Black Bottom Chocolate Pecan Pie
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Wanda's Pie in the Sky
This pie has everything, it is bittersweet, gooey, crunchy and very rich. The only thing it lacks is restraint!
INGREDIENTS
FOR THE CRUST
1 recipe Single Crust Pastry
FOR THE FILLING
1/2 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup corn syrup
2/3 cup whipping cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup brandy
1/4 cup butter, melted
1-1/2 cup pecan halvesFOR THE TOPPING
1/2 cup whipping cream
4-ounces semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
1 tablespoon corn syrupFOR THE CRUST - Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Prepare the pastry as directed. Cool completely before filling.
FOR THE FILLING - Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees. Using an electric mixer or whisk, beat the eggs, both the sugars, salt and syrup until combined but not frothy. Stir in the whipping cream, vanilla, brandy, melted butter and pecans. Pour into the prepared crust. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, until the filling is set and slightly puffed in the center. Cool completely before topping.
FOR THE TOPPING - Place a small saucepan over medium heat, and cook the cream until bubbly. Remove from the heat, stir in the chocolate and let sit for 10 minutes. Add the corn syrup and stir until smooth. Allow to cool until slightly thickened but still very shiny.
Using a teaspoon, dot the topping over the cooled pie and swirl decoratively. Serve at room temperature or slightly chilled. Store refrigerated for up to 5 days.
SINGLE CRUST PASTRY
This is an all-purpose pastry - perfect for pies, tarts and turnovers, as well as for savory items such as quiche or meat pies.
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup cold butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1/3 cup shortening, cut into 1/2-inch pieces and frozen for 15 minutes
1/4 cup cold waterMake sure all the ingredients are as cold as possible.
Using a food processor or a pastry cutter and a large bowl, combine the flour, salt, butter and shortening. Process or cut in until the mixture resembles coarse meal and begins to clump together.
Sprinkle with the water, let rest for 30 seconds and then either process very briefly or cut with about 15 strokes of the pastry cutter, just until the dough begins to stick together and come away from the sides of the bowl.
Turn onto a lightly floured work surface and press together to form a disk. Wrap in plastic and chill for at least 20 minutes.
Allow the dough to warm slightly at room temperature if it is too hard to roll.
On a lightly floured board, roll the disk to a thickness of 1/8-inch.
Cut a circle about 1-1/2-inches larger than the pie plate. Transfer the pastry to the plate by folding it in half or by rolling it onto the rolling pin. Turn the pastry under, leaving an edge that hangs about 1/2-inch over the plate. Flute the edges. Use as directed in recipe.