Deep Chocolate Meringue Pie

This is one of the best pies you will ever make, especially if you're a chocolate lover. Its ingredients do not depend on any season, and it is mouth-wateringly good served warm or cold.

1-1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
4 eggs, separated
2 cups whole milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 9-inch baked pie shell, cooled
Meringue

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Sift together the sugar, cocoa, salt and flour in mixing bowl and set aside.

Separate all four eggs. Set egg whites aside in a large bowl for the meringue (see Notes, below). Put the yolks in a heavy saucepan and beat well with a fork or whisk. Then stir in the sifted dry ingredients alternately with the milk, adding just a little at a time to keep mixture smooth.

Cook mixture over medium heat, and add vanilla when it begins to boil. Boil, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens. Remove from heat; beat out any lumps that may have formed.

Pour into baked pie shell and top with meringue while filling is still hot. Bake in 350°F oven until meringue is lightly browned, 12 to 15 minutes.

Prep time: 30 minutes; Cooking time: 45 minutes; Total time: 1 hour 15 minutes