Brownie pie

MAKES 8 SERVINGS

1/2 cup butter

4 ounces unsweetened chocolate

3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1/4 cup water

2 eggs, separated

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/3 cup flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup coarsely chopped walnuts or pecans

1 (9-inch) unbaked pie shell

12 walnut or pecan halves

Sweetened whipped cream or vanilla ice cream, optional

Melt butter and chocolate in a medium heavy saucepan over low heat. Cool slightly then beat in sugar, water, egg yolks and vanilla. Stir in flour and salt and set aside.

In a large bowl of an electric mixer, beat egg whites to stiff peaks and fold into chocolate mixture. Fold in chopped walnuts or pecans and turn mixture into the unbaked pie shell. Arrange walnut or pecan halves around edge of filling and place pie in a preheated 350-degree oven for 40 minutes or until set around edge. Transfer to wire rack and cool to room temperature before cutting. Serve as is or top with sweetened whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

American Century Cookbook

Nutrition facts per serving: 479 calories, 37 g fat, 15 g saturated fat, 86 mg cholesterol, 37 g carbohydrates, 7 g protein, 228 mg sodium, 4 g fiber