Paula Deen Pecan Pie Recipe

Easy & Sweet Paula Deen Pecan Pie Recipe for Your Family

Paula Deen’s pecan pie represents Southern baking at its finest, blending sweet traditions with comforting culinary craft.

Rich, golden-brown layers promise a decadent experience that melts in your mouth with each forkful.

Nuts create a delightful crunch against silky, caramelized sugars that sing with warmth and depth.

Seasonal ingredients transform an ordinary dessert into a memorable centerpiece that connects generations around the table.

Homemade pies carry a special magic, telling stories through carefully balanced flavors and textures.

Passionate bakers understand how simple techniques can elevate a classic recipe into something extraordinary.

Warm slices served with a dollop of whipped cream guarantee smiles and satisfied appetites: bon appétit!

Final Thoughts on Paula Deen’s Pecan Pie

Pecan pie embodies Southern comfort with its rich, nutty essence and luxurious caramel layers.

Paula Deen’s classic recipe elevates traditional dessert boundaries through complex flavor profiles and texture combinations.

Cinnamon-infused caramel cascades delicately across golden-brown pecans, creating sensational culinary memories.

Passionate bakers can master this recipe with simple ingredients and precise techniques.

Southern hospitality whispers through each delectable slice, inviting shared moments of pure indulgence.

When craving authentic sweetness, this pecan pie promises delightful connections – share its magic, spread the love, and savor every delicious moment with friends and family.

Why Paula Deen’s Pecan Pie is a Southern Tradition

Why Paula Deen’s Pecan Pie is a Southern Tradition
  • Flavor Explosion: Dive into a mouthwatering blend of rich, buttery pecans, warm cinnamon, and decadent caramel that creates an irresistible symphony of sweet and nutty flavors in every single bite.
  • Texture Wonderland: Experience a delightful contrast between the crunchy pecan pieces, silky smooth custard filling, and velvety caramel sauce that provides an incredible sensory journey for your taste buds.
  • Stress-Free Baking: This recipe offers a straightforward method that allows both novice and experienced bakers to create a stunning dessert with minimal complexity, requiring just basic mixing and baking skills and delivering maximum deliciousness in under an hour.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Perfect for holiday gatherings, family dinners, or when you're craving a warm, indulgent dessert that feels like a comforting hug from a Southern kitchen, this pecan pie guarantees smiles and satisfied sweet tooths.

Ingredients for Paula Deen’s Pecan Pie

Pie Crust:
  • Pie Shell: Classic base for holding all delicious pie ingredients, pre-baked for extra crispness.
Filling Base Ingredients:
  • Light Corn Syrup, Brown Sugar: Sweet foundation that creates signature gooey pecan pie texture, provides deep caramel-like flavor.
  • Eggs: Natural binding agent that helps set the pie filling, creates smooth custard consistency.
  • Vanilla Extract: Warm aromatic enhancer that adds depth to the pie's overall flavor profile.
  • Ground Cinnamon: Warm spice that adds subtle warmth and complexity to the pie's taste.
  • Butter: Rich ingredient that adds moisture and enhances overall richness of the filling.
Nut and Topping Ingredients:
  • Pecans (Chopped and Whole): Classic nutty element that provides crunch and signature pecan pie flavor, best when fresh and high-quality.
  • Heavy Cream: Smooth dairy ingredient that helps create rich, silky caramel sauce texture.
  • Brown Sugar (for Caramel): Deep, molasses-flavored sugar that creates complex caramel sauce with rich color and taste.

How to Make Paula Deen’s Pecan Pie

How to Make Paula Deen’s Pecan Pie

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 190°C / 375°F, getting ready for pie magic.

Step 2: Spread Pecan Base

Scatter pecan pieces evenly across the pre-baked pie crust, creating a delicious foundation.

Step 3: Create Silky Custard Mixture

In a spacious mixing bowl, whisk together:
  • Light corn syrup
  • Brown sugar
  • Eggs
  • Vanilla extract
  • Ground cinnamon
  • Melted butter

Blend until the mixture becomes perfectly smooth and glossy.

Step 4: Bake The Pie

Pour the custard mixture over pecans, letting it settle into every nook. Slide into the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes until the filling puffs up and edges set firmly.

Step 5: Cool Down Pie

Gently remove pie from oven and let it cool completely, allowing flavors to mingle and settle.

Step 6: Craft Decadent Caramel Sauce

In a saucepan, combine:
  • Brown sugar
  • Butter
  • Heavy cream
  • Ground cinnamon
  • Chopped pecans

Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until sugar dissolves and caramel reaches silky perfection.

Step 7: Final Drizzle And Serve

Once pie has cooled, generously drizzle warm cinnamon pecan caramel sauce over the top. Slice and serve this heavenly dessert to eager guests.

Pro Tips for Paula Deen’s Pecan Pie

  • Savor Freshness: Select premium pecans with robust flavor and crisp texture, avoiding stale or bitter nuts that could compromise your pie's deliciousness.
  • Monitor Baking Precision: Watch closely during final baking stages, ensuring the center sets perfectly without becoming dry or overcooked, checking around 30-minute mark.
  • Prevent Soggy Bottoms: Blind-bake the pie crust briefly until lightly golden, creating a protective barrier that maintains crispness against the rich custard filling.
  • Smooth Whisking Technique: Blend eggs thoroughly, eliminating any white streaks to guarantee a silky, uniform custard without unwanted lumpy textures.
  • Wait for Complete Cooling: Allow the pie to reach room temperature before adding caramel, enabling a smooth, perfectly structured topping that won't become runny or separated.

How to Store Paula Deen’s Pecan Pie

  • Refrigerate: Protect your delectable pecan pie by wrapping it snugly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil after cooling completely. Keep the pie chilled in the refrigerator, where it'll maintain its delicious texture and rich flavor for 3-4 days. Pro tip: Place the wrapped pie on a flat surface to prevent any filling from shifting.
  • Freeze: Transform leftover pie into a future treat by freezing it carefully. Seal the cooled pie in two layers – first plastic wrap, then aluminum foil – to prevent freezer burn and preserve its scrumptious taste. Stash in the freezer for up to 2 months, ensuring a sweet surprise awaits you later. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving to keep the crust crisp and filling perfect.

Creative Twists on Paula Deen’s Pecan Pie

  • Chocolate Swirl Pecan Pie: Melt dark chocolate and drizzle it over the custard before baking, creating a rich chocolate marbled effect that complements the nutty pecans.
  • Bourbon-Infused Pecan Pie: Add 30ml of bourbon to the custard mixture for a deep, warming flavor that enhances the traditional pecan pie profile.
  • Maple Pecan Pie: Replace corn syrup with pure maple syrup and sprinkle maple sugar on top for an extra layer of authentic, woodsy sweetness that elevates the classic recipe.
  • Salted Caramel Pecan Pie: Sprinkle flaky sea salt over the caramel topping to create a perfect balance between sweet and salty, adding depth to the traditional pie flavor.
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Paula Deen Pecan Pie Recipe

Paula Deen Pecan Pie Recipe


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4.7 from 19 reviews

  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Southern charm meets sweet indulgence in this classic Paula Deen pecan pie. Buttery, caramelized pecans nestled in a flaky crust promise a rich dessert experience that transports you straight to a warm kitchen in Georgia.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 3 eggs
  • 1 (10 inch) pre-baked pie crust
  • 1 ¼ cups pecan pieces
  • 2 ½ cups brown sugar
  • 1 cup light corn syrup

Butter and Cream:

  • 10 tablespoons (6 + 4) unsalted butter, melted
  • ½ cup heavy cream

Flavoring and Caramel Ingredients:

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 cup chopped pecans for caramel

Instructions

  1. Initiate oven preparation by setting the temperature to 190°C / 375°F, ensuring a consistent heating environment for the pie.
  2. Create a foundational layer by evenly distributing pecan pieces across the base of the pre-baked pie crust, covering the entire surface.
  3. Craft the custard mixture by thoroughly whisking light corn syrup, brown sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and melted butter in a spacious mixing bowl until the consistency becomes uniformly smooth and well-integrated.
  4. Gently cascade the custard mixture over the strategically placed pecans, ensuring complete coverage of the pie shell’s interior.
  5. Position the pie in the preheated oven and bake approximately 30 minutes, monitoring until the filling rises and solidifies around its perimeter.
  6. Extract the pie from the oven and allow complete cooling, which promotes structural stability and optimal flavor development.
  7. Prepare the cinnamon pecan caramel sauce by combining brown sugar, butter, heavy cream, ground cinnamon, and chopped pecans in a medium saucepan.
  8. Cook the caramel mixture over medium heat, stirring consistently to prevent scorching and achieve a velvety, homogeneous texture.
  9. Once the pie has reached room temperature, generously drizzle the warm cinnamon pecan caramel sauce across the surface, creating an enticing visual and flavor finale.
  10. Serve and enjoy the decadent dessert, showcasing layers of nutty, sweet, and aromatic elements.

Notes

  • Pecans make or break this dessert, so scout for fresh, high-quality nuts that promise rich, buttery flavor without any bitter undertones.
  • Cooling the pie completely prevents caramel from turning runny, allowing it to form a luscious, glossy layer that clings perfectly to the surface.
  • Monitoring baking time closely ensures a custard filling that’s just set – puffy and firm, without becoming dry or overdone.
  • Whisking eggs thoroughly eliminates any streaky egg whites, creating a silky-smooth custard that bakes into a perfectly creamy texture.
  • Pre-baking the crust for a brief 10 minutes creates a golden, crisp base that stands up beautifully against the rich, gooey filling.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 507
  • Sugar: 31g
  • Sodium: 197mg
  • Fat: 27g
  • Saturated Fat: 3g
  • Carbohydrates: 54g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 5g
  • Cholesterol: 89mg
Ethan Miller

Ethan Miller

Founder & Lead Content Writer

Expertise

  • Recipe Development and Testing
  • Food Photography and Styling
  • Culinary Writing and Blogging
  • Ingredient Sourcing and Sustainability Practices

Education

Portland Community College

  • Degree: Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in culinary techniques, kitchen operations, and food safety protocols.

Culinary Institute of the Pacific

  • Program: Certificate in International Cuisine
  • Focus: Exploration of global culinary traditions, flavor profiles, and plating artistry.

Ethan’s culinary journey began in his grandmother’s kitchen, where he first learned to play with flavors and ingredients. With formal training in culinary arts and a deep love for international cuisines, Ethan’s goal is to share the joy of cooking with others.

He believes food is all about creativity and bringing people together, one meal at a time. When he’s not experimenting with new dishes, he enjoys hiking in the Oregon wilderness and discovering fresh, local ingredients.

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