Black Bayou Pecan Pie

The flavor team

The pairs that carry this dish. Each one is judged two ways: how much their aromas overlap, and how often cooks already put them together.

1. Vanilla + coconuttop 1% of all pairs
   Smell alikestrong
   Cooked together2,294 recipes

   Shared aroma: ethyl caproate (fruity, apple peel).

2. Corn + coconuttop 5% of all pairs
   Smell alikestrong
   Cooked together306 recipes

   Shared aroma: decanal (soap, orange peel).

3. Chocolate + vanillatop 5% of all pairs
   Smell alikemoderate
   Cooked together10,020 recipes

   Shared aroma: sotolon (curry, maple).

4. Syrup + sugartop 6% of all pairs
   Smell alikestrong
   Cooked together5,842 recipes

   Shared aroma: ethanol (alcoholic, ethereal).

5. Vanilla + sugartop 8% of all pairs
   Smell alikelow
   Cooked together35,032 recipes

   Shared aroma: beta-damascenone (apple, rose).

Vanilla and sugar barely smell alike, yet cooks put them together in 35,032 recipes: they work on texture and structure more than aroma.

Ranks compare each pair with 20,000 random ingredient pairs on CompKitchen. How we score pairs

What each ingredient does

Eggs

Set the filling into a sliceable custard-like structure as they bake.

Corn syrup

Adds sweetness and a smooth, sticky body that keeps the filling moist.

Semisweet chocolate chips

Add chocolate flavor and richness to the filling once melted.

Pecan halves

Add crunchy texture and a toasted, nutty flavor to the filling.

Sweetened flaked coconut

Adds chewy texture and a toasted, sweet flavor to the filling.

The step that matters

Swap the coconut

How well each one fits the dish's main ingredients (egg, corn, syrup, chocolate, butter, vanilla, sugar):

1. Coconutthe original
2. Figfits about as well
3. Cherryfits about as well
4. Peachfits less well

Fit is the average pairing score against egg, corn, syrup, chocolate, butter, vanilla, sugar. Candidates are from the same food group and used in at least 100 recipes.