Chocolate Chip Paradise Pie

I'm in a chocolate chip cookie state of mind this week. Why? Because it's National Chocolate Chip Cookie Week! Yes, holidays like this do exist. And it is my job as a food blogger to keep track of them. It is also my job to celebrate them and to help you celebrate them. That's why me and my food blogger friends have teamed up to bring you awesome chocolate chip recipes every day this week!


First up was Cate who started things off on an extra high note with these superb Levain bakery chocolate chip cookies. After her was Connie, who whipped up these gorgeous brown butter chocolate chip cookie dough sandwiches with edible cookie dough. Then came Nora, who kicked off her new clean eats blog with these phenomenal looking thick and soft GRAIN-FREE chocolate chip cookies. Ohmagerd. How could I possibly top all of that, right?


Well, today, I bring you a chocolate chip dessert that once graced the tables of the popular chain restaurant, Chili's. It was loved by many, many of whom were grief-stricken when the dessert was suddenly removed from the menus. Petitions were signed to bring it back, but to no avail. Well, let me tell you something people, you don't need Chili's to bring it back. Because you can make this amazing dessert in the comfort of your own home. YES.


If you haven't figured out what I'm referring to yet, it's the famous chocolate chip paradise pie. Although it's called a pie, probably because of it's graham cracker crust, it's more or less a bar. A chewy chocolate chip bar, blondie almost. And it's packed with coconut, walnuts and chocolate. And it's served over sizzling cinnamon butter, then topped with vanilla ice cream, chopped walnuts, caramel sauce, and chocolate sauce. Basically, it's paradise for your taste buds. And it is not for the faint of heart.


If you've been good at keeping up with your New Year's resolutions, you probably won't be after knowing this dessert exists. Even if you make it just to taste it, it will be extremely difficult to do just that. I had two slices when it was warm and said that I wouldn't eat any more. But then the day after, I crumbled up the bar into pieces, then mixed it in with my ice cream to make my own little sundae. No regrets.

Chocolate Chip Paradise Pie

Yield: 9 squares

Ingredients:

For the graham cracker crust:
1/3 cup graham cracker crumbs
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

1/3 cup chocolate chips

For the cookie layer:
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/3 cup milk
1 tablespoon oil
pinch of vanilla powder (or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract)
1/4 cup shredded coconut
1/4 cup crushed walnuts
1/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 tablespoon unsalted butter
dash of cinnamon

vanilla ice cream, chopped walnuts, chocolate sauce, and caramel sauce, for serving

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly spray a 6x6 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.

In a small bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs and sugar. Add melted butter and use a fork to toss crumbs together until they are evenly moistened. Press graham cracker mixture evenly onto the bottom of prepared baking dish. Sprinkle chocolate chips on top. Bake for 5 minutes. Remove from oven, and using a spatula, spread the melted chocolate evenly over the graham cracker crust.

In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, and baking powder. Add milk, oil, and vanilla and using an electric hand mixer, beat together on low speed until combined. Beat in coconut and walnuts. Fold in chocolate chips.

Pour batter over crust. Bake for 30 minutes, or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

To serve, melt butter with cinnamon in a small skillet, until sizzling. Place a piece of pie on top of the sizzling butter. Top with ice cream, walnuts, chocolate, and caramel sauce.

Best if served immediately after removing from oven.

Slightly adapted from Tastebook

I hear Zainab has these butterscotch chocolate chip cookies planned for tomorrow! You'll want to stay tuned for that recipe! 

P.S.  Tag along with us on social media! We're using the hashtag #chocchipcookieweek to post all of our favorite chocolate chip cookie recipes. We'd love to know your favorites as well, so join in on the celebration!