Our Thanksgiving Tradition - Chocolate Truffle Pie

Happy Thanksgiving.  In spite of the ups and downs this past year, I know I have many things for which to be thankful.  Unlike many people in this world, I have a comfortable house with a sturdy roof over my head, my family is (generally) healthy, and we have plenty of food to eat.  Thank you to the Creator who provides us with so many blessings.
 
Pie is one of my favorite blessings this time of year.  I just finished making a Chocolate Truffle Pie to take along for Thanksgiving tomorrow.  This pie became part of our Thanksgiving tradition after I first made it many years ago.  My son loves it (as do others who try it.)  In fact, I still remember an incident when my son was home for Thanksgiving several years ago.  I had made this pie in a glass pie dish, and he reached into the fridge to pull out the remaining pie later in the evening.  His hand somehow slipped, and the pie dish landed on the floor.  I thought he was going to cry when he saw all of the rich chocolate goodness mingled with glass shards on the floor!  (Needless to say, I made him another pie.)
 
So, in honor of my son, and in honor of the other family members who are now too far away to enjoy the pie with us this year, I thought I would share the pie recipe with all of you.  It is fairly simple to make, and well worth the effort.  Enjoy!

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Chocolate Truffle Pie
 
Ingredients
2 cups (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
1 ½ cups whipping cream, divided
¼ cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 chocolate cookie crust
Optional: whipped cream and chocolate-covered peppermint candies or nonpareils for garnish
 
Directions

1. In a microwave-safe dish, combine the chocolate chips and ½ cup of the cream.
2. Cook on High for 1-2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds until smooth. 
3. Cool to room temperature.
4. Stir in sugar and vanilla; set aside.
5. In a small mixing bowl, beat the remaining 1 cup of cream until soft peaks form. 
6. Beat in chocolate mixture on high, one third at a time; mix well.  Spoon into crust. 
7. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours. 
8. Garnish with whipped cream and candies, if desired.