Mimi and Minny's Chocolate Chess Pie

If you haven't seen The Help yet, I urge you to do so. It is a wonderful movie that will have you both laughing and crying. One of the main characters in the film is Minny. She is a feisty lady who is an excellent cook and makes the best chocolate pies in town. The last time I was in Mississippi visiting family I came across a newspaper article about the chocolate pies that were used on the set of the movie. They were all made my a newspaper columnist named Lee Ann Flemming from Greenwood, Mississippi. At the end of the article was the recipe for Minny's pie. As I read the ingredients, they sounded very familiar.

My Mimi has made the same chocolate chess pie for as long as I can remember. It's not your typical chocolate pie topped with meringue. This pie is different. It is rich, smooth and oh so chocolaty. The best chocolate pie EVER in my book. She always has one in the fridge when we visit, and I usually have to get my piece early before my brother devours it all! While I was reading the recipe, I read it out loud to Mimi and it was the exact recipe that she had used all these years. I want to share it all with you because it is such a family favorite. Now, if you are looking for a low-fat, low calorie pie, I'm afraid this isn't for you. :)

I hope you make this pie and that your family enjoys it as much as ours has! Happy eating!

Mimi and Minny's Chocolate Chess Pie

1 packaged pie dough crust, such as Pillsbury

1 1/2 cups sugar

3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

2 large eggs, beaten

3/4 cup evaporated milk

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon salt

Whipped cream or Cool Whip, for serving

Preheat the oven to 350°. Ease the pie crust into a 9-inch pie plate and crimp the edges decoratively. Prick the crust lightly with a fork. Line the crust with foil or parchment paper and fill with pie weights or dried beans. Bake for 15 minutes or until set. Remove the foil and weights and bake for about 5 minutes longer, just until the crust is dry but not browned.

Meanwhile, in a bowl, whisk the sugar with the cocoa powder, butter, eggs, evaporated milk, vanilla and salt until smooth.

Pour the filling into the pie shell and bake for about 45 minutes, until the filling is set around the edges but a little jiggly in the center. Cover the crust with strips of foil halfway through baking. Transfer the pie to a rack and let cool completely before cutting into wedges. Serve with whipped cream.