Dear SOS: Having encountered the best chocolate pie ever at Cold Springs Tavern, an old stagecoach stop in Santa Barbara, I'm wondering whether you can persuade the restaurant to share its recipe. I am quite certain it is prepared on premises, is served warm and contains walnuts.

Dee Dee Ruhlow

Burbank

Dear Dee Dee: We loved the combination of chocolate with walnuts and rum in this very rich pie, perfect for chocolate lovers! Each slice is great served slightly warmed with a big glass of milk.

Rum-walnut chocolate-chip pie

Total time: About 1 hour

Servings: 10 to 12

Note: Adapted from Cold Springs Tavern. If using a homemade pie shell, blind bake the crust (lined first with foil and weights, then with weights removed) just until set, about 10 to 15 minutes. For store-bought pie crust, par-bake the pie shell just until set, using the instructions on the package.

3 eggs

2 tablespoons rum, preferably Puerto Rican white rum

3/4 teaspoon vanilla

1/3 cup sugar

2/3 cup brown sugar

Scant 1/2 cup (2 ounces) flour

1 cup chopped walnuts

1 (12 ounce) bag semi-sweet chocolate chips, divided

1 1/2 sticks ( 3/4 cups) butter

1 par-baked pie shell

1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs with the rum and vanilla. Whisk in the sugar and brown sugar until incorporated, then whisk in the flour. Fold in the walnuts and half of the chocolate chips until evenly incorporated.

2. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter. Remove from heat and stir in the remaining chocolate chips until melted and combined.

3. Fold the melted butter and chocolate mixture into the large bowl with the rest of the filling. Pour the filling into the par-baked pie shell. Place the pie in the oven and bake just until the pie sets (it will jiggle just slightly when tapped), 30 to 45 minutes.

4. Remove and cool completely before serving.

Each serving: 477 calories; 6 grams protein; 48 grams carbohydrates; 3 grams fiber; 31 grams fat; 14 grams saturated fat; 83 mg. cholesterol; 85 mg. sodium.

Source:  LA Food Times

Get the recipe here - 
 Confections of a Foodie Bride 

1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 cup cherry preserves
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1 cup canola oil
kosher salt
freshly ground black pepper

PREPARE VINAIGRETTE:
In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the balsamic vinegar, sugar and garlic and bring to a simmer, stirring frequently to dissolve the sugar. Simmer the mixture, uncovered, until reduced by half, about 10 minutes. Add the cherry preserves and cook for 1 minute longer. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature, then whisk in the red wine vinegar followed by the canola oil. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Set aside.

COOKING TIPS
*The vinaigrette recipe yields about 2 1/2 cups of dressing. Place extra dressing in a sealed jar and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks. Use on other salads, or drizzle over grilled shrimp or lobster.

Source: Nordstrom Entertaining at Home Cookbook

This is a seasonal favorite from the Cracker Barrel, but you can enjoy this rich chocolate goodness anytime.  Be sure to serve this with premium vanilla bean ice cream.

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup granulated sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup butter

1 (6 ounce) package nestle semisweet chocolate morsels

1/4 cup milk

1 egg, slightly beaten

1 (21 ounce) can cherry pie filling

1/2 cup finely chopped nuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and butter.  Cut with a pastry blender until the crumbs are the size of small peas.  Over hot (not boiling) water, melt the chocolate morsels.  Allow to cool 5 minutes at room temperature.
Add milk and egg to the chocolate mixture; mix well.  Blend into flour mixture; mix well.  Spread pie filling in the bottom of a 2 quart casserole.
Drop chocolate batter randomly over cherries.  Sprinkle nuts all over top.  Bake 40-45 minutes.

Source:  Copykat Recipes

This recipe is located at Baking Bites