“Tried and true classic pecan pie recipe; perfectly sweet gooey filling, crunchy candied pecans, and the best buttery homemade pie crust ever!”
I have wanted my very own pecan tree for so many years. My sisters and I are all obsessed with edible landscaping and we’ve been discussing all the yummy things we’re going to add to our yards. (Yep we are officially old!)
I had plans to put a pecan tree in my yard this winter. They take about 10 years to start producing nuts so I wanted to hurry and get the biggest one I could find in the ground.
As I was taking a walk through my front yard (I don’t usually hang out in my front yard that much) guess what I found hidden amongst the oak trees?
Y’all, I have been at this house for years and I’ve never noticed it before! It’s full of pecans ready to drop so I found it just in time to enjoy the harvest.
And if that wasn’t enough, right beside it was a persimmon tree (with lots of persimmons) and a blackberry and raspberry bush.
I guess the deer, squirrels, and birds have been secretly enjoying this little buffet all these years.
I bet you already know the first thing I’m making for Thanksgiving when those pecans are picked and dried right?
The filling: Very roughly chop the pecans—some whole, some coarsely chopped is fine. Spread pecans evenly inside pie crust. Whisk the eggs, corn syrup, brown sugar, vanilla, melted butter, salt, and cinnamon together in a large bowl until combined.
Tips For Making The BEST Pecan Pie Recipe
- Toast the pecan: Don’t skip this step! Toasting gives pecans a crunchier texture and deeper pecan flavor.
- Let it cool completely. Seriously, don’t cut this pie until it is 100% cooled off. If the bottom of the pan is still warm, it’s not cooled off. I usually make my pecan pies a day ahead so that they sit in the fridge for a firmer set.
- Feeling extra naughty? Serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or sweetened heavy cream!
- What can be used in place of corn syrup? I have never made pecan pie using anything but corn syrup so I can’t recommend a suitable replacement for sure. I’ve heard some people had luck with using maple syrup.
- Can I use walnuts instead of pecans? Sure, I don’t see why not!
- How do you store pecan pie? Store pecan pie covered in the refrigerator. Bring to room temperature before serving.
- Why didn’t my pecan pie set up? Pecan pie is meant to be a soft set pie. The filling is very gooey and rich and because it’s under a heavy candied pecan crust it won’t get very high. However, the filling should not be runny. If your filling is runny chances are you didn’t cook it long enough or give it a long enough time to set. I usually always make my pecan pie the day before. This gives it a chance to set completely in the fridge.
- Can I add chocolate to this pecan pie recipe? Yes, 2-4 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder will give this pecan pie a lovely chocolate flavor. Here’s my recipe for chocolate pecan pie.
Best Pie Crust for Pecan Pie
In my opinion, a pie crust can make or break a pie. You can certainly use a store-bought frozen pie crust for this pecan pie recipe but boooooo. Make it from scratch for the ultimate pecan pie experience.
I use THIS pie crust recipe for ALL of my pies because it’s so perfectly flaky and tastes like a buttermilk biscuit. Roll it out thin and place it into a 9-inch pie plate.
People always comment on this pie crust. It really is that good! If you’ve never made homemade pie crust before, no worries it’s super easy and so worth it!
PECAN PIE with NO CORN SYRUP, and MAKING PIE CRUST
FAQ
What are the main ingredients in pecan pie?
Why does pecan pie taste so good?
Does pecan pie contain molasses?
Which is healthier pecan pie or pumpkin pie?
What is cinnamon maple pecan pie?
Southern-Style Cinnamon Maple Pecan Pie (No Corn Syrup!) Celebrate the season with a delicious new twist on a Fall classic! Southern-Style Cinnamon Maple Pecan Pie. The crust is buttery, flaky, and made with only 3 simple ingredients. Inside, the filling is loaded with crunchy pecans with notes of sweet maple, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
Are pecans healthy snack?
Pecans can be a smart choice for a healthy snack. They contain polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats as well as bioactive compounds including flavonoids, micronutrients, phytosterols, and fiber, which are associated with a healthy heart. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recognized evidence for the relationship between nut consumption and cardiovascular health by approving the following health claim: “Scientific evidence suggests but does not prove that eating 1.5 ounces per day of most nuts as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of heart disease”. A sensible guideline on a healthy amount of nut consumption would be to include a handful of nuts daily. Enjoy a variety of nuts regularly throughout the week and limit or avoid nut products packed with salt, sugar, added oils, or artificial flavourings.
What sweetens a pecan pie?
Brown Sugar – While brown sugar sweetens and adds flavor, it also helps provide the structure needed to have the most delicious gooey pecan pie. Maple Syrup – The replacement for the corn syrup in traditional pecan pie, maple syrup adds the sweet, distinctive flavor of maple to each bite.
Is homemade pecan pie traditional?
My classic homemade pecan pie is traditional in the best possible way. It’s the perfect combination of sweet and salty—after one taste, you’ll know why it’s a favorite! Pecan pie is the classic sugary dessert without which no Thanksgiving is complete. It’s as traditional as pumpkin pie and as wonderfully rich as apple pie.