Famous Cookie Pie

Here's the truth. Sometimes, I don't want to bake something complicated that's going to take 100 hours from start to finish. Some days, I just want to mix something up, toss it in the oven, and magically have the best dessert ever. I know this is hard to believe after you've browsed through my elaborate 80 step cake recipes, but, there it is. The truth.

This pie is that kind of simple, no fuss recipe. It's basically a cookie in a pie crust, and it is always a big hit. In fact, my reason for making this recently was that one of my close friends prefers this pie to a cake on her birthday. 

I know, it sounds nuts. She has at her disposal a crazy person who will spend a week making the most elaborate cake in the universe, and she chooses a basic pie. But, as unbelievable as it sounds, her decision is crazy. This pie, as simple as it may be, rocks! It's chewy, and chocolatey, and soft.

Serve it warm with a little bit of ice cream, and you may not want birthday cakes anymore either. And, as an added bonus, the recipe makes two!

Here's how you do it.

Whip up your butter and sugar until they're nice a fluffy (about 3 min).

While you're whipping, whisk together your dry ingredients. 

If you really have the urge, you can sift them together, but here's some more truth, I NEVER have that urge. I don't sift. Even when the recipe tells me to, I don't do it. I won't apologize either. No one has ever spat out my dessert and exclaimed, 'This is not sifted!' So, I think I'm safe.

Next, you need eggs. Mix them in with your butter and sugar.

Now for some flavoring. All you really need is vanilla. And, you NEED it. I bake nothing without a generous amount of this stuff.

The bourbon is optional. I find that it makes the pie taste just that much better, but if you don't want it. Leave it out, and your pie will still be wonderful.

I will not say the same about vanilla. You have to put it in. You ALWAYS need it. The end.

Pie crusts. You need to have them ready for the batter to go into.  

Here are mine. You'll notice the great amount of time and artistry I used when placing and crimping them into the pie plates. 

Okay, one last truth. I don't spend a lot of time on these either. By now I'm sure you're noticing a trend. The trend is this...I'm lazy. Well, lazy might be harsh, but I don't have a lot of patience for tedious things when I don't feel the result is worth my time. 

I have family members who make beautiful pies, and I admire them greatly for it. I wasn't born with that gene. 

My pie still tastes good. I'm fine with it.

Back to the mixing. Slowly add the dry to the wet. 

Emphasis on SLOWLY unless flour all over your kitchen was part of your plan in which case, dump it all in and let it go!

The last thing you need to add are these. Chocolate and nuts...what is better?

Nothing. Nothing is better.

(If you don't like nuts, leave them out. But, you're missing out because it's so much better with nuts!)

Once everything has been mixed in, you'll have this.

Right now you're thinking...wait a second, that looks just like cookie dough. And, you're right. It's a lot like cookie dough; it's a cookie pie...remember.

Spread that luscious batter in the crusts, and bake them.

You're done! 

No filling...coring...frosting...decorating. Just let it bake, and..TA DAAA...dessert is ready! 

Well, unless this is a birthday pie and then you aren't quite finished.

You have to put a candle in it...DUH! 

Okay, now you're done.

Famous Cookie Pie 

(adapted from Paula Deen)

Ingredients:

2 Pie Crusts

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 vanilla extract

1 tablespoon bourbon

3 cups semisweet chocolate chips

2 cups chopped walnuts, optional

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare two pie crusts. Set aside.

2. Cream, butter, and sugars in an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 3 min.

3. Add the eggs, one at at time, waiting until each is incorporated. Then add vanilla and bourbon (if using).

4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder. 

 5. Slowly add the flour mixture to the butter mixture until fully combined. 

 Mix in the chocolate chips and nuts (if using). 

6. Divide the batter between the two crusts.

 Bake for 30 minutes, until pies are golden brown. 

Cool before slicing.

                          

ENJOY!

The birthday girl with her birthday pie...perfection!