Pecan Pie Recipe

Pecan Pie is a timeless American dessert that perfectly embodies the warmth and comfort of home baking. Originating in the Southern United States, this iconic pie features a buttery, flaky crust filled with a rich, gooey custard made from eggs, sugar, corn syrup, and butter, crowned with crunchy, toasted pecans. The balance of sweetness, nuttiness, and a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture makes this dessert irresistible.

Whether served at holiday feasts, family gatherings, or a cozy weekend dessert, pecan pie brings a sense of tradition, celebration, and indulgence to the table. Its deep, caramel-like flavor combined with the satisfying crunch of pecans makes every slice a bite of pure bliss.

Why I Love This Recipe

I love this Pecan Pie recipe because it delivers a perfect harmony between a custard that is rich and slightly sticky, and a nut topping that’s toasted and crisp. The pie has that comforting, homemade feel that instantly evokes memories of family dinners and festive occasions.

I also love how versatile it is—you can adjust the sweetness, add flavors like bourbon or vanilla, or even a hint of cinnamon to make it uniquely yours.

Why It’s a Must-Try Dish

• Classic American dessert: A true Southern staple that is iconic for holidays.
• Perfectly balanced: Sweet, nutty, and gooey with a flaky crust.
• Crowd-pleaser: Always a hit at family gatherings or potlucks.
• Customizable: Add bourbon, chocolate, maple, or vanilla for a unique twist.
• Easy to prepare: Uses simple ingredients but delivers an impressive result.

If you want a dessert that feels like a celebration in every bite, Pecan Pie is absolutely a must-try.

Recipe Details

• Preparation Time: 20 minutes
• Cooking Time: 50–60 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Servings: 8
• Course: Dessert
• Cuisine: American / Southern
• Calories: Approximately 500–550 calories per serving (varies based on crust and filling)

Ingredients

For the Pie Crust (1 9-inch pie)

• 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
• 3–4 tablespoons cold water

Or use a store-bought 9-inch pie crust.

For the Pecan Pie Filling

• 1 cup light corn syrup
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
• 3 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 ½ cups pecan halves (reserve some for topping)

Cooking Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Prepare the pie crust: Mix flour and salt, cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs, add cold water until dough forms. Chill for 30 minutes if time allows.
3. Roll out the dough and line a 9-inch pie pan. Trim and crimp edges.
4. In a large bowl, whisk together corn syrup, brown sugar, melted butter, eggs, vanilla, and salt until smooth.
5. Stir in pecans, reserving a few to place on top.
6. Pour the filling into the prepared crust. Arrange reserved pecans on top for decoration.
7. Bake for 50–60 minutes or until filling is set and slightly puffed. If the crust or pecans start browning too fast, cover edges with foil.
8. Cool completely on a wire rack before slicing to allow the filling to set.

Step-by-Step Preparation Method

Step 1: Prepare Pie Crust

1. In a mixing bowl, combine flour and salt.
2. Cut in cold butter using a pastry cutter or your hands until coarse crumbs form.
3. Add cold water 1 tbsp at a time until dough forms.
4. Shape into a disk, wrap in plastic, and chill for at least 30 minutes.

Step 2: Roll and Line the Pan

1. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to fit a 9-inch pie pan.
2. Carefully transfer to the pan, trim edges, and crimp.

Step 3: Make the Filling

1. In a large bowl, whisk together corn syrup, brown sugar, melted butter, eggs, vanilla, and salt.
2. Stir in pecans gently, reserving a few for topping.

Step 4: Assemble the Pie

1. Pour filling into the prepared crust.
2. Arrange reserved pecans decoratively on top.

Step 5: Bake

1. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 50–60 minutes.
2. Check at 40 minutes: if edges brown too quickly, cover with foil.
3. Filling should be slightly set but still jiggle slightly in the center.

Step 6: Cool and Serve

1. Cool completely on a wire rack.
2. Slice and serve as-is or with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

How to Serve

• Serve at room temperature or slightly chilled.
• Optional toppings:
  • Whipped cream
  • Vanilla ice cream
  • Caramel drizzle

Pecan Pie is perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any celebration.

Recipe Tips

• Prevent cracking: Avoid overbaking. The center should be slightly jiggly when removed from oven.
• Even browning: Rotate pie halfway through baking.
• Use fresh pecans: Avoid pre-toasted nuts for best flavor.
• Chill dough: Keeps crust flaky and tender.
• Add flavor twists: Bourbon, maple syrup, or chocolate chips can be stirred into the filling.

Variations

1. Bourbon Pecan Pie

• Add 2 tablespoons bourbon to the filling for a rich, smoky flavor.

2. Chocolate Pecan Pie

• Spread ½ cup chocolate chips on the crust before pouring the filling.

3. Maple Pecan Pie

• Replace corn syrup with pure maple syrup for a deep, natural sweetness.

4. Mini Pecan Pies

• Divide crust and filling into muffin tins for individual servings.

5. Salted Caramel Pecan Pie

• Drizzle salted caramel over the top before or after baking.

Freezing & Storage

Refrigerator

• Store leftover pie in an airtight container or wrap in foil for 3–4 days.

Freezing

• Wrap the cooled pie tightly in plastic wrap and foil.
• Freeze for up to 2 months.
• Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
• Reheat at 300°F (150°C) for 10–15 minutes if desired.

Special Equipment Needed

• 9-inch pie pan
• Rolling pin
• Mixing bowls
• Whisk
• Pastry cutter or fork
• Wire cooling rack

Conclusion

Pecan Pie is an iconic dessert that combines rich, buttery sweetness with the satisfying crunch of pecans. Its gooey, caramel-like filling, flaky crust, and decorative pecans make it a show-stopping centerpiece for any holiday or celebration. This classic recipe is simple, customizable, and reliably delicious—perfect for bakers of all skill levels.

Once you try this Pecan Pie, it will become a beloved staple in your dessert repertoire, guaranteed to impress friends and family with every slice. Enjoy the warmth, sweetness, and comfort in each bite!