Guest Favorite Thing - Mimi's Chocolate Pie - 8"

This guest post comes from my dear friend Margaret. It is one of her favorite things ever this time of year: her grandmother's chocolate pie. She says its super easy to make and is always a crowd pleaser.

INGREDIENTS

1 scant cup sugar

3T flour

2T coca

pinch salt

3 eggs, separated (keep egg yolks)

1 large can evaporated milk

1t. butter

1t. vanilla

1 baked pie shell (just use the pre-made Pillsbury refrigerated pie crusts and follow those directions)

DIRECTIONS

First, bake your pie crust.

1. Mix sugar, flour and cocoa together with a whisk.

2. Stir in enough milk to dissolve powder.

3. Beat in egg yolks and the rest of the milk.

4. Cook in saucepan on medium heat -- stirring until it thickens (should be smooth - no lumps!) Cut off the heat.

5. Add butter and vanilla and mix it together.

6. Pour into baked pie shell.

7. Top with cool whip or whipping cream.

If you want to make a meringue for the topping (either is good!):

1. Whip 2 egg whites with 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon vinegar.

2. Add 4 Tablespoons of sugar - slowly - as you whip it together.

3. Bake this at 350 until the peaks of the meringue lightly brown. (about 5 - 10 minutes)

**As a general rule you use 2T sugar for every egg white you use. If you increase the amount of egg, proceed accordingly.