Infamous Chocolate Pie - Definitely NOT Health Food!

This is the old "formerly secret" family recipe that has brightened up our family reunions and holiday parties for the last 40 years that I know of. 

Yields 2 pies.

Ingredients:
2 pie shells - homemade is obviously better but frozen will do fine as well

6 heaping T cocoa powder
6 heaping T flour
pinch of salt
2 c granulated sugar

3 eggs plus enough milk to make 4 cups
1 t vanilla

1 pint heaving whipping cream
Sugar to taste (start with 1/4 - 1/3 c sugar)
1/2 t vanilla optional

Directions:

1. Bake pie shells and set aside.
2. Blend dry ingredients in large bowl.
3.  Beat milk and eggs together.  Add gradually to dry ingredients blending well. 
4.  Pour well blended chocolatey mixture into a wide bottomed pot (holds at least 3 quarts).  Cook on medium stirring occasionally until the mixture starts to thicken on the bottom.  Then turn down to medium low and constantly scrape the bottom of the pan while cooking.  Cook until the pudding is thick and until you see the bottom of the pan when you scrape it.  You should see the pan for a second or two before the pudding runs back together.  (This step can take as long as 45 minutes.)  Don't try to rush it. 
5.  Pour cooked pudding back into the mixing bowl, add vanilla, and beat until smooth.
6.  Pour pudding into two prepared pie shells.
7.  Let cool at room temp until cool enough to cover and refrigerate without creating condensation on the cover.
8.  Cool in refrigerator until completely cool. 
9.  Prepare whipped cream by sweetening the cream (add vanilla too if desired) and whipping it fluffy.  (Please don't use pre-made whipped cream.)  Divide whipped cream between the pies. 
 
Serve Chilled. 

Additional Notes:
These can be made the day before an event if desired.  Wait to add whipped cream until the day of serving.  

Alternately, you could prepare half the whipped cream and only prep one pie if you won't serve it right away.  Just make sure that the cover touches the top of the pie so that no crust forms on the pudding. 

I've never tried to freeze one of these pies, but my guess is that if it works for Mrs. Fields or anybody else who freezes chocolate pies, it should work with this pie.