Pioneer Woman Pecan Pie Recipe Everyone Admires

Pecan pie stands as a treasured southern delicacy with deep roots in comfort and tradition.

Sweet, nutty flavors dance across a flaky crust, creating a memorable dessert experience.

Regional bakers have long celebrated this classic confection with passionate dedication.

Rich caramel undertones and crunchy pecan textures elevate this pie beyond ordinary sweets.

Each slice promises a harmonious blend of sugary warmth and subtle crunch.

Generations of families have gathered around tables, sharing this beloved dessert with joy and nostalgia.

You’ll find yourself captivated by its irresistible charm and homespun elegance.

Why This Pecan Pie Deserves a Spot on Your Table

• Create Indulgent Southern Comfort: This pecan pie delivers a classic Southern dessert with rich, buttery flavors that melt in your mouth, offering a perfect balance of sweet and nutty goodness.
• Master Foolproof Baking Technique: The recipe provides simple step-by-step instructions that make creating a professional-looking dessert accessible to bakers of all skill levels, ensuring a beautiful golden pie with minimal effort.
• Celebrate Stress-Free Holiday Tradition: With just over an hour of total preparation and baking time, this recipe allows home cooks to effortlessly prepare a stunning dessert that will impress family and friends during holiday gatherings or special occasions.

Everything That Goes into a Show-Stopping Pecan Pie

• Pie Crust: A buttery, flaky base that holds the delicious pecan filling, best when chilled for easier handling.

• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Sweet components that create a rich, caramel-like filling with deep flavor complexity.
• Corn Syrup: Provides a smooth, glossy texture and prevents sugar crystallization.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps bind the filling ingredients together.
• Eggs: Act as a crucial binding agent that helps set the pie filling.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor with its warm, sweet essence.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and brings out deeper flavor notes.

• Pecans: The star ingredient that provides crunch, nutty flavor, and signature texture to the pie, best when fresh and whole.

Making Pioneer Woman’s Pecan Pie Step by Step

Step 1: Prepare the Pie Crust

Take your chilled pie dough and gently press it into a 9-inch pie pan. Create a beautiful wavy edge by pinching and crimping the dough around the rim.

Step 2: Warm Up the Oven

Set your oven to 350°F and position the rack right in the center for perfect, even baking.

Step 3: Create the Sweet Filling

• Granulated sugar
• Brown sugar
• Salt
• Corn syrup
• Melted butter
• 3 eggs, beaten
• Vanilla extract

Whisk everything together until the mixture looks smooth and glossy.

Step 4: Layer the Pecans

Sprinkle 1 chopped pecans evenly across the bottom of your pie shell. Gently pour the syrup mixture over the pecans, making sure they’re completely covered.

Step 5: Bake with Care

Cover the pie loosely with aluminum foil to prevent over-browning. Slide into the oven and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for another 20 minutes. Keep an eye on the crust and nuts – if they start getting too dark, cover them again with foil.

Step 6: Check for Perfect Doneness

If the center of the pie still looks wobbly, return it to the oven (covered) for up to 20 more minutes. You want the filling to be set but still have a slight jiggle in the middle.

Step 7: Cool and Slice

Let the pie rest on a wire rack for several hours or overnight. This helps the filling set completely. Slice into thin, delectable pieces and serve.

Tips to Nail the Perfect Pecan Pie Crust and Filling

• Whip Up Creamy Perfection: Elevate your pecan pie's flavor by crafting homemade whipped cream using cold heavy cream and a touch of powdered sugar.
• Master the Jiggle Test: Gently shake the pie to determine its readiness – a slight center wiggle signals it's perfectly baked and ready to cool.
• Protect Those Edges: Shield the delicate crust and pecans from burning by creating a loose aluminum foil tent during the baking process.
• Chill for Structural Success: Refrigerate the chilled pie crust before baking to prevent unwanted shrinkage and maintain its beautiful shape.
• Cool with Patience: Give your pie ample time to set by allowing it to rest completely at room temperature for several hours or overnight.

How to Store Pecan Pie and Keep It Tasting Fresh

• Refrigerate Smartly: Protect your pecan pie's delicate texture by cooling it completely before storage. Slide the pie into an airtight container or wrap it snugly with plastic wrap. Refrigeration keeps the pie fresh and delicious for 3-4 days, maintaining its rich, nutty flavor and flaky crust.
• Freeze for Later: Transform your leftover pecan pie into a future treat by freezing. Wrap the pie securely in aluminum foil, then nestle it into a freezer bag or container. This method preserves the pie's integrity for up to 2 months, giving you a delectable dessert on demand. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator for the best taste and texture.
• Slice and Separate: Prevent soggy bottoms and preserve individual slices by placing parchment paper between layers when storing.

Fun Flavor Twists for Traditional Pecan Pie

• Chocolate Swirl Pecan Pie: Drizzle melted dark chocolate over the pecan filling before baking, creating a rich, decadent layer that complements the sweet syrup.
• Bourbon-Infused Pecan Pie: Add a splash of bourbon to the syrup mixture for a deep, complex flavor that elevates the traditional recipe with a sophisticated touch.
• Maple Pecan Pie: Replace corn syrup with pure maple syrup, introducing a more nuanced, woodsy sweetness that highlights the natural nuttiness of the pecans.
• Salted Caramel Pecan Pie: Sprinkle flaky sea salt over the pie after baking, balancing the sweetness with a savory note that enhances the overall flavor profile.

Ending on a Sweet Note with Pecan Pie

Southern pecan pie whispers nostalgic memories of family gatherings and sweet celebration.

Generations of home cooks have perfected this classic dessert with rich, caramelized layers of sugary goodness.

Pioneer Woman’s signature recipe elevates traditional techniques with precise measurements and thoughtful instructions.

Kansas-born Ree Drummond understands how classic comfort desserts connect people through shared culinary experiences.

Warm pecans nestled in silky syrup create magical textures that dance across taste buds with delightful complexity.

Passionate bakers can confidently craft this masterpiece, knowing each slice carries generations of love – so come share your baking adventure, snap a photo, and spread deliciousness across social media platforms!

Pioneer Woman Pecan Pie Recipe

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4.8 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Luxurious Southern comfort radiates through this classic pecan pie from Ree Drummond’s kitchen. Buttery, caramelized pecans nestled in a flaky crust promise a delectable slice of heartwarming indulgence you won’t forget.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 3 eggs
• 1 whole unbaked pie crust

Liquid and Sweeteners:

• 1 cup light corn syrup
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• ⅓ cup melted salted butter
• ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract

Seasoning:

• ½ teaspoon salt

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Instructions

1. Gently nestle the chilled pie crust into a 9-inch (23-centimeter) pie pan, artfully crimping the edges for an elegant presentation.
2. Position the oven rack in the central position and preheat to 350°F (177°C), creating an ideal baking environment.
3. In a spacious mixing bowl, vigorously whisk together granulated sugar, rich brown sugar, a pinch of salt, golden corn syrup, velvety melted butter, thoroughly beaten eggs, and fragrant vanilla extract until the mixture achieves a harmonious, silky consistency.
4. Distribute the roughly chopped pecans across the bottom of the prepared pie shell, creating an even layer of nutty texture.
5. Delicately pour the syrupy mixture over the pecans, ensuring complete and uniform coverage throughout the pie shell.
6. Loosely drape aluminum foil over the pie to protect the surface from excessive browning, then slide into the preheated oven.
7. Bake for 30 minutes under the protective foil, then carefully remove the covering to allow the top to caramelize and develop a rich golden color.
8. Continue baking for an additional 20 minutes, keeping a vigilant eye on the crust and pecans to prevent burning.
9. Check the pie’s doneness by gently shaking the pan – a slight wobble in the center indicates it needs more time. If necessary, return to the oven for up to 20 more minutes, covering again if the edges darken too quickly.
10. Remove from the oven and transfer to a wire cooling rack, allowing the pie to rest and set completely for several hours or ideally overnight.
11. Slice into delicate wedges and serve at room temperature, revealing the luscious, caramel-like filling and perfectly toasted pecans.

Notes

• Toasting pecans beforehand unlocks their rich, nutty aromatics and enhances the pie’s overall flavor profile.
• Corn syrup creates that signature glossy, smooth texture which transforms this classic dessert into a showstopping treat.
• Tenting with foil during baking prevents burning and ensures perfectly golden pecans and an evenly cooked crust.
• Letting the pie cool completely allows the filling to set beautifully, guaranteeing clean, picture-perfect slices every time.
• Serve slightly warm or at room temperature with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream for the ultimate indulgence.
• Leftovers stay fresh for up to 3 days when stored covered at room temperature, making it a convenient make-ahead dessert.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 365 kcal
• Sugar: 28 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 21 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 41 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg