Treat Tuesday-Chocolate Espresso Pie Bars

Thanksgiving=Pie, however sometimes you just don’t have time to roll out pie crust.  These bars are the answer!  This tastes just like Chocolate Cream Pie, but you can make a day in advance, cut into bars and place on a platter for everyone to serve themselves after the big turkey feast.

First you make the crust starting with flour, brown sugar, and a touch of salt.

Drizzle in melted butter.

Stirring with a fork, a soft, lumpy dough will form.

Press onto the bottom and slightly up the sides of a rimmed half cookie sheet.

To keep the pie crust from rising and getting pockets of air in some places use these pie weights placed on top of a piece of parchment paper over the crust.  You can also use dried beans, but I love these pie weights.  They are easy to use and once cooled, just pop them back in the box they came in.  Add pie weights to your shopping list now!

Bake until the crust is barely browned.

Now to make the filling.  Melt butter and dark chocolate chips (I used Guittard Extra Dark Chocolate Baking Chips and they were great!!).

Vanilla, sugar, espresso, and cinnamon are added and whisked to complete the filling.  Pour over cooled crust and bake.

The top of the pie will crack and the filling will be firm but wonderfully creamy.  Cool completely and cut into squares.

You need these on your Thanksgiving menu!

CHOCOLATE ESPRESSO PIE BARS