Chocolate Coconut Pecan Pie
Classic pecan pie gets a super delicious upgrade! This chocolate coconut pecan pie is an incredible combination of flavors, and sure to be a new favorite.
Pecan pie is a holiday tradition in so many households, including mine. Thanksgiving just wouldn’t be complete without a slice!
If you’re a fan of pecan pie like me, then you simply have to try this chocolate coconut pecan pie. It takes something great and makes it even more amazing. You’ll love how the dark chocolate and toasted coconut add to the rich caramel flavors and compliment the nutty pecans. (Honestly, it tasted like a homemade candy bar in a pie crust.)
It’s a perfect dessert! And definitely worthy of being on your holiday table. Just don’t forget the whipped cream.
Table of Contents
- Ingredients you’ll need
- How to make chocolate coconut pecan pie
- FAQs for this recipe
- More pecan pie recipes
- Get the recipe
Ingredients you’ll need
Let’s bake a pie, shall we? Here’s everything you’ll need to get started:
baking tip:Why use corn syrup in pecan pie?
Can you use a substitute such as honey, pure maple syrup or brown rice syrup for light corn syrup? Yes, you can use one of these substitutes in pecan pie, typically 1:1. However, they will each alter the flavor of the pie and since they have a thinner consistency than light corn syrup, the pie filling will be more soft after baking. If you really want to use one of these ingredients, consider finding a recipe specifically developed with the one you’d like to use.
How to make chocolate coconut pecan pie
- Prepare pie crust. If you happen to have an extra pie crust in the freezer, lucky you! If not, you can use my butter pie crust recipe or a recipe of your choice. Homemade pie crust is preferred over store-bought.
- Toast pecans and coconut (optional). While optional, it’s highly recommended! Toasted pecans and coconut have so much additional flavor, and it’s definitely worth the extra 10 minutes. Toast pecans for about 10 minutes at 350°F until fragrant, and toast coconut for about 5-7 minutes until lightly browned. Watch them both so they don’t burn.
- Roll out pie crust, line pie dish, and crimp the edges. On a lightly floured surface, roll out pie crust to a 12-inch circle. Transfer to a 9-inch pie pan. Trim the edges until until you have a 1/2 to 1 inch overhang, tuck the edges under, and use your fingers to pinch a crimp around the edge. Freeze pie shell for at least 30 minutes.
- Blind bake pie crust (optional): I have made this pie both ways, both with blind baking the crust and without. The blind-baked crust has a crisper, non-soggy bottom, but skipping this step saves time. It’s your choice if you’d like to do it! Here’s more info on blind baking pie crust.
- Mix filling ingredients and pour into pie crust. Whisk together the corn syrup, brown sugar, melted butter, eggs, vanilla and salt. Add the pecans, coconut and chocolate and stir until combined. Pour the mixture into the prepared pie crust and spread it into an even layer.
- Bake. Bake at 350°F until the center 4 inches of the pie slightly wobble with gently shaken. The edges should be completely set.
- Cool. You must let this pie cool completely so the filling sets up completely, about 1-2 hours. Slice it too soon and the pie filling will be runny.
- Slice and serve. When you’re ready to serve, slice the pie with a sharp knife (a serrated paring knife is my preferred choice). Serve it with homemade whipped cream, and enjoy!
One bite of this chocolate pecan pie will have you convinced— this really is the BEST pecan pie!
FAQs for this recipe
The main reason for this is simply that the pie wasn’t cooked long enough to set the filling, or perhaps you sliced into it before it had a chance to finish setting up. Be sure to bake the pie until just the center 4 inches wobble slightly when gently shaken, but the edges should not wobble, and appear completely set.
Yes! An overcooked pecan pie may crack or have a dry crumbly texture. There should be some movement of the filling when you pull it out of the oven as it will continue to cook out of the oven. If you wait until it is completely set to take it out, the pie will be overcooked by the time it cools and sets.
No, for short term storage, pecan pies do not need to be refrigerated as their high sugar content acts as a preservative and the pie contains no dairy. It can be stored at room temperature covered with plastic wrap for 2 few days. If you have leftovers longer than that, it is recommended to store them in the fridge.
This chocolate coconut pecan pie is best when served within 2 days of baking. Blind baking the pie crust will help it keep longer without the bottom getting soggy, since the baked crust will better be able to hold up to the moisture in the filling.
Yes, you can use one of these substitutes in pecan pie, typically 1:1. However, they will each alter the flavor of the pie and since they have a thinner consistency than light corn syrup, the pie filling will be more soft after baking.
More pecan pie recipes
Get the recipe
This recipe was originally published October 2016.
Chocolate Coconut Pecan Pie
Ingredients
Pie crust:
- 1 ¼ cup all-purpose flour (150 grams)
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter , cold and cut into cubes (113 grams)
- 3-4 tablespoons ice cold water
Filling:
- 1 cup light corn syrup (312 grams)
- ½ cup packed light or dark brown sugar (105 grams)
- ¼ cup unsalted butter , melted (56 grams)
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup sweetened flaked coconut , toasted (85 grams)
- 1 cup bittersweet or dark chocolate chips (170 grams)
- 2 cups shelled pecans , toasted (225 grams)
- 1 large egg + 1 tablespoon water , for egg wash (optional)
Instructions
To prepare the pie crust:
- Combine the flour, sugar, and salt in a medium bowl. Add the cubed butter and work into the dry ingredients with a pastry blender until it's the size of small peas, though a few big pieces are okay.
- Add 3 tablespoons of the cold water and work into the flour mixture with a spatula and then your hands, kneading very minimally to bring it together into a ball. Add more water a tablespoon at a time as needed.
- Flatten into a disk, wrap in plastic and chill for at least 1 hour.
- On a lightly floured surface, let the pie crust sit at room temperature for about 5 minutes. Roll out into a rough 12-inch circle, adding more flour to your work surface as necessary.
- Transfer dough to a 9-inch pie dish and trim edges to 1 inch. Tuck the edges into the pie dish and crimp as desired. Chill in the freezer for at least 30 minutes.
- (Optional step) If you'd like to blind (partially) bake pie crust for a nice crisp bottom, preheat oven to 425°F. Grease a sheet of aluminum foil and place it flush inside the pie crust shell. Fill with pie weights or dried beans. Bake for 20-25 minutes until edges appear set.
To assemble the pie:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- (Optional step) Toast pecans and coconut individually. Spread each out on a sheet pan in a single layer. Toast pecans for 8-10 minutes until fragrant. Toast coconut for 5-7 minutes until lightly browned. Watch to make sure they don't burn.
- Whisk together the corn syrup, brown sugar, melted butter, eggs, vanilla, and salt. Stir in the toasted coconut, chocolate chips, and pecans. Pour filling into the pie crust, and spread it out so the top is even.
- Place pie on a sheet pan (to catch any drips and make transferring in and out of the oven easier) and brush edges with egg wash if desired.
- Bake the pie until the top is golden and center 4 inches jiggles only a little when gently nudged, 45-55 minutes. If the top browns too quickly, cover with foil.
- Let the pie cool completely on a wire rack to finish setting up. But it can be served warm, room temperature or chilled. Serve with whipped cream if desired.
Notes
- Feel free to use your favorite pie crust recipe if you’d like. But homemade pie crust is highly recommended over store-bought. Pie crust can be made in advance and stored in the fridge for up to 5 days and in the freezer for up to 2 months. Find more pie crust tips here.
- Toasted pecans and coconut will yield the most flavor in this pie. If desired, you can skip this step.
- Blind baking the pie crust will ensure your crust does not have a soggy bottom, and will help your pie last longer. Read more about blind baking pie crusts here.
I’ve never been a big fan of pecan pie, but I wonder if I’d like it a little bit more with chocolate and coconut?! It’s always been just a bit too sweet for me. But this looks beautiful and sounds delicious!
It looks amazing and sounds delicious!!! 🙂
Ooh, la la! I’ve always thought pecan pie might be good with some oatmeal in the filling, but I never thought about coconut. And CHOCOLATE. The great equalizer. I will eat any dessert that contains chocolate. Good one! Worth a try!
Oooh I’ve never thought of oatmeal! That would be a fun addition, maybe like an oatmeal cookie filling. Love that idea! 🙂
Can not wait to try it out! It looks so good to try..Thanks
I could not get mine to set up at all!!! What could I have done wrong?
Made my filling and pie crust tonight in preparation for Thanksgiving. Can’t wait to bake it!
This is a keeper; I used a frozen pie crust which made it super easy.