Aunt Marian’s Chocolate Mousse Pie

8 oz. semi sweet chocolate chips
4 oz. dark chocolate chips
chocolate shavings of your favorite chocolate
6 T. unsalted butter @ room temp.
6 large eggs, separated
1 T. cream of tartar
1/2 c. plus 4 T. sugar
3 c. heavy cream, cold
2 t. pure vanilla extract plus 1 t.
1 box Chocolate wafer cookies (like nilla wafers)
2 T. powdered sugar

Topping:
Put 2 cups of whipping cream in the mixing bowl, add 2 tablespoons powdered sugar and 1 t. vanilla to it as it is whipping up. You don’t want it to be too sweet but I will add a little more sugar/vanilla if needed. Garnish with chocolate sahvings.

Crust:
Crush up the cookies and add 6 T. melted butter. Press it in the pan. Basically do this just as you would for vanilla wafers cookie crust.  Usually I press the crust into the sides and bottom of springform pan but it can be put into pie pan or even 9×11 or just about any pan.

Put the chocolate and butter in a heat proof bowl and place over saucepan containing about 1″ of barely simmering water (or use a double boiler). Stir with a wooden spoon until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth. Remove the bowl from the heat and let cool slightly. With a whisk, beat the egg yolks into the chocolate adding them in one at a time until smooth. Set aside.

In another bowl, beat the egg whites until foamy. Add the cream of tartar and beat until soft peaks form. Gradually beat 1/2 cup sugar and continue beating until stiff peaks form. In a Chilled bowl, beat the heavy cream until it begins to thicken up. Add the remaining 4 T sugar and the vanilla and continue beating until the cream holds soft peaks.

Now you’ve got all the elements prepared, put it all together. GENTLY – fold the egg whites into the chocolate mixture to lighten it.

NEXT, FOLD the whipped cream into the chocolate mixture being careful not to over work the mousse or it will be heavy.

Spoon filling into the crust. Cover and refrigerate for a few hours to set.  After it sets, put the topping on and garnish it with some chocolate shavings and it’s ready to serve. Enjoy :o)

Grocery List

• semi sweet chocolate chips
• dark chocolate chips
• favorite chocolate for shavings
• unsalted butter
• large eggs
• cream of tartar
• sugar
• heavy cream
• pure vanilla extract
• chocolate wafer cookies
• 2 T. powdered sugar