To make the crust: In a medium bowl, whisk collectively the flour and salt. Work contained in the shortening till it is in lumps the size of small peas.
Cube the butter into 1/2″ devices, and work it into the combination till you have got gotten flakes of butter the size of your fingernail. Add the water 2 tablespoons at a time, mixing with a fork as you sprinkle the water into the dough.
When the dough is moist ample to carry collectively if you squeeze it, with no floury patches or bits of dry pastry inside the underside of the bowl, swap it to a flippantly floured work floor. Fold it over on itself three or 4 occasions to convey it collectively fully, then pat it correct proper right into a disk 3/4″ thick, rolling the disk to wash its edges.
Wrap the pastry in plastic and refrigerate it for half-hour ahead of rolling.
To prebake the crust: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Flippantly grease a 9″ pie pan that is at the very least 1 1/2″ to 2″ deep.
Roll the pastry correct proper right into a 13″ circle. Swap it to the ready pan, and trim the perimeters in order that they overlap the sting by an inch all the best approach spherical. Tuck the perimeters up and beneath, and flute or crimp them. Put the lined pie pan contained in the fridge to relax for 10 minutes.
Line the crust with foil or parchment paper, and fill it with pie weights or dried beans. Bake the crust for 20 minutes. Take away it from the oven, and gently take away foil or parchment with the weights or beans. Return the crust to the oven for 10 to twenty additional minutes, till it is golden brown all by way of. If the perimeters of the crust begin turning into too brown, cowl them with a pie defend, or strips of aluminum foil. Take away the crust from the oven and funky fully.
To make the filling: Place the butter, chopped chocolate, and vanilla extract in a 2-quart mixing bowl; put aside.
In a medium saucepan off the warmth, whisk collectively the sugar, cornstarch, cocoa, espresso powder, and salt. Add 1/2 cup (113g) of the heavy cream, whisking till the combination is obvious and lump-free. Whisk contained in the egg yolks.
Place the saucepan over medium warmth, and progressively whisk contained in the remaining 1/2 cup (113g) cream and milk. Ship to a boil, whisking persistently because of the combination thickens; boil for 1 minute. The temperature of the combination will seemingly be spherical 200°F after 1 minute.
Take away the pan from the warmth and pour the combination over the reserved chocolate and butter. Whisk till the chocolate is melted and the combination is obvious.
Cross the filling by way of a strainer correct proper right into a bowl to take away any lumps. You might want to use the as soon as extra of a ladle, a versatile spatula, or a picket spoon to stir it by way of the strainer. Scrape the underside of the strainer on occasion with a clear spatula to assist the tactic alongside.
Place plastic wrap or buttered parchment paper on the bottom to stop a pores and pores and pores and skin from forming, and chill totally. A shallow metallic bowl with additional floor space will chill the filling most shortly.
To make the topping: Place the heavy cream in a chilled mixing bowl. Whip till the whisk or beaters start to depart tracks contained in the bowl.
Add the sugar and vanilla and whip till the cream holds a medium peak.
To assemble: Spoon the cooled filling into the cooled, baked pie crust. Stage the most effective with the as soon as extra of a spoon or an offset spatula. Spoon or pipe the whipped cream on prime. Keep in mind: Throughout the event you aren’t planning on serving your entire pie without delay, prime express particular person slices with a dollop of whipped cream merely ahead of serving.
Chill the pie till ready to serve. For finest slicing, refrigerate the pie in a single day ahead of serving.