This is a pie recipe.  Well, not your usual pie, but it has fruit, it fits in a pie plate and has whipped cream so it’s kind of a pie…it’s also kind of a cookie.  It’s more like a pookie. Instead of a pie crust, there’s this meringue-like cookie with chocolate chips, nuts and crackers that rock a sweet-salty zen.

Strawberry Chocolate Nut Pie

• 3 large egg whites at room temp
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 3/4 cup mini chocolate chips (or regular chips, chopped)
• 1/2 cup pecans, chopped
• 1 cup crumbled Ritz crackers (about 1 sleeve)
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 2 tablespoon powdered sugar
• 1 pint strawberries, washed, cored and sliced

Preheat oven to 350. Grease 9″ pie plate.

Beat egg whites at medium speed until soft peaks.

Combine sugar and baking powder and gradually add mixture to egg whites, til stiff peaks.

Set aside 2 tablespoons chocolate chips and coarsely chop the rest. Set aside 1 tablespoon pecan pieces and grind rest in food processor.

Combine cracker crumbs, chopped chocolate and ground pecans. Fold into egg whites along with almond extract. Spread into greased pie plate.

Bake 25 minutes. Cool completely.

Beat cream, powdered sugar and vanilla on high until stiff peaks form.

Set aside 3/4 c strawberry slices for garnish. Fold remaining berries into whipped cream. Spread over baked layer.

Garnish with reserved strawberries, pecans and chocolate chips.