Best Mels Best Ever Chocolate Pie Recipes

S'MORES CHOCOLATE PIE {OR TART}

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• For the crust, combine all the ingredients together in a small bowl and stir until the graham cracker crumbs are evenly moistened. Press the mixture evenly into the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie plate or 9-inch tart pan. Bake for 8-10 minutes until just lightly golden. Remove from the oven and let cool completely.
• For the filling, add the chocolate to a medium bowl. Heat the cream (in a saucepan or microwave) until it starts to steam and small bubbles form at the edges. Pour the cream over the chocolate and let sit for 1-2 minutes. Stir to combine well; it will look separated and grainy as you first start to stir, but eventually it will combine into a glorious, glossy, thick mixture. Stir in the vanilla and salt.
• Pour the chocolate ganache into the cooled crust and spread evenly. Chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour (or up to overnight). About an hour before serving (can do this up to 2-3 hours in advance), preheat the oven broiler and place an oven rack 5-7 inches away from the heating element.
• Cover the top of the pie with the cut marshmallows (cut side down). Broil the pie until the marshmallows puff and turn golden, about 1 minute, turning the pie several times to evenly brown the marshmallows. KEEP A CLOSE EYE ON THE PIE THE WHOLE TIME- it can go from beautiful to burned in a matter of seconds!
• Let the pie rest at room temp for about an hour or pop in the refrigerator for 20-30 minutes to allow the chocolate layer to set up after being broiled. The pie can be refrigerated (or left at room temp) for 2-3 hours after the marshmallows have been toasted. Any longer and the marshmallows might get stickier and kind of wet.
• Slice the pie into pieces with a sharp knife (dip it in hot water and wipe clean between slices for more even cutting) and serve.

MILE-HIGH CHOCOLATE PIE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Line pie dish with crust; crimp edges decoratively. Fully bake pie crust according to recipe or box instructions. Let cool completely.
• Whisk egg whites and sugar in a medium heatproof bowl set over a medium saucepan of simmering water until sugar dissolves and egg whites are warm but not hot, 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat. Using an electric mixer, beat on medium-high speed until cool, tripled in volume, and stiff peaks form (the tips of the peaks won't fall over when beaters are lifted from bowl and turned upright), about 6 minutes.
• Stir chopped chocolate and butter in a large bowl set over same saucepan of simmering water until melted and smooth, 4-5 minutes; set aside.
• Beat 2 cups cream in another medium bowl until medium peaks form (cream should be soft and pillowy), 5-6 minutes.
• Gently fold egg whites into warm chocolate mixture until fully incorporated (work quickly to prevent chocolate from turning gritty). Gently fold in whipped cream just until no white streaks remain; do not overmix or mixture will deflate. Spoon 1/2 cup chocolate mousse into bottom of prepared pie crust; spread evenly over bottom of crust. Sprinkle 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons crushed chocolate wafers over mousse. Top with remaining mousse, mounding in the center to create a dome. (The point is to add height, not to spread out evenly to edges.) Chill pie.
• Beat remaining 2 cups cream, crème fraîche, and salt until medium-stiff peaks form (when the beaters are lifted from the cream, the peaks will hold their shape but the tips will fall over). Top chocolate mousse with whipped-cream mixture, following the same rounded dome shape. Chill pie for at least 4 hours or, covered, for up to 3 days. (It will slice best if chilled overnight, allowing mousse to set properly.)
• Garnish pie with 2 tablespoons chocolate wafers and chocolate shavings. Slice pie using a clean, dry knife; wipe between slices to ensure clean, elegant pieces.

CHOCOLATE MERINGUE PIE (THE BEST EVER)

Steps:

• Filling: Combine sugar, flour, cocoa and salt in a saucepan.
• Gradually stir in milk. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until thick.
• Pour a small amount into beaten eggs and stir well. Return to hot mixture and cook for 2 more minutes. Remove from heat. Add butter and vanilla, mixing well. Pour into a pie shell and set aside.
• Meringue: Preheat oven to 350.
• In a mixing bowl, beat egg whites on high speed of the electric mixer, gradually adding sugar and vanilla. Beat until mixture holds firm peaks. Spread meringue over pie.
• Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until browned.