The primary time I tasted Cracker Barrel’s Chocolate Pecan Pie, it was a revelation. I had stopped on the restaurant throughout a protracted street journey, exhausted and craving one thing candy. What arrived at my desk was an ideal marriage of two beloved desserts—chocolate pie and pecan pie—unified in a single gloriously wealthy slice that immediately made me neglect my journey fatigue.
This publish comprises affiliate hyperlinks. As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Whereas Cracker Barrel solely affords this deal with seasonally, I grew to become decided to recreate this masterpiece at house to get pleasure from it year-round. After a number of testing periods (and plenty of glad taste-testers), I’ve perfected this copycat recipe that captures all of the decadence of the unique. The mixture of gooey chocolate, crunchy pecans, and flaky crust creates a very unforgettable dessert expertise.
What Makes Cracker Barrel’s Chocolate Pecan Pie So Particular?
This isn’t your commonplace pecan pie with chocolate chips tossed as an afterthought. The Cracker Barrel model achieves an ideal stability the place neither ingredient overpowers the opposite. The semi-sweet chocolate provides depth with out extreme sweetness, complementing the pure richness of the pecans and the buttery crust.
The result’s refined but comforting—a dessert that feels particular sufficient for holidays however easy sufficient to get pleasure from anytime. The Cracker Barrel Previous Nation Retailer has mastered this stability, making its Chocolate Pecan Pie certainly one of its most requested seasonal choices.
Why You’ll Love This Do-it-yourself Model
Many individuals draw back from do-it-yourself pies, believing them sophisticated or temperamental. Nonetheless, pecan pie is likely one of the most forgiving pies to make, particularly this chocolate variation. Right here’s why this recipe is ideal even for baking learners:
- No particular gear: Requires solely important kitchen instruments
- Surprisingly easy: For those who can measure components and stir them collectively, you can also make this pie
- Minimal energetic time: A lot of the cooking time is hands-off baking
- Shortcut pleasant: Works superbly with store-bought pie crusts
- Constant outcomes: The filling units reliably with minimal fuss
- Spectacular presentation: Appears skilled with minimal effort
Components
Right here’s every part you’ll want for this decadent dessert:
- Massive eggs – Present construction and richness whereas binding all of the components collectively
- Sugar – Provides sweetness and helps create the distinctive gooey texture
- Corn syrup – Creates the signature easy, shiny filling and prevents sugar crystallization
- Salt – Enhances all flavors and balances the sweetness for a extra complicated style
- Vanilla extract – Provides depth and heat to enhance each the chocolate and pecans
- Margarine – Creates richness and contributes to the silky texture of the filling
- Pecans – Present the important nutty taste and satisfying crunch that defines pecan pie
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips – Add wealthy chocolate taste with out overwhelming sweetness
- Unbaked pie shell – Serves because the vessel for the filling and provides buttery, flaky texture
Gear Wanted
- Medium mixing bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Whisk or fork for mixing
- 9-inch pie plate (if utilizing do-it-yourself crust)
- Aluminum foil (optionally available, for crust safety)
- Cooling rack
Step-by-Step Directions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Put together the filling base: In a medium-sized bowl, beat the eggs totally. Add sugar and blend till properly mixed and barely thickened.
- Construct the filling: Add corn syrup, salt, vanilla extract, and melted margarine to the egg combination. Whisk till all components are totally integrated and easy.
- Put together the pie shell: Organize pecans and chocolate chips evenly throughout the underside of your unbaked pie shell. This ensures even distribution of each key components all through every slice.
- Mix elements: Slowly pour the egg combination over the pecans and chocolate chips. Pour step by step to keep away from disturbing the association of nuts and chocolate.
- Bake to perfection: Place the pie within the preheated oven and bake for 50-60 minutes. The pie is finished when the middle is ready however nonetheless barely jiggly and the highest is golden brown.
- Cool utterly: Enable the pie to chill on a wire rack for not less than 2 hours earlier than slicing. This cooling time is essential for the filling to set correctly.
Serve chocolate pecan pie with whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
You don’t have to attend till the vacations to make this chocolate pecan pie, it’s good any time of the 12 months. It’s nice to take to potlucks as a result of it doesn’t must be refrigerated.
What are you able to serve this pie with?
Extra pie 😉 I like to serve this pie to my chocolate lovers for the vacations together with a pumpkin pie, and even an old style American apple pie. I like to serve up massive slices with a dollop of whipped cream once I serve this pie.
Storage and Make-Forward Suggestions
Counter Storage
This pie retains superbly at room temperature for 2-3 days. Merely cowl it loosely with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and retailer in your countertop. The flavors truly develop and meld collectively over this time.
Freezing Directions
To freeze for later enjoyment:
- Cool the pie utterly
- Wrap tightly with two layers of plastic wrap
- Add a layer of aluminum foil for further safety
- Freeze for as much as 3 months
- Thaw in a single day within the fridge earlier than serving
Particular Events
This pie travels properly, making it excellent for:
- Dinner events
- Vacation gatherings
- Potluck dinners
- Household reunions
- Bake gross sales
Love pecan pies? Strive these recipes!
Favourite Cracker Barrel Copycat Recipes
Take a look at extra of my straightforward pie recipes and the most effective Cracker Barrel recipes right here on CopyKat!
Cracker Barrel Chocolate Pecan Pie
Cracker Barrel Chocolate Pecan Pie is commonly served throughout the vacation season, however with this copycat recipe, you can also make all of it 12 months lengthy.
Print
Pin
Fee
Add to Assortment
Servings: 8
Energy: 460kcal
Components
- 3 eggs
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup gentle corn syrup
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ¼ cup melted margarine
- 1 cup pecans
- 3 tablespoons semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 unbaked pie shell
Directions
-
Preheat oven to 350 levels.
-
In a medium-sized bowl, beat collectively eggs.
-
Add sugar and blend properly.
-
Add corn syrup, salt, vanilla, and margarine. Combine till properly mixed.
-
Place pecans and chocolate chips within the pie shell.
-
Slowly pour pecan pie filling into the pie shell. The pecans will rise as much as the highest when baking.
-
Bake at 350 levels for 50 to 60 minutes.
Notes
Professional Suggestions for Good Chocolate Pecan Pie
- Crust safety: For those who discover the perimeters of your crust browning too rapidly, cowl them with strips of aluminum foil about midway by baking.
- The jiggle check: When checking for doneness, the middle ought to jiggle barely like set gelatin however not be liquid. The pie will proceed to set because it cools.
- Toast the pecans: For enhanced taste, toast the pecans calmly earlier than including them to the pie.
- Chocolate choice: Whereas semi-sweet chocolate chips work completely, you may experiment with darkish chocolate for a much less candy filling or milk chocolate for a sweeter model.
- Room temperature eggs: Utilizing eggs at room temperature helps them incorporate extra easily into the filling.
Diet
Energy: 460kcal | Carbohydrates: 60g | Protein: 4g | Fats: 24g | Saturated Fats: 7g | Ldl cholesterol: 76mg | Sodium: 333mg | Potassium: 126mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 47g | Vitamin A: 275IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 1.5mg
Dietary Variations
- Gluten-free: Use a gluten-free pie crust (the filling is of course gluten-free)
- Much less candy: Scale back sugar by as much as ¼ cup
- Dairy-free: Use plant-based butter as a substitute of margarine
Ingredient Substitutions
- Corn syrup options: Pure maple syrup or golden syrup (although texture might fluctuate barely)
- Margarine vs. butter: Unsalted butter can substitute margarine for a richer taste
- Nut variations: Walnuts can substitute for pecans for a unique taste profile
- Chocolate choices: Strive chocolate chunks, chopped chocolate bars, or a mixture of totally different sweets
Scaling Suggestions
- Mini pies: Divide filling amongst 4-5 mini pie shells and cut back baking time to 30-35 minutes
- Double batch: Recipe doubles simply for a number of pies; baking time stays the identical
