Irresistible Chocolate Chip Pecan Pie: Your Ultimate Guide to a Decadent Holiday Dessert
Get ready to bake the most amazing dessert of the season! This easy chocolate chip pecan pie recipe is truly a showstopper, perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any special occasion that calls for a truly unforgettable treat. If you’ve been searching for a pecan pie recipe elevated with rich, melty chocolate chips, your quest ends here. This pie isn’t just good; it’s a wonderfully sweet and nutty creation that will have everyone asking for a second slice.
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This ultimate chocolate chip pecan pie is a holiday staple in many Southern homes, and for good reason. Its deep, caramel-like filling, crunchy pecans, and pockets of melted chocolate create a harmony of flavors and textures that simply can’t be beaten. It’s comforting, luxurious, and surprisingly simple to prepare. Beyond this incredible recipe, you might also enjoy my Pumpkin Blondies, my S’mores Brownies, and my Pumpkin Pie in Graham Cracker Crust for more festive dessert inspiration!
Why You’ll Love This Chocolate Pecan Pie
If you thought classic pecan pie couldn’t get any better, prepare to be amazed by this chocolate chip pecan pie recipe! We take the traditional, beloved gooey brown sugar and pecan filling and elevate it with a generous scattering of rich, melty chocolate chips. The result is a pie that’s truly extraordinary: deeply flavorful, wonderfully gooey, and loaded with pockets of chocolate that make every single bite an absolute delight. This isn’t just a dessert; it’s an experience. It’s the kind of pie that will effortlessly steal the show at your Thanksgiving dinner, add festive cheer to your Christmas spread, or simply provide the perfect cozy indulgence on any given day. It’s also a delicious evolution of my popular Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars, now in a classic pie form, and builds on the foundational perfection of my Pecan Pie Tart, another festive favorite.
Effortlessly Easy Chocolate Chip Pecan Pie
One of the absolute best features of this pecan pie with chocolate chips recipe is how incredibly easy and quick it is to prepare, making it a stress-free addition to your holiday baking list. You don’t need to be an expert baker to achieve spectacular results. Whether you choose to make your own Flaky Butter Pie Crust from scratch for that extra homemade touch, or opt for the ultimate convenience of a store-bought pie crust, the filling comes together in mere minutes. This means less time fussing in the kitchen and more time enjoying the festive atmosphere with your loved ones.
The process for creating this rich and gooey chocolate chip pecan pie couldn’t be simpler: just whisk, pour, and bake! It’s truly a no-fail dessert that delivers consistent deliciousness every time. The magic happens in the oven as the filling sets into a smooth, caramelized custard studded with tender pecans and warm, melting chocolate. Once baked, let it cool completely, then serve it up warm with a generous scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream for the perfect indulgent finish to your Thanksgiving dinner or any special meal.
Can You Simply Add Chocolate Chips to Any Pecan Pie?
While you certainly *can* add chocolate chips to a classic pecan pie recipe, I highly recommend using a dedicated recipe like this one for the best results. Simply tossing chocolate chips into a standard pecan pie filling can throw off the delicate balance of sugar and liquids, potentially leading to a pie that is either too sweet, too firm, or not quite right in texture. This specially developed dark chocolate chip pecan pie recipe accounts for the added sweetness and bulk of the chocolate, ensuring a perfectly balanced, incredibly rich, and wonderfully gooey pie every time. It’s designed to integrate the chocolate seamlessly, creating a harmonious blend of flavors that truly enhances the classic pecan pie experience.
Essential Ingredients for Your Chocolate Chip Pecan Pie
Crafting the perfect chocolate chip pecan pie starts with selecting high-quality ingredients. You can find the precise measurements for each item in the recipe card below, but here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need to create this indulgent Southern-inspired dessert:
- Pie Crust: The foundation of any great pie! You have options here: use my homemade flaky pie dough for a truly artisanal touch, or grab a convenient store-bought pie crust or pie shell. Both will work beautifully, so choose what best fits your schedule and baking preference.
- Unsalted Butter: We use unsalted butter to have complete control over the salt content in the pie. Make sure to melt your butter and then allow it to cool slightly to room temperature before incorporating it into the filling. This prevents it from scrambling the eggs when added.
- Corn Syrup: This is a key ingredient for achieving that signature gooey, smooth pecan pie texture. You can use either light corn syrup or dark corn syrup for this recipe. Light corn syrup will give a slightly milder, sweeter flavor, while dark corn syrup will impart a richer, more molasses-like depth to your pie.
- Light Brown Sugar: Packed light brown sugar contributes to the pie’s rich sweetness and helps create a wonderfully moist, caramel-like filling. Its fine crystals dissolve beautifully, ensuring a smooth texture. If you prefer a deeper, more robust molasses flavor, you can substitute with dark brown sugar; the recipe will still turn out delicious.
- Pure Vanilla Extract: For the most exquisite flavor, I always recommend using pure vanilla extract. It enhances all the other sweet and nutty notes in the pie. Feeling ambitious? You can even make your own for an unparalleled aroma and taste!
- Salt: A small but mighty ingredient! Salt is crucial for balancing the sweetness and truly bringing out all the complex, amazing flavors of the pecans, chocolate, and caramel filling. Don’t skip it!
- Large Eggs: Ensure your eggs are at room temperature. Room temperature eggs emulsify much better with the other ingredients, leading to a smoother, more uniform filling. If they feel cold to the touch, simply submerge them in a bowl of lukewarm water for about 15 minutes to quickly bring them to temperature.
- Pecans: The star of the show! I prefer to chop pecan halves myself for varied texture, but pre-chopped pecans work just as well for convenience. Grab a few extra whole pecan halves if you plan to artfully decorate the top of your pie for an even more stunning presentation.
- Chocolate Chips: The delightful addition that makes this pie truly special. You can use classic semisweet chocolate chips for a balanced sweetness, or opt for chopped bittersweet baking chocolate if you prefer a richer, more sophisticated flavor. For larger pockets of melted chocolate, coarsely chop a good quality bittersweet bar.
Essential Equipment for Your Pecan Pie
Having the right tools can make all the difference in ensuring your chocolate chip pecan pie turns out perfectly. If you choose to use a rolled pie dough (whether store-bought or my flaky butter pie dough from scratch), a reliable pie pan is essential! My personal favorite is my Lodge cast iron pie pan. Cast iron excels at conducting and retaining heat evenly, which is key to achieving a beautifully golden, crisp bottom crust – banishing any fear of a soggy bottom!
A quick note about cast iron: this durable material tends to cook a bit more quickly than other pie pans. If you opt for a cast iron pan, I recommend starting to check your pie for doneness 5-10 minutes before the recipe’s suggested bake time. Alternatively, you can certainly use a classic glass pie dish or a charming ceramic pie plate, which are also excellent choices for baking pies.
Beyond the pie pan, you’ll need a few other basic kitchen tools: a sturdy whisk for effortlessly combining the filling ingredients, a flexible rubber spatula for scraping down the bowl and folding in ingredients, and a large mixing bowl to comfortably prepare your decadent filling. For ultimate precision and to guarantee your pie is perfectly set without overbaking, I highly recommend using an instant-read thermometer. Inserted into the center of the pie, it should register 200°F (93°C) when your pie is perfectly done, ensuring that gooey, irresistible texture every time.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Bake Your Pie
Baking this incredible chocolate chip pecan pie is a straightforward process, designed for success even for novice bakers. The detailed step-by-step instructions and a helpful recipe video are available in the recipe card below. However, here’s a quick overview of the basic steps you’ll follow to create this delightful Southern chocolate pecan pie:
In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly whisk together the brown sugar, corn syrup, slightly cooled melted butter, vanilla extract, and salt until well combined and smooth.
Add the room temperature eggs to the mixture and whisk them in until fully incorporated, creating a rich, uniform filling base.
Gently fold in the chopped pecans and your chosen chocolate chips using a rubber spatula, distributing them evenly throughout the luscious filling.
Carefully pour the prepared filling into your unbaked pie crust. For an extra touch of beauty, arrange additional pecans and/or chocolate chips on top of the filling before baking. Then, pop it into the preheated oven!
Hint: To ensure your pie crust edges achieve a perfect golden brown without burning, it’s a good idea to cover them loosely with a strip of aluminum foil or a dedicated pie shield about halfway through the baking time. This simple trick allows the filling to set beautifully while protecting the delicate crust!
Making Chocolate Chip Pecan Pie without Corn Syrup
Absolutely! If you prefer to avoid corn syrup, you can still make this delicious and easy chocolate chip pecan pie. For a corn syrup substitute, simply swap it out for an equal amount of pure maple syrup or honey. Both alternatives will yield a wonderfully sweet and flavorful pie. Do note that the texture might be slightly softer or have a subtly different nuance compared to using corn syrup, which is known for its ability to prevent sugar crystallization and create a very smooth, gooey consistency. However, your pie will still be utterly delicious and a fantastic homemade treat!
Storage and Freezing Instructions
Proper storage is key to enjoying your delicious chocolate chip pecan pie for as long as possible. To keep leftover slices fresh, place them in an airtight container and store at room temperature for 1–2 days. For extended freshness, you can refrigerate the pie for up to 5 days. When you’re ready to indulge again, simply reheat individual slices in the microwave for 10–15 seconds to bring back that irresistible gooey chocolate filling and warm, soft texture.
This pie is also freezer-friendly, making it an excellent make-ahead option for busy holiday seasons! Once your chocolate chip pecan pie is fully baked and completely cooled (this is crucial to prevent ice crystals), wrap the entire pie tightly first in plastic wrap, then securely in aluminum foil. Properly wrapped, it can be frozen for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to serve, transfer the frozen pie to the refrigerator and let it thaw overnight. For that freshly baked feel, warm the thawed pie in a preheated 300°F (150°C) oven for about 15 minutes before serving. This gentle reheating helps to restore the filling’s gooey perfection.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chocolate Chip Pecan Pie
Absolutely! This chocolate chip pecan pie is actually one of those magical desserts that often tastes even better the next day as the flavors have more time to meld and deepen. Bake it as directed, allow it to cool completely at room temperature, then cover it loosely with plastic wrap or foil. You can store it at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. It will be just as delicious and impressive when it graces your holiday dessert table.
Nope! You’ll be pleased to hear that there’s no need to blind bake the crust for this particular recipe. The rich, dense filling bakes up perfectly and helps to set the crust without any pre-baking. For glass pie pans, which don’t conduct heat as aggressively as metal or cast iron, you might consider baking the pie on a lower rack in your oven. This helps ensure the bottom crust gets sufficiently golden and crisp.
For a classic, crowd-pleasing flavor, semisweet chocolate chips are an excellent choice, offering a balanced sweetness that complements the pecan and caramel notes beautifully. If you prefer a more sophisticated, intense chocolate experience, chopped bittersweet baking chocolate will deliver a richer, more “grown-up” flavor. For dramatic, melty pockets of chocolate, coarsely chopping a high-quality baking chocolate bar works wonderfully.
While both are deliciously rich and gooey desserts often found in the South, the biggest difference between a Kentucky Derby pie and a classic pecan pie lies in their key ingredients. A traditional pecan pie, like this one, is all about that iconic brown sugar or corn syrup filling generously loaded with pecans. A Derby pie, on the other hand, typically incorporates chocolate chips and walnuts (rather than pecans) into its sweet, custardy filling, often with a hint of bourbon, offering a distinct flavor profile.
The most significant pecan pie mistake is undoubtedly cutting into it before it has cooled completely! Patience is key here. You absolutely must allow the pie to cool fully – ideally for at least 2 hours, but preferably overnight – or the filling will be runny and won’t hold its shape. Another common pitfall is overbaking, which can result in cracks on the surface or a grainy, dry filling. The pie should still have a slight, gentle jiggle in the very center when you remove it from the oven; it will continue to set as it cools. For perfect doneness, remove your pie when an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of the filling reads 200°F (93°C).
Top Tip for Perfect Pecan Pie
Always check your chocolate chip pecan pie for doneness with an instant-read thermometer! The filling is perfectly set when it reaches an internal temperature of 200°F (93°C). This simple step guarantees a gooey, not runny, and never overbaked pie!
More Delicious Dessert Recipes to Try
Looking for other delightful recipes similar to this easy chocolate chip pecan pie? Explore these other fantastic sweet treats that are perfect for any occasion:
- Samoa Pie
- Peach Cherry Galette
- Passionfruit Tart with Almond Crust
- Peach Mango Pie
Perfect Pairings for Your Pecan Pie
While this chocolate chip pecan pie is magnificent on its own, it also pairs beautifully with a variety of savory dishes. Here are some of my favorite main courses and sides that complement the rich sweetness of this holiday pie:
- Shrimp Macaroni Salad With Cajun Spices
- Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs and Veggies
- Southern Baked Mac and Cheese
- Lemon Shrimp Pasta with Kale
If you give this exceptional chocolate chip pecan pie recipe a try, I would be absolutely thrilled if you could leave a star review rating and a comment below! Your feedback is incredibly valuable and it’s wonderful to hear about your baking experiences. And of course, don’t forget to share your beautiful creations with me by tagging @chenee_today on Instagram!
📖 Recipe
Chocolate Chip Pecan Pie Recipe – Easy Holiday Pie
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Equipment you may need
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pie pan (A 9-inch cast iron pie pan is highly recommended for an extra crispy bottom crust!)
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measuring cups and spoons (Standard sets for accurate ingredient portions)
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mixing bowls (At least one large bowl for the filling)
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whisk (For effortlessly combining the liquid ingredients)
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rubber spatula (Ideal for folding in pecans and chocolate chips and scraping the bowl clean)
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cooling rack (Essential for cooling the pie completely and evenly)
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pie shield or aluminum foil (To protect the crust edges from over-browning)
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instant-read thermometer (For accurately checking the internal temperature of the filling for perfect doneness)
Ingredients
- 1 pie crust – unbaked, a 9-inch crust; use homemade or a store-bought pie crust for convenience
- 1 cup (341 g) light corn syrup – dark corn syrup works well too for a richer flavor, or substitute with maple syrup/honey
- ¾ cup (165 g) light brown sugar – firmly packed, for deep caramel notes and moisture
- 4 tablespoons (56 g) unsalted butter – melted and then slightly cooled to room temperature
- 2 teaspoons (10 ml) pure vanilla extract – for enhanced flavor depth
- ½ teaspoon (3 g) salt – to balance the sweetness
- 3 large eggs – at room temperature, for a smooth filling
- 1½ cups (149 g) chopped pecans – plus additional pecan halves for topping, if desired, for presentation
- ⅔ cup (120 g) semisweet chocolate chips – plus additional chocolate chips for the top of the pie, if desired, for extra gooeyness
Instructions
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Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). If using a roll-out dough, gently unroll your pie dough, press it carefully into the bottom of your 9-inch pie pan, and crimp the edges decoratively if you wish.1 pie crust
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In a large mixing bowl, combine the light brown sugar, corn syrup, melted and slightly cooled unsalted butter, pure vanilla extract, and salt. Using a whisk, blend these ingredients thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and well-incorporated, ensuring no lumps remain.1 cup light corn syrup, ¾ cup light brown sugar, 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract, ½ teaspoon salt
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Add the room temperature eggs to the mixture and whisk again until fully combined and the filling appears homogenous. Then, gently fold in the chopped pecans and semisweet chocolate chips using a rubber spatula, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the rich filling.3 large eggs, 1½ cups chopped pecans, ⅔ cup semisweet chocolate chips
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Carefully pour the pecan and chocolate chip filling into your prepared pie crust. For an appealing visual touch, you can arrange additional pecan halves and/or more chocolate chips on top of the filling before baking.
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Bake the pie in your preheated 425°F (220°C) oven for an initial 15 minutes. After this time, reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) and continue baking for another 40 minutes. To prevent the crust from over-browning, you may need to loosely tent the top edges of the pie with aluminum foil or a pie shield about halfway through the baking process. The pie is done when an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of the filling registers 200°F (93°C). The edges should be set, with a slight jiggle in the very center.
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Once baked, remove the pie from the oven and place it on a cooling rack. It is crucial to allow the pie to cool completely before slicing and serving. This resting period, at least two hours but preferably overnight, ensures the filling fully sets, preventing a runny pie.
Video
Notes
*One important consideration when using a cast iron pie pan is that it cooks a bit more quickly and efficiently than an average glass or ceramic pie pan. Therefore, if you’re using cast iron, I recommend starting to check your pie for doneness 5-10 minutes before the suggested bake time is complete to avoid overbaking.
In addition to your pie pan, you’ll need a simple whisk, a reliable rubber spatula, and a large mixing bowl to effortlessly prepare your rich filling. For perfect results every single time, I also highly recommend using an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of the pie to check for doneness; the ideal temperature should be 200℉ (93°C).
Make Ahead Tips: This chocolate chip pecan pie is an ideal dessert to prepare in advance! In fact, many people find that the flavors of the pie actually improve and deepen after a day or so. You can bake it, allow it to cool completely on a wire rack, and then cover and store it at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. It will be just as delicious and impressive for your gathering.
Storage and Freezing: To store any leftover pie, keep it in an airtight container at room temperature for 1–2 days. For longer storage, refrigerate it for up to 5 days. To bring back that wonderful gooey chocolate filling, simply reheat individual slices in the microwave for 10–15 seconds.
For freezing, once the pie is fully baked and completely cooled, wrap the entire pie tightly first in plastic wrap, then in a layer of aluminum foil, and freeze it for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to serve, thaw it overnight in the fridge. For optimal texture and warmth, gently warm the thawed pie in a 300°F (150°C) oven for about 15 minutes before serving.
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclaimer
