Chocolate Meringue Pie

Mom’s Chocolate Meringue Pie: A Step-by-Step Recipe

When it comes to classic desserts, few can rival the timeless appeal of a well-made pie. One such dessert that stands out, both in its elegance and its decadent flavor, is the Chocolate Meringue Pie.

The rich, velvety chocolate filling paired with the fluffy, perfectly browned meringue topping is a delightful treat that will have you coming back for seconds. In this blog post, we’re going to walk you through the steps to create this mouthwatering masterpiece in your very own kitchen.

Chocolate Meringue Pie: A Brief Overview

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of the recipe, let’s take a moment to appreciate the components that make up this delightful Chocolate Meringue Pie. This dessert consists of three main parts: the pie crust, the chocolate filling, and the meringue topping. The combination of these elements results in a symphony of flavors and textures that is sure to leave your taste buds singing.

Pie Crust: To begin, you’ll need a pre-baked regular pie shell. The crust serves as the foundation for the entire pie, providing a crisp and flaky base that complements the creamy chocolate filling and the light meringue topping.

Chocolate Filling: The heart of this pie is the rich and luscious chocolate filling. It’s made from a combination of egg yolks, sugar, flour, cocoa, evaporated milk, butter, and real Mexican vanilla extract. Cooking this mixture to a pudding-like consistency is key to achieving the perfect texture and flavor.

Meringue Topping: The crowning glory of this pie is the fluffy meringue topping. It’s created by beating egg whites with sugar, cold water, and a touch of real Mexican vanilla extract. Once the meringue forms soft peaks, it’s spread generously over the chocolate filling and browned to perfection in the oven.

Now that we’ve introduced the key components, let’s get down to the details of the Chocolate Meringue Pie recipe. This delightful dessert is a labor of love, but the end result is absolutely worth it.

 

 

Ingredients

  • For the Chocolate Filling:
  • 3 egg yolks, room temperature
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 3 tablespoons White Lily all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons Hershey’s unsweetened cocoa
  • 1 12-oz can evaporated milk
  • 1/2 stick butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla flavoring (preferably real Mexican vanilla)
  • 1 regular pie shell, pre-cooked and set aside

For the Meringue Topping:

  • 3 egg whites (make sure there is NO egg yolk in the egg whites)
  • 4 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 tablespoon cold water
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla flavoring (preferably real Mexican vanilla)

Step 1: Prepare the Chocolate Filling

1 ) In a saucepan, combine the egg yolks, sugar, flour, cocoa, evaporated milk, and butter. Ensure that all ingredients are thoroughly mixed.

2 ) Place the saucepan over medium heat and begin to cook the mixture. It’s crucial to continuously stir with a flat metal spatula, ensuring you scrape the bottom and sides of the saucepan. This helps prevent any lumps from forming.

3 ) Continue cooking until the mixture reaches a smooth pudding-like consistency. This should take about 7-10 minutes. Keep a close eye on it to prevent scorching.

4 ) Once the desired consistency is achieved, remove the saucepan from heat and add the vanilla flavoring. To ensure a silky texture, use a hand mixer to gently incorporate the vanilla and remove any possible lumps.

5 ) Pour the luscious chocolate filling into the pre-cooked pie shell, spreading it evenly.

Step 2: Prepare the Meringue Topping

1 ) In a mixing bowl, combine the egg whites and cold water. Using a hand mixer, begin beating the mixture on a low setting.

2 ) Gradually add the sugar, a tablespoon at a time, while continuing to beat the egg whites. This process should take about 2-3 minutes.

3 ) Once the meringue has formed soft peaks, add the vanilla flavoring and continue mixing for a few more seconds. The meringue should now be glossy and hold its shape.

Step 3: Assemble and Bake

1 ) Spread the meringue evenly over the chocolate filling, making sure to bring it all the way to the edge of the crust. This creates a beautiful and complete seal.

2 ) Preheat your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.

3 ) Place the pie in the preheated oven and allow the meringue to brown for approximately 5 minutes. Keep a watchful eye to prevent over-browning.

4 ) Once the meringue achieves a golden hue, carefully remove the pie from the oven and allow it to cool on a wire rack.

 

Tips for Making Chocolate Meringue Pie:

  1. Room Temperature Eggs: Ensure that the egg yolks are at room temperature. This helps them incorporate more easily into the mixture, resulting in a smoother filling.
  2. Stir Constantly: When cooking the chocolate filling, be sure to stir constantly. This prevents lumps from forming and ensures a creamy, velvety texture.
  3. Smooth Filling: After removing the filling from heat, use a hand mixer to ensure that the vanilla is evenly mixed in and any potential lumps are smoothed out.
  4. Preheat the Oven: Make sure to preheat your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit before browning the meringue. A hot oven is essential for achieving that perfect golden brown.
  5. Check the Meringue: Keep a close eye on the meringue as it browns in the oven. It can go from beautifully golden to over-browned quickly, so don’t leave it unattended.
  6. Let it Cool: Allow the pie to cool on a wire rack. This helps set the filling and meringue, making it easier to slice.

Potential Substitutions:

  1. Flour and Cocoa: If you don’t have White Lily all-purpose flour, you can use another type of all-purpose flour. Additionally, you can experiment with different types of cocoa powder for varying chocolate flavor profiles.
  2. Evaporated Milk: If you don’t have evaporated milk, you can use whole milk as a substitute. Keep in mind that the texture and flavor may vary slightly.
  3. Butter: You can use margarine or a butter substitute if you prefer to avoid dairy. However, keep in mind that this may alter the flavor slightly.
  4. Vanilla Extract: While real Mexican vanilla extract adds a unique flavor, you can use regular vanilla extract or even vanilla bean paste if that’s what you have on hand.
  5. Sugar: If you’re looking to reduce the sugar content, you can experiment with using a sugar substitute like Stevia or erythritol. Keep in mind that the texture and taste may be slightly different.
  6. Meringue Stabilizer: If you’re concerned about the stability of your meringue, you can add a pinch of cream of tartar while beating the egg whites. This helps the meringue hold its shape.
  7. Gluten-Free Crust: If you have dietary restrictions, you can use a gluten-free pie crust recipe or a store-bought gluten-free crust.

There you have it, a delectable Chocolate Meringue Pie that’s bound to steal the show at any gathering. The combination of the rich chocolate filling and the light, fluffy meringue creates a dessert experience like no other. Whether it’s a special occasion or just a weeknight indulgence, this recipe is sure to become a household favorite. Enjoy every heavenly bite!

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