Name: Pecan Pie Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 55 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 unbaked 9-inch pie crust (homemade or store-bought); 1 cup light corn syrup; 1 cup packed brown sugar; 3 large eggs; 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 1/2 cups pecan halves

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Classic, gooey, buttery, and nutty as can be, Pecan Pie is pure comfort in a flaky crust. This timeless American dessert brings together toasted pecans, silky brown sugar custard, and a crisp golden shell for a treat that’s worthy of Thanksgiving—and any day that calls for a slice of nostalgia. If you love desserts that are easy yet crowd-pleasing, you owe it to yourself to bake this pecan pie at least once; the aroma alone is enough to make your kitchen the happiest place on earth!

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of Pecan Pie is that most of its charm comes from a handful of pantry staples. Each ingredient has a starring role, ensuring every bite is perfectly balanced with gooey richness, sweet warmth, and irresistible crunch.

Pie crust: A flaky, buttery 9-inch crust forms the perfect base and holds all the delicious filling without getting soggy.
Light corn syrup: This provides sweetness and that classic, glossy sheen while keeping the filling smooth and gooey.
Packed brown sugar: Adds depth of flavor and caramel undertones that set this pie apart from the rest.
Large eggs: They bind the filling and contribute to its custard-like texture when baked.
Unsalted butter (melted): Offers richness and helps create a luscious mouthfeel; melting ensures it blends in seamlessly.
Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavors with a subtle warmth and fragrant sweetness.
Salt: Just a little salt elevates all the flavors and keeps the pie from being overly sweet.
Pecan halves: The star of the show—pecans toast beautifully as they bake, adding buttery crunch and beautiful texture throughout the pie.

How to Make Pecan Pie

Step 1: Prepare Your Pie Shell

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll out your favorite homemade pastry or use a quality store-bought pie crust, nestling it gently into a 9-inch pie dish. If you’re feeling fancy, crimp the edges for a decorative finish. This step ensures the base is ready to catch every drop of the sweet, nutty filling and creates that signature flaky bite in every forkful.

Step 2: Mix the Luscious Filling

In a large mixing bowl, combine the corn syrup, packed brown sugar, eggs, melted unsalted butter, vanilla extract, and salt. Whisk everything together until it’s completely smooth and glossy—the mixture should look like caramel silk. This step is where all that signature gooeyness starts to come together!

Step 3: Fold in the Pecan Halves

Add the pecan halves to your filling, stirring until every nut is glistening and well coated. This ensures each slice of Pecan Pie is packed with those toasty, buttery nuts that we all crave. For the prettiest presentation, you can save a few pecans to lay out in decorative circles right on top before baking.

Step 4: Fill the Pastry and Bake

Pour the prepared filling into your pie crust, making sure the pecans are distributed evenly throughout. Gently nudge any rogue pecans into place for maximum beauty and crunch. Slide the pie carefully into your preheated oven and bake for 50 to 60 minutes, until the edges are set and the center is just slightly puffed. If you notice your crust browning a little too quickly, loosely tent the edges with foil during the last stretch of baking.

Step 5: Cool Completely Before Slicing

This part takes a little patience, but it’s so important: let the pecan pie cool at room temperature until the filling is set. This rest gives the custard time to firm up and ensures your slices come out picture-perfect every time. Once cool, cut generous wedges and get ready for applause!

How to Serve Pecan Pie

Garnishes

A classic pecan pie is ready to steal the show just as it is, but adding a dollop of softly whipped cream or a scoop of silky vanilla ice cream makes every slice extra-celebratory. For a hint of Southern flair, a drizzle of caramel sauce or a few flakes of sea salt on top will wow your guests and highlight the pecans’ buttery flavor.

Side Dishes

For a full holiday feast, pair your pecan pie with coffee or hot tea to balance the sweetness. Fresh fruit—like a crisp apple or tangy berries—adds contrast and a refreshing touch. If you’re hosting brunch, try serving small wedges of pecan pie alongside salty breakfast sausage or a sharp cheddar cheese for an unexpected but irresistible sweet-savory combination.

Creative Ways to Present

There are endless ways to give your pecan pie a new twist. Try baking mini pies or tartlets for a party-friendly dessert table, or cut chilled slices into bars for easy, portable treats perfect for potlucks. Layer leftover pie with whipped cream and crumbled graham crackers for a festive parfait, or add a sprinkle of bourbon for a grown-up dessert you’ll want to savor.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you somehow end up with leftover pecan pie (lucky you!), cover it tightly with plastic wrap or foil and keep it at room temperature for up to two days. If you want it to last even longer, pop it in the fridge, where it will stay delicious for up to four days. Just let it warm to room temperature for the best flavor and texture before serving.

Freezing

Pecan pie freezes beautifully—either whole or sliced. Wrap the cooled pie securely in plastic wrap and aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. Tuck it into a sturdy freezer bag or airtight container and freeze for up to two months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving, and your pie will taste just as dreamy as the day you baked it.

Reheating

To bring back that fresh-baked warmth, reheat individual slices in the microwave for 10–15 seconds, or gently warm the entire pie in a 300°F oven for about 15 minutes. This refreshes the pastry and releases the irresistible aroma of pecans and caramel, just like it was freshly baked.

FAQs

Can I use dark corn syrup instead of light?

Absolutely! Dark corn syrup gives pecan pie a deeper, more robust flavor and extra-rich color. You can use it in place of light corn syrup, or even try a half-and-half blend for the best of both worlds.

What makes the filling set properly?

The secret is in the eggs and just the right baking time. Eggs bind the sugars and syrup into a custard, so avoid overbaking; you want the center to be just set and slightly puffed. Cooling completely at room temperature also helps the filling firm up to the perfect, sliceable consistency.

How do I keep the crust from getting soggy?

Use a sturdy, well-chilled pie crust and consider placing your pie dish on the lower rack of the oven to ensure strong bottom heat. You can also brush the unbaked crust lightly with egg white before filling to create a barrier against excess moisture.

Can I add chocolate or bourbon to my pecan pie?

Definitely! Chocolate chips stirred into the filling or a splash of bourbon whisked into the custard are both wonderful upgrades that add surprising depth and a subtle twist without overpowering the pecans’ natural flavor.

Is this pie best served warm or cold?

Pecan pie is fantastic at any temperature, but most people love it just slightly warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or softly whipped cream on top. That said, it slices most cleanly when fully cool and has a denser, chewier texture straight from the fridge.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve never baked a pecan pie from scratch, let this be your invitation—the results are truly magical, with minimal effort and maximum payoff. Each bite is a celebration of timeless flavors and homey goodness, so gather your ingredients and make memories around a pie fresh from your oven. Happy baking!

Pecan Pie Recipe

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4.7 from 8 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Yield: 8 slices 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Indulge in the rich, sweet, and nutty goodness of this classic Pecan Pie. A buttery crust filled with a luscious mixture of pecans, brown sugar, and corn syrup, this pie is perfect for any occasion, especially during the holiday season.

Ingredients

Scale

Pie Crust:

1 unbaked 9-inch pie crust (homemade or store-bought)

Filling:

1 cup light corn syrup
1 cup packed brown sugar
3 large eggs
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups pecan halves

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Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
Prepare the Crust: Place the pie crust into a 9-inch pie dish and crimp the edges if desired.
Make the Filling: In a large bowl, whisk together corn syrup, brown sugar, eggs, melted butter, vanilla extract, and salt until smooth. Stir in pecan halves.
Fill the Crust: Pour the mixture into the prepared pie crust and spread the pecans evenly.
Bake: Bake for 50–60 minutes until the center is set. Cover edges with foil if browning too quickly.
Cool and Serve: Let the pie cool completely before slicing and serving.