This is a sponsored post written by TodaysMama.com on behalf of Myriad Genetic's myRisk Hereditary Cancer Test.

This holiday season we're featuring the BEST CHRISTMAS RECIPES that have been inherited from the women in our families. Our team over here at Today's Mama is sharing our very favorite, most nostalgic, holiday recipes and we've invited some of our friends across the internet to do the same.

Chocolate Creme Pie Recipe from the Kitchen of Pam Wattenbarger

My mother believed in sweets in moderation. She made pies sparingly and only when it was a special occasion. This chocolate crème pie was jokingly my mom’s ‘secret family recipe’ because it was what everyone expected my mother to bring to family events.

When I married and moved away from home, I carefully copied her recipe. I rarely made the pie until she was diagnosed with cancer and, as her illness progressed, was no longer able to cook. Today, I make this pie as a tribute to my mom. One whiff of the pie as it is cooking instantly transports me back to my childhood and the days I prepared this with her.

CHOCOLATE CREME PIE RECIPE

Ingredients

For the Crust:

• 1 (9 inch) pie shell

For the Pie Filling:

• 3⁄4 cup sugar
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups whole or 2% milk
• 3 large egg yolks
• 1 tablespoon salted butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

For the Meringue:

• 3 large egg whites
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Using a fork, pierce the bottom and sides of the pie crust. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until crust is light brown.
3. While crust is baking, mix the sugar, cornstarch, cocoa powder, and salt.
4. Add the milk and stir to combine.
5. Place the chocolate mixture in the top of a double boiler over medium heat. Cook, stirring constantly, for five minutes, until mixture is heated through.
6. Transfer 1⁄4 cup mixture to a small bowl. Add the egg yolks and butter. Whisk until combined.
7. Return the egg yolk mixture to the double boiler. Cook about 8 minutes, or until mixture is thickened, stirring constantly.
8. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla. Pour the filling into the pre-baked pie crust and set aside.
9. Place the egg whites, sugar, and vanilla extract in a large bowl. Beat, using a mixer, until stiff peaks form. Spread the meringue over the chocolate filling.
10. Bake 10 to 15 minutes or until meringue is lightly browned.

Pam Wattanbarger is a small town Georgia blogger who is constantly trying to adapt classic Southern recipes to incorporate dairy-free and gluten-free ideas. She is the author of The New Southern Cookbook: Classic Family Recipes and Modern Twists on Old Favorites. You can follow her at SimplySouthernMom.com, on Facebook, or on Twitter @pamwattenbarger.

 This holiday recipe series is brought to you by Myriad Genetics, the makers of the myRisk Hereditary Cancer test. Did you know that if a member of your family (even extended family like aunts and cousins) has been diagnosed with cancer UNDER THE AGE OF 50 that there is a chance that a gene mutation may be present in your family? The good news? There's a simple DNA test that can let you know if you've got that same gene.

Myriad Genetics’ Hereditary Cancer Quiz helps you to assess whether you might be a good candidate for testing. This quiz can help you get the information you need to discuss your risk of cancer with your healthcare provider. Take the Myriad Hereditary Cancer Quiz HERE.

This is a sponsored post written by TodaysMama.com on behalf of Myriad Genetic's myRisk Hereditary Cancer Test.

The Mama’s Guide to Christmas Recipes

Christmas. All the things. Are you ready? One of the most exciting aspects of Christmas is the food and treats. We have the recipes we love. The recipes we don’t. We all have our favorites and make no mistake, the foods and goodies we surround ourselves at Christmas time enhance the Christmas spirit and make this special holiday memorable. Today’s Mama wanted to share all of the Christmas recipes, tips, secrets, and hacks we’ve come to love and enjoy. To learn more about why we love Christmas and the foods it brings, check out our extensive guide to Christmas recipes.