Ingredients

1 c granulated sugar
¾ c butter, softened
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla
¼ tsp cream of tartar
3 squares (1 ounce each), unsweetened chocolate, melted and cooled
3 eggs
1 cup chilled whipping cream
2 tablespoons powdered sugar

Bake pie shell; cool. Beat granulated sugar and butter in a large bowl until light and fluffy.
Stir in vanilla, cream of tartar and chocolate.
Beat in eggs until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Pour into the pie shell.
Refrigerate until set, 3 to 4 hours. Or cover with plastic wrap and freeze for at least 8 hours. If pie is frozen, remove from the freezer 15 minutes before serving.
Beat whipping cream and powdered sugar in a chilled large bowl until stiff.
Top pie with whipped cream and, lf desired, chopped nuts or Chocolate Curls.
Refrigerate any remaining pie immediately.

Variation: Mocha French Silk Pie: Stir in 1 ½ tsp instant coffee with the chocolate.

555 calories. 41g fat (24g saturated fat, 150mg cholesterol.) 265mg sodium. 42g carbohydrates (2g fiber, 29g sugar.) 6g protein.

Lower fat: Substitute 2 c of fat-free whipped topping in place of heavy whipping cream. Substitute ¼ c liquid egg whites for eggs. Substitute 1 mashed banana for butter. 317 calories. 12g fat (6g saturated fat, 3mg cholesterol.) 124mg sodium. 49g carbohydrates (3g fiber, 32g sugar.) 5g protein. (Note: ½ cup of pumpkin puree can also be substituted for butter.)
Lower carbohydrate: Substitute monk fruit in place of sugar. Use sugar free whipped topping such as Redi-whip or Coolwhip in place of heavy cream & powdered sugar. 388 calories. 32g fat (19g saturated fat, 116mg cholesterol.) 257mg sodium. 32g carbohydrates (2g fiber, 1g sugar.) 5g protein. (Note: A keto pie crust can be made to further lower carbohydrates, however is not recommended as it would more than double calories and fats.)
Lower sodium: Using unsalted butter reduces sodium to 130mg.
Dairy-free: Substitute 1 mashed avocado for butter. Use dairy-free whipped topping. 391 calories. 19g fat (8g saturated fat, 70mg cholesterol.) 121mg sodium. 52g carbohydrates (4g fiber, 32g sugar.) 6 g protein.
Gluten-free: Make or purchase pie crust using favorite nut flour, such as coconut flour for baking or Blue Diamond Pecan Pie Crust (shown.) 577 calories. 43g fat (24g saturated fat, 150mg cholesterol.) 255mg sodium. 41g carbohydrates (3g fiber, 31g sugar.) 7g protein.

August 12, 2022