Easy Pecan Pie

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!