Margaret’s Southern Chocolate Pie

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 3 egg yolks
• 1 1/3 cups white sugar
• 1 (12 fluid ounce) can evaporated milk
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 (9 inch) pie shell, baked
• 3 egg whites
• 1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 6 tablespoons white sugar

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Sift together the cocoa powder and the flour and pour them into a saucepan. Whisk the egg yolks and 1 1/3 cups sugar. Gradually add the evaporated milk, whisking constantly; slowly pour the milk mixture into the saucepan, whisking until combined.

Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly with a flat-bottomed wooden spoon or spatula, until the mixture begins to thicken and coats the back of the spoon, about 15 minutes. Remove the custard from the heat and stir in the butter until melted. Pour the filling into the baked pie crust.

To make the meringue topping: Combine the egg whites and cream of tartar in a clean glass or metal bowl; beat with an electric mixer until foamy. Gradually add sugar, a tablespoon at a time, continuing to beat until stiff peaks form. Lift your beater or whisk straight up: the egg whites will form sharp peaks. Spread the meringue over the chocolate filling.

Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes, or until the tips of the meringue peaks are golden brown.