Grandma Holmes's Chocolate Pie

MDS's Grandma Holmes was famous for her sweet tooth. This past Christmas, while staying with Aunt Paula and Uncle Zach, I was able to photograph many of Grandma Holmes's dessert recipes. As you can see from this recipe here, the instructions are not very detailed. But this particular collection of recipes focused on desserts, so more delicious desserts will be posted on this site in the future.

What struck me most about this recipe is the very first ingredient: five 5¢ Hershey bars. It has been a long time since there have been 5¢ Hershey bars. This recipe was likely written in the 1950s. An online search revealed that a 5¢ Hershey bar in the 1950s was a full-sized bar of 1.5 ounces. It turns out that for many years, Hershey sold its bars with the price printed right on the wrapper, which is why recipes like this one referred to the bars by price, not weight. Nowadays, a full-sized bar costs a lot more than 5¢. But the size of the full-sized Hershey bar is essentially unchanged at 1.5 ounces.

When I made this pie, I had no idea just how good it would be. Knowing Grandma Holmes's sweet tooth, I should not have been surprised that her recipes would be excellent. But this one is outstanding.

Chocolate Pie

• 5 5¢ Hershey Bars (7.5 ounces total)
• 20 large marshmallows
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1/2 pint whipped cream
• Graham cracker crust

In a medium sauce pan, melt the chocolate, marshmallows and milk together until smooth. Allow to cool. Add the vanilla and whipped cream. Fold together until smooth and blended. Pour into a graham cracker crust. Refrigerate for several hours. Enjoy!