Chocolate Cream Pie

This is the original recipe of my Mama Headrick’s Chocolate Cream Pie with just a few adjustments. Hands down, one of our family favorites!

1 1/4 cup granulated sugar
3 Tbsp. cocoa powder
1/2 cup flour
Dash of salt
2 cups whole milk
3 eggs, separated
3 Tbsp. butter
1 tsp. vanilla
1 9-inch baked pie shell

Mix together sugar, cocoa, flour and salt in a heavy saucepan and set aside.

Separate eggs, saving the whites for the meringue topping. With a fork beat yolks until creamy. Add beaten yolks to milk.

Using a wooden spoon, slowly add milk and eggs to the cocoa mix, stirring continually to combine.

Cook over medium heat until thickened, stirring constantly. When thick, add butter and vanilla, stirring until butter is melted and vanilla is mixed thoroughly in the chocolate mixture.

Pour immediately into a 9-inch baked pie shell. Top with meringue.

Easy Meringue

3 egg whites, room temperature
1/4 tsp. cream of tartar
1/2 cup fine granulated sugar
1 tsp. vanilla

Beat egg whites and cream of tartar until frothy. Add sugar and beat until stiff peaks form.

Stir in vanilla.

Spread on top of pie. Bake on 350 degrees until light golden brown.

Cool in refrigerator until serving time.

The Original Handwritten Recipe

Here is the original recipe in my Mama Headrick’s handwriting.  I believe my mom changed the original recipe and used milk in the place of the water. I do the same thing. I like the creamier taste you get with the milk. Also I have adjusted the butter to 3 tablespoons.
My grandmother made her pie crust using lard. If you have never had a pie crust or made biscuits using lard, you should give it a try. I am not sure where you would find the lard; I had all the employees at Winn Dixie looking for lard one day and no one found it! I am sure there are stores that still have it available.

As much as my family enjoys this chocolate cream pie each time I make it, I cannot capture the taste of sitting at my grandmother’s table or my mom’s, and enjoying a delicious slice of this pie with a good cup of coffee or a cold glass of fresh milk. Oh, for the good days!