Recipe for Chocolate Hau'pia Pie!

Okay ladies...I got some requests for the recipe of the Chocolate Haipia Pie I made for Thanksgiving so here it is! But, before you print this off you must swear to not change or "healthify" the pudding. This is my Grandma V's treasured recipe (chocolate pudding and banana cream pudding--not Hau'pia) and she only gave it to me after I came over to watch it made and promised not to substitute ingredients and call it hers! It's been something I make at the holidays and for BJ's birthday for over 7 years now. It's too yummy to keep to myself but if you're going to make the chocolate or banana cream pudding you must give credit where credit is due... Megan's grandma V. and if you change it in any way, don't call it hers! With that said, remember "Making pie is love" :). Remember that as you stir and stir and stir and stir! Love you all!

1 1/2 cup sugar
2/3 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 cups whole milk
2-4 oz. Unsweetened Baking chocolate (I've found that 2 oz. is perfect, 4 is really rich)
6 slightly beaten egg yolks (prepare this before you start and set aside)
4 tablespoons butter
2 teaspoons pure vanilla
1 large baked pastry shell (you can make two 8 or 9 inch pies or one large--which is what my Gma & I do--meaning an 11 inch. pan--I'll often double the recipe and make two 11 inchers plus one 8 or 9 incher). I got my 11 inch pie tins at Sur La Table at Gateway in UT...they are hard to come by but they make the pie.

In saucepan combine sugar, flour and salt. Stir in milk. Add the desired oz. of chocolate. Cook and stir over medium heat until bubbly Cook 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir small amount of hot mixture into egg yolk. Immediately return the yolk mixture and cook 2 minutes. Add vanilla and butter. This is the exact recipe for the Banana Cream pie pudding as well, minus the baking chocolate.

So, onto the Hau'pia pudding

2 cups coconut milk
1 cup whole milk
6 tablespoons sugar
5 tablespoons cornstarch
1/4 tsp vanilla (if desired)

Preparation:Pour one cup of coconut milk into a saucepan. Combine sugar and cornstarch stirring into coconut milk. (Add vanilla as desired) Heat over low stirring consistently until thickened. Add remainder of coconut milk and whole milk and continue to heat until thickened. Pour into 8 inch square pan and chill until firm.

Once you have made your favorite pie crust and it and your two puddings are chilled layer with the chocolate pudding first, then Hau'pia, then heavy whipping cream on top. I add 1/4 cup of sugar or so and 1 tsp. vanilla to the heavy cream and let it whip until stiff. I'm planning to make one for Christmas probably on the 23rd...any takers who want to learn? Good luck and enjoy!!!

Happy Late Thanksgiving

I can't believe it's Dec.1st. It really feels like a few days ago that we were taking a trip to the pumpkin patch, which Allie loved. I am amazed every year at how fast fall comes and goes. Don't get me wrong...I love Christmas and love bringing out the tree, lights and presents but it comes up so quick! It's a busy busy time of year. I'm excited and hope to be all done with all the preparations early this year!

We had a great Thanksgiving up north with BJ's family. I brought the pies, as always. This year I did banana cream, chocolate cream and chocolate haipia cream (if you've been to Oahu...I was attempting the famous Ted's Chocolate Haipia pies!). Haipia is a coconut pudding. I must say... it was a success! Pie for three days was lovely. Every Thanksgiving I think of my gma who taught me how to make pie. BJ arranged for us to have family night at gma's house years back so we could learn how. She would make it for the holidays and then surprise BJ with one for his birthday because she knew he loved them so much! It has to be BJ's absolute favorite dessert. I love to say that making homemade pudding and crusts is pure love. It's a process and can't be rushed, but really rewarding. I'm so grateful that I learned how (so is BJ!). It's something passed down from my sweet grandma. I always think of her as I'm stirring that pudding! I didn't take any pie pictures this year but I have in the past. Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and if there is anyone local dying to learn how to make pie...I'm going to teach a few how sometime this month!