Easy Pecan Pie Recipe

Why This is the Best Recipe

Homemade pies are always a crowd pleasing dessert but I think this is the best pecan pie recipe because:

1. Perfect Texture: My method for prepping the pecans makes every bite crispy and fantastic.
2. Tasty Flavor Mix-Ins: A splash of bourbon and classic vanilla make the pecan pie filling just perfect.
3. Karo Pie Filling: When nothing but traditional Karo will do.
4. No Corn Syrup: Not a fan of Karo? Don't miss my easy substitutions!
5. Make Ahead and Freezer Friendly: You can easily prep this pie in advance or even freeze it for several months!

Ingredients

This is the perfect easy pecan pie recipe because the list of ingredients is so short and simple:

• Pie Crust: You can use a refrigerated store bought pie crust or a homemade one, whichever you prefer.
• Pecans: Buy whole pecan halves. You'll be breaking up half of the pecans needed but leaving the rest whole.
• Butter
• Brown Sugar
• Light Corn Syrup: Like Karo syrup. If you prefer to not use corn syrup, see the substitution notes below.
• Kosher Salt
• Vanilla
• Eggs
• Bourbon: This is an optional ingredient but it adds so much flavor to the pie. If you don't normally drink bourbon, you can buy just a tiny sample bottle at the store that will have just enough for the recipe.

Pecan Pie without Corn Syrup

Traditional pecan pie is made with Karo corn syrup but if you prefer not to bake with this ingredient, there are simple substitutions you may enjoy:

Maple Syrup: In a 1:1 ratio, replace the corn syrup with real maple syrup, not "maple-flavored" syrups.

Golden Syrup: In a 1:1 ratio, replace the corn syrup with golden syrup. You can find this ingredient in the International foods aisle of some grocery stores or you can order it online here.

Golden syrup is a very handy ingredient you can use to make a homemade treacle tart and it is a fantastic item to use to make my homemade gingerbread house.

How to Prep the Pecans

To give your pecan pie a pretty top and delicious texture to each bite, it is important to use a combination of whole pecan halves and chopped pecans.

I always buy a large bag of pecan halves at Costco and then chop what I need for recipes.

A trick I learned from my mom is to actually break the pecans by hand rather than use a chef knife to chop them.

This is a superior method to classic chopping because you get a fraction of the mess. Have you ever chopped pecans? They create a fine pecan dust on the chopping board and it is hard to get uniform sized pieces with the knife.

I simply twist and snap the pecans into quarters with my fingers. Breaking up the pecans by hand only takes a few minutes longer and is far less messy.

It's a great job to hand off to your kid helpers in the kitchen!

Prep the Pie Crust

While some pecan pie recipes require blind baking the pie crust, that is not the case for this easier version.

Simply unroll the prepared pie crust dough and lay it gently in a 9-inch pie dish.

Crimp the edges of the pie to look pretty.

Then use a fork to prick the bottom of the crust. This helps to avoid it puffing up as it bakes.

Place the crust in the freezer while you prep the pecan pie filling.

Check out all my best tips for working with a store bought pie crust here.

Cook the Karo Syrup

In a large saucepan, add the butter, brown sugar, salt, and corn syrup or corn syrup alternative.

Place the pan over medium heat and stir the ingredients together.

Once the butter has completely melted and you can evenly combine all the ingredients, raise the heat to medium-high.

Bring the sauce to a bubble.

Set the timer and let it boil for just one minute before you remove it from the heat.

Be sure to stir the sauce the entire time it is cooking so it doesn't burn on the bottom.

Flavor the Pecan Pie Filling

Once you pull the sauce from the heat, add the prepared pecans along with the bourbon and vanilla.

Stir it all together and let it cool slightly for 5 minutes.

Temper the Eggs

Break the eggs into a small bowl and beat them with a fork until smooth yellow.

If you dump the eggs into that hot pecan pie filling, they'll immediately scramble.

Instead, take a spoonful of the hot syrup and drizzle it into the eggs while constantly whisking them. This will help bring them up to temperature so they don't scramble.

Whisk the tempered eggs into the saucepan filling.

Baking Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

Place the prepared pie crust plate on a baking sheet. Pour the pecan pie filling into the crust.

Bake the pecan pie for 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Check the pie crust after 20 minutes. If it is browning too quickly, you can cover it loosely with aluminum foil strips.

The pie is finished when:

1. The Crust is Golden Brown
2. The Pie has Puffed Up Slightly (see photo below)
3. The Filling just Barely Jiggles When You Pull the Baking Sheet

Make Ahead and Storage Tips

Pecan pie is an excellent make ahead dessert for a holiday feast like Thanksgiving or Christmas.

It can be baked the day before and stored at room temperature overnight.

If you prefer, you can also store it in the refrigerator. Let it come to room temperature before serving.

How to Freeze a Baked Pecan Pie

If you really want to bake the pecan pie farther in advance, I recommend freezing it.

1. Let the baked pie cool completely.
2. Wrap the pie in plastic wrap.
3. Wrap the pie again in aluminum foil.
4. Freeze for up to 3 months.

To defrost the frozen pie:

1. Let the pie defrost in the fridge overnight.
2. Unwrap the pie and let it sit on the counter to come to room temperature for 1 hour before serving.

Variations

I love this classic version of pecan pie the very most, but if you felt in the mood to play around with it you could make these easy variations:

Chocolate Pecan Pie: Sprinkle chocolate chips on the bottom of the pie crust before adding the pecan pie filling. Bake as directed.

Pecan Pie with Rum: Use your favorite rum instead of the bourbon. Bake as directed.

Orange Pecan Pie: Add the zest from one large navel orange to the pecan pie filling along with the eggs at the end. Bake as directed.

Dolly Parton's Walnut Pie: Not a fan of pecans? You could try the amazing Dolly Parton walnut pie instead.

When I enjoy my slice of pecan pie at Thanksgiving, all I need is a huge dollop of Cool Whip. It's been my favorite way to serve pecan pie since I was a kid.

However, if you're looking to dress things up a little more, you could serve this basic pecan pie:

Pecan Pie a La Mode: Warm the pie in the oven for 10 minutes. Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream over the top. You could add a drizzle of hot fudge or salted caramel sauce.

Pecan Pie with Homemade Whipped Cream: If you're being fancy, take a few minutes to make homemade whipped cream. Grate a little fresh orange zest or a sprinkle of cinnamon over the top for color.

More Easy Pie Recipes

Looking to add more easy pie recipes to your rotation? Don't miss these favorites:

Easy Pumpkin Pie

Make-Ahead Apple Slab Pie

Easy Cherry Pie {With Frozen Cherries}

No-Bake Butterfinger Pie