For pastry chef and Louisiana native David Guas, nothing saysHomelike a slice ofClassic Pecan Pie. But occasionally, David puts a spin on the classic by flavoring the rich pecan filling with a few specialty ingredients that are close to his southern heart. Here’s a peek at David’s shopping list:

Cane syrup is Louisiana’s version of maple syrup, and its sweet, rich flavor goes well with smoky bacon. David usesSteen’s 100% Pure Cane Syrup($19.25 for four 12-oz. cans) and bacon fromBenton’s Smoky Mountain Country Hams($6.00 per lb.).

Bacon and Cane Syrup Pecan Pie		Steen’s 100% Pure Cane SyrupandBenton’s bacon

It’s a beloved New Orleans tradition to add roasted, ground chicory root to coffee. The resulting chicory coffee, which you can buy at well-stocked grocery stores or oline atcafedumonde.com($5.45 for a 15-oz. can) orcommunitycoffee.com($6.49 for a 12-oz. package), adds a delicious bitter undertone to the pie.

Chicory Coffee Pecan Pie		Cafe Du Monde Coffee and Chicory

Bourbon’s sweet, toasty flavor is the perfect partner for the dark chocolate in this rich pie filling.Maker’s Mark($11.99 for 375 ml) andKnob Creek($19.94 for 375 ml) are two of David’s favorites—and not just for pie. You can find both atthewhiskeyplace.com. For the dark chocolate, David prefersGhirardelli($3.50 per bar), which is available everywhere.

Bourbon-Chocolate Pecan Pie		Maker’s Mark Bourbonand dark chocolate byGhirardelli