Description
Grandma’s chocolate pecan delight pie combines rich chocolate with crunchy pecans in a classic Southern dessert. Homemade layers of silky filling and crisp pastry invite delightful indulgence for holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ cups (360 ml) pecan halves, toasted
- 3 oz (85 g) bittersweet chocolate, chopped
- 1 cup (240 ml) dark corn syrup
- ½ cup (100 g) light brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup (113 g or 1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into pats
- 1 pie crust (perfect homemade or ½ package store-bought)
- 4 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp table salt
Instructions
- Crust Preparation: Smoothly press pie crust into a 9-inch pie dish, ensuring uniform coverage and creating clean, even edges without any tears or gaps.
- Chocolate Base: Melt dark chocolate and unsalted butter using a double boiler, stirring until achieving a glossy, homogeneous consistency. Allow mixture to cool to ambient temperature while preparing remaining components.
- Filling Integration: Whisk corn syrup, dark brown sugar, eggs, unsweetened cocoa powder, vanilla extract, and kosher salt in a large mixing bowl until the mixture transforms into a uniform, lustrous blend with no visible ingredient separation.
- Chocolate Infusion: Gradually fold the cooled chocolate mixture into the egg mixture, creating a luxurious, silky filling with a consistent chocolate-brown color and smooth texture.
- Pecan Arrangement: Distribute whole pecans across the pie crust bottom, creating a decorative and textural foundation that will provide crunch and visual appeal.
- Filling and Baking: Gently pour chocolate mixture over pecans, ensuring they remain partially visible, then transfer to a preheated oven at 375°F. Bake for 40-45 minutes until the filling sets with a subtle center jiggle.
- Cooling and Serving: Remove pie from oven and place on a wire rack. Allow complete cooling for 2-3 hours. Slice and serve at room temperature or refrigerate for a firmer consistency. Refrigerate leftover pie, covered, for up to 4 days.
Notes
- Prep Surface Strategically: Use parchment paper or a silicone mat when arranging pecans to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal.
- Monitor Chocolate Carefully: Melt chocolate slowly and at low heat to prevent burning or seizing, which can ruin the smooth filling texture.
- Check Pie Doneness Wisely: Look for a slightly wobbly center and set edges as your primary indicator of perfect baking, avoiding over-baking that can dry out the filling.
- Chill for Best Flavor: Refrigerating the pie for a few hours before serving enhances the flavor depth and allows the filling to set perfectly, creating a more decadent dessert experience.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 33 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 53 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg