1/4 c. melted butter
1 c. crushed vanilla wafers (about 30)
1/2 c. pecans, finely chopped

FOR FILLING:

3 sq. unsweetened chocolate
1 c. butter
1 1/2 c. sugar
4 lg. eggs
2 tsp. vanilla

Mix together butter, wafers and pecans. Reserve 1/4 cup of mixture. Press remaining firmly and evenly against bottom and side of greased 9-inch pie pan. Bake crust and reserved crumbs (in small pan - be careful) at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.

FOR FILLING: Melt chocolate and let cool. Cream butter and sugar; add cooled chocolate. Add eggs to filling one at a time; after each egg is added, beat 5 minutes with mixer on medium speed. Stir in vanilla. Turn into prepared 9 inch pie shell. Sprinkle top of pie with reserved toasted crumbs; freeze until ready to serve. Top with dollop of whipped cream, if desired. Serves 7.