Chocolate Cream Cheese Pie

“Tastes like velvet — chocolaty, smooth, rich” — words for Troy Frank’s Chocolate Cream Cheese Pie. This exquisite dessert is perfect for special occasions. Makes me think of chocolate paradise! CJK

Chocolate Cream Cheese Pie

(Troy Frank)

1 pre-made Oreo cookie piecrust

12 oz. pkg. semisweet chocolate chips

8 oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened

3/4 cup brown sugar, packed, divided

1/8 tsp. salt

1 tsp. vanilla

2 eggs, separated into whites and yolks*

1 cup heavy cream, whipped

Melt the chocolate chips in microwave or top of double boiler over hot water. Remove from the heat and cool for 10 minutes.

Beat the cream cheese in a bowl until smooth, using an electric mixer at medium speed. Gradually add 1/2 cup of the brown sugar, salt and vanilla, blending well. Add the egg yolks, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the cooled chocolate.

Beat the egg whites in another bowl until foamy, using an electric mixer at high speed. Gradually add the remaining 1/4 cup brown sugar, one tablespoon at a time, beating well after each addition. Continue beating until stiff, glossy peaks form when the beaters are slowly lifted.

Fold the chocolate mixture into the egg white mixture. Then fold in the whipped cream. Gently pour into the chocolate crust.

Chill pie in refrigerator overnight.

Yield: 6 to 8 servings

* This recipe contains raw eggs, which people in at-risk groups should avoid eating.

A note from Troy: Any kind of brown sugar can be used in this recipe, but I prefer using dark brown sugar because it gives the pie a richer flavor. I cut the pie into small pieces because it is very rich. I always make it with an Oreo cookie crust but a graham cracker crust could be substituted to give the pie a lighter touch.

A note from Carol: Troy Frank is the lead cook and baker at St. Scholastica Convent in St. Cloud, Minnesota, where he has worked for 23 years. Troy and his wife, Becky, have two children: Katie (10) and Logan (7). The Franks are members of St. Patrick Parish in Minden Township, near Sauk Rapids, Minnesota.