Black Bottom Pie Recipe

Crust:
1 1/3 cups graham cracker crumbs
2 tablespoons sugar
1/3 cup melted butter

Filling:
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
2 eggs
1 egg yolk
2 1/2 cups 2% low-fat milk, divided
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
2/3 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar
1 tablespoon dark rum
Chocolate shavings (about 1 ounce)

1. For crust, heat oven to 375F. In a large bowl combine cracker crumbs, sugar and butter. Press on bottom and sides of a 9-inch pie plate. Bake 8 minutes or until edge is golden brown. Cool on wire rack.
2. For filling, in a large bowl combine sugar and cornstarch; stir with a whisk. Add eggs, egg yolk and about 3/4 cup milk; whisk to combine.
3. In a medium saucepan, heat remaining 1 3/4 cups milk until hot; gradually whisk into egg mixture. Pour mixture back into pan; cook over medium heat, stirring with a wooden spoon, until thick and bubbly. Turn to very low heat; cook and stir 1 minute. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
4. For the vanilla custard, pour about half of the custard into a bowl and press plastic wrap on surface. For the chocolate custard, add chocolate to remaining custard in pan and whisk until smooth. Pour into pie shell and press plastic wrap onto surface. Chill both custards 3 hours or until cold.
5. Beat cream until soft peaks form. Add confectioners’ sugar and rum and beat until stiff (almost instantly). Whisk vanilla custard and fold in whipped cream. Spread on top of the chocolate layer and garnish with chocolate shavings. Chill 2 hours or until firm enough to cut. Serves 8.

By Jean Kressy, "Relish the American Table," May 28, 2006

Per serving: 470 calories, 16g fat, 7g prot., 57g carbs., 2g fiber, 150mg sodium.