Homemade Chocolate Pudding Pie

Sweet treats are acceptable now and then, so try out my homemade chocolate pudding pie with a crust you can make in the pie dish itself!

Ingreadient

• 1 1/2 cups whole-wheat pastry flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 8 tablespoons butter (melted)
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 2 1/2 cups whole milk
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup corn starch
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder (I like the “extra dark” variety)
• 2 eggs
• 3/4 cup chocolate chips
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon honey, pure maple syrup, or sugar
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup raspberries (and/or chocolate sprinkles, shavings, or chips for garnish)

Step by step

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. 
2. In a 9″ pie pan, use a fork to whisk together the flour, salt, and cinnamon. Stir in the butter and milk, then bring the dough together with your hands. 
3. Press the dough into the pan, bringing it up on the sides into one even layer. Finish the edges with the back of a fork (if desired). 
4. Punch holes in the bottom of the crust with a fork (to prevent it from puffing up) and bake until golden brown, about 16 to 20 minutes. Let cool completely before adding the pudding. 
5. In a medium saucepan, whisk together the milk, sugar, corn starch, cocoa powder, and eggs. Set it over medium heat and frequently whisk until the mixture begins to bubble up. Turn the heat down to medium-low and keep whisking until the mixture becomes thick and creamy, 6 to 8 minutes. It’s essential that it’s thick enough to set up like a pie, so it’s better to be on the thicker side (vs. thinner)!
6. Remove from the heat and stir in the chocolate chips, butter, and vanilla until melted and well combined. Pour into the cooled pie crust, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until set, at least 4 to 5 hours. Can also freeze for 1 hour if you’re in a pinch.
7. Combine the heavy cream with your sweetener of choice and vanilla, and either whisk by hand or use electric beaters until stiff peaks form. Can also shake together in a jar with a tight-fitting lid until you no longer hear liquid hitting the sides. 
8. Add as a topping to finished/set pudding pie, garnish with additional chocolate (if desired), raspberries, and serve.