Skip to Content
Menu

Easy Pecan Pie

  • Save Recipe
  • Prep 15 min
  • Total 3 hr 30 min
  • Ingredients 7
  • Servings 8
  • Save
  • Print
  • Pinterest
  • Facebook
  • Email
Ready to make?
  • Save
  • Shop
  • Share
  • Keep Screen On

Pecan pie lovers, this one’s for you! Whether you’re in need of a Thanksgiving dessert or you’re just craving a slice of this quintessential American pie, look no further than our easy pecan pie recipe. Buttery pecan nuts mix with a rich, caramelly filling for a treat that’s sure to please even the most particular of sweet tooths!

You’ll love learning how to make pecan pie with this simple, time-saving recipe. A premade frozen pie crust makes pulling things together easy as, well, pie! Once you pour your sweet filling in and bake the whole pecan pie for a bit, you can treat loved ones (and yourself, of course) to your new go-to dessert.

By Pillsbury Kitchens
Updated Jul 25, 2024
  • Save
  • Shop
  • Share
  • Keep Screen On

Ingredients Used in Pecan Pie Filling

Creating a delicious homemade pecan pie starts with selecting the finest ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in achieving the perfect pie. Here’s a closer look at the key ingredients that make this classic dessert a favorite for many.

Eggs and Butter

Where would we be without these kitchen staples? Eggs add richness and creaminess while also acting as a bonding agent, holding your pecan pie filling together. Butter adds additional flavor, improves the texture of your filling, and helps your pie brown evenly during baking.

Corn Syrup and Brown Sugar

The distinct caramel taste in this top-rated pecan pie recipe comes from the lovely combination of corn syrup and brown sugar. Never baked with corn syrup? This sweet liquid is derived from cornstarch and helps to retain moisture, add sweetness, and create a smooth, gooey texture.

Pecans

The versatile pecan is the star of every pecan pie recipe as these tasty nuts are combined with the sweet mixture of eggs, butter, corn syrup and brown sugar. Pecans finish off your filling with a delicious crunch and nutty flavor that anyone reaching for this dessert is sure to know.

How to Make Pecan Pie

Our simple pecan pie recipe is a breeze to bake, thanks to Pillsbury™ Deep Dish Pie Crusts (the same crusts we use for our Easiest-Ever Pumpkin Pie) . Take a look at this quick overview of how to make pecan pie, then find the full step-by-step recipe below.

Make the Filling: First, combine brown sugar, butter, corn syrup, salt and eggs. Your mixture should be well blended and look uniform. Then stir in the all-important pecans to form your rich, delicious pecan pie filling.

Pour Filling into Pie Crust and Bake: Pour your filling into a premade frozen pie crust and use a rubber spatula to ensure you get every drop from off the sides of your bowl. Once your crust is filled, place your pecan pie on a preheated cookie sheet and pop it in the oven to bake! Preheating the sheet is key here, as it allows for even heat distribution and will help the bottom of your pie bake quickly and evenly.

Chill and Enjoy: Once your homemade pecan pie is done baking (we’ve got tips for telling when it’s done below), cool it on the counter for about half an hour and then chill it in the fridge. After a few hours, slice yourself (and maybe others) a piece and enjoy!

Is Pecan Pie Eaten Warm or Cold?

While many kinds of pies are typically served warm, pecan pie should be properly chilled before serving. We recommend at least 2 hours in the fridge for the very best texture. Ideally, your pecan pie filling will set up with a texture almost like a pudding once your pie is ready. If you dig in too soon (tempting though it is!), the filling will run right off your fork! For the best possible homemade pecan pie, serve your dessert at room temperature. Whether you choose to eat it on its own or add a big scoop of ice cream on top, you really can’t go wrong with a slice of pecan pie when every bite is bursting with crunchy-sweet fall flavors.

Decorating Your Pecan Pie

For an extra pretty presentation, arrange some of your pecan halves on top of the filling in a decorative pattern. And while this simple pecan pie recipe uses a premade pie crust, we have a few easy pie crust decoration ideas to help you put a special final touch on your dessert if you happen to be baking with a fresh pie crust. Techniques like pinching or pressing the tines of a fork into the edge of your crust will give your homemade pecan pie a beautiful finish and leave family and friends wondering which bakery you picked up this stellar dessert from!

Delicious Pecan Pie Toppings

How about a few topping ideas or serving suggestions to go with this top-rated pecan pie recipe?

Ice cream: Pecan pie is amazing on its own, but we particularly love serving up a slice accompanied by a great big scoop of ice cream. Vanilla is our pick, but you can experiment by topping your homemade pecan pie with any number of flavors!

Whipped Cream: A dollop of fresh whipped cream is another excellent pecan pie topping choice. Since the pie is already sweet, there’s no need to add any extra sweetener to your whipped cream if you're making it from scratch.

Caramel Sauce: Want to deepen the decadence of your pecan pie? Add a drizzle of caramel sauce over the top for even more caramelly goodness.

Fresh Berries: Fresh berries add a pop of color and a little tartness to your pecan pie. Try sprinkling fresh strawberries or blueberries over a slice or decorate the whole thing!

Ingredients

Steps

  • 1
    Heat oven to 375°F; place cookie sheet in oven to preheat.
  • 2
    In medium bowl, beat brown sugar, butter, corn syrup, salt and eggs with whisk until well blended; stir in pecans.
  • 3
    Pour into frozen crust.
  • 4
    Bake on preheated cookie sheet 35 to 45 minutes or until center is set.
  • 5
    After 15 to 20 minutes of baking, cover crust edge with strips of foil to prevent excessive browning.
  • 6
    Cool 30 minutes; refrigerate at least 2 hours until chilled before serving.
  • 7
    Cover and refrigerate any remaining pie.

Tips from the Pillsbury Kitchens

  • tip 1
    For a pretty pie, arrange some of pecan halves on the top of the filling in a decorative pattern before it goes into the oven.
  • tip 2
    Brown sugar needs to be measured by packing or firmly pressing into a dry measuring cup. What you’re doing is pressing out any pockets of air that get trapped between the sticky grains of sugar.
  • tip 3
    Pecan pie is sweet, so if you’d like to garnish slices with whipped cream, there’s no need to sweeten it.
  • tip 4
    For a deeper caramel flavor, choose dark brown sugar and dark corn syrup for the filling.
  • tip 5
    One refrigerated Pillsbury™ Pie Crust may be substituted for the frozen Pillsbury™ Deep Dish Pie Crust in this recipe. Prepare refrigerated Pillsbury™ Pie Crust as directed on box for 1 crust pie. Prepare pecan pie filling and fill pie crust as directed in recipe. Do Not Place on cookie sheet. Bake 28 to 34 minutes or until center is set. If necessary, cover crust edges last 15 to 20 minutes to prevent over browning.
  • tip 6
    If you don’t have an electric mixer, a whisk works just as well. Just make sure all your ingredients are well-mixed before adding the pecans.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Pecan Pie Need to Be Kept in the Fridge?

This dessert is simply too good to go to waste. But don’t worry—it’s easy to save slices for another day! Pecan pie can be refrigerated or frozen. You can even bake your dessert weeks in advance of an event if you prefer and then freeze the entire pie. This is particularly helpful if you’re prepping for a big holiday meal and making multiple Christmas or Thanksgiving recipes over the course of a few days.

Refrigerating Pecan Pie (Preferred): The fridge is the best storage option for leftover pecan pie. After your pie has cooled for 2 to 3 hours at most, tightly cover the pie in foil or plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container, and refrigerate. Refrigerated pecan pie will last for up to 4 days.

Freezing Pecan Pie: To freeze pecan pie, wrap it in plastic wrap and then a layer of heavy-duty foil. Store it flat in the freezer, without placing any other freezer items on top of it that might damage your decadent dessert. Frozen pecan pie will last for up to 3 months. Defrost your pie overnight in the fridge. When you’re ready for a sweet treat, allow the pie to sit out at room temperature for 10 minutes.

How Long Should You Bake a Pecan Pie?

For this simple pecan pie recipe, you should bake your pie for 35 to 45 minutes or until the center is set. It will tend to puff up and could possibly bubble while baking, but you’ll see your pecan pie filling flatten out as it cools. When your decadent dessert is done, the filling will be set almost like a pudding. The nuts will also be slightly browned on a perfectly done pie.

Keep in mind that all ovens cook differently, and you’ll want to keep a close eye on your dessert as it bakes. Watch out for overbaking—the top of your pecan pie will crack! On the other hand, nobody likes a soggy pie. If your pecan pie filling is too liquid to even pick up with your fork, that’s typically a sign of an undercooked pie with a filling that has yet to set. Increase your baking time, and don’t forget to cover the crust edges with aluminum foil to avoid burning.

Are There Variations of This Homemade Pecan Pie Recipe?

Once you’ve gotten the hang of this simple pecan pie recipe, try switching things up with a few variations on the classic treat. There are countless ways to customize this dessert to your family’s liking.

Pecan Brownie Pie: Crunchy pecans meet family-favorite brownies in this chocolate-lover’s dream of a dessert!

Caramel Pecan Cream Slab Pie: Ditch the typical round pecan pie dish for an easy yet impressive slab pie that feeds a crowd and layers on the sweetness.

Toasted Coconut-Pecan Pie: Put a tropical twist on your usual pecan pie with the addition of crunchy toasted coconut.

Nutrition Information

530 Calories, 28g Total Fat, 5g Protein, 65g Total Carbohydrate, 36g Sugars

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 Serving
Calories
530
Calories from Fat
250
Total Fat
28g
43%
Saturated Fat
9g
43%
Trans Fat
0g
Cholesterol
95mg
31%
Sodium
350mg
15%
Potassium
140mg
4%
Total Carbohydrate
65g
22%
Dietary Fiber
2g
7%
Sugars
36g
Protein
5g
% Daily Value*:
Vitamin A
6%
6%
Vitamin C
0%
0%
Calcium
6%
6%
Iron
8%
8%
Exchanges:
1 Starch; 0 Fruit; 3 1/2 Other Carbohydrate; 0 Skim Milk; 0 Low-Fat Milk; 0 Milk; 0 Vegetable; 0 Very Lean Meat; 0 Lean Meat; 0 High-Fat Meat; 5 1/2 Fat;
Carbohydrate Choice
4
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

More About This Recipe

  • Are you a pie baking novice? Don’t be intimidated. Making a great pie is easier than you think, and we have some tips to help you along the way.

    If you like this recipe, make sure to check out more like it:

    Chocolate-Pecan Pie: Turn up the flavors on a classic when chocolate and pecans get together.

    Mystery Pecan Pies: What makes this pecan pie special? Click to solve the mystery!

    Mini Pecan Pies: Make it a mini! It’s a fact: finger foods are just more fun. Case in point, these sweet little pecan pies.

© 2024 ®/TM General Mills All Rights Reserved