A request for a decadent chocolate dessert for Valentine’s Day was answered by Paula Dominique, who shares her recipes, and kitchen wisdom, in her personal blog, Real Cooking and Kitchen Hacks from Paula to You. Always a treat!

Chocolate Filling:

4 large egg yolks

½ stick butter

1 cup sugar

3 Tbs. Cocoa powder

3 Tbs. cornstarch

2 cups milk

1 tsp. vanilla

Meringue:

4 large egg whites

1/3 cup sugar

1/8 tsp. cream of tartar

1 tsp. cornstarch

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

Directions for Chocolate Filling:

In heavy bottom sauce pan, beat egg yolks and sugar till smooth. Combine cocoa and cornstarch in a small bowl and add to egg mixture, beating well. Add milk in small amounts at a time, beating after each addition till smooth. Move saucepan to stove and cook over medium heat till mixture is thickened to pudding consistency while whisking constantly. Add butter and vanilla and whisk till butter is melted. Cool while you make your meringue.

Directions for Meringue:

Mix dry ingredients together and set aside. Beat room temperature whites and extracts till foamy. Add dry ingredients and beat till glossy with stiff peaks.

Transfer chocolate filling to pre-baked and cooled pie shell and top with meringue. Bake 5-8 minutes in 400°oven till meringue is golden brown. Chill thoroughly before serving.

Paula Dominique