bowl until thoroughly mixed.

4. Pour the filling into the pie shell and bake for about 45 minutes, until the filling is set around the edges but a little jiggly in the center. Cover the crust edge with a pie ring or strips of foil halfway through baking to prevent burning.

5. Let the pie cool completely before cutting slices, top with whipped cream or ice cream if desired, and ENJOY! (Maybe have two slices... Wink wink!)


I'll be back again soon with another edition of Sweet and Sour.  If you make this recipe, be sure to let us know how you liked it!