The Best Pecan Pie
+2 photos

The Best Pecan Pie

8 servings
With a homemade crust and a sweet pecan filling, this beloved pecan pie recipe is the very best one for your Thanksgiving table. Make it a day or two ahead, or freeze it for even longer.

Ingredients

  • 9-inch pie shell

    frozen, freeze for half an hour if freshly made; i recommend our easy, flaky, sour cream pie crust

    1
  • pecans

    coarsely chopped, 210 g

    2 c
  • eggs

    slightly beaten

    3 large
  • light corn syrup
    1 c
  • brown sugar
    ½ c
  • molasses

    unsulphured

    1 tbsp
  • unsalted butter

    melted

    4 tbsp
  • salt
    ½ tsp
  • vanilla extract
    2 tsp

Directions

  1. 1

    Preheat the oven and position a rack in the center.

  2. 2

    Preheat oven to 350°F. In a medium bowl vigorously mix together the eggs, brown sugar, corn syrup, molasses, melted butter, vanilla, and salt, until smooth. (No need for a mixer, you can beat by hand using a wooden spoon.)

  3. 3

    Spread the chopped pecans over the bottom of a frozen pie shell. Pour the filling over the pecans. Don't worry about burying the pecans, they will rise to the surface. (If you have reserved a few whole pecan halves, you can arrange them on the surface in a decorative pattern. Just dip them below the wet filling and let them rise again so they get coated with the filling.)

    Step 3
  4. 4

    Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes tent the pie loosely with aluminum foil to prevent the crust and pecans from getting too browned. Bake for another 35 to 45 minutes until the filling has set. The pie should be a bit wiggly in the center.

  5. 5

    Note that the pie will be puffed up a bit when you first take it out of the oven. It will settle as it cools. Did you love the recipe? Give us some stars and leave a comment below!

    Step 5
The Best Pecan Pie
+2

The Best Pecan Pie

90 min8 servings636 cal

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About this Recipe

Ready to bake the ultimate Thanksgiving dessert that will impress everyone at your table? This pecan pie recipe delivers on its promise of being 'The Best' with its rich, sweet filling and a tender, homemade-style crust.

What makes this pecan pie truly special is the perfect balance of sweetness from light corn syrup and brown sugar, deepened by a touch of unsulphured molasses. This thoughtful combination, along with generous amounts of coarsely chopped pecans, creates a harmonious flavor profile that stands out from typical versions.

Prepare for a dessert experience that is both comforting and incredibly indulgent. Each slice offers a delightful contrast between the crunchy texture of the pecans and the luscious, caramelized filling. The buttery, sweet notes are perfectly complemented by the subtle richness of molasses and vanilla extract, all encased in a tender, flavorful pie shell. This beloved Southern classic is designed to be the highlight of your holiday spread.

While this recipe is a classic on its own, you can personalize it with a simple visual flourish. Consider arranging a few whole pecan halves on top of the filling before baking for a beautiful, decorative finish. For the pie shell, our easy, flaky, sour cream pie crust is highly recommended for optimal results, though any quality 9-inch frozen pie shell will work beautifully.

This beloved pecan pie is the star of any holiday gathering, especially your Thanksgiving table. Serve it slightly warm for an exquisite dessert that truly embodies the spirit of fall and celebration.

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