Kahlua & Baileys Chocolate Cream Pie

I lost my old recipe for Kahluah Pie and there were none like it on this site, so I improvised. It is silky, rich and I love the consistency: not too firm, soft and smooth but holds it's shape. And my crust stayed crisp! The toasted almonds are the perfect complement in flavor and crunch. A sliver is a serving - it is SO rich - and it can be made with any liqueur you like, Baileys and 'Hot Damn' (cinnamon) would be good, like the drink 'Oatmeal Cookie'.

• Ready In: 4 hrs
• Serves: 8-10
• Yields: 1 Pie

Ingredients

• 1  baked  pie crust, I prefer a traditional pastry crust
• 8  ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1  cup  semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 1⁄2 cups heavy cream
• 1⁄2 cup Kahlua
• 1⁄4 cup Baileys Irish Cream or 1⁄4 cup  just more Kahlua
• 3  tablespoons vanilla instant pudding mix (to help pie set)
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄4 cup  sliced almonds, toasted
• 1⁄4 cup icing sugar, added to the cream cheese is optional if you prefer a sweeter pie

Directions

1. Toast almonds in a 300 degree oven while melting choc. chips in a double boiler. Watch the almonds CAREFULLY, they burn in a flash.
2. With a hand mixer, beat melted chocolate into the cream cheese till it is smooth and glossy and holds it's shape.
3. Beat in liqueur by the 1/4 cup.
4. In another bowl, whip the cream, adding in the pudding mix and the salt; beat untill it is very stiff.
5. On low, blend the two mixtures together completely.
6. Pour into a pie crust and decorate or garnish with the toasted almonds.
7. Refrigerate until set, about 4 hours; this pie improves with age.
8. You can make this far more chocolatey if you double the choc. chips.