Tuesday, February 14, 2012

10 Years: Toll House Cookie Pie

Ten years ago tonight, a guy I sort of liked and I went to a local restaurant in our college town to pick up dessert after our Thursday evening commitments. (Ah, college.)

Of course, we go to pick it up and—I was only 19—there was a bouncer at the door. Being one of the few restaurants-turned-night-clubs in our college town, we hadn’t even considered this SNAFU. But I think I batted my eyelashes, we begged explained that we merely wanted to order dessert to go, and scurried through the door. 

Inside was… interesting.

You see, not only had it turned into a night club scene, but Thursday night + bar + college town + Valentine’s Day = ...sorority mixer. Desperate, drunk, dateless women were everywhere. The bar was packed full of college girls who very clearly wanted one last chance to snag a Valentine’s Day date. Somehow, we managed to squeeze our way to the bar and order what I’m certain the bartender was not expecting—one Toll-House cookie pie to go please? (I’m sure more eyelash batting ensued.)

We waited for what seemed like forever—and because the night hadn’t been awkward enough for two people who had only just started to get to know one another, a sorority girl managed to spill the entire contents of her beer on my guy’s pants.

I think we had a good laugh once we escaped. We enjoyed our pie in a to-go box in the safety of his apartment.

The restaurant has since had two name/ownership changes, but it will always be Biltmore to us. We’ve never invested much into Valentine’s Day, but 02/02/2002 was our first kiss (I bet the groundhog didn’t predict that!), and the whole month of February has always held special significance for us. We stopped celebrating our dating anniversary once we got married in 2007, so imagine my shock and excitement to come home from the gym on 02/02/2012 to a homemade Toll House cookie pie—that my husband rushed home from work to bake for me after Googling the recipe. He even added the nuts, which he hates. I think he’s a keeper.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Toll House Cookie Pie
(adapted from this link)
1 unbaked 9-inch pie shell
2 large eggs
1/2 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 c. granulated sugar
1/2 c. packed brown sugar
3/4 c. (1 1/2 sticks) butter, softened (I used salted; if using unsalted, add 1/2 t. salt)
1 t. vanilla extract
1 c. (6 oz.) semisweet chocolate morsels
1 c. chopped walnuts
Vanilla ice cream, to serve

Preheat oven to 325° F.

Beat eggs in large mixing bowl on high speed until foamy. Beat in flour, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Beat in butter (and salt, if needed) and vanilla. Stir in morsels and nuts. Spoon into pie shell.

Bake for 55 to 60 minutes or until knife inserted halfway between edge and center comes out clean. Cool on wire rack. Serve warm with ice cream, if desired.

(Also see one of my very first posts for the very similar Bourbon Walnut Pie.)

**pictures to come later this week... time to start dinner before he gets home!

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Five-Layer Bars

Well, hello there.

Long time no type.

It's been so long, even Blogger looks different.

In a rush for a quick dessert suitable for a big game, potluck, or tailgate?

It should come as no surprise by now that I like stuff in my chocolate
Five-Layer* Bars
Adapted from Epicurious
1 stick (1/4 pound) unsalted butter, melted
2 sleeves graham crackers, crushed
1 c. sweetened flaked coconut
2 c. semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 c. butterscotch chips

(*other toppings: pretzels, fleur de sel, potato chips, etc.—who's counting?!)
14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk (I used fat-free)
2 c. pecans, lightly toasted and coarsely chopped

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly butter a 9 x 13-inch pan and line with parchment paper, allowing enough overhang on the long side to lift the bars from the pan.

Place the melted butter and graham crackers in a bowl and combine well. Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan and press into an even layer to form the crust.

Sprinkle the coconut evenly over the crust. Sprinkle the chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, and any other desired toppings over the coconut. Pour the condensed milk evenly over the chocolate chips. Sprinkle the pecans evenly over the condensed milk layer. Press the layers down lightly. Transfer to the oven and bake until lightly browned, about 30 minutes.

Set aside to cool completely and cut into 24 pieces. 

Gooey goodness

Related Posts with Thumbnails