Black Bottom Banana Cream Pie

Instructions

1. Prepare and bake pastry crust. Let cook completely on a wire rack.
2. Combine 1 Tbs. cornstarch, 2 Tbs. sugar, cocoa and dash of salt in a small heavy saucepan; gradually add 1/3 cup milk, stirring with a whisk.
3. Cook 2 minutes over medium-low heat
4. Reduce heat to low; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly
5. Spread chocolate mixture into bottom of prepared crust
6. Combine remaining 2 Tbs. cornstarch, 1/2 cup sugar, butter and 1/4 tsp. salt in a heavy saucepan
7. Stir in remaining 1 cup milk and eggs; bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly with a whisk
8. Reduce heat to low, and cook 30 seconds or until thick
9. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla extract
10. Place cream cheese in a large bowl; beat at medium speed with mixer 30 seconds
11. Add 1/4 cup hot custard to cream cheese, beating until just blended
12. Gradually stir in remaining hot custard
13. Arrange banana slices on top of chocolate layer in prepared crust; spoon custard over bananas
14. Cover surface of filling with plastic wrap; chill 4 hours
15. Remove plastic wrap
16. Spread whipped topping evenly over custard
17. Garnish with chocolate curls, if desired
18. Chill until ready to serve