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My sweet tooth often overtakes me, and acquires an almost spiritual quality. Especially when the issue of chocolate surfaces. And I like generous amounts of chocolate, chocolate I can sink a fork into and savor with coffee, So it is easy to see how I embarked on this crusade for an exquisite chocolate pie recipe.
I started with the simple chocolate pudding mix and whipped topping variety of my childhood. I liked this concoction as a child. But what do children know. Children eat those yellow-sugared-plastic-grass-covered marshmallow peeps out of Easter baskets. Children declare that gum found on the pavement is a delicacy. Children are no judge of chocolate pie. So rising out of my youthful Epicurean ignorance, I found myself searching fortrue chocolate pie fulfillment.
I admit to being in the darkness. When I encountered a chocolate flavored gooey substance boasting a recipe on the side of the can. I gave it a try. The outcome was a gooey chocolate ersatz that had no taste, and reminded me of the paste we used to use in early elementary (There again, I remember that paste as being fragrant and tasty).
My next forage included chocolate pudding, cream cheese and several other ingredients. I felt hopeful. In my experience when cream cheese is added to any dessert the result is generally quite good. The pie had a smooth texture and set up beautifully. My husband enthusiastically sunk his fork into this pie; His eyes lit up, and he made happy “Mmmmmm” noises. But my husband resists criticizing me when it comes to food. He has this irrational fear that if he complains I will never feed him again. Well, maybe it is not that irrational Anyway, as I spooned this smooth brown calorie laden mix into my mouth I found no chocolate taste whatsoever. When pressed, my husband agreed. Another failure.
Undaunted, I poured through magazines, read cookbooks, and ordered chocolate pies at restaurants in an effort to find the truth. It came to me in one search, the truth so simple it was difficult to grasp. In order to get real chocolate taste in a chocolate pie, one must use real chocolate. My heart leapt as tears filled my eyes. I knew this was the cuisine I sought all along.
I tweaked this recipe to make it my own, and to provide other seekers with the ultimate chocolate pie experience. Start with quality chocolate. My favorite is a bittersweet Swiss chocolate bar. You will need 7 ounces of this. Add the chocolate, 16 marshmallows, and 1/2 cup of toasted slivered almonds. Gently melt in a double boiler until mixture is creamy. Stir in 1/2 cup of milk and 1 teaspoon of vanilla. Set this aside and let cool. Add 8 ounce packet of whipped topping. Spoon this delightful combination into a graham cracker, sugar cookie, or chocolate cookie crust. Let this set for 3 or more hours in the refrigerator. Decorate with chocolate shavings, whipped cream, or chocolate sprinkles. Enjoy.
I am sure you will agree that I arrived victorious in my search for the true chocolate pie. May your quests be equally successful. May your tastebuds be happily surprised at your achievements.
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