Kentucky Pecan Pie with Chocolate and Nuts
Kentucky Pecan Pie with Chocolate and Nuts combines the rich, nutty flavor of buttery pecans with luscious chocolate chunks and a sticky, gooey filling. This Southern classic dessert is enhanced with a flaky pie crust and optional mixed nuts, perfect for holidays or comforting anytime treats.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55-60 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes plus cooling time
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern / American
- Diet: Gluten Free (if using gluten-free crust and verified corn syrup)
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 9-inch pie crust (flaky and buttery)
- 1 cup pecan halves
- 1 cup chocolate chunks (semi-sweet or bittersweet)
- 1 cup corn syrup (dark or light)
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter (melted)
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Optional Ingredients
- 1/2 cup mixed nuts (walnuts or almonds, chopped)
- Pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg (for spiced variation)
Instructions
- Prepare Your Pie Crust: Begin by pressing your dough into a 9-inch pie pan. Chill the crust as you prepare the filling to ensure it stays flaky and crisp once baked.
- Mix the Gooey Filling: In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, corn syrup, melted butter, brown sugar, vanilla extract, and salt until smooth. This mixture will create the signature sweet and shiny base of your pie.
- Add Chocolate and Nuts: Fold in the chocolate chunks along with your pecan halves and any additional nuts. Make sure they are evenly distributed so every slice offers a perfect balance.
- Pour into Crust and Bake: Pour the filling carefully into your chilled pie crust. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 55 to 60 minutes, or until the filling looks set but still slightly jiggly in the center.
- Cool Completely Before Serving: Let the pie cool on a wire rack for at least two hours to allow the filling to fully set. This step is key to achieving clean slices and that perfect gooey yet firm texture.
Notes
- Use room temperature ingredients to help the filling blend smoothly without lumps.
- Chill your pie crust to ensure a flaky texture and prevent sogginess during baking.
- Don’t overbake; the filling may look slightly wobbly when done but will set as it cools.
- Toast nuts lightly to enhance their flavor and add a deeper crunch.
- Protect edges of the pie crust with foil to prevent burning while the filling cooks.
- To prevent nuts from sinking, coat them lightly with a small amount of flour before mixing.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 of pie)
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 35 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg
Keywords: pecan pie, chocolate pecan pie, Southern dessert, nut pie, gooey pie, holiday dessert, baking, chocolate chunks, pecans
