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1
In the bowl of a food processor, stir together the flour, salt, and sugar.
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2
Sprinkle the butter over the top and pulse for a few seconds, or just until the butter is slightly broken up into the flour but still in visible pieces.
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3
Evenly sprinkle the water over the flour mixture, then process just until the mixture starts to come together.
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4
Dump the dough onto a work surface, press it together, then divide it in half.
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5
Press each half into a disk, then place the disks in a large zip-top plastic bag.
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6
Refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes or as long as 1 day.
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7
Coat two standard 12-well muffin pans with cooking spray.
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8
On a lightly floured work surface, roll out the dough disks to circles about 18 inch thick.
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9
Using a 4-inch biscuit cutter, cut out as many circles as you can.
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10
If you need to, gather the scraps and reroll to cut out more circles.
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11
You should have 18 circles total.
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12
Line 18 of the muffin wells with the dough.
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13
Freeze for 20 minutes.
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14
Heat the oven to 375 degrees F and arrange a rack in the middle.
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15
Line the pie shells with foil and fill with pie weights or dried beans.
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16
Place the muffin pans on a baking sheet and bake until the crusts look dry, about 15 minutes.
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17
Remove the foil and weights and bake until the crusts are golden brown, about 5 minutes more.
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18
Remove from the oven and set aside to cool.
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19
In a saucepan, whisk together the sugar, cocoa, cornstarch, and salt.
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20
Add the cream, whisking until a smooth paste forms.
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21
Slowly add the milk and whisk constantly until smooth.
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22
Warm the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly with a whisk or heatproof spatula, until the pudding begins to thicken and bubble, about 6 minutes.
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23
Add the chopped chocolate and stir until smooth.
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24
Stir in the vanilla.
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25
Divide the hot pudding among the pie shells and spread evenly.
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26
Cover each pie with plastic wrap pressed onto the surface to prevent a skin from forming.
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27
Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or, preferably, overnight.
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28
Make the .
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29
When ready to serve, place a big dollop of whipped cream atop each mini pie.
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30
Garnish with chocolate shavings if you like.
