Ingredients
Pastry for single-crust pie (9 inches), see below1/3 cup sugar1/4 cup cornstarch2-1/2 cups half-and-half cream4 large egg yolks6 ounces semisweet chocolate, finely chopped3 tablespoons Cognac or brandy1 teaspoon vanilla extractTOPPING:1 cup heavy whipping cream1 tablespoon Cognac or brandy1 teaspoon confectioners’ sugarBaking cocoa
Preparation
On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to a 1/8-in.-thick circle; transfer to a 9-in. pie plate. Trim crust to 1/2 in. beyond rim of plate; flute edge. Line unpricked crust with a double thickness of foil. Fill with pie weights, dried beans or uncooked rice.
Bake at 400° for 20 minutes. Remove foil and weights; bake 10-12 minutes longer or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack.
In a heavy saucepan, mix sugar and cornstarch. Whisk in cream. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly. Remove from the heat. In a small bowl, whisk a small amount of hot mixture into egg yolks; return all to the pan, whisking constantly. Cook and stir over low heat 1 minute longer. Remove from the heat; stir in the chocolate, Cognac and vanilla until chocolate is melted.
Transfer to a clean bowl; press waxed paper onto surface of filling. Cool filling to room temperature. Spoon into crust. Refrigerate, covered, until cold, about 4 hours.
For topping, in a small bowl, beat cream until it begins to thicken. Add Cognac and confectioners’ sugar; beat until soft peaks form. Spread over pie. Dust lightly with cocoa.
