Dark Chocolate-Walnut Caramel Pie

By mamacasma

This decadent pie, made with dark chocolate, creamy homemade caramel, and toasted walnuts, is well worth the calorie splurge.

Ingredients

• 1 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 1/4 cup(s) heavy or whipping cream
• 8 ounce(s) semisweet chocolate, cut up
• 2 tablespoon(s) butter or margarine
• 2 teaspoon(s) vanilla extract
• 1 3/4 cup(s) walnuts, toasted and coarsely chopped
• 1 9-Inch Baked Pie Shell

Preparation

Step 1

1. Prepare 9-Inch Baked Pie Shell as recipe directs, but bake crust about 2 minutes longer after removing pie weights or until deep golden. Cool pie shell on wire rack at least 15 minutes.
2. In heavy 3-quart saucepan, heat sugar and water on medium-high until sugar dissolves and turns amber in color, 15 minutes, swirling pan occasionally.
3. Meanwhile, in microwave-safe 1-cup liquid measuring cup, heat 3/4 cup cream in microwave on High 45 seconds or until warm. Place remaining 1/2 cup cream in refrigerator to keep cold for whipping later.
4. Remove saucepan from heat. Stir in warm cream until a smooth caramel forms (caramel will stiffen when cream is added). Stir in chocolate and butter until completely melted. Stir in vanilla extract and 1 1/2 cups walnuts. Reserve remaining 1/4 cup walnuts to sprinkle on top of pie later.
5. Pour warm chocolate filling into pie shell. Cool 1 hour on wire rack, then cover and refrigerate at least 3 hours or until set.
6. When ready to serve, in medium bowl, with mixer on medium speed, beat remaining 1/2 cup cream until soft peaks form. With metal spatula, spread whipped cream on top of pie, leaving 1/2-inch border all around. Sprinkle with reserved walnuts.