French Silk Chocolate Pie

Derek requests this for his birthday instead of a cake every year.  It's his mom's recipe and it's oh so good.

Ingredients:

1 - 9" pie shell, baked (I always just buy a pre-made graham cracker crust)

1/2 cup REAL butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1 oz unsweetened chocolate, melted and cooled (I don't think I ever really wait for it to cool much)
3 T cocoa
1 tsp vanilla
2 eggs

Whipped Cream
1 cup whipping cream
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla

1 pkg almonds, toasted

Prepare and bake pie crust as usual.  Cream together butter and sugar until fluffy.  Add the chocolate, cocoa and vanilla and blend well.

Add the eggs, one at a time, beating 5 minutes after each addition (important!), scraping the sides of the bowl continually.  Pour this mixture into pie shell and chill for at least 2 hours.

Meanwhile toast the almonds by placing them in a non-stick fry pan on medium heat.  Stir frequently so they don't burn.  Do not add oil.  Cool completely.

In small mixing bowl, combine whipping cream, powdered sugar and vanilla.  Beat until stiff peaks form.  Garnish pie with whipped cream and sprinkle on toasted almonds.