If you make this pie, you will get a multitude of compliments. It has a pretzel crust and a smooth, creamy pudding filling. Use the best quality chocolate that you can afford, like Ghirardelli chocolate. It truly makes a big difference and makes this pie
4 oz. (3 c.) broken pretzel sticks
3/4 c. light brown sugar, lightly packed,divided
1/2 c. unsalted butter, melted
1/4 c. cornstarch
3 T. unsweetened cocoa
pinch of salt
2 1/2 c. whole or 2% milk
4 egg yolks
3 oz. bittersweet chocolate, chopped (Ghirardelli)
4 oz. semi-sweet chocolate, chopped (Ghirardelli)
1 1/4 c. + 2 T. heavy whipping cream, divided
1 t. vanilla extract
2 T. powdered sugar
Heat oven to 350 degrees .
In a food processor, combine pretzels, 1/4 c. brown sugar, and butter; blend until mixture resembles fine crumbs. Press mixture firmly into bottom and up sides of a 9 inch pie pan. Bake crust until fragrant and just turning golden, 10 - 15 minutes; cool.
In a medium saucepan, whisk together remaining brown sugar, cornstarch, cocoa, salt, and milk. Place over medium heat; stir until sugar is just dissolved, about 2 minutes. Whisk in egg yolks; cook, stirring constantly, until custard thickens and just boils, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in bittersweet chocolate and vanilla. Place pan in a bowl of ice and water; stir occasionally until custard cools.
While custard cools, make a chocolate ganache to cover pie crust. Place chopped semi-sweet chocolate in a medium bowl. Heat 1/4 c. + 2 T. heavy whipping cream in microwave about 30-40 seconds until it just boils. Pour warm cream over chocolate; stir until melted. Pour over cooled pie crust, using a rubber spatula to help spread chocolate up the sides and over entire bottom of crust. Place in refrigerator or freezer until set.
Pour custard into cooled crust with hardened ganache; press plastic wrap directly onto the surface. Chill until firm, 4 hours or up to a day.
Whip the cream and powdered sugar until soft peaks form; spread over pie; garnish with extra pretzels and chocolate shavings.
8 servings.