ooey gooey caramel pie... revisited AND homemade vanilla infused whipped cream

this blog is an update on my previous blog about caramel pie

i revisisted this recipe for thanksgiving with my family this year, and i decided to dress it up a bit. the recipe remains largely the same as last time (i made a few little additions), but it is still quite easy.

caramel pie
ingredients:

2 cans eagle brand sweetened condensed milk

pie crust

packaged whipped cream - OR homemade whipped cream (see recipe below)

chopped walnuts

mini semi-sweet chocolate chips

homemade whipped cream

ingredients:

1/2 cup heavy cream, chilled

1/2 cup sour cream

1/4 cup confectioners' sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

directions for the homemade whipped cream:
1. combine cream, sugar, sour cream, and vanilla in a bowl.

2. use an electric mixer to whip to stiff (but not grainy) peaks.

3. chill until ready to use. (you should use within one day.)

directions for the caramel pie:
1. take the labels off the cans of eagle brand milk.
2. boil the unopened cans in water for three hours. you will likely have to add water to the pot as time goes on because of evaporation.

3. remove the cans from water. LET THE WATER COOL FIRST. and PLEASE use some potholders and GOOD tongs for this project. (i'm putting emphasis on this, because i learned this step the hard way... HOT water splashed on my entire right arm and face because i lost grip on my tongs as i was taking the cans out of the water. so, please... trust me on this...)

4. let the cans cool completely - about 30 minutes out of the pot will do the trick.

5. CAREFULY open the cans. caramel will likely escape from the can as you open, so don't be alarmed.

6. immediately pour the caramel into the pie crust. let the caramel set and cool. an hour in the refrigerator should do the trick, but i prefer to let mine chill overnight. (if you make your own whipped cream, letting them both set overnight is a good plan.)

7. top the pies with whipped cream.

8. toppings options: you can either reserved some of the caramel and drizzle it on top of the pie (which is what i did last time) OR you can top with mini semi-sweet chocolate chips and/or chopped walnuts OR turn it into banoffee by adding sliced bananas on top. the chocolate chips and walnuts are how they do it at o'charley's... and this recipe is a dead ringer for the restaurant version.

other options for this recipe are to make mini versions in individual graham cracker pie crusts OR you can even make your own pie. you don't have to make your own whipped cream, but i just prefer to be able to say that i made the entire thing myself. although the taste difference is really minimal. the whipped cream i make just has a little more infused vanilla flavor in it.

this recipe got rave reviews at thanksgiving, and i was asked to make it again for christmas! (that's when you know you've stumbled upon something truly scrumptious!) this recipe is so easy but seems like it you slaved over it. add this to your recipe arsenal. you won't regret it. and neither will your guests!

fin.