Chocolate Pie with Pecans

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups granulated white sugar
• 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• ¾ cup evaporated milk
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 unbaked Pie Shell (9 inch)
• 1 cup MNPG Pecan Pieces or Halves
• Additional toppings: Pecan pieces, semisweet chocolate chips, caramel drizzle, chocolate fudge drizzle

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Place pie crust into a 9-inch pie plate. Prick the crust lightly with a fork.
3. Line the crust with foil or parchment paper and fill with pie weights or dried beans. Bake for 15 minutes or until set.
4. Remove the foil and weights and bake for another 5 minutes, just until the crust is dry but not browned.
5. For the filling, whisk sugar, cocoa powder, butter, eggs, evaporated milk, vanilla and salt in a medium bowl until smooth.
6. Pour the filling into the pie shell and bake for about 45 minutes or until filling is set around the edges but a little jiggly in the center.
7. Cover crust edges with strips of foil halfway through baking.
8. Sprinkle pecan pieces onto the pie prior to taking it out, about 5 minutes prior to being done.
9. Transfer baked pie to a cooling rack and let cool completely before cutting into wedges. Additional toppings: Pecan pieces, semisweet chocolate chips, caramel drizzle, chocolate fudge drizzle.

Serve with whipped cream or ice cream!