The Ultimate Decadent Chocolate Pecan Pie

Ready to take your holiday pecan pie to a whole new level of decadent deliciousness? What happens when you take the classic, gooey, and nutty Southern pecan pie and infuse it with rich, molten chocolate? You get this incredible, from-scratch Chocolate Pecan Pie—the ultimate, sophisticated twist on a beloved classic that is destined to be the star of your dessert table.

This isn’t just another pecan pie recipe; it’s a guide to creating a truly unforgettable, gourmet dessert experience. We’ll show you the simple secrets to a perfectly crisp, flaky, all-butter crust that never gets soggy, and how to create a rich, fudgy, and gooey chocolate-infused custard filling. This is the show-stopping pie that will have every chocolate and pecan lover swooning.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Recipe Overview: The Ultimate Holiday Indulgence

What makes this Chocolate Pecan Pie so spectacular is its perfect harmony of rich flavors and its commitment to classic, from-scratch techniques that yield a superior result. The homemade, all-butter pie crust is uniquely enriched with finely ground pecans, creating a wonderfully tender and nutty base. The filling is a perfect balance of a sweet, corn syrup-based custard and the rich, slightly bitter notes of semi-sweet chocolate. The professional technique of blind-baking the crust ensures a perfectly crisp, sturdy foundation for the rich, gooey filling.

Metric	Time / Level
Total Time	4 hours 30 minutes (includes chilling and cooling)
Active Prep Time	45 minutes
Difficulty Level	Intermediate
Servings	8-10 slices

The Essential Ingredients for This Decadent Pie

This recipe uses a handful of high-quality, classic ingredients to create its signature sophisticated flavor.

• The Nutty Pie Crust (Pâte Brisée): A rich, flaky, and incredibly flavorful crust with a unique twist.
  • Finely Ground Pecans: This is the secret to a wonderfully flavorful and tender crust! We add finely ground, toasted pecans directly into the flour, which creates a rich, almost shortbread-like texture and a deep, nutty flavor that beautifully complements the filling.
  • Cold Unsalted Butter: The absolute key to a flaky crust. It is crucial that your butter is very cold and cut into small pieces.
• The Rich Chocolate-Pecan Filling: This is the gooey, fudgy, and slightly boozy heart of our pie.
  • Semi-Sweet Chocolate: Using coarsely chopped, good-quality semi-sweet chocolate creates beautiful, rich, molten pockets throughout the gooey filling.
  • Toasted Pecans: For the best, deepest flavor, use fresh, high-quality pecan halves and give them a quick toast in the oven before you add them to the pie.
  • Light Corn Syrup: This is a crucial ingredient for a classic pecan pie filling. It is the secret to a perfectly smooth and gooey texture that will not crystallize or become grainy as it bakes and cools.
  • Bourbon (Optional but highly recommended!): A few tablespoons of your favorite bourbon adds a classic, sophisticated, and warm Southern flavor that is a fantastic pairing with both chocolate and pecans.

Step-by-Step to the Most Perfect Pecan Pie

This recipe is a rewarding baking project. Follow these detailed steps for a perfect, show-stopping result.

Part 1: The Nutty Pecan Pie Crust

Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, combine the 2 1/4 cups of all-purpose flour, the 1/4 cup of finely ground pecans, the 1 tablespoon of sugar, and the pinch of salt.

Step 2: Add the 10 tablespoons (1 1/4 sticks) of cold, cubed butter. Using a pastry blender or your fingertips, quickly “cut” the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces of butter still visible.

Step 3: In a small bowl, lightly beat the 1 egg with the 1 tablespoon of cold milk. Add this mixture to the flour and stir with a fork until the dough just begins to hold together. If it is too crumbly, you can add more ice water, one tablespoon at a time.

Step 4: Form the dough into a flat disc, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes.

Part 2: The Secret to a Crisp Crust (Blind-Baking)

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2: On a lightly floured surface, roll out your chilled dough into a 12-inch circle. Carefully transfer the dough to a 10-inch tart pan with a removable bottom. Press the dough into the pan so it fits tightly and trim the excess around the rim.

Step 3: Line the raw tart shell with a piece of parchment paper or foil and fill it with pie weights or dried beans.

Step 4: Place the tart pan on a sturdy cookie sheet and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the crust is blond and set.

Step 5: Carefully remove the parchment and the pie weights. Continue to bake the tart shell for another 10 to 15 minutes, until the crust is a beautiful, deep golden brown. Let the crust cool completely on a wire rack.

Step 6: Once cooled, reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C).

Part 3: The Rich, Gooey Chocolate-Pecan Filling

Step 1: In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, melt the 4 tablespoons of butter and the 6 ounces of semi-sweet chocolate together, stirring until smooth. Remove the pan from the heat and let the mixture cool slightly.

Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, beat the 3 large eggs with an electric mixer or a whisk until they are frothy. Then, blend in the 1/2 cup of sugar.

Step 3: Stir in the 1/2 cup of light corn syrup, the 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract, the 3 tablespoons of bourbon, the 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and the cooled, melted chocolate and butter mixture until everything is well blended and smooth.

Part 4: Assembling and Baking Your Masterpiece

Step 1: Arrange the 1 1/2 cups of toasted pecan halves and the coarsely chopped chocolate on the bottom of your fully pre-baked pie crust.

Step 2: Carefully pour the prepared chocolate and egg filling mixture gently over the pecans and chocolate.

Step 3: Place the pie on a baking sheet and bake for 45 to 50 minutes. The pie is perfectly done when the filling is set around the edges and slightly puffed, but the very center still has a slight jiggle to it.

Step 4 (The Crucial Cooling Step!): Transfer the hot pie to a wire rack and let it cool completely to room temperature before cutting. This will take several hours. This final, long cooling step is absolutely essential for the hot, gooey custard to fully set up into a perfect, sliceable consistency.

Once cooled, you can remove the sides of the tart pan. Refrigerate the pie for at least 2 hours before slicing and serving.

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Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

Pecan pie is the absolute perfect make-ahead dessert for the busy holiday season.

• Make-Ahead: You can bake this pie completely up to 3 days in advance. Let it cool completely, then cover it and store it in the refrigerator. The flavors will actually meld and become even more delicious.
• Storage: Store the finished, cooled pie, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
• Serving: This pie is best served at room temperature to allow the flavors of the chocolate and butter to shine. Simply remove it from the refrigerator about an hour before you plan to serve it.

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Creative Recipe Variations

1. Add a Salty Finish: For a sophisticated, modern twist that beautifully complements the sweet chocolate and caramel notes, you can sprinkle the top of the finished, cooled pie with a touch of flaky sea salt.
2. Use a Different Nut: While pecans are the classic star, this rich, chocolatey filling is also absolutely incredible when made with an equal amount of coarsely chopped, toasted walnuts.
3. Make it Non-Alcoholic: If you prefer to make this without the bourbon, you can simply omit it from the recipe. You may want to add an extra 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract to enhance the flavor.

Enjoy a True Holiday Icon, Elevated!

You’ve just created a truly special, from-scratch dessert that is the very definition of a holiday indulgence. This classic, homemade Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie, with its nutty crust and its gooey, fudgy filling, is a rewarding baking project that is guaranteed to be the star of your dessert table. It’s the kind of timeless treat that makes the holiday season feel complete and sophisticated.

We hope you and your loved ones enjoy every last, perfect, and delicious bite!

If you enjoyed making this recipe, please leave a comment below or share it with a friend who loves to bake!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)