Chocolate Maple Pecan Pie
Ken isn’t typically a dessert person, but this pie won him over instantly. The combination of two kinds of pecans and semi-sweet chocolate makes it rich and decadent without being cloyingly sweet. It’s a wonderful choice for holidays or any cozy date night. We often bake it on our Pacific Living Outdoor Oven when we want that outdoor flavor, but it works equally well in a conventional oven.
Patti and I reserve one night a week for ourselves—our date night. Often we prepare something special on the outdoor oven, though sometimes we cook inside and still enjoy our meal on the patio. Our outdoor space is comfortable and inviting with a rainforest theme, soft lighting, candles and music. We enjoy good food, a little wine or a strawberry margarita, and sometimes a dance as the evening winds down.
Chocolate Maple Pecan Pie — An Outdoor Cooking Recipe
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 375°F (190°C) for 60 minutes
Recommended grill: Pacific Living Outdoor Oven (or any oven set to the temperature below)
Pellet flavor suggestion: Maple
Ingredients: Chocolate Maple Pecan Pie
- 2 cups maple-flavored pancake syrup
- 2 ½ cups golden brown sugar
- 5 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 6 large eggs, beaten
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 2 cups pecans, chopped
- 2 cups pecan halves, for decoration
- 1 ready-made pie crust (or homemade, rolled to fit)
Directions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 13×9-inch glass baking dish. Roll the pie crust into a rectangle to fit the bottom of the dish. In a medium bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, brown sugar, vanilla, melted butter and beaten eggs until smooth. Fold in the chocolate chips and chopped pecans. Pour the mixture over the prepared pie crust and arrange the pecan halves on top for an attractive finish. Bake for approximately 60 minutes, or until the filling is set and slightly puffed. Allow the pie to cool for about 20 minutes before slicing to help the filling finish setting.
Roll Pie Crust to Fit Bottom of Baking Dish
In a Bowl Blend Ingredients
Pour Over Pie Crust
Decorate Top with Pecan Halves
Into the Outdoor Oven
Cooking Tips for Outdoor Ovens
When using an outdoor oven or pellet-fired oven, preheat thoroughly to reach a steady 375°F (190°C). If your unit has a smoke box, add wood chips or pellets for additional aroma—maple works especially well with this recipe. Always monitor the heat source carefully: the bottom stone in many outdoor ovens retains intense heat, so use heavy cast iron or sturdy baking dishes to prevent burning and to distribute heat evenly.
Place dishes on the middle shelf for the most consistent results. You may need to adjust temperature slightly depending on your oven and local conditions. Remember: time and temperature are the keys to success—check visual doneness and allow a short cooling period so slices hold together.
Let’s Eat!
About Our Recipes
We test recipes on our patio using a variety of grills and smokers, from pellet grills to traditional charcoal and gas units. Our approach focuses on flavorful, relatively low-fat preparations that can be adapted to different equipment. Most dishes translate well across grill types—adjust time and temperature as needed to match your setup. Outdoor cooking adds flavor, but these recipes can also be prepared indoors when weather or convenience requires it.
A recipe is an outline, not a rulebook. Feel free to adjust sweetness, nuts, or chocolate amounts to suit your preferences. Make it your own, and enjoy sharing the results with someone special.
Live your passion,
Ken & Patti
Find us: Date Night Doins (website and social channels)
Acknowledgments: Maverick Industries, PelletCan, Lumberjack Wood Pellets, Pacific Living Outdoor Oven, The Smokin’ Wedgie, Wood Pellet Products.