Win with a Chocolate Chip and Walnut Mini-Pie

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When my Chief Culinary Consultant won second place in his age group at the Southern Tennessee Plunge Half-Marathon on Saturday I set off straight to the kitchen.  After a cold-drizzly rain, falling temperatures, and an increasing wind I knew we would all need a good meal with a winning dessert. I started with the one ingredient I always start with when I want to give him a special treat — chocolate.  In this case, chocolate chips.
Trust me when I say it was cold — 48 degrees, drizzling rain (see the wet pavement) and you will just have to take my word for the wind.  Apparently the weather was only bothering the athletic supporters.  That would be the three M’s.  Me, Mom, and our friend Marilyn.  We are the ones shivering cold on the sidelines, but cheering none-the-less.  Lee and his running buddy Tom both love to run.  It is beyond my ability to even imagine why.  I am the one on the sidelines behind the camera and I like it that way!

I did run to the kitchen following Lee’s 2nd place win so that I could try out my first time purchase of Kirkland chocolate chips from Costco.  If you shop at Costco these chocolate chips are wonderful.  They cost less than Nestle chips and are much richer in taste and bigger in size.  They are perfect for the chocolate chip mini-pies I had racing around my head. I started with a batch of Flaky Pie Dough.  I wasn’t exactly how many mini-pies the chocolate chip dough would make and I wanted to make sure I had plenty of pie dough.  This recipe makes 4 single crusts so I knew I would have enough for my mini-pies.  My five little pies used the equivalent of 2 crusts.  I still have enough dough left for two 9″ crusts. While the pie dough rested in the refrigerator I mixed up the eggs, butter, flour, salt, sugar, and vanilla.  Oh my word this stuff is so finger-lickin’ good.  Not that I dipped a finger in there ….
I honestly don’t know how he can even be breathing let alone smiling 🙂

 
Finely chopped walnuts and my new-best-chocolate-chips go into the mix.
13.1 miles later he is smiling on the inside and very glad to be crossing the FINISH line.
One cup of chips go into the mini-pies, this handful … well, these are for the baker to taste test 🙂
 
I rolled out this lovely dough and shaped it in my mini-pie pans.  My sweet marathon runner is sleeping deeply in his favorite chair. What a surprise when he wakes up.

My mini-pie pans hold 3/4 cup.  This recipe filled 5 mini pans or one 9″ pie pan.
I sprinkled Turbinado sugar on the top of the little pies before baking.  This is totally optional, but I love the warm brown crystals shining on the top of the pie.
My sous-chef dish-washing mom, friend Marilyn, and our Chief runner.  Me? behind the camera, of course.
After the win, this chocolate chip & walnut mini-pie was a big hit with everyone!
This pie is best served slightly warmed with whipped cream or ice cream on the side.  Whether it is a regular sized pie or these little mini’s — every bite packs a flavor not soon forgotten!

VIEW and PRINT the Chocolate Chip and Walnut Mini-Pie recipe from my Tasty Kitchen Recipe Box.

~Blessings, Catherine

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3 thoughts on “Win with a Chocolate Chip and Walnut Mini-Pie”

  1. Awesome photos of hubby Lee. Second place. Good for him!

    This is an interesting dessert. Yum yum. I like minis…no sharing…don’t get me wrong…love to share. But, when it comes to dessert…well, maybe not so much. 😀

    We must be on the same wave length…fabulous bakers think alike…I made Chocolate Chip Cookies. Been too busy to post.

    Carmen

    Reply

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