Position rack in center of oven and preheat the oven to 350°F.

Chill a large mixing bowl and the beaters of your electric mixer in the freezer until ready to use.

In the bowl of a food processor, process cookies until fine crumbs form. Or, you can seal the cookies in a large resealable plastic food storage bag and crush with a rolling pin.

Transfer the crumbs to a medium mixing bowl and add the melted and cooled butter. Mix thoroughly with a wooden spoon until mixture resembles wet sand.

Transfer the mixture to a 9-inch pie pan and, with clean hands, press the mixture evenly along the bottom and up the sides of the pan.

Using oven mitts or pot holders, place the pie pan in the oven and bake the crust for 15 minutes. Using oven mitts or pot holders, remove from the oven, transfer to a wire rack, and let cool completely before filling.

Meanwhile, in a heavy saucepan oven medium heat, melt the chocolate with the condensed milk and salt, stirring until very thick and bubbly, about 5 minutes.

Place the egg yolks in small mixing bowl and whisk in the 1/4 cup hot milk.

Working quickly, add the egg-yolk mixture to the melted chocolate mixture and whisk to combine. Continue to cook until the mixture is very thick and bubbly, about 1 minute.

Set a fine-mesh sieve over a second medium mixing bowl and strain the chocolate mixture into the bowl, pressing with a rubber spatula to force the mixture through the sieve if necessary. Discard any lumps.

Stir in the vanilla extract and set mixture aside to cool for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Place a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the chocolate mixture and transfer to the refrigerator. Chill thoroughly, about 30 to 45 minutes.

In the chilled mixing bowl, using the chilled beaters, beat 1 cup of the heavy cream until stiff peaks form.

Using a rubber spatula, gently fold the whipped cream into the chocolate mixture.

Use the spatula to gently transfer the chocolate mixture to the prepared cookie crust, smoothing the top with the spatula.

Refrigerate until thoroughly set, at least 3 hours and up to overnight.

When ready to serve the pie, combine the remaining 3/4 cup of heavy cream with the confectioners' sugar in a small bowl and beat with the electric mixer until stiff peaks form. Serve a dollop of whipped cream on top of every slice of pie.

Place a small amount of cocoa powder in a sifter and sprinkle over the top of the pie for additional wowing power, if desired.

OPTIONAL GARNISHES: Fresh strawberries Fresh mint leaves Chocolate curls Chopped nuts