Decadent Pecan Pie Recipe - Crazy for Crust (2024)

Home | Recipes | Pie | Easy Classic Pecan Pie

Written ByDorothy Kern

Updated On

Jump to RecipeLeave a Comment

This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, read my disclosure policy.

My Mom’s Classic Pecan Pie Recipe is one of our favorite traditional pies. It takes just a few ingredients and a few minutes to make this easy pie recipe! I think whoever coined the phrase “easy as pie” was talking about THIS Pie. It’s one of my favorites.

Decadent Pecan Pie Recipe - Crazy for Crust (2)

Table of Contents

  • Why this is the BEST Pecan Pie Recipe
  • Pecan Pie Ingredients
  • Homemade Pecan Pie Recipe SECRET
  • How to make Pecan Pie Recipe
  • Expert Tips
  • Classic Pecan Pie Recipe Recipe

Why this is the BEST Pecan Pie Recipe

This recipe is my mom’s famous recipe. My mom is pretty famous on this blog, don’t you know? She’s the one who introduced me to the best banana bread in the world, russian teacakes and she makes a mean pumpkin pie.

Traditional pecan pie is such a classic recipe. I don’t know about you, but it’s never Thanksgiving without this pie! This easy pecan pie recipe is decadent with a sweet filling and it will be the best pecan pie recipe you ever make!

Decadent Pecan Pie Recipe - Crazy for Crust (3)

Pecan Pie Ingredients

  • Pie Crust: Make a homemade pie crust if you want, or use a refrigerated crust or frozen pie crust.
  • Melted Butter: I use unsalted butter – omit the salt if you’re using salted butter.
  • Dark or light corn syrup: I consider this an old fashioned pecan pie because it’s made with Karo. If you don’t like using corn syrup, try my other favorite pecan pie: Elmer’s Brown Sugar Pecan Pie. That one is to die for also!
  • Eggs: The eggs help set the pie filling. There is no substitution for the eggs.
  • Pecans: I always use pecan halves but you can also use chopped pecans.
  • Cornstarch: For a bit of thickening – this helps the pie set up.
  • My mom’s recipe doesn’t add vanilla, but you could add a teaspoon vanilla extract as well.

Homemade Pecan Pie Recipe SECRET

I’m not a huge fan of jelly type textures, and that’s why I never loved this pie as a kid. I loved the flavor of it, but not the texture, which is why my secret ingredient makes this pie filling perfect and creamy.

Just 1 teaspoon of cornstarch added to the filling made it creamy and not like gelatin.

Decadent Pecan Pie Recipe - Crazy for Crust (4)

How to make Pecan Pie Recipe

  • Add all ingredients to a medium bowl.
  • Whisk all ingredients until smooth and combined.
  • Prepare your pie crust according to package or recipe directions and place in a 9-inch pie pan. Place pecans in the bottom of the unbaked pie shell.
  • Pour mixture over pecans – they’ll float to the top. You want to be sure they’re in a single layer and coated with the filling so the nuts don’t burn during baking.
Decadent Pecan Pie Recipe - Crazy for Crust (5)

Expert Tips

  • It’s important to put the pecans in the bottom of the pie before filling so they don’t burn. They’ll float to the top and be coated in the gooey mixture, which will help them not burn.
  • I always bake my pies on a rimmed baking sheet in case they spill over.
  • If you notice the pie browning too much on the top, tent it with foil.
  • You know pecan pie is done baking when it jiggles only slightly when tapped. The center will be a bit puffed and slightly cracked around the edges.
  • How to store: Store leftover pie in the refrigerator for up to 3 days (covered tightly with plastic wrap).
  • How to freeze pie: Wrap the full pie tightly with plastic, or place slices in sandwich bags. Freeze for up to 3 months.
  • This works without the cornstarch too, if you don’t want to add it.

FAQs

Why does pecan pie need corn syrup?

The corn syrup, working with the eggs, holds the pie together. Think of it as one of the building blocks of the custard-like filling.

Can pecan pie be made the day before?

Yes – just store it covered in the refrigerator once it cools to room temperature.

Decadent Pecan Pie Recipe - Crazy for Crust (6)

Classic Pecan Pie Recipe

This Classic Pecan Pie is as easy as they come. A handful of ingredients makes the perfect pie!

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 50 minutes minutes

Total Time 1 hour hour

Yield 10 servings

Serving Size 1 slice

Save RecipeRate RecipePrint Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 all butter pie crust homemade or from a pack of two
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 cup (237ml) dark corn syrup (light may be substituted)
  • cup (67g) granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup (57g) unsalted butter melted
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch
  • 2 cups (120g) pecan halves

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 425°F. Line your pie plate with your pie crust, crimp edges as desired, and chill until ready to fill. Note: make sure to use a 8-9” pie plate for this pie; using anything bigger than 9” will result in a not full pie!

  • Whisk eggs, corn syrup, sugar, butter, salt, and cornstarch in a large bowl.

  • Place the pecans in a single layer in the bottom of your pie crust. Pour the filling over the top. The pecans will rise to the top of the pie.

  • Place the pie on a cookie sheet. Tear off 4” long strips of aluminum foil (about 1 1/2” wide) and wrap the edges of the pie crust so it doesn’t brown too quickly. (Or you can use a pie crust shield.)

  • Bake for 10 minutes at 425°F. Then lower the temperature to 350°F and bake for 20 minutes. At that time, carefully remove the foil strips or pie crust shield, then bake for another 12-16 minutes until the pie is puffed and browned. Remove from oven and cool completely before serving. (I chill mine overnight and then bring it to room temperature before serving.) Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or freeze (whole or slices) for up to one month.

Recipe Video

Recipe Nutrition

Serving: 1slice | Calories: 401kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 68mg | Sodium: 202mg | Potassium: 133mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 33g | Vitamin A: 235IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 1.3mg

Nutritional information not guaranteed to be accurate

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Author Dorothy Kern

Did you try this recipe? Click the stars to rate the recipe below

Other Thanksgiving Favorites

  • Apple Pecan Pieis another of our favorite pie recipes!
  • Fudgecombines fudge and pecan pie flavor!
  • Chocolate Pecan Pieis pecan pie made even better.
  • My mom’s Thanksgiving turkey in a bag is also one of our go-to recipes.

**Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!**

See more of my ultimate pie recipes here!

Last Updated on November 12, 2023

Decadent Pecan Pie Recipe - Crazy for Crust (7)

Dorothy Kern

Welcome to Crazy for Crust, where I share recipes that are sometimes crazy, often with a crust, and always served with a slice of life.

Learn More About Me

Leave a Comment

50 Comments

  1. I loved it! Delicious and so easy to make.

    Reply
  2. Never made pecan pie before, recipe was easy and tasted delicious.

    Reply
  3. Easy to make, we loved it!!!

    Reply
  4. I made the pie. It was so easy to make and it is delicious. I will certainly be making it for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner.

    Reply
  5. I don’t know what I did, the pie looked great, but when I cut in to it the top broke all apart and the middle was just liquid :(. I won’t use this recipe again, I’ll stick to what I normally do…at least it worked

    Reply
    1. I’m so sorry that happened. It does puff and crack around the edges but will solidify in the center (be gooey but not wet). Did you make any substitutions?

      Reply
    2. Pretty good flavor, but I don’t like the thick dry consistency that the cornstarch gave the filling. I’ve made hundreds of pecan pies, and have never encountered a “jelly” like filling that some of you get. It is probably because too many eggs.

      Reply
      1. Well I sure would love your recipe. Only had 1 which had a creamier caramel textured filling. Every other one I’ve ever tried had that gel like filling. I don’t like it.

        Reply
      2. This is by far the easiest pecan pie recipe. So simple and the outcome was fabulous. I don’t think I will make any other version.

        Reply
      3. Featured In

        Decadent Pecan Pie Recipe - Crazy for Crust (8)

        Decadent Pecan Pie Recipe - Crazy for Crust (9)

        Decadent Pecan Pie Recipe - Crazy for Crust (10)

        Decadent Pecan Pie Recipe - Crazy for Crust (11)

        Decadent Pecan Pie Recipe - Crazy for Crust (12)

      '),b.insertAdjacentHTML(d,e));return document.getElementById(a)};c.prototype._repeatDynamicAds=function(b){var a=[],d=this._removeRecipeCapExperiment.result&&"Recipe"===b.location?99:this.locationMaxLazySequence.get(b.location),e=b.lazy?u(d,0):0;d=b.max;var f=b.lazyMax;e=Math.max(d,0===e&&b.lazy?d+f:Math.min(Math.max(e-b.sequence+1,0),d+f));for(f=0;f

      =d;a.push(y(y({},b),{sequence:g,lazy:h}))}return a};c.prototype._locationEnabled=function(b){b=this._clsOptions.enabledLocations.includes(b.location);var a=this._clsOptions.disableAds&&this._clsOptions.disableAds.all||document.body.classList.contains("adthrive-disable-all"),d=!document.body.classList.contains("adthrive-disable-content")&&!this._clsOptions.disableAds.reasons.has("content_plugin");return b&&!a&&d};return c}(),Za=function(c){function b(a,d){var e=c.call(this,a,"ClsVideoInsertion")||this;e._videoConfig=a;e._clsOptions=d;e._IN_POST_SELECTOR=".adthrive-video-player";e._WRAPPER_BAR_HEIGHT=36;e._playersAddedFromPlugin=[];d.removeVideoTitleWrapper&&(e._WRAPPER_BAR_HEIGHT=0);return e}v(b,c);b.prototype.init=function(){this._initializePlayers()};b.prototype._wrapJWPlayerWithCLS=function(a,d,e){void 0===e&&(e=0);return a.parentNode?(d=this._createGenericCLSWrapper(.5625*a.offsetWidth,d,e),a.parentNode.insertBefore(d,a),d.appendChild(a),d):null};b.prototype._createGenericCLSWrapper=function(a,d,e){var f=document.createElement("div");f.id="cls-video-container-".concat(d);f.className="adthrive";f.style.minHeight="".concat(a+e,"px");return f};b.prototype._getTitleHeight=function(a){a.innerText="Title";a.style.visibility="hidden";document.body.appendChild(a);var d=window.getComputedStyle(a),e=parseInt(d.height,10),f=parseInt(d.marginTop,10);d=parseInt(d.marginBottom,10);document.body.removeChild(a);return Math.min(e+d+f,50)};b.prototype._initializePlayers=function(){var a=document.querySelectorAll(this._IN_POST_SELECTOR);a.length&&this._initializeRelatedPlayers(a);this._shouldRunAutoplayPlayers()&&this._determineAutoplayPlayers()};b.prototype._createStationaryRelatedPlayer=function(a,d,e){var f="mobile"===this._device?[400,225]:[640,360],g=G.Video_In_Post_ClicktoPlay_SoundOn;d&&a.mediaId&&(e="".concat(a.mediaId,"_").concat(e),d=this._wrapJWPlayerWithCLS(d,e),this._playersAddedFromPlugin.push(a.mediaId),d&&this._clsOptions.setInjectedVideoSlots({playerId:a.playerId,playerName:g,playerSize:f,element:d,type:"stationaryRelated"}))};b.prototype._createStickyRelatedPlayer=function(a,d){var e="mobile"===this._device?[400,225]:[640,360],f=G.Video_Individual_Autoplay_SOff;this._stickyRelatedOnPage=!0;this._videoConfig.mobileStickyPlayerOnPage="mobile"===this._device;if(d&&a.position&&a.mediaId){var g=document.createElement("div");d.insertAdjacentElement(a.position,g);d=document.createElement("h3");d.style.margin="10px 0";d=this._getTitleHeight(d);d=this._wrapJWPlayerWithCLS(g,a.mediaId,this._WRAPPER_BAR_HEIGHT+d);this._playersAddedFromPlugin.push(a.mediaId);d&&this._clsOptions.setInjectedVideoSlots({playlistId:a.playlistId,playerId:a.playerId,playerSize:e,playerName:f,element:g,type:"stickyRelated"})}};b.prototype._createPlaylistPlayer=function(a,d){var e=a.playlistId,f="mobile"===this._device?G.Video_Coll_SOff_Smartphone:G.Video_Collapse_Autoplay_SoundOff,g="mobile"===this._device?[400,225]:[640,360];this._videoConfig.mobileStickyPlayerOnPage=!0;var h=document.createElement("div");d.insertAdjacentElement(a.position,h);d=this._wrapJWPlayerWithCLS(h,e,this._WRAPPER_BAR_HEIGHT);this._playersAddedFromPlugin.push("playlist-".concat(e));d&&this._clsOptions.setInjectedVideoSlots({playlistId:a.playlistId,playerId:a.playerId,playerSize:g,playerName:f,element:h,type:"stickyPlaylist"})};b.prototype._isVideoAllowedOnPage=function(){var a=this._clsOptions.disableAds;if(a&&a.video){var d="";a.reasons.has("video_tag")?d="video tag":a.reasons.has("video_plugin")?d="video plugin":a.reasons.has("video_page")&&(d="command queue");q.error(d?"ClsVideoInsertionMigrated":"ClsVideoInsertion","isVideoAllowedOnPage",Error("DBP: Disabled by publisher via ".concat(d||"other")));return!1}return this._clsOptions.videoDisabledFromPlugin?!1:!0};return b}(function(c){function b(a,d){var e=c.call(this)||this;e._videoConfig=a;e._component=d;e._stickyRelatedOnPage=!1;e._contextualMediaIds=[];a=void 0;void 0===a&&(a=navigator.userAgent);a=/Windows NT|Macintosh/i.test(a);e._device=a?"desktop":"mobile";e._potentialPlayerMap=e.setPotentialPlayersMap();return e}v(b,c);b.prototype.setPotentialPlayersMap=function(){var a=this._videoConfig.players||[],d=this._filterPlayerMap();a=a.filter(function(e){return"stationaryRelated"===e.type&&e.enabled});d.stationaryRelated=a;return this._potentialPlayerMap=d};b.prototype._filterPlayerMap=function(){var a=this,d=this._videoConfig.players,e={stickyRelated:[],stickyPlaylist:[],stationaryRelated:[]};return d&&d.length?d.filter(function(f){var g;return null===(g=f.devices)||void 0===g?void 0:g.includes(a._device)}).reduce(function(f,g){f[g.type]||(q.event(a._component,"constructor","Unknown Video Player Type detected",g.type),f[g.type]=[]);g.enabled&&f[g.type].push(g);return f},e):e};b.prototype._checkPlayerSelectorOnPage=function(a){var d=this;a=this._potentialPlayerMap[a].map(function(e){return{player:e,playerElement:d._getPlacementElement(e)}});return a.length?a[0]:{player:null,playerElement:null}};b.prototype._getOverrideElement=function(a,d,e){a&&d?(e=document.createElement("div"),d.insertAdjacentElement(a.position,e)):(d=this._checkPlayerSelectorOnPage("stickyPlaylist"),a=d.player,d=d.playerElement,a&&d&&(e=document.createElement("div"),d.insertAdjacentElement(a.position,e)));return e};b.prototype._shouldOverrideElement=function(a){a=a.getAttribute("override-embed");return"true"===a||"false"===a?"true"===a:this._videoConfig.contextualSettings?this._videoConfig.contextualSettings.overrideEmbedLocation:!1};b.prototype._checkPageSelector=function(a,d,e){void 0===e&&(e=[]);return a&&d&&0===e.length?("/"!==window.location.pathname&&q.event("VideoUtils","getPlacementElement",Error("PSNF: ".concat(a," does not exist on the page"))),!1):!0};b.prototype._getElementSelector=function(a,d,e){if(d&&d.length>e)return d[e];q.event("VideoUtils","getPlacementElement",Error("ESNF: ".concat(a," does not exist on the page")));return null};b.prototype._getPlacementElement=function(a){var d=a.pageSelector,e=a.elementSelector;a=a.skip;var f=da(d),g=f.valid,h=f.elements;f=S(f,["valid","elements"]);var k=ca(e),l=k.valid,p=k.elements;k=S(k,["valid","elements"]);return""===d||g?l?this._checkPageSelector(d,g,h)?this._getElementSelector(e,p,a)||null:null:(q.error("VideoUtils","getPlacementElement",Error("".concat(e," is not a valid selector")),k),null):(q.error("VideoUtils","getPlacementElement",Error("".concat(d," is not a valid selector")),f),null)};b.prototype._getEmbeddedPlayerType=function(a){(a=a.getAttribute("data-player-type"))&&"default"!==a||(a=this._videoConfig.contextualSettings?this._videoConfig.contextualSettings.defaultPlayerType:"static");this._stickyRelatedOnPage&&(a="static");return a};b.prototype._getMediaId=function(a){return(a=a.getAttribute("data-video-id"))?(this._contextualMediaIds.push(a),a):!1};b.prototype._createRelatedPlayer=function(a,d,e,f){"collapse"===d?this._createCollapsePlayer(a,e):"static"===d&&this._createStaticPlayer(a,e,f)};b.prototype._createCollapsePlayer=function(a,d){var e=this._checkPlayerSelectorOnPage("stickyRelated"),f=e.player;e=e.playerElement;var g=f?f:this._potentialPlayerMap.stationaryRelated[0];g&&g.playerId?(this._shouldOverrideElement(d)&&(d=this._getOverrideElement(f,e,d)),d=document.querySelector("#cls-video-container-".concat(a," > div"))||d,this._createStickyRelatedPlayer(y(y({},g),{mediaId:a}),d)):q.error(this._component,"_createCollapsePlayer","No video player found")};b.prototype._createStaticPlayer=function(a,d,e){this._potentialPlayerMap.stationaryRelated.length&&this._potentialPlayerMap.stationaryRelated[0].playerId?this._createStationaryRelatedPlayer(y(y({},this._potentialPlayerMap.stationaryRelated[0]),{mediaId:a}),d,e):q.error(this._component,"_createStaticPlayer","No video player found")};b.prototype._shouldRunAutoplayPlayers=function(){return this._isVideoAllowedOnPage()&&(this._potentialPlayerMap.stickyRelated.length||this._potentialPlayerMap.stickyPlaylist.length)?!0:!1};b.prototype._determineAutoplayPlayers=function(){var a=this._component,d="VideoManagerComponent"===a,e=this._config;if(this._stickyRelatedOnPage)q.event(a,"stickyRelatedOnPage",d&&{device:e&&e.context.device,isDesktop:this._device}||{});else{var f=this._checkPlayerSelectorOnPage("stickyPlaylist"),g=f.player;f=f.playerElement;g&&g.playerId&&g.playlistId&&f?this._createPlaylistPlayer(g,f):q.event(a,"noStickyPlaylist",d&&{vendor:"none",device:e&&e.context.device,isDesktop:this._device}||{})}};b.prototype._initializeRelatedPlayers=function(a){for(var d=new Map,e=0;e
Decadent Pecan Pie Recipe - Crazy for Crust (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to a great pie crust? ›

Start with chilled ingredients

Butter creates a sturdy, crisp pie crust. For this, it is important to keep all ingredients cold which will inhibit the development of gluten in the flour. Use butter right out of the refrigerator and add ice-cold water to make the dough.

How do you keep pecan pie crust from getting soggy? ›

One way to prevent a soggy crust is to essentially seal the surface, creating a barrier between the crust and the filling. Brush the surface of the unbaked crust with a beaten egg or egg white mixed with water before adding the filling.

Is pie crust better with butter or crisco? ›

My preferred fat for pie crusts will always be butter. To me, it is all about flavor, and no other fat gives flavor to a crust like butter does. Other fats, even though they have great pros, lack flavor,” De Sa Martins said. “The more flavorful the butter, the more flavor your pie crust will have,” Huntsberger added.

Why put apple cider vinegar in pie crust? ›

The acid in the apple cider vinegar tenderizes the dough by slowing the gluten production in the dough. This prevents it from getting tough and elastic like bread dough. Love me tender. If you've ever bitten into a slice of pie with a tough crust, you know the value in a tender, flaky pie crust.

Should you poke holes in pie crust for pecan pie? ›

And on that note…by pricking the crust all over with a fork, not only do you prevent it from puffing up into unsightly deformities, you also allow tiny holes for some of the filling to seep underneath which — hear me out! — transforms the crust into this buttery toffee-like deliciousness. Third, the toasted pecans.

Why did my pecan pie not gel? ›

Here's the thing to remember: If you're filling hasn't set, it means the bottom of the pie crust isn't fully cooked, either. You can prevent the outer crust from further darkening (or even burning) by covering it with aluminum foil or -- more attractively -- with what's known as a pie ring or shield.

Should I Prebake my pie crust? ›

There are a few instances, actually. You need a par-baked or fully baked crust if you're making quiche, no-bake pie, custard pie, cream pie, pudding pie, or simply want an extra-crisp pie crust. If you're making a pie that doesn't require a baked filling, you still need a baked crust.

What can go wrong with pecan pie? ›

Pecan pie has a somewhat similar set of issues—the filling can crack, the bottom can be under-baked, the filling can seep under the crust, and the nuts can be soggy. Like the pumpkin pie, the filling will crack if the pie is over-baked or cools too quickly.

Why does my pecan pie always stick to the pan? ›

It may be the type of pie you are baking. If you pre-bake the pie crust, poke holes in it, bake, then add the filling. However, if you are baking a pie with filling (pecan, pumpkin or blue- or blackberry), do not poke the shell with a fork. Doing so will let sticky liquid seep through and will cause the crust to stick.

Why do pecan pies boil over? ›

BE CAREFUL not to beat air into the filling after adding the eggs; that will cause it to boil over in the oven. How do you make homemade pecan pie?

What happens if you use milk instead of water in pie crust? ›

Some bakers use milk or buttermilk in their pie crust. Thanks to their milk solids, both will help crust brown and add a bit of tenderness. But the classic liquid in pie crust is water — ice water, to be precise.

At what temperature should you bake a pie crust? ›

Most instructions will have you defrost the crust, prick the bottom of the crust all over with the tines of a fork, and bake at 375°F to 450°F for 10 to 12 minutes.

Why do you put butter under a pie crust? ›

Butter plays a key role in creating the delicate flakiness of the pie crust, and only if the butter is incorporated correctly and COLD when it goes into the oven. Tip: Cut the butter into cubes and place in the freezer 10 minutes before you need to incorporate it into the dough. This way it will be ICE COLD.

What is the most important rule in making a pie crust? ›

Keep the Butter Cold

With this goal in mind, the cardinal rule of pie crusts is to keep things as cold as possible.

What not to do when making pie crust? ›

Below are six common mistakes when making a homemade pie crust and some helpful solutions to avoid them.
  1. The ingredients are too warm. ...
  2. The pie dough is overworked from excessive mixing or rolling. ...
  3. The pie dough isn't given enough time to relax and chill. ...
  4. The pie dough is shrinking down the sides of the pan.
Oct 18, 2022

How long should you chill pie dough before rolling out? ›

Chill in the fridge for 30 minutes, or up to overnight. Tip: Chilling hardens the fat in the dough, which will help the crust maintain its structure as it bakes. And the short rest before rolling relaxes the dough's gluten, helping prevent a tough crust.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Horacio Brakus JD

Last Updated:

Views: 5831

Rating: 4 / 5 (71 voted)

Reviews: 94% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Horacio Brakus JD

Birthday: 1999-08-21

Address: Apt. 524 43384 Minnie Prairie, South Edda, MA 62804

Phone: +5931039998219

Job: Sales Strategist

Hobby: Sculling, Kitesurfing, Orienteering, Painting, Computer programming, Creative writing, Scuba diving

Introduction: My name is Horacio Brakus JD, I am a lively, splendid, jolly, vivacious, vast, cheerful, agreeable person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.