Torta de Chocolate (Chocolate Pie)

Step 1: To prepare the pastry: sift the flour, cocoa and salt together into a bowl.

Step 2: Cut the butter into the flour mixture with a pastry blender or 2 knives until it resembles coarse meal.

Step 3: Add the sour cream and knead into a ball.

Step 4: Divide into 4 equal pieces and refrigerate 2 hours.

Step 5: On a floured board, roll each piece of dough out to a 10 x 10 inch square.

Step 6: Place each square on a buttered baking sheet, prick all over with a fork and bake in a 400f degree oven 10 minutes.

Step 7: Carefully transfer the pastry squares to wire racks to cool.

Step 8: They will be very fragile.

Step 9: To prepare the filling: Place the chocolate, cream and butter in a saucepan and stir over low heat until the chocolate and butter are melted.

Step 10: Beat the egg yolks until thick.

Step 11: Beat in a few tablespoons of the hot chocolate mixture and stir back into the hot chocolate.

Step 12: Stir in the vanilla and let the mixture cool to spreading consistency.

Step 13: Do not refrigerate or it will be too stiff to spread.

Step 14: Place 1 pastry layer on a serving plate and spread with the filling.

Step 15: Continue layering, leaving the nicest looking pastry square for the top.

Step 16: Sift powdered sugar over the top layer.

Step 17: Using a pastry bag fitted with a star tube, decorate the top layer with a little of the leftover filling.