"TURTLE PIE"

Hey, hope everyone is having a good week. We've had rain/winds this week which equals "slow Internet" service. I love living in the country but their is two things I do have a hard time with...Internet service and skunks. Going to post dessert recipes and pray service doesn't go down. Turtle pie is my daughter Nichole and step-daughter Amber favorite dessert during the Holidays. Enjoy!

Ingredients:  1 unbaked pastry shell ( I use the frozen in box)
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
20 caramels (unwrapped)
1 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk
1 egg (beaten)
2 Tb. butter (melted)
6 oz. pkg. semi-sweet chocolate chips (melted)
Vanilla ice cream
1/2 cup chopped pecans (garnish)

Pre-heat oven to 325*. Prepare pastry shell to pkg. directions. Sprinkle chopped nuts into pie shell. In non-stick saucepan, melt caramels over low heat with 2/3 cup of condensed milk. Spoon over walnuts. In bowl, combine egg, butter and remaining milk. Mix well and stir in melted chips. Pour mixture over caramel layer. Bake for 30-35 minutes (ovens vary) or until center is done (test with tooth pick). Cool/slice. Plate with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and garnish with chopped pecans. Delish!

Twist:  I have substituted sweetened condensed milk with the "fat free" brand. Not quite as rich and the color of pie is a little lighter brown. Serve with low-fat ice cream and you have a healthier version.

Hint:  Cover the edge of pie crust with a pie crust cover or make your own using aluminum foil. Prevents burning of edges before pie is done.