The higher the meringue, the better.

Ingredients

Perfect Pie Crustor 1/2 pkg.

Preheat oven to 400F.

Southern Living Chocolate Meringue Pie sliced and ready to serve

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Roll dough into a 12-inch circle (about 1/8 inch thick) on a flour surface.

Fit into a lightly greased (with cooking spray) 9-inch pie plate, and crimp edges.

Prick bottom and sides with a fork.

Southern LIving Chocolate Meringue Pie ingredients

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Line pastry with parchment paper; fill with pie weights or dried beans.

Bake in preheated oven 10 minutes.

Remove weights and parchment; bake until lightly browned, about 8 minutes.

Southern Living Chocolate Meringue Pie preparing the pie crust to bake

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Transfer crust to a wire rack; cool completely, about 10 minutes.

Reduce oven temperature to 325F.

Whisk together sugar, cocoa powder, and cornstarch in a large saucepan.

Southern Living Chocolate Meringue Pie crust after baking

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Whisk in milk and bring to a simmer over medium high, stirring constantly.

Cook 1 minute, then remove from heat.

Slowly whisk about 1 cup milk mixture into the egg yolks.

Southern Living Chocolate Meringue cooking the milk and cocoa powder mixture

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Slowly whisk egg yolk mixture back into the milk mixture and return to medium heat.

Cook, stirring constantly, until thickened, about 3-5 minutes.

Stir in chopped chocolate, vanilla and salt until chocolate has melted.

Southern Living Chocolate Meringue Pie tempering the eggs

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If filling has any lumps, strain through a fine mesh strainer.

Pour into prepared pie crust and keep warm while preparing meringue.

Immediately begin preparing meringue.

Southern Living Chocolate Meringue Pie finishing cooking the filling

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Add vanilla and beat until combined.

Spread meringue over hot filling, sealing the edges.

Bake at 325F for 20 to 22 minutes or until meringue peaks are lightly browned.

Southern Living Chocolate Meringue Pie adding the chocolate filling to the pie crust

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Let cool completely on a wire rack (about 1 to 1 1/2 hours).

Southern Living Chocolate Meringue Pie whipping the meringue

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Southern LIving Chocolate Meringue Pie spreading the meringue on top of the pie

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Southern Living Chocolate Meringue Pie after baking and ready to serve

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox