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    Home » Recipes » Dessert Recipes

    Bourbon Pecan Pie with Chocolate Ganache

    Published: Nov 13, 2021 by Chef Dennis Littley

    2.4K shares
    • Facebook133
    • Yummly
    4.94 from 33 votes
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    pinterest images for bourbon pecan pie

    Pecan Pie is an American Classic and my Bourbon Pecan Pie with a Chocolate Ganache takes this classic recipe to a whole other level of deliciousness!

    side view of a slice of pecan pie on a white plate

    There is something magical about pecan pie, with versions passed down through generations of families throughout the south. Perfect for the fall season and anytime you crave a taste of the south.

    overhead partial view of pecan pie

    Most people think of pecan pie at Thanksgiving. The peak harvesting season for pecans is from October through December which made pecans readily available throughout the south. And that is why you think of pecan pie at Thanksgiving time.

    What ingredients do I need to make a Bourbon Pecan Pie?

    ingredients to make pecan pie

    Let’s start by gathering the ingredients we need to make my Bourbon Pecan Pie with Chocolate Ganache. In Chef Speak this is called the “Mise en Place” which translates to “Everything in its Place”.

    Not only does setting your ingredients up ahead of time speed up the cooking process, it also helps ensure you have everything you need to make the dish.

    Do I have to use the chocolate topping on my Pecan Pie?

    No, you don’t. I love the way the chocolate ganache pairs so well with the pecans, but if you’re not a chocolate fan, feel free to leave it off the pecan pie.

    Do I have to use Bourbon in my Pecan Pie?

    No, you don’t. If you prefer a non-alcoholic pie or simply don’t have bourbon on hand, you can replace it with additional vanilla.

    How do I make a Bourbon Pecan Pie?

    Let’s start by making the sweet pie dough for the pie.

    *Whenever I make pie dough I always make two pie doughs at a time, freezing one for another pie. So what you see is double the recipe.

    four images showing how to make pie crust
    • Combine the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in the bowl of a food processor and pulse 3 times to mix.
    • Add the cold butter pieces and pulse at one-second intervals until the butter is mixed in
    four images showing how to make pie crust
    • Add the eggs (or egg if you’re only making one dough) and pulse until the dough forms a ball on the blade of the processor.
    • Turn the dough out of the food processor onto a floured surface, and carefully remove the blade.
    • Divide the dough in half and flatten into two discs. (if you you’re only making half the recipe you will have one disc)

    *Use immediately or wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to three days or freeze for up to six weeks for future use.

    two images showing finished dough rolled out and in pie pan
    • On a floured surface roll out the pastry dough with a rolling pin. (Roll out the dough about 1 ½ inches bigger all the way around than a 9-inch pie plate inverted)
    • Roll the dough back onto the rolling pin and transfer to the pie pan.
    • Place the dough in the pan, and decorate the edges as you like.
    • Refrigerate the finished pie crust until needed.

    Now we can begin making the Pecan Pie filling.

    four images showing how to make the pecan pie filling
    • In the bowl of your stand mixer beat the eggs slightly.
    • Add the corn syrup, sugars, salt, butter, bourbon, and vanilla, mix well.
    • Add in chopped pecans and mix well.
    two images, one of pie unbaked and one of baked pecan pie

    Pour the pecan pie mixture into the prepared crust and bake on the center rack of a preheated 350-degree oven for 60 minutes. Let the pie cool on a wire rack.

    *Place a cookie sheet under the pan in case any of the filling bubbles out.

    How do I make a Chocolate Ganache topping?

    While the pie is baking, make the chocolate ganache.

    two images showing how to make the chocolate ganache
    • Place the chocolate and heavy cream in a heat-proof bowl over a pot of simmering water, creating a double boiler.
    • Mix the chocolate mixture until smooth and allow to cool slightly.
    overhead view of whole pecan pie

    When the pie is done baking, allow it to cool for 30 minutes before topping with chocolate ganache and pecan halves.

    *Refrigerate the finished Bourbon Pecan Pie for an hour to allow it to fully set up.

    slice of pecan pie on a white plate with more in the background

    Wouldn’t your friends and family love to sit down to a slice of this decadent Bourbon Pecan Pie? It’s not difficult to make following my instructions and is sure to bring smiles to your dinner table!

    More Dessert Recipes You’ll Love!

    • Classic Pumpkin Pie Recipe
    • Classic Pumpkin Roll Recipe
    • Pumpkin Cheesecake with Pecan Praline Recipe
    • Original Pumpkin Crunch Cake

    Did you make this? Please RATE THE RECIPE below!

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    slice of pecan pie on a white plate with more in the background
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    4.94 from 33 votes

    Bourbon Pecan Pie with Chocolate Ganache

    Your friends and family are going to love my Bourbon Pecan Pie. My version of this Southern is sure to please. With the light taste of bourbon in the pie filling and the chocolate ganache, this pie is simply ah-mazing!
    Prep Time25 mins
    Cook Time1 hr
    Total Time1 hr 25 mins
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 8
    Calories: 649kcal
    Author: Chef Dennis Littley

    Ingredients

    Sweet Pastry Dough*

    • 1 cups all purpose flour
    • 3 tbsp sugar
    • ¼ tsp baking powder
    • ⅕ tsp salt
    • 4 tbsp unsalted butter cut into small pieces (½ stick)
    • 1 large egg

    Pie

    • 5 large eggs
    • 1 cup light corn syrup
    • ¼ cup packed brown sugar
    • ¼ cup sugar
    • 2 tbsp unsalted butter melted (¼ stick)
    • 1 tbsp bourbon
    • 1 tsp vanilla
    • ½ tsp salt
    • 2 cups chopped pecans 6 oz dry wieght

    Chocolate Ganache

    • 3 oz semi sweet chocolate
    • 2 oz heavy cream
    • 36 pecan halves for decoration
    US Customary – Metric
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    Sweet Pastry Dough

    • Combine the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in the bowl of a food processor and pulse 3 times to mix.
    • Add the cold butter pieces and pulse at one-second intervals until the butter is mixed in.
    • Add the egg and pulse until the dough forms a ball on the blade of the processor.
    • Turn the dough out of the food processor onto a floured surface, and carefully remove the blade.
    • Flatten the dough into a disc.
    • *Use immediately or wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to three days or freeze for up to six weeks for future use.

    Pecan Pie

    • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F
    • On a floured surface roll out the pastry dough with a rolling pin. (Roll out the dough about 1 ½ inches bigger all the way around than a 9-inch pie plate inverted)
    • Roll the dough back onto the rolling pin and transfer to the pie pan, then place the dough in the pie pan, and decorate the edges as you like.
    • Refrigerate the finished pie crust until needed.
    • In the bowl of your stand mixer beat the eggs slightly.
    • Add the corn syrup, sugars, salt, butter, bourbon, and vanilla, mix well.
    • Add in chopped pecans and mix well.
    • Pour the pecan pie mixture into the prepared crust and bake on the center rack of a preheated 350-degree oven for 60 minutes.
      Let the pie cool on a wire rack when finished baking.
      *Place a cookie sheet under the pan in case any of the filling bubbles out.

    Chocolate Ganache

    • Place the chocolate and heavy cream in a heat-proof bowl over a pot of simmering water, creating a double boiler.
    • Mix the chocolate mixture until smooth and allow to cool slightly.
    • When the pie is done baking, allow it to cool for 30 minutes before topping with chocolate ganache and pecan halves.
    • Refrigerate for an hour to allow it to fully set up.
    • Serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream and enjoy!

    Notes

    *I always make two doughs, even if I freeze one for later, it’s just as easy to make a full batch and then I have a dough for later.
    **Crust may get too dark, cover edges of pie dough with foil to prevent it from burning.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 649kcal | Carbohydrates: 72g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 38g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 17g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 158mg | Sodium: 285mg | Potassium: 266mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 55g | Vitamin A: 569IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 71mg | Iron: 3mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @askChefDennis or tag #askChefDennis!

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    About Chef Dennis

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    Chef Dennis is a semi-retired Chef, writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer and creator of A Culinary Journey with Chef Dennis aka Ask Chef Dennis®. Chef Dennis worked professionally in White Table Cloth Restaurants for 40 years and has been developing easy to make, restaurant-style recipes since 2009. The second phase of his reinvention from chef to blogger has earned him a place at the Worlds Dinner Table. Join him on his Culinary Journey enjoying his easy to make Restaurant Style recipes and travel adventures. For more details, check out his About page.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Suzanne irwin

      November 24, 2021 at 3:48 am

      I baked this for my husband’s birthday. It is the best pie ever. I am making it again this weekend for Thanksgiving

      Reply
    2. Marie

      November 22, 2021 at 10:10 pm

      5 stars
      I absolutely love the addition of chocolate to pecan pie–in fact, I like this version of the dessert better than the classic recipe! The layers in your pie are stunning and a slice is a real indulgence. Thank you for this inspiring holiday dessert, it promises to be the star of the show!

      Reply
    3. Frank

      November 22, 2021 at 11:38 am

      I’m normally not a baker – except for crack pie. So I may be unnecesarily confused. But does the pastry ingredient list (with 1 egg) make enough for 1 pie shell or 2?

      Reply
      • Chef Dennis Littley

        November 22, 2021 at 1:31 pm

        My original recipe had ingredients for two crusts, I thought it would be better to just give amounts for one crust which is what is in the recipe. So ingredients listed make enough for one crust

        Reply
    4. Jamie

      November 22, 2021 at 1:29 am

      5 stars
      I love the addition of bourbon and chocolate in this pecan pie! It’s definitely indulgent and perfect for the holiday table. It was so delicious!

      Reply
    5. Ramona

      November 21, 2021 at 4:23 pm

      5 stars
      This bourbon pecan pie looks super delicious and perfect for the fall season! I can’t wait to make this as I am craving it a lot. Thank you for sharing this recipe!

      Reply
    6. Lori | The Kitchen Whisperer

      November 21, 2021 at 2:42 pm

      5 stars
      Yes yes yes! This pie was amazing! I loved the flavor combination of bourbon and chocolate with the pecans!

      Reply
    7. Elaine

      November 21, 2021 at 1:41 pm

      5 stars
      One of the best pecan pie recipes that I’ve tasted. I love how inviting it is!

      Reply
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