Here’s a pie that should put a smile on your face: Candy Bar Pie
Today’s recipe is dedicated to my sweet friend Joan- creator of the much-loved blog, ChocolateChocolateAndMore. Joan passed away unexpectedly last week at the young age of 49. She went to bed complaining of nausea and never woke up. It turns out that Joan died of a major heart-attack. Nausea is one of 6 heart attack symptoms in women. It’s important to take a peek at these symptoms as they are different for women than they are for men.
Joan was such a lovely person inside and out. Her laugh was contagious, she was generous and kind, and she had a great mind for business. We talked and messaged each other quite often- sharing advice with each other about our blogs. As you can imagine, everyone who knew her is devastated to lose her. She leaves behind three children who she gushed about often.
I know that Joan would approve of the recipe I’m sharing today- a chocolate candy bar pie! Of course, Joan loved chocolate. I hope she’s watching over all of the bloggers who are celebrating her today… as she is in our thoughts on National Chocolate Day… Joan’s day.
This pie has a walnut crust, so it just happens to be gluten-free. There is a rich layer of chocolate cream on the bottom, then whipped cream and chopped chocolate-toffee bars on top.
If I could give Joan a slice as big as the one missing from my pie… I think she’d like that 🙂
Here’s a photo from the last day I spent with Joan- back in March. We had spent the weekend together at a beach house in Monterey with some of our favorite food blogging friends – chatting about business and creating tons of memories. I’ll never forget our last lunch together- salad and wine… overlooking the ocean. That’s Joan on the left… always a smile on her face. I’ll miss you Joan. And every time I eat chocolate, I’m going to be thinking of you.
Please visit ChocolateChocolateAndMore for Joan’s delicious dessert recipes. Her family (and other bloggers) will be keeping her blog intact and adding new recipes too. Her kids will benefit from the revenue her blog continues to generate, so traffic to her blog will help with that.
Candy Bar Pie
Ingredients
CRUST
- 1½ cups (6 ounces) walnuts, coarsely ground
- 3 tablespoons butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons granulated white sugar
FILLING
- Four 1.5 ounce milk chocolate bars, chopped
- 1½ cups tiny marshmallows (or 15 large)
- ½ cup whole milk
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
TOPPING
- 2 cups whipped topping (Cool Whip or homemade whipped cream)
- ¾ cup chopped chocolate toffee candy bars
Instructions
CRUST
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
- In a medium bowl combine the walnuts, butter and sugar. Press onto the bottom and sides of a 9 inch pie plate to form a firm, even crust. Bake for 12 to 14 minutes or until edges are golden. Set aside and let cool.
FILLING / PIE
- In a medium saucepan, combine the chocolate, marshmallows and milk. Cook and stir over medium heat until the chocolate and marshmallows are melted. Remove from heat. Let cool for 30 minutes.
- In a medium bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the whipping cream and vanilla until soft peaks form. Add the cooled chocolate mixture and gently stir until combined. Scrape the filling into the baked pie crust and smooth the top.
- Top the filling with whipped topping and sprinkle candy bar pieces on top. Freeze the pie 8 hours or until firm.
- When ready to serve, let the pie sit at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes before slicing.
Notes
- If you're preparing this recipe as gluten-free, just be sure to use brands of candy bars, marshmallows and whipped topping that are known to be GF.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Lori, I wish you much strength and courage in these days of loss…
It’s so touching to read this post. what a wonderful way to honor a close friend!
Lori, thank you for posting the list of 6 symptoms… yes, we have the tendency to forget that for women it’s all very different… thank you!
She would love this pie. I am glad you got to spend some time together this year. She told me how much fun she had on that trip.
Joan would have flipped for this candy bar pie, Lori! I just know it. What a great way to honor her!
Such a beautiful tribute post, Lori. I am so sorry for the loss of your close food blogging friend as well as for the loss of the food blogging community at large. I never knew Joan, but now have a sense of who she was thanks to your post and fabulous Candy Bar Pie recipe. I’m so glad that National Chocolate Day is today so that you could honor Joan, and the essence of who she was, in connection with the contributions she has made in food with her chocolate recipes, in such a meaningful way. Thank you for sharing with us today, my friend! xo
She sure as heck would love this pie!! And that walnut crust? GENIUS!!
Her laughter and her love of chocolate were both contagious. She would most definitely have approved of this pie.
Joan will truly be missed. She was so important to our community. This pie is a beautiful tribute to her. I am so grateful I got the chance to know her.
This is a great isea and thanks for highlighting Joan on your blog today. I subscribed to Joan’s blog but unfortunately not too long ago, maybe 8 months. I always looked forward to her posts, always filled with great ideas, great recipes, and happiness. I know her family and friends will miss her tremendously, as will her subscribers.
Thank you for sharing. This can happen to so many of us.
I’m so sorry to hear about your friend and fellow blogger. Will definitely add her blog to my list of reads. Your chocolate pie sounds wonderful and a nice tribute to her. I love the walnut crust:-).