Chocolate Pecan Pie

Ingredients

• Classic Pastry Shell and Pastry Stars
• 4 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon whipping cream
• 1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
• 3/4 cup light corn syrup
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 2 (1-oz.) squares unsweetened chocolate, melted
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans, lightly toasted
• 2/3 cup pecan halves

Preparation

1. Prepare dough for Classic Pastry Shell and Pastry Stars. Roll three-fourths of dough to 1/8" thickness on a lightly floured surface. Place in a 9" pie plate; trim off excess pastry along edges. Fold edges under, and crimp. Place pastry in refrigerator while preparing Pastry Stars and pie filling.
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Roll remaining dough to 1/8" thickness on a lightly floured surface. Using a 1" star-shaped cutter, cut out 12 stars. Repeat procedure using a 1 1/2" star-shaped cutter to cut out 5 stars. Transfer stars to prepared baking sheet. Whisk together 1 egg and cream in a small bowl. Remove pastry from refrigerator. Brush egg wash over Pastry Stars and around crimped edge of pastry.
3. Whisk remaining 3 eggs in a bowl. Whisk in brown sugar and next 5 ingredients; stir in chopped pecans. Pour filling into pastry shell. Arrange pecan halves around outer edge of filling. Arrange Pastry Stars on top of pie.
4. Bake at 350° on bottom oven rack for 50 to 55 minutes or until filling is set and pastry stars are browned. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.