Rich, Fudgy Homemade Chocolate Pecan Pie (No Corn Syrup!)
Chocolate Pecan Pie
Deeply fudgy and chocolaty meets caramely and sweet, all with crunchy pecans arranged artfully on top and a buttery crust beneath. This Chocolate Pecan Pie is the holiday dessert of your dreams—and surprisingly easy to make!
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Everything you love about pecan pie—plus chocolate.
File under: How to Make a Good Thing Even Better.
Adding chocolate to classic pecan pie makes it next-level delicious. If you’ve ever had Chocolate Chess Pie, the chocolate filling has a similar fudgy texture, but with crispy-crunchy pecans on top. (If you can’t resist a good mashup, you’ll love my Pumpkin Pecan Pie too.)
Pure maple syrup is used in place of corn syrup, making this pie a more natural alternative to traditional pecan pies. It also adds a fantastic maple flavor that’s perfect for all your favorite fall holidays.
5 Star Review
“Fantastic! I made it yesterday, testing if my family would love it for Thanksgiving. I received lots of compliments and it was gone by the end of the day. I will be making this again very soon.”
— Kelly —
How to Make the Best Chocolate Pecan Pie
The Ingredients
Pecans. Use raw pecans; you can buy pieces or use pecan halves, which definitely look prettier arranged on the top of the pie. Your call!
Unbaked Pie Crust. Use my Oil Pie Crust or Darn Good Whole Wheat Pie Crust, or your own favorite recipe. (Or, yes, store-bought.)
Unsalted Butter. We’re already adding salt to the filling and as a garnish, so we don’t want to use salted butter too.
Dark Chocolate Chips. For a rich chocolate flavor. I used 60% cacao.
Eggs. Let these come to room temperature.
Pure Maple Syrup. Use a good one! A dark or amber maple syrup has more robust maple flavor than light or golden syrup.
Brown Sugar. Light brown sugar adds light notes of caramel.
Pure Vanilla Extract. Corn syrup has a vanilla flavor, so we’re adding that back in with vanilla extract.
All-Purpose Flour. This helps set the filling.
Flaky Salt. Maldon or fleur de sel are perfect.
Dietary Note
Make a gluten-free chocolate pecan pie by using your favorite gluten-free pie crust and a measure-for-measure all-purpose flour substitute.
The Directions
Toast the Pecans. Be careful not to burn them.
Prepare the Crust. Chill in the pie dish for a minimum of 30 minutes, or up to 3 days.
Blind Bake the Crust. Place a sheet of parchment paper over the crust and fill it with pie weights or dry beans.
Melt the Butter and Chocolate. Stir until nice and smooth.
Mix the Filling. Add the flour last.
Add the Nuts. Save some for the top.
Assemble. Arrange the reserved pecan halves in a concentric circle for max presentation. Sprinkle with flaky salt.
Bake. The filling should be just set, but still a bit jiggly in the middle.
Cool and Serve. Set the pan on a wire rack and cool completely before serving. ENJOY!
Recipe Variations
Make Chocolate Pecan Pie WithBourbon. Stir 3 tablespoons of bourbon into the filling before baking for a boozy kick.
Give It a Little Warmth. Add ground cinnamon for some earthy, cozy flavor.
Swap in Some Walnuts. Mix in some chopped walnuts for twist on the original. I do this in my Pecan Pie Cobbler sometimes too!
Meal Prep Tip
To get a head start on this recipe, roll out the pie crust, lay it in the pan, and crimp the edges. Wrap it and refrigerate it for up to 3 days.
What to Serve with Chocolate Pecan Pie
Classic Dessert Accoutrements. A dollop of whipped cream, a drizzle of salted caramel sauce, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream (or Oatmilk Ice Cream)—all are welcome additions to a slice of chocolate pecan pie.
All the Pies. If your family likes to set out a whole bunch of pies for everyone to choose from (or so everyone can have a tiiiiiny sliver of everything), I recommend pairing this with holiday favorites like Sweet Potato Pie, Buttermilk Pie, and Vegan Pumpkin Pie.
Other Fall Desserts. Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes, Gluten Free Apple Crisp, Pumpkin Cheesecake Brownies, Fresh Apple Cake—they’re all great options for Thanksgiving and other fall get-togethers!
Recipe Tips and Tricks
Be Careful When Toasting the Pecans. They can go from perfectly toasted to burnt very quickly—and they’re expensive so you don’t want to have to throw them away and start over! As soon as they’re fragrant, remove them from the heat and transfer them to a bowl. (Don’t leave them in the pan to cool or they’ll burn!)
Use Pure Maple Syrup. Don’t use pancake syrup, which has that cloying flavor we’re trying to avoid by leaving out the corn syrup. Pure maple syrup adds a rich, natural flavor that complements the other ingredients.
Don’t Over-Bake. The center of the pie should still be slightly jiggly when you take it out of the oven. Don’t worry—it will continue to set as it cools! Over-baking can result in a dry, cracked filling.
Use an Instant-Read Thermometer. It’s not just for Thanksgiving Turkey! If you’re unsure just how jiggly slightly jiggly is, your best bet is to simply stick a thermometer in your pie and make sure it’s reached 200°F.
Tent With Foil, If Needed. If the top of your pie is browning too quickly, cover it loosely with aluminum foil for the remaining baking time. This will prevent it from burning while allowing the filling to continue cooking.
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Chocolate Pecan Pie
With a rich, fudgy chocolate base and sweet, crunchy pecans, this old-fashioned chocolate pecan pie is a real treat—and easy too!
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Prep Time 25 minutesminutes
Cook Time 1 hourhour25 minutesminutes
Chilling Time 30 minutesminutes
Total Time 2 hourshours20 minutesminutes
Servings 10servings
Calories 462kcal
Author Erin Clarke / Well Plated
Ingredients
2cupschopped raw pecans or pecan halvesabout 8 ounces, divided
1unbaked pie crust
6tablespoonsunsalted butter
⅓cupbittersweet chocolate chips(I used 60% dark)
3large eggsat room temperature
1cuppure maple syrup
½cuplight brown sugar
1 ½teaspoonspure vanilla extract
¼teaspoonkosher salt
2tablespoonsall-purpose flour
Flaky saltsuch as Maldon or fleur de sel
Instructions
Toast the pecans: Place the pecans in a cold, dry skillet. Turn the heat to medium-low and cook, stirring constantly, until the nuts are shiny and fragrant. It’s important to keep the nuts moving to avoid burning. As soon as you start to smell the nuts, transfer them to a bowl to cool. If using pecan halves, set aside 1 cup of the halves, then chop the rest.
On a lightly floured work surface, roll the dough into a 12-inch round. Transfer to a regular (not deep dish) 9-inch pie plate. Tuck in any overhang and crimp all the way around the edges with your fingers using your favorite fluting pattern, or simply press with the tines of a fork. Poke the crust all over with the tines for a fork. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 375°F and place a rack in the center of the oven.
Place a sheet of parchment paper over the crust and fill it with pie weights or dry beans. Bake for 25 minutes, until just set. Carefully remove pie weights and return the crust to the oven for 5 to 10 more minutes, until lightly golden. Remove from the oven and let cool.
In a large microwave-safe bowl, gently melt the butter and chocolate chips together, stirring occasionally, until smooth. Go slowly be patient to prevent the chocolate from burning (you can also do this in a small saucepan over medium heat). Set aside to cool slightly. If using a saucepan, transfer to a large bowl.
To the cooled chocolate mixture, add the eggs, maple syrup, brown sugar, vanilla, and kosher salt, stirring until the mixture is smooth and uniform. Stir in the flour. If using chopped pecans, stir in half of them; if using pecan halves, stir in the portion you chopped in Step 1.
Gently pour the filling into the crust, then sprinkle the remaining chopped pecans on top, or arrange the reserved pecan halves in a concentric circle. Gently press the pecans into the filling. Sprinkle with flaky salt.
Bake chocolate pecan pie for 40 to 50 minutes, until the crust is golden brown and the filling is just set and a bit jiggly in the very center (its internal temperature should register 200°F on an instant read thermometer). If the top is browning too quickly, cover it with aluminum foil for the remainder of the cooking time. Place the pan on a wire rack and let cool completely before serving.
Video
Notes
TO STORE: Cover the pie in the pan or transfer leftovers to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 4 days.
TO REHEAT: You can serve pecan pie chilled or set it on the counter and let it come to room temperature. Pecan pie (and chocolate pecan pie) isn’t typically served warm, but some people do like it that way; if you’d like, you can microwave it until it’s warmed through.
TO FREEZE: Wrap the pie tightly with plastic wrap and then foil, or transfer leftovers to an airtight container. Freeze for up to 2 months and thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving.
