Thanksgiving 2009: Paula Deen's Chocolate Chip Pie

Brian is in love with this pie, which makes sense, because he is crazy for chocolate chip cookies. The recipe makes two pies. One I served for Thanksgiving dinner, the other Brian ate single handed. I think he really liked it.

It was a good thing I had made this as well. I had attempted Lava cakes and they were good, but they didn't bake up enough in the mugs. I used some pretty small mugs, so I plan to make them again in the next few weeks and will letcha know if they come out better this next time.

Chocolate Chip Pie

Pie:

• 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 cup (2-sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar
  
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
• 3 cups semisweet chocolate chips
• 2 cups chopped walnuts, optional

Whipped cream:

• 2 pints (4-cups) heavy cream
• 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1/4 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease 2 (9-inch) pie plates; set aside.

In a large bowl, sift together the flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder. In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream together butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, beating until incorporated. Beat in the vanilla. Add flour mixture, a little at a time, and mix until fully combined. Fold in the 3 cups chocolate chips and, if desired, the walnuts. Divide the dough between the prepared pie plates and smooth the tops with a spatula.

Bake about 30 minutes or until pies are golden and slightly firm to the touch but still soft. If the pies begin to darken too much before they are baked through, cover with foil and continue baking. Let pies cool completely on a wire rack.

While the pies cool, whip the cream and confectioners' sugar until soft peaks form (tips curl). Fold in the chocolate chips. Refrigerate whipped cream until ready to use. Spread the whipped cream over the pies and serve.