Name: Decadent Chocolate Pecan Pie Recipe
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 4 h 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 recipe homemade pie crust or store-bought; 3 eggs at room temperature; 3/4 cup dark corn syrup; 1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar; 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves; 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 3 ounces bittersweet baking chocolate, chopped 1/4-inch; 3 ounces semi-sweet baking chocolate, chopped 1/4-inch; 1 1/2 cups roughly chopped raw pecan halves; 3/4 cup whole raw pecan halves for topping; 1 tablespoon melted unsalted butter for brushing pecans

The warm aroma of toasted pecans mingled with rich chocolate is nothing short of magical. This Decadent Chocolate Pecan Pie Recipe truly stands out with its perfect blend of smooth chocolate and crunchy pecans, making it a festive favorite that always wows guests and satisfies sweet cravings.

The image shows a pecan pie with a thick golden-brown crust that has a wavy edge, placed inside a white ceramic pie dish. The top layer is fully covered with whole pecan halves, dark brown and glossy, arranged neatly. Below the pecans is a rich, sticky filling with a shiny texture, visible in the slice taken out, showing a mix of nuts and syrupy filling. The bottom crust is golden and flaky, supporting the pie layers well. The white marbled surface adds brightness to the scene. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Decadent Chocolate Pecan Pie Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Decadent Chocolate Pecan Pie Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Decadent Chocolate Pecan Pie Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I can't tell you how many times this pie has saved a holiday dinner or turned a simple weekend into a special occasion. The combination of bittersweet and semi-sweet chocolate chunks scattered throughout the pie is my secret weapon for that irresistible gooey texture that pairs beautifully with pecans.

Perfect Texture: A luscious filling that's gooey but not runny, with crunchy pecans adding the ideal contrast.
Chocolate-Pecan Harmony: Using two types of chocolate creates layers of flavor that linger with every bite.
Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prep parts or all of it ahead of time—so handy when juggling holidays or busy weeks.
Impressive Yet Easy: Despite its fancy look and rich flavor, it’s surprisingly straightforward to make at home.

A close-up of a pecan pie showing three layers: the outer layer is a thick, golden-brown crust with a rough and crumbly texture, folded in a wavy pattern around the edge of a white plate; the middle layer is a glossy, dark brown filling with a sticky, caramel-like texture embedded with small chunks of dark chocolate; the top layer is a dense arrangement of whole pecans with a shiny, reddish-brown color, evenly placed across the surface. The pie sits on a white marbled background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This pie brings together familiar ingredients that harmonize beautifully. Each component plays a role—from the buttery crust to the warming spices that add depth. When shopping, fresh pecans and quality baking chocolate make all the difference, so don’t skimp on those.

Flat lay of three whole brown eggs with clean shells, a small white ceramic bowl of dark amber corn syrup, a small white ceramic bowl of packed dark brown sugar, a small white ceramic bowl with melted golden butter, a few fresh vanilla beans next to a small white ceramic bowl of vanilla extract, a small white ceramic bowl containing fine sea salt, a small white ceramic bowl with ground cinnamon powder, a small white ceramic bowl with ground cloves powder, a small white ceramic bowl with ground nutmeg powder, roughly chopped raw pecan halves scattered beside whole raw pecan halves arranged neatly in a small pile, two types of chocolate chunks – dark bittersweet and semi-sweet – roughly chopped with clean edges, all arranged symmetrically on a simple white ceramic pie plate holding an unbaked plain pie crust, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Homemade Pie Crust: Flaky and buttery crust is the foundation here; making it from scratch adds so much to the texture and flavor.
Eggs: Room temperature eggs help create a smooth filling that sets just right.
Dark Corn Syrup: This sweetener ensures the filling is perfectly gooey without being too soft.
Dark Brown Sugar: Adds deep caramel notes that complement the pecans wonderfully.
Unsalted Butter: Melting it slightly cooled prevents cooking eggs prematurely, plus it enriches your filling.
Vanilla Extract: A splash lifts the flavors and rounds out the sweetness.
Spices (Cinnamon, Cloves, Nutmeg): Just a pinch creates a warm, cozy background without overpowering the chocolate or nuts.
Bittersweet & Semi-sweet Baking Chocolate: The star flavor here—chopped chunks melt in and add pockets of intense richness.
Raw Pecan Halves: Roughly chopped pecans throughout the pie add texture, while whole halves on top give that classic, eye-catching look.
Melted Butter (for topping): Brushing the pecans helps them toast beautifully and prevents burning.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love tweaking this pie depending on the mood. Some days, I’m all about extra chocolate (hello, double chocolate!), and sometimes I add a dash more cinnamon for that extra cozy vibe. It’s your pie—don’t be shy to play around!

Chocolate Variation: I once swapped the semi-sweet for milk chocolate to make a sweeter pie. It was a hit with kids but still delicious for adults, just less intense.
Nut Alternatives: While I adore pecans here, sometimes I mix in walnuts for a slightly different crunch and taste, though pecans are classic.
Gluten-Free Option: Using a gluten-free pie crust works well; just be sure to chill it well before blind baking to keep that flaky texture.
Spice Level: Feel free to adjust the amount of cloves and nutmeg to your liking—they add subtle warmth that's easy to dial up or down.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Decadent Chocolate Pecan Pie Recipe

Step 1: Prepare and Blind Bake the Crust

I usually make the pie crust a day ahead—it really makes a difference in texture. When you’re ready, preheat your oven to 375°F. Line the chilled crust with parchment and fill it with pie weights or dried beans to keep the shape. Bake for about 18-20 minutes until you see the edges just starting to brown, but the crust isn’t fully cooked yet. Let it cool completely; this step prevents a soggy bottom and ensures a crisp crust every time.

Step 2: Mix the Filling Gently

In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, corn syrup, brown sugar, melted butter, vanilla, salt, and spices just until combined. Be careful not to overbeat here—you want a smooth mixture, but too much air can cause cracking during baking. This filling sets that perfect gooey texture we’re after.

Step 3: Layer Pecans and Chocolate

Spread the chopped pecans evenly on the cooled crust, then scatter both bittersweet and semi-sweet chopped chocolates over the nuts. Pour the filling over this layer—it’s fun watching pieces of chocolate peek through. Finally, arrange whole pecan halves on top in a pretty pattern and brush them with melted butter. This keeps the nuts glossy and beautifully toasted.

Step 4: Bake Low and Slow

Bake at 350°F for about 40-50 minutes. I always keep a close eye near the end to prevent over-browning. Tent the edges with foil if they start to darken too fast. To check doneness, tap the center lightly; if it springs back slightly and jiggles just a bit, your pie is perfect. An instant-read thermometer helps—aim for 195-200°F in the center.

Step 5: Cool Completely Before Serving

This is crucial: let your pie sit at room temperature on a wire rack for about two hours. The filling firms up during this time. Avoid the temptation to refrigerate immediately, or the pie might collapse. Once cooled, it’s ready to slice and enjoy!

Top Tip

From my many batches over the years, here’s what really makes a difference to nail this pie every time.

Chill That Dough: Making your crust a day ahead isn’t just a time saver—it lets the gluten relax and prevents shrinkage during baking.
Don’t Overmix Filling: Whisk just enough to combine eggs and sugars; too much air leads to cracks.
Use Two Chocolates: Mixing dark and semi-sweet chocolates isn’t just flavorful; the melting points differ, giving you those perfect gooey chunks.
Watch the Bake Time: Every oven's different—start checking at 40 minutes. The filling should be set, but slightly wobbly in the center.

How to Serve Decadent Chocolate Pecan Pie Recipe

Chocolate Pecan Pie - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

My favorite garnish is a simple dollop of freshly whipped cream lightly sweetened—its airy texture contrasts so nicely with the dense pie. Sometimes I sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt on top right before serving; it elevates the chocolate and pecan flavors and makes every bite pop.

Side Dishes

A scoop of vanilla bean ice cream on the side is my go-to when the weather’s warm—it’s like the perfect cool counterpoint to the rich pie. For a cozy winter gathering, a strong cup of freshly brewed coffee or espresso complements the pecan and chocolate flavors beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday dinners, I like serving individual slices on rustic wooden boards garnished with a sprig of fresh mint or a cinnamon stick. It’s simple but adds a festive touch. Another fun idea is to drizzle a little warm caramel sauce right before serving for an extra-special indulgence.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Wrap leftover pie tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate. I find it keeps well up to 4 days, and letting it come to room temperature before serving revives the texture nicely. If you want, you can refresh slices in a 300°F oven for 5 to 10 minutes to re-crisp the crust—just watch the nuts so they don’t burn.

Freezing

I've frozen this pie once after baking with great success. Wrap it tightly in plastic followed by foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then bring to room temperature before serving. Just know the top pecans might lose a bit of their crunch after freezing, but the overall flavor stays amazing.

Reheating

For reheating slices, I prefer a quick zap in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds—this brings the chocolate back to that melty goodness. If you have time, a low oven heat (around 300°F for a few minutes) is ideal for warming while preserving texture.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this Decadent Chocolate Pecan Pie Recipe in advance?

Absolutely! You can prepare the pie crust, filling, and even blind bake the crust a day or two ahead, then assemble and bake just before serving. It’s a great way to spread out your prep!

What’s the best way to know when the pie is fully baked?

I highly recommend using an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center—195 to 200°F is perfect. Without one, gently tap the pie's center; it should spring back and jiggle slightly. Avoid overbaking to keep the filling gooey.

Can I use store-bought pie crust for this recipe?

Yes, a store-bought crust works fine if you’re short on time. Just be sure to blind bake it properly to prevent sogginess and to get that flaky texture. Homemade crust is my personal favorite, though—it adds that extra homemade touch.

How do I prevent the pecans from burning during baking?

Brushing the pecan halves on top with melted butter before baking creates a protective barrier and helps them brown beautifully without burning. Also, tenting the pie edges or top with foil during baking if it browns too fast helps protect both nuts and crust.

Final Thoughts

This Decadent Chocolate Pecan Pie Recipe has been one of my favorite recipes to share with friends and family, and it never fails to impress. It feels like a little bit of luxe in every bite without needing fancy ingredients or complicated steps. Once you make it, I’m confident it’ll be a repeat request at your table, just like it is at mine!