Cream Pies - Loleen G.

This is your basic pudding pie.  We made banana cream pie and it was fine.  Nothing special, but not horrible.  We did think it wasn't as sweet as some pudding pies.  The pineapple version had me intrigued, but couldn't convince anyone that it was a good idea.

Cream Pies
1/3 C cornstarch
2/3 C sugar
1/2 t salt
2 1/2 C milk
3 egg yolks, beaten
2 T butter
1 t vanilla

Mix cornstarch, sugar, and salt in a saucepan.  Gradually add milk and cook on med until very thick and clear, stirring constantly.  "The filling must be thoroughly cooked or it will be starchy."  Slowly add a small amount of hot mixture to egg yolks until heated up, stirring rapidly as you add hot mixture.  Dump yolks back into mixture on stove,  Cook 2 minutes.  Add butter and vanilla.  Spread with meringue or cream,

VARIATIONS:
Banana : slice 2-3 bananas into cream filling
Coconut: add 1 C shredded coconut to filling.  sprinkle 1/2 C coconut over meringue before browning
Fruit: add 1 C pitted, chopped dates or 1/2 C crushed pineapple, drained to cooled filling
Chocolate: Increase sugar to 1 C, add two 1 oz squares of chocolate.