This post has been sponsored by Tenderflake.
We are having some crazy weather here in Ontario today!
I just looked out of my window and it looks like a scene out of The Wizard of Oz. The sky is grey, the wind is picking up leaves and other debris, and it’s pouring rain. Apparently parts of Toronto have already flooded as well.
Miserable weather requires delicious desserts – or at least it should. Everyone who had to deal with a flooded engine today should be sent a dozen cupcake to lift their spirits.
If only life worked like that.
If you’re having a frustrating day, I hope that photos of desserts will make things a bit better. Or at least distract you for a minute or two.
This recipe for Chocolate Pecan Pie with Maple Syrup is the result of an experiment. I love the pecan pie that I often purchase it from my local grocery store. It’s nothing fancy, but it tastes great with vanilla ice cream. I was craving that pie this weekend, but really didn’t want to go out to get it, so I decided to make my own.
I’ve never made pecan pie before, but I have made a nut tart so I figured it couldn’t be that different. I found a few recipes in cookbooks that I have at home, but nothing looked like what I wanted. I ended up finding this recipe from Down Home with the Neelys, and I used that to create my own version.
The recipe I found called for corn syrup, bourbon and milk chocolate morsels. I didn’t have any of those ingredients on hand, but I found some tasty substitutions. I used maple syrup instead of corn syrup, amaretto instead of bourbon, and semi-sweet chocolate chips instead of the morsels. I also used a pre-made frozen pie shell from Tenderflake to save time.
The resulting pie was pretty different from what I usually get from the store, but was good enough that I could share it here.
My pie ended up with a crunchy top and a gooey filling, which was fine by me. It’s not traditional, but it does taste good with ice cream or whipped cream. I used whipped cream in my photos to hide where I damaged the crust. Whatever works right?
Also, I opted to chop my nuts into pieces for this recipe because I thought it would make the pie easier to cut. If you want a more traditional look, you should use whole or halved pecans.
I might make this pecan pie again for Christmas, because it’s tasty, but it’s probably better suited to Thanksgiving. There’s still a few more days until American Thanksgiving, so if you’re in the USA there’s still time to make this yummy dessert 🙂
Ingredients
- 1 9-inch unbaked Tenderflake pie shell
- 3 eggs
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 1/2 tablespoons flour
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup maple syrup
- 1 1/2 tablespoons amaretto liquor
- 3 tablespoons salted butter
- 1 1/2 cups pecan halves
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Remove 1 Tenderflake pie shell from the box and place it on a baking tray that has been lined with tin foil. The shell will need to defrost for 10-15 minutes.
- Add eggs to the bowl of a stand mixer and beat for 1 minute.
- Add in the brown sugar, flour, vanilla extract, maple syrup and amaretto and mix on a low setting until combined.
- Heat butter in a bowl in the microwave until barely melted, then add to mixer.
- Mix in the pecans and chocolate chips until just combined.
- Pour the mixture into the defrosted pie shell, and use a spatula to evenly distribute the ingredients.
- Wrap the crust of the pie with strips of tin foil to prevent burning.
- Bake for 50 to 60 minutes.
- Allow to cool before serving.
For more yummy recipes using Tenderflake pastry visit Tenderflake.ca, or check them out on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.
Disclosure:
This post has been sponsored by Tenderflake.
All opinions are my own.
This recipe has been adapted from: www.foodnetwork.com
I love your adaptation. The maple syrup especially takes it from south to north. And I’m glad it’s snowing on your blog now, too. 🙂
I hadn’t thought about it like that, but you’re right. This version is more North with the Maple Syrup 🙂
Thanks again for the snow tip!
I acually did have a bit of a frustrating day today… but looking at this pecan pie made my mouth water and perhaps even made my day slightly better. PS the snow on your blog is very cute!!
Thanks Candice, I hope your day ends on a high note! And Teresa told me how to put the snow on here 😀
Oh my!! This looks so delicious, Shareba! I wonder if I can try and use something to replace the eggs and recreate it for Christmas. Eggs are just so good at binding though!
Hi Jess, hmm maybe try a “flax egg”? I’m not sure if that will work. I usually avoid eggs too because I have a food sensitivity, but I haven’t found a good replacement for eggs in pies yet. And I can usually get by with eating them this way in small portions 😛
This sounds and looks spectacular! Love Pecan Pie, with Chocolate it is going to be that much better!
Thanks Redawna!