Description
Southern comfort meets creamy indulgence in Paula Deen’s pecan cheesecake pie, a luxurious dessert blending classic cheesecake richness with traditional pecan pie sweetness. Warm pecans and silky cream cheese create a delectable harmony you cannot resist.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 refrigerated pie crust
- 1 cup pecans
- 2 large eggs
- ⅔ cup dark corn syrup
Dairy and Sweet Ingredients:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup (50 grams) granulated sugar
- ⅔ cup (133 grams) granulated sugar
- 1 ½ tablespoons (21 grams) unsalted butter, melted
Flavor Enhancers:
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the baking environment by heating the oven to 180°C (350°F). Coat a 9-inch (23 cm) pie plate with nonstick cooking spray, then lightly dust with flour to ensure easy pie removal.
- Carefully position the pie crust into the prepared pie plate, crimping the edges decoratively. Chill the crust in the refrigerator while assembling the filling components.
- Create the creamy cheesecake foundation by blending cream cheese and granulated sugar until achieving a silky, uniform texture. Incorporate the egg and mix thoroughly until completely integrated. Distribute this smooth mixture evenly across the base of the unbaked pie crust.
- Craft the rich pecan topping by whisking dark corn syrup, eggs, granulated sugar, melted unsalted butter, and pure vanilla extract in a separate mixing bowl. Gently fold in the chopped pecans, then delicately ladle the mixture over the existing cheesecake layer.
- Protect the pie crust edges using a specialized pie shield or aluminum foil strips to prevent excessive browning. Position the pie in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 50 minutes, ensuring the filling sets completely and develops a beautiful golden finish.
- Once baked, transfer the pie to a wire cooling rack. Allow the dessert to rest and settle for 1-2 hours at room temperature. The pie will initially appear puffy but will naturally deflate during cooling. After reaching room temperature, refrigerate until thoroughly chilled and firm.
Notes
- Flavor Melding Magic Happens During Cooling: The pie develops deeper, richer flavors when allowed to rest at room temperature before refrigeration, letting each layer’s taste profile intensify and blend smoothly.
- Gentle Spooning Preserves Layer Integrity: Carefully transfer the pecan mixture over the cheesecake base to maintain crisp layer boundaries, ensuring a beautiful visual and taste contrast with each slice.
- Crust Protection Prevents Burning: Wrapping pie edges with aluminum foil or a specialized shield prevents premature browning, keeping the pastry’s golden color uniform and preventing bitter, overcooked sections.
- Softened Cream Cheese Creates Silky Texture: Bringing cream cheese to room temperature eliminates lumps and ensures a velvety smooth filling that blends effortlessly with other ingredients.
- Strategic Chilling Maintains Crust Structure: Briefly refrigerating the prepared crust before adding fillings helps maintain its shape, preventing shrinkage and creating a perfectly crisp foundation for the decadent layers.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 367 kcal
- Sugar: 25 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 78 mg