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This chocolate bourbon pecan pie is a rich Southern dessert filled with crunchy pecans, dark chocolate, and a splash of bourbon baked into a buttery pie crust. Inspired by the classic Kentucky Derby pie, this recipe combines the deep caramel flavor of brown sugar and molasses with melted chocolate and toasted pecans for an irresistible holiday dessert.
The filling bakes into a sweet, gooey center with a slightly crisp top — exactly what you want in a traditional pecan pie. The bourbon adds a warm, mellow flavor that balances the sweetness and enhances the chocolate. Don’t worry about the alcohol content — it bakes off during cooking.
Whether you serve it for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or a Kentucky Derby party, this chocolate pecan pie is always a crowd favorite.
Why You’ll Love This Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie
Great for Derby Day celebrations
Classic Southern dessert with a twist
Chocolate and pecans create the perfect flavor combination
Simple ingredients and easy to make
Perfect holiday pie for Thanksgiving or Christmas
Break out the fascinators and your best horse racing attire and have your own party. No Derby party is complete without mint juleps and a slice of this chocolate pecan pie. The buttery pie crust. The sweet pecan filling. The hint of chocolate. The taste of a little bourbon.
Ingredients
- pie crust
- dark chocolate chips
- pecans
- eggs
- light corn syrup
- brown sugar
- Kentucky bourbon
- molasses
- butter
- salt
- vanilla extract
These ingredients combine to create the rich filling typical of a Kentucky bourbon pecan pie, with chocolate adding an extra indulgent layer of flavor.
The Secret to the Best Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie
The secret to making the best chocolate bourbon pecan pie is balancing sweetness with rich flavor. Traditional pecan pies can sometimes be overly sweet, but adding bourbon and dark chocolate creates a more complex dessert with deep caramel notes.
Bourbon is a classic ingredient in Southern desserts, especially those associated with Kentucky traditions. When added to the pie filling, it enhances the brown sugar and molasses flavors and adds a subtle warmth that pairs beautifully with toasted pecans. During baking, most of the alcohol evaporates, leaving behind a rich flavor that makes this pie stand out.
Dark chocolate chips are another important element in this recipe. As the pie bakes, the chocolate melts into the filling, creating pockets of rich chocolate flavor throughout the pie. Using dark or semi-sweet chocolate helps balance the sweetness of the corn syrup and brown sugar.
The texture of a great pecan pie is also important. The filling should be gooey but set, with crunchy pecans on top and a flaky pie crust underneath. Layering the chocolate chips and pecans directly into the crust before pouring the filling helps distribute them evenly throughout the pie.
This pie is surprisingly simple to make and comes together in just about an hour. Because it tastes even better once cooled, it’s a perfect dessert to prepare ahead for holiday dinners or entertaining.
Chocolate bourbon pecan pie is especially popular during the holiday season. It’s a staple on many Thanksgiving dessert tables and makes a wonderful addition to Christmas gatherings as well. It’s also a fun dessert to serve at a Kentucky Derby party, where bourbon-inspired recipes are part of the tradition.
One slice of this rich pie is all you need to understand why it’s such a beloved Southern classic.
Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie (Easy Kentucky Derby Pie Recipe)
Ingredients
- 1 9- inch pie shell
- 1 cup dark chocolate chips
- 2 cups pecans, coarsely chopped
- 3 eggs, slightly beaten
- 1 cup light corn syrup
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons Kentucky bourbon
- 1 tablespoon molasses
- 4 tablespoons melted butter
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Prepare the pie shell in a 9-inch pie pan.
- Using a stand mixer or hand mixer with a medium bowl, mix sugar, eggs, corn syrup, bourbon, molasses, butter, salt and vanilla extract.
- Spread the chocolate chips on the unbaked pie crust. Then add the pecans on top. Pour the filling over the pecans saving just a spoonful. Place a few whole pecan halves in the center of the pie.
- Bake the pie for 30 minutes. After that time, loosely cover the pie with aluminum foil to prevent the crust and pecans from over browning.
- Bake the pie for an additional 15 minutes or until the pie filling has set.
- Remove the pie from the oven and allow it to cool completely on a wire rack to room temperature before serving.
Notes
Baking Tips for Perfect Pecan Pie
Toast the pecans first
Toasting pecans for 5–7 minutes enhances their nutty flavor.
Use good quality chocolate
Dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips give the best flavor balance.
Cover the crust if needed
If the crust begins to brown too quickly, loosely cover the pie with foil during the final minutes of baking.
Let the pie cool completely
Cooling allows the filling to fully set for clean slices.
Variations for Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie
Add espresso powder
A small pinch deepens the chocolate flavor.
Use maple syrup
Substitute part of the corn syrup with maple syrup for a richer taste.
Add sea salt
A sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top adds a sweet-salty contrast.
Make mini pies
Bake the filling in mini tart shells for individual desserts.
Best Chocolate for Pecan Pie
The best chocolate for chocolate bourbon pecan pie is dark or semi-sweet chocolate. These varieties add richness without making the pie overly sweet. Dark chocolate also complements the toasted pecans and bourbon flavor beautifully.
Chocolate chips are convenient and melt evenly in the filling, but you can also use chopped baking chocolate for a slightly richer texture. If you prefer a sweeter pie, milk chocolate can be used, though most bakers prefer semi-sweet chocolate to balance the sugary filling.
What Bourbon Is Best for Pecan Pie?
You don’t need an expensive bourbon for baking. A mid-range bourbon with caramel and vanilla notes works perfectly in pecan pie.
Good choices include classic Kentucky bourbons with warm, slightly sweet flavors. During baking, the alcohol cooks off while the flavor remains, enhancing the brown sugar and molasses in the filling.
If you prefer not to use alcohol, you can substitute vanilla extract or a tablespoon of maple syrup for a similar depth of flavor.
How to Know When Pecan Pie Is Done
One of the most common questions when baking pecan pie is knowing when it’s fully set.
A perfectly baked chocolate bourbon pecan pie should have a slightly puffed center that jiggles just a little when the pie dish is gently shaken. The edges should be firm while the center finishes setting as the pie cools.
If the pie appears too loose, bake it for another 5–10 minutes. Be careful not to overbake, as the filling can become too firm once cooled.
Allowing the pie to cool completely is essential. The filling thickens as it rests, giving you clean slices and the classic gooey pecan pie texture.
How to Store Pecan Pie
Pecan pie stores well, making it an excellent make-ahead dessert.
Once the pie has cooled completely, cover it loosely with foil or plastic wrap. It can be kept at room temperature for up to one day or refrigerated for up to four days.
To serve, bring the pie to room temperature or warm individual slices briefly in the microwave. Many people enjoy pecan pie slightly warm with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
What to Serve with Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie
This pie pairs well with:
- whipped cream
- vanilla ice cream
- coffee or espresso
- bourbon cocktails or mint juleps
Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie for Thanksgiving
Chocolate bourbon pecan pie is a classic addition to many Thanksgiving dessert tables. The rich filling, toasted pecans, and buttery crust make it a perfect complement to traditional holiday dishes like roast turkey, stuffing, and mashed potatoes.
Because this pie can be made a day in advance, it’s especially convenient when preparing a large Thanksgiving meal. Simply bake the pie the night before and allow it to cool completely. The flavors actually improve as the pie rests, and the filling sets beautifully for clean slices.
If you’re planning a holiday dessert spread, this pie pairs wonderfully with other seasonal favorites such as pumpkin pie, apple pie, or a light whipped cream topping. The combination of chocolate, pecans, and bourbon gives it a unique flavor that stands out among traditional Thanksgiving pies.
Whether served after Thanksgiving dinner or brought to a holiday gathering, this chocolate bourbon pecan pie is always a crowd-pleasing dessert.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the alcohol cook out of bourbon pecan pie?
Yes. Most of the alcohol evaporates during baking, leaving behind the flavor of the bourbon.
Can I make pecan pie ahead of time?
Yes. Chocolate bourbon pecan pie can be made one day in advance and stored at room temperature or in the refrigerator.
Should pecan pie be refrigerated?
It can be stored covered at room temperature for a day or refrigerated for up to four days.
Can you freeze pecan pie?
Yes. Wrap the cooled pie tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to two months.
My mother-in-law was the expert pecan pie maker in the family. She’s passed on her talent to her daughter, my sister-in-law.
And while she traditionally is assigned to baking this classic pie, I decided to come up with an alternative that is slightly different. Adding a good splash of bourbon to the filling gives it a mellow flavor. It’s a winner!
More simple recipes for your holiday table
- Homemade Cranberry Sauce with Apples
- Easy Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes
- Easy Cornbread Pudding
- Boursin Creamed Corn
- Roasted Provencal Vegetables
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If you make this recipe, be sure to snap a photo and hashtag it #homeandplate. I’d love to see what you cook!
This looks delicious! I haven’t had a pecan pie in ages. Pinning for later!
It’s delicious with a scoop of vanilla ice cream if you want to indulge. Thanks.
I love bittersweet chocolate chips. This looks great!
Thanks. Me too. I prefer bittersweet over semi any day.
I am sorry but I have checked with the food police and the thought of bourbon and chocolate in pecan pie is to good to be legal. I will have to make this in secret!
Great looking recipe.
The Old Fat Guy
You will truly enjoy it. I promise your secret is safe with me!
I am definitely a pecan pie lover! And this is exactly how I like mine, loaded with pecans and chocolate!
All the decadent ingredients to satisfy one’s sweet tooth and perfect for fall. Thanks Ann
Omg this looks like heaven I can’t wait to try this this Autumn!
Thanks Emily…let me know how it turns off.
This looks fabulous! Adding this to my Thanksgiving menu!
Yes…perfect for the holidays. Love this for Thanksgiving and Christmas.:)
I love pecan pie but I have never made it myself. You have really tempted me now.
Dannii it is a pretty simple recipe and one you should try. Perfect for the holidays.
Love this unique take on pecan pie! Such fun ingredients to make it decadent.
Thanks Sandi…I love pecan pie and the addition of bourbon just takes it up a notch. 🙂
Is it a typo that you have to bake an additional 45 min when the recipe tells you to put the foil on? I’m assuming it’s an additional 15 min instead?
Yes…thanks for catching that. It’s now corrected.