LEMON CREAM PIE WITH CHOCOLATE GRAHAM CRACKER CRUST: National Lemon Creme Pie Day

Today is National Lemon Creme Pie Day. This is not the same as Lemon Meringue Pie. This pie has a smooth fresh lemon filling and dollops of whipped cream on top (not meringue). I'm lucky enough to have four Meyer Lemon trees in my garden, and they're all loaded with fruit right now. I make this pie from scratch. It's really easy. But, if you don't have time, you can buy a store bought crust and whipped cream in a can.


Lemon Cream Pie with Chocolate Graham Cracker Crust 

Ingredients 

Chocolate Graham Cracker Crust
1-1/2 cups chocolate graham crackers
6 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
2 Tbsp granulated sugar

Lemon Filling
1 1/3 cups granulated sugar
1/3 cup cornstarch
1 1/2 cups whole milk
2/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
4 large eggs yolks, lightly beaten
1/4 cup unsalted butter, cubed
1 -1/2 Tbsp grated lemon zest
1-1/4 cups sour cream

Whipped Cream
1 1/2 cups cold heavy cream
3 tablespoons powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions

Crust
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Break up graham crackers and put them in food processor. Pulse until chocolate graham crackers are processed into fine crumbs. Pour crumbs into bowl and stir in melted butter and sugar. Once all graham cracker crumbs are moistened, press crumb mixture into bottom and halfway up sides of 9-inch pie plate. Bake the crust for about 8-10 minutes. Set aside to cool.

Lemon Filling
In heavy saucepan, combine sugar and cornstarch. Whisk in milk and lemon juice. Place over medium-high heat and cook, stirring frequently, until thickened and bubbling. Reduce heat to low and cook for 2 more minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from heat.
Put egg yolks in bowl. Slowly add cup of hot mixture into egg yolks, whisking as you pour (this will slowly bring up the temperature of the eggs).
Add egg mixture back to pan and bring to gentle boil for 2 minutes, whisking constantly.
Remove from heat.
Stir in butter and lemon zest, mixing until completely combined.
Transfer to bowl and cool to room temperature.
Once cooled, whisk in sour cream. Whisk vigorously to maintain creamy texture.
Pour lemon filling into the crust. Cover and refrigerate until chilled.

Assembly
Before serving, whip heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form. Top pie with whipped cream (pipe on in stars or spread using butter knife or spatula).
Garnish with finely grated lemon zest.