Turtle Pie

Ingredients

For the crust:

• 2 tablespoons semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 (9-inch) pie shell, baked and cooled

For the caramel layer:

• 20 caramel cubes
• 1/4 cup cream or milk
• 1 1/4 cups salted peanuts

For the chocolate layer:

• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 (8-ounce) container imitation whipped topping

For the garnish:

• imitation whipped topping, optional, to taste
• caramel drizzle, optional, to taste
• peanuts, optional, to taste

Directions

1. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt 2 tablespoons of chocolate chips and 1 tablespoon of butter in the microwave in increments of 20 seconds until melted.
2. Spread the chocolate mixture on the bottom of the pie crust.
3. Chill the chocolate-covered pie crust until it is set, about 10-15 minutes.
4. In a microwave-safe glass bowl, melt the caramels and cream in the microwave in increments of 20 seconds until melted, stirring often.
5. Allow the melted caramel mixture to cool slightly.
6. Combine the peanuts with the cooled caramel mixture and pour into the pie shell.
7. Chill the caramel layered pie shell for at least 1 hour and up to overnight.
8. In another microwave-safe bowl, melt the remaining chocolate chips and remaining butter until smooth, about 1 minute.
9. Let the melted chocolate mixture sit for 15 minutes.
10. Fold about 1/3 of the imitation whipped topping into the cooled chocolate mixture. Then fold in the remaining imitation whipped topping.
11. Spread the creamy chocolate mixture over the chilled caramel layer.
12. Chill the pie until it is set, at least 4 hours and up to overnight.
13. Garnish the pie with the remaining imitation whipped topping, caramel, and peanuts just before serving.
14. Plate and serve.