Perfect Pecan Pie - a real deal, old fashioned recipe! (2024)

Perfect Pecan Pie. Trust a true pecan pie lover who has been using this recipe for over 30 years. I’ve never had better.

Perfect Pecan Pie - a real deal, old fashioned recipe! (1)

Perfect Pecan Pie

Pecan Pie is my favourite pie. I’ve been making it for 30 years or more.

It is always on my table on Christmas Day as a treat for after every Christmas dinner. It’s been served up as dessert for quite a number ofThanksgiving dinners too.

Perfect Pecan Pie - a real deal, old fashioned recipe! (2)

Ready for the oven

Although my love for this pie is well established, we have a very intermittent relationship. Because I simply cannot resist this one, I don’t make it all that often.

Perfect Pecan Pie - a real deal, old fashioned recipe! (3)

Pecans for Chocolate Pecan Pie.

It is one of those desserts that I covet and uncharacteristically do not willingly share.

If it is in the fridge, it calls to me. I find myself making several trips, knife in hand, to cut small slivers which I eat throughout the day.

I would probably polish an entire pie off in two days in tiny slices if left to my own devices. Little slices don’t count anyway….right?

Perfect Pecan Pie - a real deal, old fashioned recipe! (5)

Just out of the oven.

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Perfect Pecan Pie - a real deal, old fashioned recipe! (7)

Perfect Pecan Pie

Perfect Pecan Pie - a real deal, old fashioned recipe! (8)Many people have asked about the large fluted pie pan I use for this recipe. It is a great size and depth for this recipe. It was a gift from a friend but you can find it on Amazon by clicking the link below the recipe.

If you like this recipe you may also want to try learn my secret to the Best Apple Pie. Hint: it’s about the filling!

The Best Apple Pie

Perfect Pecan Pie - a real deal, old fashioned recipe! (10)

Yield: 16 servings

Perfect Pecan Pie

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Making the perfect pecan pie is easier than many people think. This is the same easy recipe that I've used for decades. Make sure you are using a large enough pie plate as well or the filling will be too thick, a shallower pie is better for setting. I bake it in a 10 inch pie plate or even an 11 inch tart pan.

Ingredients

For the butter pastry

  • 1 cup butter , very cold & cut in small cubes
  • 2 ½ cups flour
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1/4 to 1/3 cup ice water + 2 tbsp white vinegar added, Only enough liquid to make a dough form.
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the filling

  • 4 large or extra large eggs, or 5 medium, or 6 small
  • 1 ½ cups lightly packed brown sugar
  • 1 ½ cups dark corn syrup
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup melted butter
  • 1 1/2 cups pecan halves

Instructions

For the butter pastry

  1. Using a food processor or a pastry blender cut cold butter into flour, brown sugar and salt until mixture resembles a coarse meal. Small pieces of butter should still be visible.
  2. Pour vanilla into cold water then pour over the mixture and work in by tossing with a fork until dough begins to form. Use your hands as little as possible and work the dough as little as possible.
  3. Divide dough into 2 balls, flatten into 2 rounds, wrap in plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator to rest for a minimum of 20 minutes.You can make your dough the previous day but make sure you take it out of the fridge for 10 minutes to warm slightly before rolling out. (This pastry recipe makes sufficient for two pie crusts, so wrap one of the pastry rounds tightly in aluminum foil and freeze it for later.)
  4. Roll the dough into a 12 - 14 inch round and place in the bottom of a 10 inch pie plate.
  5. Push the dough into the corners and ensure that it is not stretched at all or it will shrink from the edge.
  6. Trim dough to a half inch past the edge of plate.
  7. Fold the ends under and finch with fingers or fork to shape the edges into whatever design you like best.
  8. Place in freezer while you prepare the filling.

To make the filling

  1. Whisk the eggs, brown sugar, corn syrup, vanilla and melted butter together until the brown sugar is dissolved.
  2. Stir in the pecans.
  3. Bake for 50-60 minutes at 375 degrees F (350 F for glass bake-ware) or until the center is set and jiggles like jelly. Cool completely before serving.

Notes

The amount of eggs is important in this recipe. I generally use extra large eggs in this recipe. If not using the largest size eggs available, it shouldn't hurt to add an additional egg.
In reading some comments from readers I suspect all corn syrup is not the same in all places. Here it is very thick. Thicker than molasses at room temperature. If your corn syrup isn't that thick be sure to add that extra egg as insurance that the pie will set.
Make sure you are using a large enough pie plate as well or the filling will be too thick, a shallower pie is better for setting. I bake it in a 10 inch pie plate or even an 11 inch tart pan.
As long as the crust doesn't burn, an extra few minutes in the oven should not be a problem if needed as well.

The nutritional information provided is automatically calculated by third party software and is meant as a guideline only. Exact accuracy is not guaranteed. For recipes where all ingredients may not be used entirely, such as those with coatings on meats, or with sauces or dressings for example, calorie & nutritional values per serving will likely be somewhat lower than indicated.

Recommended Products

Rock Recipes a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Our product recommendations are almost exclusively for those we currently use or have used in the past.

Nutrition Information

Yield

16

Serving Size

16 servings

Amount Per ServingCalories 452Saturated Fat 11gCholesterol 86mgSodium 296mgCarbohydrates 56gFiber 1gSugar 46gProtein 3g

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Perfect Pecan Pie - a real deal, old fashioned recipe! (2024)

FAQs

What is a substitute for Karo syrup in pecan pie? ›

For every one cup of corn syrup that the recipe calls for, use one cup of maple syrup instead. The great thing about maple syrup is it has some nutritional benefits. Maple syrup contains antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, such as Vitamin B6, calcium, niacin, potassium, and riboflavin.

What are the 5 tips for pie perfection? ›

Follow these steps and you'll impress your friends and family this season with tantalizing mile-high pies!
  1. 1 - Cold dough equals flaky crust. ...
  2. 2 - Overfill your pies on purpose ... ...
  3. 3 - Bake on the low rack. ...
  4. 4 - Hold down your pre-baked crusts. ...
  5. 5 - Hold off on slicing your pie.
Oct 30, 2017

Why does my pecan pie fall apart? ›

My pecan pie puffs and then falls.

Like the pumpkin pie, the filling will crack if the pie is over-baked or cools too quickly. But unlike pumpkin pie which has pumpkin puree to give it structure, pecan pie filling is mostly just sugar, corn syrup and eggs, so the tendency to soufflé and fall is even greater.

What is pecan pie filling made of? ›

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.

Is corn syrup or maple syrup better for pecan pie? ›

The flavor of your pie will definitely be different. But maple and pecan is a popular combination, and most the maple syrup you buy in store is just corn syrup with flavoring anyways. You may want to cut the maple syrup with some corn syrup or honey so maple flavor isn't too overpowering.

Is it better to use light or dark Karo syrup for pecan pie? ›

Light and dark corn syrup can be used interchangeably in almost every instance, with slight flavor variances. In a pecan pie, for example, light corn syrup will contribute sweetness and a hint of vanilla, but that's about it. Dark corn syrup, in addition to sweetness, will add color and a more robust, toasty flavor.

What is the best temperature to bake pies? ›

1. Preheat the oven to the temperature that your recipe recommends. Most fruit pies bake at a temperature between 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Some recipes call for baking the pie in a 450 degree F oven to begin with, then turning down the oven to about 350 degrees F.

Should you chill pie before baking? ›

While you are still perfecting your rolling technique, you can just chill the dough after you roll it. The colder the dough is when it goes in the oven the flakier the crust will be, so the cold dough is not only essential for easier rolling but also to create a flakier crust with less shrinking.

What is the cardinal rule of pie dough making? ›

The cardinal rules of pie dough: Keep it cold, work fast, and don't overwork your dough.

Why is my homemade pecan pie runny? ›

A pecan pie is essentially a custard pie, and a liquid center is almost always the result of underbaking. The Karo Classic Pecan Pie recipe calls for baking the pie for 60 to 70 minutes at 350 degrees. In some ovens, however, the pie can take 75 minutes or more.

Can you over bake a pecan pie? ›

Cook pecan pie too much and it'll crack and be dry. Underbake it and it will be watery and runny. You want to cook pecan pie to an internal temperature of 200°F. Use a digital thermometer to make this easy.

What is funeral pie made of? ›

Vintage Funeral Pie Recipe is an old-fashioned dessert that is made from raisins, spices, and walnuts. It was traditionally made by the Amish, but this sugary pie fits right into a Southern cook's recipe box.

Is it OK to leave 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 is my pecan pie fluffy? ›

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.

What can I use instead of Karo syrup? ›

Substitutes for Corn Syrup
  • Brown Rice Syrup. Brown rice syrup is one of the best substitutes for corn syrup. ...
  • Maple Syrup. Maple syrup is another corn syrup substitute you can try out and is most likely in your pantry right now. ...
  • Agave. ...
  • Simple Syrup. ...
  • Tapioca Syrup. ...
  • Honey. ...
  • Golden Syrup. ...
  • Black Treacle.

Why does pecan pie need corn syrup? ›

It is quite possible to make pecan pie with brown sugar, white sugar, maple syrup or a combination. Corn syrup sweetens pecan pie and gives it a smooth texture by preventing the crystallization of the sugar when baking. It also acts with the eggs to thicken. It can be replaced with maple syrup and flour.

Can I substitute honey for corn syrup in a pie? ›

Each one varies in taste as well. Some will have a floral flavor while others will have a more bold taste. When substituting honey for corn syrup, using equivalent amounts is recommended. For every one cup of corn syrup, use one cup of honey instead.

Is Karo the same as light corn syrup? ›

The clear Karo corn syrup has been called "light" since the 1940s, before "light" became a popular description for reduced-calorie products. The term "light" in this case refers to the color, and not the number of calories. Many consumers refer to light corn syrup as "white" corn syrup.

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