Caramel Pie

At our house we’re all about simple and easy. My boys often say that I don’t cook – that I prepare meals. An easy thing like:

Caramel Pie

is a good example. It’s an oldie- but goodie recipe that we used to make during the holidays. [We first ate it at O’Charley’s, but we haven’t been there in YEARS so we’re not sure if it’s still on the menu, or really if O’Charley’s is even still around…] Craig took it to a guy-gathering recently. Keep in mind – it’s simple, but not so quick [you’ll see why in a minute --]

The ingredients: graham cracker pie shell, 2 cans of sweetened condensed milk [Eagle Brand, we used store brand; they were being cooked when I took this photo], a container of cool whip [oops – not pictured – it was thawing in the fridge], and mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
[the big ones just won’t work.]

Fill a large pot with water, place both UNOPENED cans of milk in the pot with enough water to cover. Place on stove over medium high heat and boil for three and a half hours. Be sure to check frequently and stir the cans around a bit. NOTE: The sweetened condensed milk people caution that this practice could cause the hot milk cans to explode. You are boiling the cans at your own risk.[I’ve been boiling milk cans since college and have never had one explode… but you never know - put a lid on it just in case.]

Using tongs, remove the cans of milk and place on a towel or plate. You can open them immediately, being careful as some of the now milk-caramel will spill out as the pressure in the can is released.Pour both cans of caramel into a mixing bowl and stir together. I do this to insure the pie has an even caramel color. Both of these cans seem to have cooked evenly, but I’ve been known to have one can several shades lighter than the other.

Pour caramel mixture into pie crust. Refrigerate for several hours or overnight.

Top with Cool Whip, being careful to lift the spoon up making little peaks all over the top.

Sprinkle the mini chocolate chips over the top. Be generous. Refrigerate until serving.