National Pie Day: Gone to Heaven Pie

January 23 is National Pie Day. Unlike some of these esoteric food holidays, it's easy to find the origin of this holiday. National Pie Day was created by the American Pie Council in 1986 to commemorate Crisco's 75th anniversary of "serving foods to families everywhere."

National Pie Day is a special day that is set aside to bake and cook all of your favorite pies. The American Pie Council encourages baking a few new pie recipes. And most importantly, it's a day to eat pies!

A few months ago posted an easy recipe for a Chocolate Silk Pie in my Wedding Pie article, but I like the following recipe I've adapted from Hershey's Kitchen. The name is Gone to Heaven Chocolate Pie, and it's true. I make my own chocolate crumb crust instead of a frozen or store bought, but if you don't have time, use a pre-made crust. Since this is a Hershey's recipe, I've used their dark chocolate chips. If you have other chocolate lying around, just chop it up, so you have about the same amount, and substitute.

Gone to Heaven Chocolate Pie

Pie Shell:
I would make a chocolate crumb crust. You can do this ahead to save time. Make two and freeze one, and you'll have one for next time! This one makes a 9" pie.

Ingredients
Nonstick vegetable oil spray
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 ounce bittersweet (not unsweetened) chocolate, chopped (70-85% cacao)
30 chocolate wafer cookies

Spray a 9-inch-diameter glass pie dish with nonstick spray (or butter it). Stir butter and chocolate in heavy small saucepan over low heat until melted. Finely grind cookies in processor. Add chocolate mixture. Process until crumbs are moistened. Press crumb mixture into prepared pie dish. Freeze until firm, about 30 minutes.

Pie Filling:
2/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 egg yolks
3 cups milk
2 tablespoons butter, softened
1 tablespoon vanilla extract (or a better Vanilla if you have it)
2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) Hershey's special Chocolate Chips, divided
Sweetened whipped cream (optional)

Directions:
1. Bake pie shell; cool. Stir together sugar, cornstarch and salt in 2 quart saucepan. Combine egg yolks and milk in container with pouring spout. Gradually blend milk mixture into sugar mixture.

2. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to a boil. Boil and stir 1 minute. Remove from heat; stir in butter and vanilla. Add 1-3/4 cups chocolate chips; stir until chips are melted and mixture is well blended. Pour into prepared pie shell; press plastic wrap onto filling. Cool. Refrigerate several hours or until chilled and firm. Top with whipped cream and remaining chocolate chips. (optional)

Photo: Hershey's Recipes with a plain pie crust.