Chocolate Cream Pie (with sweetened condensed milk)

This has become my favorite "go to" chocolate pie.  As soon as I saw that this used sweetened condensed milk I knew that I had to give it a try.  I expected it to be very sweet but it's not.  It's just the perfect amount of chocolate and sweetness.   What I love about this recipe is that it's just so easy and fairly inexpensive to make.  You just use cocoa....no expensive chocolate, no chopping chocolate etc.  You can use a store bought pie shell and just bake it according to the directions or use your own recipe.  I think next time I make this I will make a graham cracker crust. Think it would be great with this pie.

This has been a tough winter for me so far.  This past month I have caught bug after bug and now to top it all off it looks like I may have torn a tendon in my left shoulder.  At least it's the left and not the right.  Going in for an MRI tomorrow and I am one claustrophobic person.  I work in a hospital so I know the techs that will be doing this so I am hoping that keeps my anxiety in check....we'll see.  I just plan on bringing a cd and listening to it and closing my eyes BEFORE I get in the machine and keeping them buggers shut until it's over....Wish me luck!

Recipe found on Pinterest

1 2/3 cups water
3 tablespoons cornstarch (I used 4)
5 tablespoons cocoa (I used 5 very rounded)
1 (14 ounce) can eagle brand sweetened condensed milk
3 egg yolks, beaten
2 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 (9 inch) baked pastry shell

Mix water and cornstarch and cocoa until smooth.
Sir in Eagle Brand milk and egg yolks.
Cook until thick in saucepan stirring constantly.
Stir in 2 tablespoons butter.
Add vanilla.  (Mixture might be very lumpy - keep stirring and this will eventually become smooth)
Pour into baked pie shell.   Place plastic wrap evenly over entire surface of pie and let cool.  Place in refrigerator for at least 4 hours.  
Serve with whipped cream, if desired.