OLD TEXAS CHOCOLATE CREAM PIE

1/4 cup flour
2/3 cup sugar
1/8 tsp salt
1 tbsp cocoa
2 cups milk
3 egg yolks, beaten well
1 tbsp butter
1/2 tsp vanilla

In a heavy saucepan, combine the flour, sugar, salt, cocoa, and milk, whisk until smooth.  Cook over low heat until thick.

In a bowl, combine 1/2 cup of the hot chocolate mixture into the egg yolks and beat until until combined; pour the egg yolks into the remaining chocolate mixture.  Cook until very thick, stirring to keep smooth.  Add the butter and vanilla, stirring to blend in.

Pour the mixture into a baked pastry shell.  Top with meringue recipe of your choice and bake in a preheated 375 degree oven for 10 to 12 minutes to brown meringue.

If you prefer, you can top pie with whipped cream rather than meringue.

Makes 1 pie.