Diane’s Funny Cake Pie

This has two bowls of batter—top and bottom.

The top part has the first 7 ingredients in it. The bottom has the last 5 ingredients (including the pastry).

For the top, mix the first 3 ingredients together. Start by creaming shortening until it’s soft, and then adding the sugar and beaten egg. Add the milk and vanilla alternately with the SIFTED dry ingredients. Set this bowl aside.

For the bottom, combine the sugar and cocoa powder. Add hot water and vanilla. Blend well. Then line a pie plate with the 9″ pastry dough.

Add the bottom mixture first into the pastry, and then pour in the top mixture over it.

Put the pie plate onto another cookie sheet in case it dribbles. Bake at 350F in a convection oven for about 35 minutes.

* Be sure to watch the chocolate ooze out and up the sides of the pie plate as it bakes. Very curious!