French Silk Pie

Ingredients

• 1 pie crust, blind baked then chilled
• 1 cup granulated sugar, divided
• 1/4 cup packed light-brown sugar
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 3 large eggs
• 6 oz bittersweet chocolate chips
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 8 Tbsp unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 1/4 cups heavy cream
• 3 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 1/2 cups heavy cream
• 5 Tbsp granulated sugar
• 2 – 3 oz dark chocolate, finely chopped or shaved with a vegetable peeler

Directions

1. Set a heatproof bowl over a pot of simmering water, then add 3/4 cup + 2 Tbsp granulated sugar, the light brown sugar, salt, and eggs. Whisk the mixture the whole time it warms, until a candy thermometer reads 160 degrees, about 8 minutes.
2. Take the bowl off the heat. Stir in the chocolate chips until they melt completely, then blend in the vanilla. Leave the mixture to cool to 75 degrees, stirring now and then; the refrigerator can help speed things along.
3. In the bowl of an electric stand mixer with the paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium-high speed until it looks light and fluffy. Add the cooled chocolate mixture, change to the whisk attachment, and beat on high speed until the filling becomes lighter and fluffy, about 6 minutes longer.
4. In a large mixing bowl, whisk the cocoa with the remaining 2 Tbsp granulated sugar. Still whisking, gradually pour in about 1/2 cup of the heavy cream and mix until smooth.
5. Add the remaining 3/4 cup heavy cream. With an electric hand mixer on high speed, beat the mixture until stiff peaks form. Fold this whipped cream mixture into the chocolate-butter mixture.
6. Transfer the filling to the prepared pie crust and smooth the top into an even layer. Cover with foil, sealing it around the edges, and refrigerate overnight.
7. Just before serving, whip 2 1/2 cups heavy cream in a mixing bowl until soft peaks form. Add the granulated sugar and continue whipping until stiff peaks form.
8. Spread the whipped cream over the chilled pie and top with chocolate. Slice and serve cold. Store in the refrigerator.