• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Nina Kneads to Bake
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • About
    • Recipes
    • Contact
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Pies, Crisps and Tarts

    Best Pecan Pie Recipe

    Published: Nov 24, 2020 Modified: July 6, 2022 by Nina

    • Share
    • Tweet
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This best pecan pie recipe is filled with nuts and has a caramel-like sweet and gooey filling. It is all baked in a flaky, buttery pie crust.

    Jump straight to the recipe!
    • 🥧What is pecan pie?
    • 🥘Ingredients
    • 🔪Instructions
    • ✔️Expert tips
    • 💭FAQs
    • 📋 Recipe

    🥧What is pecan pie?

    Pecan pie is a classic dessert that is just as traditional as apple pie or pumpkin pie. This best pecan pie recipe is made up of pecans and a filling of eggs, butter and sugar. There are many variations of pecan pie, and this one uses corn syrup and a bit of molasses.

    You can use store bought crust for this recipe, or try a homemade crust. The recipe is listed with the pecan pie filling down below. It is a super flaky pie crust and the only one I use!

    🥘Ingredients

    • flour - I use all purpose flour for the pie dough.
    • sugar - I like to sweeten the pie dough just a bit when making a sweet pie.
    • salt - salt is used both in the pie dough and the filling.
    • shortening/lard - I like using a lard for my pie doughs. Shortening works well too though.
    • milk/water - I use a combination of milk and water to give moisture to the pie dough.
    • pecans - make sure to buy whole pecans and roughly chop them yourself.
    • eggs - This recipe uses 3 large eggs.
    • corn syrup - There are other ingredients you can use in it's place, but corn syrup is arguably the best ingredient as it makes for a more stable filling.
    • brown sugar - You can use either regular brown sugar or dark brown sugar.
    • unsulfured molasses - A little bit of molasses helps amp the filling flavour.
    • unsalted butter - You will melt the butter so no need to set it out for softening.
    • vanilla extract - Use real vanilla extract for best flavour.

    🔪Instructions

    Start the pie by making the pie crust first. My flaky pie crust recipe makes enough for a double crust pie, but you can freeze half of it for later use.

    Once your pie crust is in the pie dish, set it in the freezer while you make the filling. This will help keep the pie crust from shrinking a lot during baking.

    Pecan Pie recipe instructions.

    Set the pecans aside and whisk together the rest of the filling ingredients. When you are ready, take the pie crust out of the freezer. Place the pecans in the bottom of the pie dish and pour the filling overtop of them. You can place some pecans on top of the filling to make a decoration if you like. Push them into the filling a bit so they are secure.

    Bake for 50-55 minutes or until the top of the pie is golden.

    ✔️Expert tips

    • Make sure the pie cools completely after baking, about 2 hours! The filling will be too runny when it comes out of the oven and it needs this time to firm up.
    • The pie crust makes enough for a double crust pie. You only need 1 crust for this pie so freeze the other for another use. You can also use a store bought pie crust.
    • Use a pie shield partly through baking if you crust is getting too browned. Make your own by cutting a 9-inch circle with aluminum foil and then cutting a large hole out if it's center.
    • You can use light or dark corn syrup. Corn syrup is the glue that holds the pecan pie together and is most traditional in a pecan pie. I have no other substitutions for this.
    • If you want to add whisky to the pecan pie, reduce the corn syrup by 2 tablespoons and add in 2 tablespoons of your favourite whisky. Whisk it into the filling ingredients.
    • To make a different nut pie, just replace the 2.5 cups of chopped pecans with 2.5 cups of another nut.

    💭FAQs

    What do I serve with pecan pie?

    Pecan pie needs to cool completely after being baked so that the filling sets, about 2 hours. Pecan pie is best served at room temperature. It can be warmed up, but the filling will be runny. Serve your pecan pie with a side of ice cream!

    Can I freeze pecan pie?

    Pecan pie is a great pie to freeze. Bake the pie as directed, allow it to cool completely and then wrap tightly with aluminum foil. Place it in a freezer zip top bag or an air tight container, and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months.
    Let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight.

    Does pecan pie need to be refrigerated?

    Any pies that have an egg based filling, like pecan pie, need to be refrigerated.

    Let's Bake Together!

    Step-by-step instructions are all written in my recipe below. If you liked it, please rate me 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐!

    If you tried this recipe, be sure to tag me on Instagram. You can also find me on Facebook and Pinterest.

    📋 Recipe

    A whole pecan pie in a pie dish.

    Best Pecan Pie Recipe

    Nina
    This best pecan pie recipe is filled with nuts and has a caramel-like sweet and gooey filling. It is all baked in a flaky, buttery pie crust.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Prep Time 20 minutes mins
    Cook Time 55 minutes mins
    Additional Time 30 minutes mins
    Total Time 1 hour hr 45 minutes mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine North American
    Servings 10 servings
    Calories 601 kcal

    Equipment

    • one 9 inch pie pan

    Ingredients
     
     

    Pie Crust

    • 2 cups all purpose flour
    • 1 teaspoon granulate sugar
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • ⅔ cup shortening or lard chilled and cubed
    • 5 tablespoons milk cold
    • 5 tablespoons water cold

    Pecan Pie Filling

    • 2.5 cups pecans coarsely chopped
    • 3 large eggs
    • 1 cup dark corn syrup
    • ½ cup brown sugar
    • 2 teaspoons unsulfured molasses
    • ¼ cup unsalted butter melted
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

    Instructions
     

    • Whisk flour, sugar and salt together in a large bowl. Add the shortening/lard to the bowl.
    • Using a pastry cutter, or two forks, cut the shortening into the mixture until the flour coated fats are pea sized.
    • Add the milk and water to a measuring cup and stir. Drizzle this in, 1 tablespoon at a time, and mix with a spoon or your hands. Do not add too much of the milk/water. Stop adding this when the dough comes together easily. You may need to use less in the summer and more in the winter. Form the dough into a ball.
    • Cut the dough into 2 balls of dough. You only need 1 ball of dough for this recipe, so freeze the other ball of dough for another use.
    • Flatten the ball of dough into 1-inch thick discs and wrap it with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 30 minutes or up to 3 days.
    • Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9-inch pie pan and set aside. After the dough has chilled, roll it out on a floured surface. Turn the dough a quarter turn after every few rolls until you have a circle that is about 12 inches in diameter. Carefully place it into the prepared pie dish, using your fingers to smooth it out. Trim off any extra overhang with a knife. Flute the edges with your fingers.
    • Pour the chipped pecans into the bottom of the pie dish.
    • Make the filling by combining the eggs, corn syrup, molasses, butter, salt and vanilla. Whisk it together until there are no lumps.
    • Pour the filling overt the pecans and bake for 50-55 minutes or until the top is lightly browned. Let the pie cool at room temperature. The filling will set as it cools.
    • Serve the pie warm or at room temperature with a scoop of whipped cream or ice cream.
    • Cover and store the pie at room temperature for 2 days.

    Notes

    • Make sure the pie cools completely after baking, about 2 hours! The filling will be too runny when it comes out of the oven and it needs this time to firm up.
    • The pie crust makes enough for a double crust pie. You only need 1 crust for this pie so freeze the other for another use. You can also use a store bought pie crust.
    • Use a pie shield partly through baking if you crust is getting too browned. Make your own by cutting a 9-inch circle with aluminum foil and then cutting a large hole out if it's center.
    • You can use light or dark corn syrup. Corn syrup is the glue that holds the pecan pie together and is most traditional in a pecan pie. I have no other substitutions for this.
    • If you want to add whisky to the pecan pie, reduce the corn syrup by 2 tablespoons and add in 2 tablespoons of your favourite whisky. Whisk it into the filling ingredients.
    • To make a different nut pie, just replace the 2.5 cups of chopped pecans with 2.5 cups of another nut.

    YOUR OWN NOTES

    Click here to add your own private notes

    Nutrition

    Serving: 9gCalories: 601kcalCarbohydrates: 63gProtein: 7gFat: 38gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 10gMonounsaturated Fat: 18gTrans Fat: 2gCholesterol: 62mgSodium: 255mgPotassium: 212mgFiber: 3gSugar: 41gVitamin A: 241IUVitamin C: 0.3mgCalcium: 58mgIron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe? Follow me on Instagram!Mention @ninakneadstobake or tag #ninakneadstobake!

    More Pies & Tart Recipes

    • A slice of pie on a white plate. Two slices of lemon are on the plate in front of the pie.
      No Bake Lemon Cream Cheese Pie
    • A slice of pie on a white plate. Red and green apples are behind the plate.
      Irish Apple Amber Pie
    • A slice of pie on a white plate. Limes and the rest of the pie are in the background. In the foreground is a fork.
      Authentic Key Lime Pie {without condensed milk}
    • Crisp dessert on a white plate with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. A gold fork lays beside the dessert.
      Apple Pear Crisp

    Reader Interactions

    Did you try this recipe? Comment below to let me know ☺️ Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Nina! I am a self-taught baker and have a love for baking and trying new techniques. Here you will find easy step-by-step sweet and savoury recipes, with lots of tips.

    More about me →

    Popular Recipes

    • Three mini cheesecakes, on top of each other. Two apples sit in the background.
      Mini Apple Crisp Cheesecakes
    • A cinnamon roll on a white plate with a forkful from it. You can see the apple filling inside.
      Apple Crumble Cinnamon Rolls
    • A slice of cheesecake on a white plate. A gold fork sits in front of the plate.
      Toffifee Cheesecake
    • A slice of cake being lifted from the rest of the cake. The cake sits on a white cake stand.
      Vanilla Cake with Chocolate Mousse Filling
    • A slice of cake on a white cake. You can partially see the rest of the cake in the background.
      White Cake with Strawberry Filling
    • A slice of cheesecake on a white plate. Strawberry sauce is on top of the cake, and it is spilling down the sides, onto the plate.
      Olive Garden Sicilian Cheesecake {with strawberry topping}

    Fall Recipes

    • A slice of coffee cake on a white plate. The rest of the cake is in the background on a white cake plate.
      Apple Cider Coffee Cake
    • A slice of cake on a white plate. The rest of the cake is in a casserole dish in the background.
      Apple Pie Lasagna
    • A loaf on a white serving plate. The loaf has a few slices cut from it. The slices lay on the plate in front of the loaf.
      Triple Chocolate Pecan Loaf
    • A loaf of bread on a wire rack. Two slices are cut from the bread, and they lay in front of the loaf. A white kitchen towel is behind the loaf.
      Apple Butter Cinnamon Swirl Bread
    • Two brownies stacked on a white plate. The top brownie has a bite out of it. Three chocolate chips sit in front of the brownies. More brownies are in the back on a wire rack.
      Pecan Pie Brownies
    • A cupcake with it's cupcake liner opened. More cupcakes are in the background. Some on a gold plate.
      Chocolate Pumpkin Cupcakes with Pumpkin Cream Cheese Frosting

    Fall Recipes

    • A turtle cookie with some more scattered around it.
      Snappy Turtle Cookies
    • Loaf of sweet bread on a piece of parchment paper. A few slices have been cut from the loaf.
      Cranberry Orange Bread with Glaze
    • A cinnamon roll on a white plate.
      Pumpkin Spice Cinnamon Rolls
    • A pumpkin pie with a slice cut out.
      Perfect Pumpkin Pie
    • A cupcake with crumble on top of the frosting.
      Apple Crisp Cupcakes
    • A slice of cake on a white plate.
      Pineapple Carrot Cake

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy & Terms of Conditions
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact