Classic Pecan Pie Recipe (2024)

  • Pies
  • Thanksgiving Desserts
  • American
  • Pecans
  • Christmas Desserts

Honey, brown sugar, vanilla, and roasted nuts give this pie deeper, richer flavor and lots of crunch.

By

Lauren Weisenthal

Classic Pecan Pie Recipe (1)

Lauren Weisenthal

Lauren Weisenthal was the author of the Pie of the Week and Sweet Technique columns for Serious Eats. From 2017–2021, she ran a restaurant called The Nightingale in Vinalhaven, Maine.

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Updated December 05, 2022

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Classic Pecan Pie Recipe (2)

Why It Works

  • The pecan-custard filling strikes the right balance: a plentiful amount of chopped and whole nuts, with just enough egg to set and slice well.
  • Toasting the pecans intensifies their flavor.
  • Fashioning an aluminum foil shield and placing it over the filling toward the end of baking protects the layer of whole pecans, preventing them from getting burnt.

I've always enjoyed mixing it up when it comes to holiday baking, throwing a pumpkin cheesecake or frozen mousse into the Thanksgiving mix to keep things fresh and interesting. And yet, in spite of my adventurous nature, there is one standard dessert that must be on the table for the final course; a classic, unadulterated pecan pie. It's a non-negotiable that may as well have been included in my wedding vows, "In sickness, or in health, I will bake thee a pecan pie on Thanksgiving."

But in the sea of holiday stress and fuss, a pecan pie is akin to a baking vacation.

Fair enough, there is a pie crust to contend with, but I'm confident that as a Serious Eater,you're a pro at that by now. Each year, when I pull down the right notebook of recipes, I'm always happily reminded ofhow deceptively simple this pie is to make.

Classic Pecan Pie Recipe (3)

You start by making a shaped and chilled bottom pie crust. You have the option of partially blind baking it first, if you prefer it to be well-done (as I do). You may also choose to reserve a cup of the whole pecans to lightly place on the top of the filling just before the pie goes into the oven.

During baking, remember to place patches of aluminum foil over the top of the filling or the crust if you're concerned that either is looking a little too dark.

Classic Pecan Pie Recipe (4)

To fashion a foil shield to protect the nuts, start by folding a sheet of aluminum foil in half, then into quarters. Fold the quartered foil into a triangle, then again into a smaller triangle. Place the center of the triangle at the center of the pie, then cut the foil with a pair of kitchen shears at the edge of the filling.

Classic Pecan Pie Recipe (5)

Recipes for pecan pie vary based on textural preferences. Those with more eggs will set up with a firmer caramel filling; those with less will be runnier. Some recipes call for lots of nuts, resulting in a pie that's chock-full from top to bottom, while those with less create a double-layered effect, with nuts rising to the top of the filling. Some enjoy the addition of molasses, or choose to add a healthy dose of vanilla, bourbon, honey, or maple. There are tons of recipes out there to suit every taste, but if you're looking for a great classic recipe, feel free to borrow mine.

Classic Pecan Pie Recipe (6)

November 2011

Recipe Details

Classic Pecan Pie Recipe

Active90 mins

Total4 hrs

Serves8 servings

Ingredients

  • One half recipe easy pie dough

  • 3 eggs, beaten

  • 2 tablespoons honey

  • 1 cup light corn syrup

  • 1/4 cup brown sugar

  • 4 tablespoonsmelted butter, cooled

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

  • 3 cups toasted pecans (2 cups roughly chopped and 1 cup left whole)

Directions

  1. Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).

    Roll pie dough into a circle roughly 12-inches in diameter. Transfer to a 9-inch pie plate. Using a pair of kitchen shears, trim the edges of the pie dough until it overhangs the edge of the pie plate by 1/2 an inch all the way around. Fold edges of pie dough down, tucking it under itself, working your way all the way around the pie plate until everything is well tucked. Use the forefinger on your left hand and the thumb and forefinger on your right hand to crimp the edges. If a well-done crust is desired, you may chill and blind bake it before proceeding.

    Classic Pecan Pie Recipe (7)

  2. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, honey, corn syrup, brown sugar, melted butter, salt, and vanilla. Whisk for approximately 30 seconds, until the mixture is hom*ogenous and slightly frothy.

    Classic Pecan Pie Recipe (8)

  3. Line pie crust with chopped pecans, reserving the whole ones. Press down slightly so chopped pecans embed in the dough. Pour the filling mixture over the pecans, then gently place the whole pecans in concentric circles on the top, taking care not to press too hard, which will cause the nuts to sink into the filling.

    Classic Pecan Pie Recipe (9)

  4. Bake pie for 40 minutes, rotating halfway through baking. Continue baking, shielding the exposed nuts with aluminum foil if they threaten to burn (see instructions for fashioning a foil shield above). When finished, the filling should be slightly jiggly, but mostly set and puffed slightly, about 1 hour total. The filling should register between 175 and 180°F (79 to 82°C) on an instant-read thermometer. Allow the pie to cool at room temperature for at least 2 hours and up to overnight before serving.

    Classic Pecan Pie Recipe (10)

Special Equipment

9 inch pie plate, instant-read thermometer (optional)

Read More

  • A Crash Course in Mastering Pie Dough
  • Mission Impossible? We Attempt BraveTart's Top-Secret Pecan Pie
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
732Calories
48g Fat
74g Carbs
8g Protein

×

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8
Amount per serving
Calories732
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 48g62%
Saturated Fat 11g56%
Cholesterol 85mg28%
Sodium 440mg19%
Total Carbohydrate 74g27%
Dietary Fiber 5g18%
Total Sugars 45g
Protein 8g
Vitamin C 0mg2%
Calcium 57mg4%
Iron 2mg12%
Potassium 242mg5%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Classic Pecan Pie Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the filling made of in pecan pie? ›

Pecan pie is a delightful concoction of pecan nuts mixed with a rich, caramelly filling made from eggs, butter, corn syrup, and sugar. The earliest pecan pie can be traced all the way back to the late 1800s, but it really peaked in the early 20th century when Karo™ syrup printed a pecan pie recipe on its bottles.

Does Joanna Gaines have a pecan pie recipe? ›

Not only is it chock-full of approachable, family-friendly recipes, the book is also packed with priceless nuggets of kitchen wisdom from Queen Gaines herself. One such gem is her surprising twist on classic pecan pie. The recipe itself is pretty basic, spare one unexpected ingredient: ancho chile powder.

Is pecan pie supposed to be hard on top? ›

A hard pecan pie means it was cooked too long. Again, bake the pie just until the filling is set and registers 200 degrees on an instant read thermometer. You can also try covering the top of the pie with a piece of aluminum foil for the last 10-15 minutes of the baking time and/or baking the pie on a lower rack.

Which state is known for pecan pie? ›

Why is pecan pie famous in Texas? Texas pecan pie has been a tradition for more than 100 years, and the pie was officially named the state dessert in 2013. Along with Georgia and New Mexico, Texas is one of the nation's top three pecan-producing states. Not surprisingly, pecan is also the state nut and tree of Texas.

How do you keep pecan pie from being runny? ›

Following the precise measurements and recipe is equally important. Additional tips for preventing a pecan pie that is too runny include: toasting the pecans, properly folding the pecans into the filling, and baking a cold pie.

What kind of pie pan is best for pecan pie? ›

Baking your pie on a stone or steel provides direct bottom heat which helps cook the crust to a crisp golden brown.

Does Patti LaBelle make pecan pie? ›

Rushion McDonald on Instagram: "Enjoy your Labor Day weekend. I used Patti LaBelle's pecan pie recipe from her cookbook. Patti's one of my favorite people."

Where are Mrs Fields pecan pies made? ›

In 1922, Mrs. Hazelle Field was baking pecan pies in her kitchen for the restaurant her husband owned in Downtown Pauls Valley, Oklahoma. Today, her pure, natural and sweet recipe is still used to make 3 million pies a year (that's 20,000 pies a day!).

What is a Ned Kelly pie? ›

Original award winning Classic Beef filling mixed with delicious bacon and a whole egg cracked on top. Finished with tasty grated cheese. The only product on the commercial pie marked with a whole cracked egg and the original Breakfast Pie offer.

Is pecan pie better with dark or light corn syrup? ›

Light corn syrup has a milder flavor than dark corn syrup. But you can use either in pecan pie. If you like a more robust, molasses-like flavored pie, try using dark.

Can I leave my pecan pie out overnight? ›

Pecan pies can stay on the counter for up to two hours before they need to be refrigerated, according to the FDA. After two hours at room temperature, your food is at risk for harmful bacteria growth. The FDA recommends you store foods at or below 40 degrees F (4 degrees C).

Why does my pecan pie looks foamy? ›

Over beating the filling will cause it to become foamy and will make the filling look cloudy. Keep an eye on the crust as it bakes. Typically it will need to be covered within about 20 minutes of baking. You can make pecan pie ahead of time and freeze them easily.

How do Southerners say pecan pie? ›

We don't have full-fledged polling data to back it up, but we did ask the Southern Living office, and pronunciations here are rather varied. Of those polled, 10 people say "puh-KAHN", four say "PEE-can", and two say "puh-can" or "puh-CAN," a hybrid of the former pronunciations with two similarly stressed syllables.

What are some fun facts about pecan pie? ›

Some of the larger pecan shellers process 150,000 pounds of pecans each day. That's enough to make 300,000 pecan pies! The U.S. produces about 80 percent of the world's pecan crop. Before a shelled pecan is ready to be sold, it must first be cleaned, sized, sterilized, cracked and finally, shelled.

Does Mrs Smith make pecan pie? ›

Buy your favorite Mrs. Smith's Pies online with Instacart. Order Mrs. Smith's Pecan Pie, Apple Pie, Pumpkin Pie, and more from local and national retailers near you and enjoy on-demand, contactless delivery or pickup within 2 hours.

What is in pie filling enhancer? ›

Pie Filling Enhancer thickens fruit pie fillings the same way Instant ClearJel does. Its advantage is added ascorbic acid (which adds a bright, tart note), and superfine sugar, which prevents it from clumping. Pie Filling Enhancer is about half sugar, so you'll want to reduce the sugar in your recipe accordingly.

What is pie filling enhancer made of? ›

It can only be heated once without breaking down. It needs to be mixed with sugar to help it distribute evenly. Pie filling enhancer is is instant Clear Jel mixed with ascorbic acid and superfine sugar.

What to use instead of corn syrup? ›

The best corn syrup substitutes for baking are brown rice syrup, maple syrup, agave, tapioca syrup, honey, golden syrup, and black treacle. Whether you're avoiding using corn syrup, are allergic to corn, or don't have it on hand, there are a ton of substitutes for corn syrup to try instead.

What is the healthiest pie to eat? ›

Pumpkin Pie: This one is our winner! When in doubt, choose pumpkin pie. In competition with those mentioned above, it offers the fewest calories, and least fat and added sugar. It's also loaded with vitamins and minerals such as vitamin B12, thiamin, riboflavin, folate, niacin, phosphorous, calcium, and iron.

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