Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie Recipe
If you’re on the hunt for a dessert that’ll impress everyone at your next gathering (or just treat yourself because, hey, you deserve it), look no further! This Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie Recipe is truly fan-freaking-tastic. It combines the rich nuttiness of toasted pecans, the luscious depth of bourbon, and a generous hint of semisweet chocolate that takes the classic pecan pie to the next level. Stick with me, and I’ll walk you through every step to make sure your pie turns out gooey, flavorful, and downright irresistible.
Why This Recipe Works
- Balanced Flavors: The combination of bourbon and chocolate adds depth without overpowering the sweet pecan filling.
- Perfectly Toasted Pecans: Toasting the nuts enhances their natural flavor and crunch, making a huge difference.
- Blind-Baked Crust: Pre-baking the crust keeps it crisp and prevents sogginess from the gooey filling.
- Fudgy, Gooey Texture: The pie stays delightfully soft in the center for that melt-in-your-mouth experience everyone raves about.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in this Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie Recipe plays a vital role in building layers of taste and texture that work brilliantly together. I always recommend buying fresh pecans and a good quality bourbon for the best flavor. Let’s dive into why these classic components belong in this pie.

- Pecans: Toast them to bring out their rich, buttery flavor and add that essential crunch.
- Pie Crust: A flaky crust is the base of any great pie, and you can use homemade or frozen—just make sure to blind bake it.
- Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the filling and helps create that sticky, gooey texture.
- Corn Syrup: This ingredient keeps the filling smooth and chewy—not grainy like some pies can get.
- Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and a velvety mouthfeel.
- Eggs: Bind everything together to give the filling structure as it bakes.
- Bourbon: Brings warm, oaky notes that pair amazingly with chocolate and pecans.
- Pure Vanilla Extract: Rounds out the flavors and adds aromatic sweetness.
- Kosher Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all the other flavors.
- Semisweet Chocolate Chips: Melts into pockets of chocolatey goodness throughout the pie.
Tweak to Your Taste
I love experimenting with this Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie Recipe—sometimes I’ll add a sprinkle of sea salt on top for contrast or swap dark chocolate chips if I’m feeling extra indulgent. The beauty is you can customize to your liking, so make it yours!
- Chocolate Type Variation: Try bittersweet or milk chocolate chips to adjust sweetness levels; I personally enjoy semisweet for that perfect balance.
- Nut Swap: If pecans aren’t your jam, walnuts make a lovely substitute but toasting remains crucial for flavor.
- Less Booze: If you want just a hint of bourbon flavor, reduce it slightly—I’ve done this when baking for kids.
- Gluten-Free Crust: Use a gluten-free pie crust to accommodate dietary needs without compromising texture.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie Recipe
Step 1: Toast Those Pecans to Perfection
First up, spread your pecans evenly on a baking sheet and pop them into a preheated 350°F oven. Toast for about 10 minutes, tossing them halfway through to prevent burning. This little step transforms the nuts from okay to extraordinary—trust me, it smells heavenly and adds a rich depth you won’t want to skip. Once toasted, transfer to a heat-safe bowl and let them cool completely before chopping.
Step 2: Prep Your Pie Crust
I prefer making my own pie crust, but frozen works just as well. Whether homemade or store-bought, it’s crucial to pre-bake (blind bake) your crust so it stays crisp under our gooey filling. Use a fork to poke a few holes in the bottom and sides, then line it with parchment paper and fill with pie weights or dried beans. Bake at 325°F for 10-12 minutes until firm and lightly golden. This helps avoid a soggy bottom—a common pie pitfall.
Step 3: Mix Your Filling with Love
In a small saucepan, combine sugar, corn syrup, and butter. Heat over medium, stirring constantly until the butter melts and the sugar dissolves completely—no grainy bits! Transfer this warm mixture to a large heat-safe bowl to cool slightly. Meanwhile, whisk eggs, bourbon, vanilla, and salt in a separate bowl. Gradually add this to the cooled sugar mixture and whisk until smooth. Then fold in your chopped toasted pecans and chocolate chips. Your filling is now ready to pour into the crust.
Step 4: Bake and Watch the Magic Happen
Pour the filling carefully into your pre-baked crust. Bake at 325°F for 50-60 minutes. About halfway through, keep an eye to make sure the edges aren’t browning too fast—if they are, loosely cover with foil. You’ll know it’s done when the edges are set but the center still has a slight wobble. This fudgy gooey center is exactly what you want!
Step 5: Cool and Serve
Once out of the oven, place your pie on a wire rack and let it cool to room temperature. If you love gooey slices like I do, cut right away—or for cleaner slices, refrigerate for a couple hours. Slice, serve, and watch your friends and family go back for seconds (and thirds!).
Pro Tips for Making Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie Recipe
- Toast Pecans Evenly: Use a spatula to toss pecans halfway through to avoid burning and ensure all nuts toast beautifully.
- Don’t Skip Blind Baking: A pre-baked crust keeps the bottom from turning into a soggy mess once the filling goes in.
- Slowly Incorporate Eggs: Adding eggs gradually to the sugar mixture keeps the filling smooth and prevents scrambling.
- Watch Baking Time Closely: The pie should be a little wobbly in the center but firm at the edges—overbaking dries it out.
How to Serve Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie Recipe

Garnishes
I like to keep garnishes simple—a dollop of freshly whipped cream is my go-to because it adds lightness and a touch of creamy sweetness that contrasts perfectly with the dense pie. Sometimes I sprinkle a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt on top—just enough to enhance all those flavors without stealing the show.
Side Dishes
Pair this pie with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream and a cup of strong coffee or your favorite spiced tea. It’s the kind of combo that turns dessert time into a cozy event, especially on chilly evenings.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I like to dust the top with cocoa powder or edible gold flakes for a little glam. Serving individual mini pies or tartlets made from this filling is a hit at parties—easy for guests to grab and go, and just as delicious!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once your pie has cooled completely, wrap it tightly with plastic wrap or foil before putting it in the fridge. This keeps it fresh and prevents it from absorbing any fridge odors. Leftovers will stay good for about 3-4 days, though I rarely have any hanging around that long!
Freezing
I’ve frozen whole pies wrapped in foil and stored in an airtight bag for up to 2-3 months with success. When you’re ready for a sweet treat, thaw it overnight in the fridge and then warm gently in the oven for the freshest taste and texture.
Reheating
To reheat, pop the whole pie in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes until warmed through, or microwave individual slices for 20-30 seconds. This helps bring back that gooey, just-baked feel and makes the chocolate melt perfectly.
FAQs
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Can I make this Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie Recipe ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the pie a day ahead and store it covered in the fridge. Chilling it actually helps the filling set more firmly, making slicing easier. Just bring it back to room temperature or warm it slightly before serving.
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Can I use a store-bought pie crust?
Yes, definitely! Using a frozen or refrigerated pie crust saves time and works perfectly well. Just be sure to blind bake it properly to avoid soggy crust issues.
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What if I don’t want bourbon in my pie?
You can easily omit the bourbon or replace it with vanilla extract or a splash of apple juice for a kid-friendly version. The pie will still be delicious, just with a milder flavor profile.
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How do I prevent a burnt or cracked top?
Keep an eye on your pie during baking. If the edges brown too quickly, cover them loosely with foil. Also, removing the pie once the center is slightly jiggly ensures it stays moist and fudgy.
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Is there a way to make this pie gluten-free?
Yes! Simply use a gluten-free pie crust, which you can find in many stores or bake from scratch. The filling itself is naturally gluten-free.
Final Thoughts
This Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen—it’s my go-to when I want to impress without stressing. The marriage of booze, nuts, and chocolate makes it a real crowd-pleaser, and once you nail those simple but crucial steps, you’ll find yourself making it again and again. So grab your ingredients, follow along, and get ready to wow your taste buds (and everyone you share it with!). You won’t regret it.
Print
Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie Recipe
- Prep Time: 35 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This rich and decadent Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie combines toasted pecans, smooth chocolate chips, and a splash of bourbon in a perfectly baked pie crust. With a fudgy filling and a hint of vanilla, this dessert is ideal for special occasions or a comforting treat.
Ingredients
Pie Crust
- 1 Perfect Pie Crust Dough or 1 frozen pie crust
Filling
- 1 1/2 cups pecans
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup light corn syrup
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
- 4 large eggs (room temperature)
- 1/4 cup bourbon
- 1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Toast Pecans: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spread the pecans over a baking sheet pan and toast for 10 minutes, tossing halfway through. Transfer pecans to a heat-safe bowl and cool completely.
- Prepare Pie Crust: If using homemade crust, prepare according to recipe. Otherwise, use frozen crust. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Poke holes in bottom and sides with a fork, line crust with parchment paper, and fill with pie weights. Bake for 10-12 minutes until firm and slightly golden.
- Make Syrup Mixture: In a small saucepan, combine sugar, corn syrup, and butter. Heat over medium, stirring continuously until butter melts and sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and let cool.
- Whisk Eggs and Flavorings: In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, bourbon, vanilla extract, and salt.
- Combine Mixtures: Gradually add egg mixture to cooled syrup mixture, whisking to combine.
- Add Pecans and Chocolate: Chop pecans if needed. Stir pecans and chocolate chips into filling mixture.
- Fill the Crust: Slowly pour filling into the pre-baked pie crust.
- Bake Pie: Bake at 325 degrees for 50-60 minutes. Cover edges with foil if browning too quickly. Pie is done when edges are set and center is slightly wobbly.
- Cool and Serve: Remove pie from oven and cool on a wire rack to room temperature. For firmer slices, refrigerate for 1-2 hours before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Blind bake crust to prevent sogginess by poking holes, lining with parchment paper, and using pie weights; bake for 10 minutes.
- The filling is fudgy; refrigerate for 1-2 hours if a firmer texture is preferred.
- Store cooled pie tightly wrapped in plastic or foil in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- Reheat whole pie in a 350˚F oven for 15-20 minutes or individual slices in the microwave for 20-30 seconds.
- Freeze cooled pie wrapped in foil or a freezer bag for 2-3 months; thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 pie)
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 35 g
- Sodium: 160 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg


