CHOCOLATE CHUNK PECAN PIE

CHOCOLATE CHUNK PECAN PIE image

Categories Nut

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 21

Previous Next

Ingredients

Crust
1 1/2 cups King Arthur Perfect Pastry Blend or Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
1 tablespoon buttermilk powder, optional
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
3 tablespoons vegetable shortening
5 tablespoons cold butter
1 teaspoon white or cider vinegar
3 to 4 tablespoons ice water
Filling
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
1/2 cup butter, melted and cooled
1/2 teaspoon vanilla-butternut flavor, pralines & cream flavor, or butter-rum flavor, optional but delicious*
1 1/3 cups bittersweet or semisweet chocolate chips or chunks, or a combination
2/3 cup diced pecans, toasted in a 350°F oven till golden, 8 to 10 minutes
*Substitute 2 teaspoons vanilla for any of the flavorings, if desired
Topping
2/3 cup pecan halves, optional

Steps:

Crust: Whisk together the flour, buttermilk powder, salt, and baking powder. Add the shortening, working it in till it's thoroughly dispersed throughout the dry ingredients. Cut the butter into pats, and roughly work it into the mixture in the bowl. Sprinkle the vinegar into the bowl, then 3 tablespoons of the ice water. Mix quickly and gently, just till everything is thoroughly moistened. Gather the dough into your hand, and squeeze it. If it holds together nicely, it's ready. If not, add a bit more ice water, a teaspoon or so at a time, till it's cohesive. Shape the dough into a rough disk, and transfer it to a well-floured work surface. Roll it into a rectangle about 8" x 12". Fold the rectangle like a letter, turn it 90°, and roll it into an 8" x 12" rectangle again. Give it another three-fold, then fold it in half to make a thick square. Wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for 30 minutes, or for up to 24 hours. 7) Remove the dough from the fridge, and allow it to warm for about 15 minutes before rolling. While it's warming, preheat the oven to 375°F. Roll the dough into a 12" to 13" circle. 8) Transfer the crust to a 9" pie plate. Trim the edges (patching any bare spots, if necessary), and make a tall crimp. 9) Refrigerate the crust while you make the filling. Note: You may choose to make the filling during the dough's initial chilling period, instead of once it's shaped. Doesn't matter; either way is fine. 10) Beat the eggs, sugar, and salt for about 2 minutes at high speed, till they're thick and light-colored. 11) Stir in the flour, the cooled, melted butter; and the flavor of your choice, then the chocolate chips/chunks and the diced pecans. 12) Pour the batter into the pie crust, then scatter the pecan halves on top. 13) Bake pie for 30 minutes. Tent lightly with aluminum foil, and bake additional 15 minutes, till the crust and top are both golden brown. 14) Remove pie from oven. Cool 30 mins.