You can definitely substitute a large portion of the ingredients for a "quickie" version, for instance, instead of making homemade chocolate pudding from scratch, you can substitute it for Jello chocolate pudding instead. The same goes for the whipped cream. However, if you have the time, trust me, it's worth it to make each step from scratch! It's a blast to make with your family! You make the crust, while they make the other layers and in a few hours you have a pie made with love, laughter and "delight"...What really could be better???
Layer 1. Crust Layer 2. Chocolate Pudding Layer 3. Vanilla-Almond Cream-Cheese Layer 4. Whipped Cream |
For the Crust:
1 ½ cup flour
1 ½ cup pecan pieces, small
1 ½ sticks of melted butter
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine in bowl and stir until moist. Pat down in deep dish pie pan. 20-25 mins or until golden brown.
Layer 1
12oz cream cheese
1 ½ cup whipped cream
1 ½ cup powdered sugar
1 ½ tsp almond extract (if you don’t want this then just substitute with more vanilla)
1 ½ tsp vanilla extract (or more)
Mix cream cheese with sugar. Then add whipped cream, vanilla, and extracts.
Layer 2
¾ cup premium cocoa powder
1/2 cup flour
1 cup sugar
3/8 tsp salt
4.5 egg yolks
1 ½ tsp vanilla (or more)
1 ½ cup of half and half
1 ½ cup of whole milk
Scald milk over medium heat in double boiler for about 10 mins, or until skin has formed over the top. Combine Cocoa w/ sugar, flour and salt. Then add to scalded milk in double boiler. Continue to whisk for 10 mins. Add a tsp at a time, of milk mixture, to egg yolks, stirring after each addition, until you added about 7 spoonfuls. Then add all the egg mixture to custard, slowly mixing. Cook 2 more mins until thick. Take off heat and cool a few mins. Add vanilla.
Whipped Cream Recipe: (3rd layer of pie)
6 cups of heavy cream
3 tablespoons powdered sugar or more if you want sweeter
2 tablespoons vanilla (or more)
Chill bowl, mixer whisk, and heavy cream in freezer for 10 mins prior to making. Combine all ingredients in mixer. Whip to soft peaks .
Layer pie, and then add either pecans, or chocolate shavings to top of pie. Refrigerate for an hour or two prior to serving.