Pecan pie recipes: Three takes on pecan pie

Chocolate-pecan pie

Makes one nine-inch pie

If your Thanksgiving guest list includes chocoholics, give your pecan pie a chocolate kick. A cup of chopped bittersweet chocolate does this pecan pie justice.

Ingredients

• 2 cups roasted pecans (whole)
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup chopped bittersweet chocolate
• 1/2 cup dark corn syrup
• 2 tablespoons melted butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• Pinch of salt
• Pie pastry

Directions

1. Roll out pie pastry and press into a nine-inch pie dish. Set aside.
2. Combine eggs, granulated sugar, dark corn syrup, melted butter, vanilla and salt.
3. Carefully melt chocolate over a double broiler or in the microwave (stirring frequently)
4. Gradually add filling to chocolate and stir until combined.
5. Stir in whole pecans.
6. Bake at 375 degrees F for 35 minutes or until the filling is set.

Pecan cookie squares

Not quite a cookie and not quite a pie, these pecan cookie squares are in a category of their own. You can serve them in virtually any size, making them perfect for guests who only have a little bit of room left after the Thanksgiving feast.

Ingredients

Pecan Filling

• 2 cups roasted pecans (whole)
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup dark corn syrup
• 1/2 cup dark honey
• 4 tablespoons melted butter
• 1 tablespoon bourbon or spiced rum (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Graham Cracker Crust

• 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 6 tablespoons melted butter

Directions

1. Make the crust: Combine all crust ingredients and press firmly into a greased pie pan. Pre-bake the crust at 350 degrees F for 7 minutes.
2. Make the pie filling: Combine all filling ingredients, stirring in pecans last. Pour over pre-baked crust.
3. Bake at 375 degrees F for 35 minutes or until the filling is set.

Maple-pecan pie

Makes one nine-inch pie

Not only will the addition of maple syrup up the taste quotient of your pecan pie, but it will give you an excuse to call it "breakfast" the morning after. Use 100% Grade A (light) or Grade B (dark) maple syrup.

Ingredients

• 2 cups roasted pecans (whole)
• 1 1/2 cups maple syrup
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 3 tablespoons melted butter
• 1 tablespoon bourbon or spiced rum (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• Pinch salt
• Pie pastry

Directions

1. Roll out pie pastry and press into a nine-inch pie dish. Set aside.
2. Combine all ingredients, stirring in pecans last.
3. Bake at 375 degrees F for 35 minutes or until the filling is set.

More extraordinary Thanksgiving desserts

• Pumpkin Cheesecake
• Thanksgiving dessert cocktails
• Crockpot pumpkin butter, streusel pecan pie and more!