Chocolate Cream Pie With Banana Whipped Cream

As most of you know, I am a wee bit intimidated by pie. So much so that I avoided baking this beauty until nearly midnight last evening. Silly I know but I’m getting there guys. As of today, this will make pie number 3 and I have to say this pie may be the one that has finally set me free so to speak. It could be because this pie somewhat resembles a cheesecake, which is where my creative baking tendencies seem to flourish the most.

Then again, it could be the rich creamy dark chocolate filling with hints of coconut. All of which is surrounded by a crisp chocolate crust topped with fluffy banana infused whipped cream. Yeah that would probably be it {input big grin here please}. For some reason baking in the wee hours of the morning brings out the risk taker in me. Sleep deprivation seems to be the key for creative thinking, go figure.

A couple of tips when making chocolate cream pie…

1. Don’t stop whisking, even if it’s not boiling yet. Otherwise you will miss the fact that it is thickening near the bottom of the pan first. Almost burnt my milk last night figuring that out.

2. Trust your instincts. You will know when the cream is done but just in case you get intimidated like me it is perfect when it is the consistency of griddle cake batter (not as thick as pancake).

3. Definitely use a mesh sieve to strain as recommended. You will be amazed at the amount of curdles you will discover.

4. Oh! And use a deep non-stick, scratch resistant pan. I grabbed my 12″ ManPans Saute Pan without thinking which turned out to be a lifesaver. Surferboy can’t fuss at me now for tearing up another pan with my whisk, plus wiping it was clean in a snap!

Who wants a slice? You know you do, even if you’re not a banana fan. It’s an unexpected delight to the whipped cream, honest.

Another bonus of late night baking, the boys woke up to a decadent unexpected breakfast treat. They were a bit bewildered this morning, as you can see, to find me happily serving them chocolate pie. What they did not realize as they ate in stunned silence is that I was channeling Bill Cosby. A cheerful little diddy was humming through my head over breakfast, “Mom is great! She gives us chocolate…cream pie!” My version doesn’t rhyme like Bill’s but it is just as chipper.

Pie for breakfast makes for fantastic summer break fun! We are not the only ones enjoying pie, today. Bloggers all around the web are celebrating the first day of summer with Pie Party 2012! Enjoy checking them all out guys.

Love and Hugs!

Shari-Tickled Red

Chocolate Cream Pie with Banana Whipped Cream-Serves 8 to 10

Ingredients:

Crust

1 1/3 cups chocolate wafer crumbs (I used chocolate graham crackers)

5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

1/4 cup sugar

Filling

2/3 cup sugar

1/4 cup cornstarch

1/2 teaspoon salt

4 large egg yolks

2 cups whole milk

1 cup coconut organic dairy creamer

6 oz Scharffen Berger Bentre Dark Chocolate

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

1 teaspoon vanilla

Whipped Cream

1 tablespoon pureed banana (can be substituted for 1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon of Banana Extract)

3/4 cup chilled heavy cream

1 tablespoon sugar

Crust:

Prep

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Move the top rack to the middle.

Coat a 9 inch pie plate with vegetable shortening

In a mixing bowl stir together graham cracker crumbs, butter and sugar. Press firmly on bottom and up the sides of the pie plate.

Place in the oven and bake until crisp, approx. 15 minutes.

Remove and cool on a baking rack.

Filling:
In a deep pan over medium high heat, whisk together the sugar, cornstarch, salt and egg yolks until well combined.

Then add milk in thirds, continuing to whisk.

Bring the milk mixture to a boil over while continuing to whisk, be sure to scrape the bottom.

Reduce the heat and simmer, still whisking, for approx. 1 min. or until the filling is the consistency of griddle cake batter (not as thick as pancake batter).

Place a fine-mesh sieve over a large mixing bowl and a push the filling through, scraping the bottom of the mesh sieve.

Break the chocolate into to small pieces and whisk into the filling along with the butter and vanilla.

Cover the surface of the filling with a round of wax paper and cool completely, approx. 2 hours.

Spoon the filling into the cooled crust and chill the pie, loosely covered for at least 6 hours up to 24 hours.

Banana Whipped Cream:

Just before serving, in a small bowl puree three small slices of banana (approx. 1 tablespoon).

In mixing bowl, beat the pureed banana (or banana extract if substituting) and heavy cream using an electric mixer on medium speed for approx. 2 minutes. Add the sugar and continue to beat until the cream just begins to holds stiff peaks.

Spoon whipped cream on top of the pie, sprinkle with chocolate shavings and enjoy!

Shari/Red

Tagged as: Banana, chocolate, Chocolate Cream Pie, Dessert, Pie, Pie Day, Pie Party 2012, whipped cream

{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }

Jamie June 20, 2012 at 1:00 pm

Who wants a slice?? And for breakfast? Are you kidding? I do!!! Lucky boys! Wow and what a fabulous, decadent pie! I am bookmarking this for future chocoholic pie-a-thons! And I think banana and chocolate are a mighty fine pairing! Happy Pie Day with one fabulous pie!

Paula- bell'alimento June 20, 2012 at 3:31 pm

How did I miss that it was pie day? Want 2 slices now please : )

Jessica@AKitchenAddiction June 20, 2012 at 4:50 pm

Sounds like a great breakfast!!

Winnie June 20, 2012 at 7:55 pm

Hello heaven!!!

Tickled Red June 23, 2012 at 9:17 am: LOL…thank you!

Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen June 21, 2012 at 12:08 am

Now that’s breakfast!! I’d love to wake up to a slice of that. :-)

Tickled Red June 23, 2012 at 9:16 am: Anytime love, you are more than welcome to come have breakfast me and the guys. We would love to have you!! xoxo

Lana @ Never Enough Thyme June 21, 2012 at 8:56 am

One slice to go, please? Or just box one up and ship it to Georgia. No? Well, then I’ll just have to make my own, won’t I? Incredible idea to add the banana in the whipped cream.

Tickled Red June 23, 2012 at 9:16 am: You go it love! coming your way :D xoxo

Amy June 21, 2012 at 11:36 am

Those boys are great. They do look a bit confused — stunned even. But I bet they were mighty happy! YUM!

Tickled Red June 23, 2012 at 9:15 am: LOL…M2 was half asleep. perplexed and slightly annoyed that mom wouldn’t stop singing at the crack of dawn :D

Jen @ My Kitchen Addiction June 22, 2012 at 11:51 am