Growing up my mother always said thank you with pecan pie.

People were always happy to do favors for her.

As I grew up and became interested in baking, I quickly gravitated to pie.

Chocolate pecan pie with bourbon with a couple slices cut.

Sally Vargas

Few pies are this effortless while still having real wow factor.

Ive added a healthy dose of salt and vanilla along with a glug of bourbon.

The alcohol cooks off in the oven so its not boozyrather, it punctuates the brown sugar and vanilla.

Overhead view of chocolate pecan pie with bourbon.

Sally Vargas

Use these tips and tricks for a nicely browned (not soggy) crust.

Thankfully, its all a magic trick.

For the best results, use pecan halves rather than chopped pecans.

Chocolate pecan pie with bourbon with a couple slices cut.

Sally Vargas

Pour in the filling slowly, coating each nut to create the signature shine.

It will keep for a couple of months this way; defrost it in the fridge before serving.

Preheat it to 400F.

The pie crust for chocolate pecan pie with bourbon.

Sally Vargas

If youre using store-bought pie dough, simply unroll or unfold.

Transfer the dough into a 9-inch pie pan.

Press the crust into the bottom corners of the pan.

Making the filling for chocolate pecan pie with bourbon in a glass bowl.

Sally Vargas

Use your fingers or knuckles to crimp the crust all the way around.

Transfer the lined pie pan to the fridge while you make the filling.

Add the brown sugar and corn syrup, and whisk to combine.

Making the filling for chocolate pecan pie with bourbon in a glass bowl.

Sally Vargas

Add the eggs and whisk until a smooth mixture forms.

Whisk in the bourbon, vanilla, and salt.

Retrieve the lined pie pan from the fridge and place it on a rimmed baking sheet.

Chocolate chips in the bottom of a pie crust for chocolate pecan pie.

Sally Vargas

Sprinkle in the chocolate chips or chunks in an even layer, reserving a handful for decorating.

Sprinkle in the pecans in an even layer.

Give the filling a stir.

Filling added to a pie crust for chocolate bourbon pecan pie.

Sally Vargas

Slowly pour it over the chocolate chips and pecans, coating the nuts with the mixture.

Garnish the top with the reserved chocolate chips.

Transfer the pie to a cooling rack and cool completely before serving, at least 2 hours.

Filling added to a pie crust for chocolate bourbon pecan pie.

Sally Vargas

Bourbon-flavored chocolate pecan pie on a baking sheet and ready to be baked.

Sally Vargas

Bourbon-flavored chocolate pecan pie on a baking sheet.

Sally Vargas

Illustration of a Thanksgiving table, including a plattered Turkey, a whole fish, and a latticed pie

roast turkey resting in the roasting pan

Angled view of a white pot of gravy sitting on a wooden trivet with a ladle with some gravy and all on a white and brown embroidered table cloth

Overhead view of a gray bowl of almond milk mashed potatoes with a spoon and topped with butter on top of a fall themed embroidered cloth

Overhead view of a dutch oven with turkey dressing inside and a red linen next to it.

Greek-style stuffing in an oval white serving dish, with a red serving spoon in the right corner where some of the stuffing has been scooped out

Overhead view of kimchi stuffing in a casserole dish.

Two hands holding a green casserole dish of Wisconsin-style stuffing over a yellow doily on a wooden tabletop

Overhead view of a decorative serving platter of crunchy ramen salad with serving scoops

Portrait of Ross Mathews on a floral background

Corn pudding in a casserole dish (with a bit already spooned out from the corner) next to a table napkin

Angled view of a beige casserole dish with green bean casserole along with a serving spoon

Triscuit appetizers topped with melted cheese on a serving plate with flower design

Chocolate pecan pie with bourbon with a couple slices cut.

Overhead shot of no-bake pumpkin pie in a pie dish at a rustic setting with a cup of coffe, a grey-ish beige table linen, bowl of whipped cream, and a plate with a slice of pumpkin pie with a dollop of whipped cream

soda cracker pie slice (topped with whipped cream and fresh strawberries) on a small plate with a fork