Chocolate Chess Pie

Follow the prebake instructions in steps 1 and 2 of the Pumpkin Meringue Pie recipe, but lower the heat to 325° after prebaking.

Put the butter in the top of a double-boiler set over, but not in, slow-simmering water (or place a heat-safe glass or metal bowl in a similarly sized pot). Scatter the chocolate over the butter without mixing and let it stand until the chocolate and butter have melted, about 6 minutes. Whisk the chocolate mixture until it's smooth, then remove it from the heat and set it aside for 10 minutes to cool.

In a large bowl, use your hands to combine the sugar, cornmeal, salt, and cinnamon. In another bowl, lightly beat together the eggs and yolk. Add them to the sugar mixture, along with the milk and vanilla extract, and whisk together until they're evenly blended. Then whisk in the chocolate mixture until smooth and pour the filling into the piecrust.

Place the pie on the center oven rack and bake it for 35 minutes. Rotate it 180 degrees, then continue to bake until it puffs up and forms a thin crusty layer, about 20 minutes more. Transfer the pie to a wire rack to cool for at least 1 1/2 hours. Serve it slightly warm or at room temperature, with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, if you like. Serves 10.

Nutritional Information Per serving (one slice): Calories 429 ● Total Fat 25 g (38% DV) ● Saturated Fat 13 g (66% DV) ● Cholesterol 115 mg (38% DV) ● Sodium 220 mg (9% DV) ● Total Carbohydrate 48 g (16% DV) ● Fiber 1 g (6% DV) ● Sugars 31 g ● Protein 5 g (10% DV)

Percent daily values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.