-
To Make Crust:
-
In a medium bowl, combine flour and salt and mix well.
-
With two knives or a pastry blender, cut in butter until mixture is in fine crumbs.
-
Gradually add just enough ice water so that the pastry holds together. Form into a ball, then flatten into a disk. Handle as little as possible.
-
Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and chill for at least 1 to 2 hours.
-
Roll out crust on lightly floured surface with lightly floured rolling pin.
-
Turn crust over frequently and lightly re-flour work surface and rolling pin as necessary. Crust should be rolled into a circle about 13 inches in diameter. Fit crust into an ungreased 9 inch pie plate of heatproof glass.
-
Form a high-standing rim, trimming excess from edges and pinching or fluting rim decoratively as desired.
-
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (205 C).
-
Thoroughly prick crust all over with fork.
-
Chill for at least 10 minutes while oven heats. Bake in preheated oven 5 minutes (crust will not brown).
-
Remove to rack and cool completely before filling.
-
Leave oven at 400 degrees F (205 C).
-
Break up pecan pieces and sprinkle them evenly on the bottom of the cooled pie shell.
-
To Make Filling:
-
In a small bowl beat eggs to combine.
-
Add espresso powder and beat to mix.
-
Let stand at least 10 minutes, beating occasionally to dissolve espresso.
-
In a medium bowl cream softened butter, sugar, and vanilla until light and fluffy.
-
Beat in cocoa and salt.
-
Add egg/espresso mixture 1/3 at a time, beating after each addition, until smooth.
-
Stir in corn syrup. This mixture will be like custard and it will be thick.
-
Pour mixture slowly over pecans in pie shell. If any pecans do not get completely covered by the filling, submerge them until they do. Let stand 2 to 3 minutes.
-
With toothpick or tip of sharp knife, pierce any remaining air bubbles (during this standing period, pecans may rise to top of pie).
-
Bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes. Reduce heat from 400 degrees F (205 C) to 350 degrees F (175 C) and bake 33 to 37 minutes longer (or until edges are cracked and risen but pie center still quivers slightly when pie is shaken gently).
-
Do not over-bake! If pie begins to brown excessively, cover top lightly with foil.
-
Remove from oven; cool on rack before serving.