Ina Garten Bourbon Chocolate Pecan Pie Recipe

Ina Garten’s Irresistible Bourbon Chocolate Pecan Pie Recipe

Bourbon chocolate pecan pie tantalizes taste buds with its rich, decadent layers of sweetness and spirited complexity.

The classic Southern dessert transforms humble ingredients into a sophisticated culinary experience that elevates any gathering.

Warm, buttery notes blend seamlessly with robust chocolate undertones, creating an irresistible harmony of flavors.

Each slice promises a delightful balance between nutty crunch and smooth, velvety textures.

Professional bakers and home cooks alike cherish this indulgent treat for its elegant simplicity.

Comfort and luxury merge in this remarkable dessert that celebrates traditional baking techniques with a modern twist: dive into a slice of pure indulgence.

What’s Special About Bourbon Chocolate Pecan Pie

  • Boost Flavor Complexity: Bourbon adds a rich, deep warmth that transforms the classic pecan pie into a sophisticated dessert with layers of complexity, elevating it from traditional sweet treats.
  • Master Easy Gourmet Technique: This recipe allows home bakers to create a professional-looking pie with minimal effort, combining simple ingredients into an impressive dessert that looks like it came from a high-end bakery.
  • Indulge in Textural Harmony: Combining crunchy pecans, smooth melted chocolate, and a tender pie crust creates a delightful sensory experience that keeps every bite interesting and satisfying.
  • Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for holiday gatherings, dinner parties, or any special occasion, this bourbon chocolate pecan pie offers a grown-up twist on a beloved classic that impresses both family and guests.

What You’ll Use for This Pie

Pie Crust:
  • All-Purpose Pie Crust: Sturdy base for the pie that holds the rich filling and provides a classic flaky texture.
Dry Ingredients:
  • Brown Sugar, Granulated Sugar: Sweet components that create deep caramel notes and balanced sweetness.
  • All-Purpose Flour: Helps thicken the pie filling and provides structure.
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness.
Wet Ingredients:
  • Eggs: Bind the filling together and create a silky, custard-like texture.
  • Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and helps create a smooth, luxurious filling.
  • Vanilla Extract: Provides warm, aromatic background flavor.
  • Bourbon: Adds depth and complex flavor with subtle woody undertones.
Filling Additions:
  • Chocolate Chips: Provide pockets of melted chocolate throughout the pie.
  • Pecans: Adds nutty crunch and traditional Southern pie texture.

Baking the Bourbon Chocolate Pecan Pie

Baking the Bourbon Chocolate Pecan Pie

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Crank up your oven to 350°F (175°C) and slide the rack right in the center for perfect baking.

Step 2: Create Dry Flavor Base

Grab a medium mixing bowl and combine:
  • Brown sugar
  • Granulated sugar
  • Flour
  • Salt

Step 3: Whip Up Wet Ingredients

In a separate bowl, blend together:
  • Melted butter
  • Eggs
  • Vanilla extract
  • Bourbon

Step 4: Mix Magic Ingredients

Pour wet ingredients into dry mixture and stir with a rubber spatula until everything looks smooth and combined. Gently fold in:
  • Chocolate chips
  • Chopped pecans

Step 5: Prepare Pie Crust

Lay out pie crust on a parchment-lined sheet pan. Use a floured fork to create beautiful crimped edges.

Step 6: Pour And Smooth

Carefully transfer filling into the pie crust, using a spatula to create an even surface.

Step 7: Bake To Perfection

Slide pie into the center of the oven and bake for 35-40 minutes. Look for a golden brown top and a firm center that matches the edges.

Step 8: Cool And Indulge

Remove pie from oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack. Serve with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream for the ultimate dessert experience.

Tips to Get Your Pie Just Right

  • Warm Ingredients Matter: Bring eggs and butter to room temperature to ensure a smooth, well-blended filling that bakes perfectly and creates a silky texture.
  • Chop Pecans with Precision: Cut pecans into uniform pieces to guarantee consistent flavor and texture in every delightful bite of the pie.
  • Gentle Mixing is Key: Stir the filling ingredients gently and minimally to maintain a light, gooey consistency that makes this bourbon chocolate pecan pie irresistible.
  • Foil-Protect Pie Crust: Shield the delicate pie edges with aluminum foil midway through baking to prevent over-browning while allowing the filling to cook evenly.
  • Patient Cooling Technique: Allow the pie to cool completely on a wire rack, letting the filling set naturally for clean, picture-perfect slices that hold their shape beautifully.

Keeping Your Pecan Pie Fresh

  • Refrigerate: Shield leftover slices inside an airtight glass container with a tight-sealing lid. Protect the pie's delicate texture by wrapping it gently in plastic wrap, ensuring no air pockets remain. Fresh pie will stay delicious for 3-4 days when stored at a consistent cool temperature between 35-40°F.
  • Freeze: Prepare pie for long-term storage by first allowing it to cool completely at room temperature. Slide the entire pie or individual slices into heavy-duty freezer bags, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn. Label each package with the date and contents. Frozen bourbon chocolate pecan pie maintains its rich flavor and texture for up to 2 months when properly sealed.
  • Counter Storage: Keep leftover pie covered with a clean kitchen towel for minimal time, ideally no more than 12-24 hours.

Pie Versions Worth Trying

  • Maple Whiskey Pecan Pie: Replace bourbon with maple whiskey for a Canadian-inspired dessert. Add a touch of maple syrup to enhance the sweetness and create a rich, woodsy flavor profile that complements the pecans and chocolate.
  • Salted Caramel Chocolate Pecan Pie: Drizzle homemade salted caramel sauce over the pie before baking. Sprinkle flaky sea salt on top after cooling to intensify the chocolate and caramel notes, creating a sophisticated sweet-salty experience.
  • Spiced Chocolate Pecan Pie: Incorporate warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of cayenne pepper into the filling. Use dark chocolate chips for a deeper, more complex chocolate flavor that pairs beautifully with the spicy undertones.
  • Mexican Chocolate Pecan Pie: Mix in ground cinnamon and a dash of chili powder with the chocolate chips. Use a combination of milk and dark chocolate for a multi-layered chocolate experience that brings a subtle heat to the classic pie.

Pie Wrap-Up with Sweet Style

Bourbon chocolate pecan pie emerges as culinary magic from Ina Garten’s legendary kitchen collection.

Rich chocolate and toasted pecans meld with smooth bourbon undertones, creating sensational dessert poetry.

Sophisticated palates will discover complex flavor landscapes beyond traditional pie experiences.

Southern hospitality meets gourmet excellence in each delectable slice.

Weekend bakers can confidently master this extraordinary recipe with minimal kitchen expertise.

Passionate dessert enthusiasts: share this recipe, comment with your bourbon pie adventures, and spread deliciousness across social media platforms.

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Ina Garten Bourbon Chocolate Pecan Pie Recipe

Ina Garten Bourbon Chocolate Pecan Pie Recipe


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4.6 from 34 reviews

  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Ina Garten’s bourbon chocolate pecan pie merges rich chocolate with classic pecan pie flavors, creating a luxurious dessert that elevates holiday baking. Kentucky bourbon adds depth and warmth, making each slice a memorable indulgence you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 2 extra-large eggs
  • 1 cup whole pecans, large-diced
  • 1¼ cups semisweet chocolate chips, such as Nestlé’s
  • 1 (9-inch) store-bought frozen pie crust

Sugars and Sweeteners:

  • ½ cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 2½ tablespoons good bourbon, such as Maker’s Mark

Dry Ingredients and Others:

  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • Kosher salt
  • 8 tablespoons (1 stick or 113 grams) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled

Serving Suggestion:

  • Good vanilla ice cream, such as Häagen-Dazs, for serving

Instructions

  1. Prepare the oven environment by heating to 350°F (175°C), strategically positioning the rack in the central zone for optimal heat distribution.
  2. In a medium-sized mixing vessel, thoroughly blend the brown sugar, granulated sugar, all-purpose flour, and precisely measured salt until uniformly combined.
  3. Create a separate mixture by vigorously whisking the liquefied butter, fresh eggs, aromatic vanilla extract, and robust bourbon until smooth and integrated.
  4. Merge the wet and dry compositions, gently folding with a flexible rubber spatula to ensure complete incorporation, then tenderly introduce the chocolate chips and finely chopped pecans throughout the mixture.
  5. Carefully drape the pie crust over a parchment-lined sheet pan, artfully crimping the periphery using a flour-dusted fork to craft an elegant, textured border.
  6. Delicately transfer the prepared filling into the pie crust, meticulously smoothing the surface to guarantee uniform baking and an aesthetically pleasing finish.
  7. Position the pie in the center of the oven, allowing it to bake for 35 to 40 minutes until the surface achieves a golden-brown hue and the center demonstrates a consistency comparable to the edges.
  8. Remove from the oven and carefully transition the pie to a wire cooling rack, permitting complete temperature reduction before slicing into wedges and accompanying with a generous scoop of premium vanilla ice cream.

Notes

  • Cooling transforms texture: Patience during the cooling process allows the pie filling to set perfectly, ensuring each slice holds its shape with a clean, elegant cut.
  • Foil shield preserves crust: Strategically placing aluminum foil on the pie’s edges prevents over-browning, maintaining a golden, appetizing appearance throughout baking.
  • Gentle mixing matters: Combine ingredients with a light touch, stopping just as elements blend. Excessive stirring can doom your pie to a dense, heavy filling instead of the desired light, gooey consistency.
  • Pecan precision counts: Uniform dicing creates a consistent texture, ensuring every bite delivers the same delightful crunch and even baking throughout the entire pie.
  • Temperature technique works magic: Bringing ingredients to room temperature before mixing helps create a smooth, harmonious filling that blends seamlessly and bakes to perfection.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice (based on 8 servings)
  • Calories: 647
  • Sugar: 53g
  • Sodium: 228mg
  • Fat: 35g
  • Saturated Fat: 14g
  • Carbohydrates: 80g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 6g
  • Cholesterol: 124mg
Isabella Rodriguez

Isabella Rodriguez

Co-Founder & Content Creator

Expertise

Pastry Arts and Dessert Innovation, French and European Baking Techniques, Food Writing and Blogging, Culinary Event Planning

Education

Le Cordon Bleu Paris

  • Diploma: Grand Diplôme®
  • Focus: Intensive training in classic French cuisine and pastry techniques, combining the Diplôme de Cuisine and Diplôme de Pâtisserie.

Isabella Rodriguez is the co-founder and pastry chef at wd-50.com. She studied at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, where she earned the Grand Diplôme®, a top award in both cooking and baking. After working in fancy bakeries and as a personal pastry chef, Isabella now shares her love for desserts in an easy way for home bakers to enjoy.

At wd-50.com, Isabella creates recipes for cookies, cakes, tarts, and more, always with clear steps and helpful tips. She believes baking should be fun, not stressful, and she hopes her recipes bring joy to your kitchen and smiles to your table.

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