You will get rave reviews when you serve this winning chocolate pie. It's truly decadent with its crushed pretzel crust, chocolate custard and fresh whipped cream topping.
4 oz. (3 c.) broken pretzel sticks
3/4 c. light brown sugar, lightly packed, divided
1/2 c. (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
1/4 c. cornstarch
3 T. unsweetened cocoa
pinch salt
2 1/2 c. whole or 2% milk
4 egg yolks
3 oz. bittersweet chocolate, chopped
4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
1 1/4 c. plus 2 T. heavy whipping cream, divided
1 t. vanilla extract
2 T. powdered sugar
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a food processor add pretzels, 1/4 c. brown sugar and butter; blend until mixture is finely crumbly. Firmly press pretzel mixture into bottom and sides of a 9 in. pie pan.
Bake crust until fragrant and just turning golden, 10 - 15 minutes; cool.
In a medium saucepan, whisk together 1/2 c. lightly packed 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. Carefully place pan in a bowl of ice cubes and water; stir occasionally until custard cools.
While custard cools, prepare a chocolate ganache to cover pie crust. Place chopped semi-sweet chocolate in medium bowl.
Heat 1/4 c. plus 2 T. heavy whipping cream in the microwave for about 30-40 seconds, just until boiling. Pour warm heavy cream over chocolate; stir until melted; pour over cooled pie crust, using a rubber spatula to 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 and touching the surface. Chill until firm, 4 hours or up to 1 day.
Whip cream and powdered sugar until soft peaks form; spread over pie; garnish with extra pretzels and chocolate shavings.
8 servings.