Black Bottom Banana Cream Pie

This pie is seriously amazing. You can't see the chocolate in it, so it is a surprise! (BTW, don't be intimidated by the number of directions. It really is easy to make!)

INGREDIENTS:

• 1/2 package (15 oz) refrigerated pie crusts (1 crust)

• 1 container (12 oz) frozen whipped topping, thawed, divided

• 1 package (6 oz) semi-sweet chocolate morsels

• 1 1/2 c cold milk

• 1 package (5.1 oz) vanilla instant pudding and pie filling (the larger box)

• 2 medium bananas, sliced

• Strawberries for garnish

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Let pie crust stand at room temperature 15 minutes. Poke with fork around pie crust so bubbles don't form. Bake according to instructions on package (usually about 10-12 mins at 400 degrees).

2. Microwave 1 1/2 cups of the whipped topping and chocolate morsels on high 30-45 seconds; stir until smooth.

3. Remove 2 Tbs chocolate mixture to a small, resealable plastic bag for garnishing; set aside.

4. Spread remaining chocolate mixture over bottom of pie crust. Place crust in freezer while preparing pudding.

5. Pour milk into bowl. Add pudding mix; whisk 1 minute or until mixture begins to thicken. Fold in 1 1/2 cups of the whipped topping.

6. Slice bananas; arrange slices over chocolate mixture in crust. Spread pudding mixture over bananas. Refrigerate 30 minutes.

7. To garnish pie, cut small tip off corner of plastic bag filled with chocolate mixture. Squeeze chocolate mixture over pie in decorative design. Fill cake decorator with remaining whipped topping. Pipe dolop at edge of pie. Garnish with strawberries, sliced. Cut pie into wedges.

MAKES: 8 servings, or as big of slices as you cut!