If you are craving a dessert that captures the essence of Southern charm and rich, nutty sweetness, this Southern Pecan Pie Recipe will become your new go-to favorite. With its irresistibly gooey pecan filling nestled in a flaky crust, this classic pie offers the perfect balance of crunchy pecans, silky caramel notes, and a touch of warm spices. Whether you’re bringing it to a family gathering or treating yourself after a long day, this Southern Pecan Pie Recipe is a delicious way to embrace a taste of Southern hospitality right in your own kitchen.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Southern Pecan Pie Recipe calls for straightforward, pantry-friendly ingredients that come together beautifully to create layers of flavor and texture. Each item plays a vital role, from the rich pecans providing that signature crunch to the golden syrupy filling that makes every bite unforgettable.
- 1 cup light corn syrup: This sticky sweetener is the heart of the pie’s luscious filling, making it wonderfully gooey.
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar: Adds balanced sweetness without overwhelming the pecans.
- 3 large eggs: These bind the filling together and give it a rich, custardy texture.
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted: Contributes a luscious richness and deepens the flavor.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Brings a warm aromatic note that complements the nuts perfectly.
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt: Enhances all flavors while balancing the sweetness.
- 1 1/2 cups pecan halves: The star ingredient that delivers crunch, nuttiness, and that unmistakable Southern feel.
- 1 unbaked 9-inch pie crust: Choose your favorite flaky pastry crust to hold all that deliciousness together.
How to Make Southern Pecan Pie Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Pie Crust
Begin by carefully fitting your unbaked 9-inch pie crust into a pie dish. Make sure it’s evenly pressed against the sides for that perfect edge. To ensure a great texture, chill the crust in the refrigerator while you prep the filling—it helps keep that crust flaky and prevents sogginess.
Step 2: Mix the Filling
In a medium bowl, whisk together the light corn syrup, granulated sugar, eggs, melted butter, vanilla extract, and kosher salt. Whisk until everything is completely combined and smooth, creating that glossy base that will turn into the pie’s rich filling.
Step 3: Add the Pecans
Stir in the pecan halves, making sure every nut is coated with that sweet silkiness. The pecans do more than add crunch—they’re responsible for the characteristic toasted, buttery flavor that defines this Southern classic.
Step 4: Fill and Bake
Pour the pecan mixture into your chilled pie crust, spreading it evenly so every slice has a generous portion of pecans. Place the pie on the center rack of your oven preheated to 350°F (177°C). Bake for about 55 to 60 minutes. You’re looking for bubbling filling with slightly toasted pecans on top and a golden crust. Keep an eye out so the crust edges don’t overbrown; cover them with foil or a pie shield if needed.
Step 5: Cool Before Serving
Southern pecan pie deserves a little patience. Once out of the oven, let it cool on a wire rack until the filling has set firmly, at least two hours. This wait ensures each slice holds together beautifully with that iconic gooey center and crisp pecans on top.
How to Serve Southern Pecan Pie Recipe
Garnishes
A simple scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream takes this Southern Pecan Pie Recipe to another level of indulgence. For a special touch, sprinkle a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt on top to underline the sweet-and-salty contrast that pecan pie lovers adore.
Side Dishes
Serve this pie alongside a cup of strong black coffee or a spiced hot toddy for a cozy pairing. When hosting, fresh fruit salad or lightly toasted pecans on the side can complement the rich pie without competing with its intense flavor.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving this Southern Pecan Pie Recipe in mini tart versions for a charming party dessert. Or drizzle some warm caramel sauce over each slice for a decadent finish that will impress every guest. You can even add a sprinkle of chopped pecans and a dusting of cinnamon for extra visual appeal.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once completely cooled, cover your leftover Southern Pecan Pie tightly with plastic wrap or foil and store it in the refrigerator. It will stay delicious for up to four days, making it an excellent make-ahead dessert.
Freezing
You can freeze the baked pie by wrapping it securely in plastic wrap and then placing it in an airtight container or freezer bag. Freeze for up to two months. When ready, thaw the pie overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
Reheating
For warm, fresh-from-the-oven flavor, reheat individual slices in the microwave for 20-30 seconds or warm the whole pie in a 300°F oven for 10-15 minutes. This brings back the gooey goodness and revives the crispy crust.
FAQs
Can I use a store-bought pie crust for this Southern Pecan Pie Recipe?
Absolutely! Using a quality store-bought crust is a great time-saver and works wonderfully with this recipe, providing a flaky, buttery base that lets the pecan filling shine.
What’s the best way to toast pecans for this pie?
Lightly toast pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring frequently until fragrant and golden. This enhances their natural nuttiness and adds depth to your pie.
How do I prevent the pie crust from burning?
If your crust edges brown too quickly, cover them with foil or use a pie crust shield halfway through baking. This simple step protects the crust while allowing the filling to cook fully.
Is it possible to make this Southern Pecan Pie Recipe gluten-free?
Yes! Substitute the traditional pie crust with a gluten-free version and double-check your corn syrup and other ingredients to ensure they are gluten-free. The filling recipe remains the same.
Can I prepare the filling the night before?
You can prepare the filling a day in advance and store it covered in the refrigerator. Bring it to room temperature before pouring into the crust and baking for best results.
Final Thoughts
There is something truly magical about the comforting richness of this Southern Pecan Pie Recipe that makes every gathering feel special. With its gooey, nut-laden filling and perfectly flaky crust, it’s a dessert that welcomes you home and invites you to savor every bite. Don’t hesitate—grab those pecans and start baking your own slice of Southern tradition today!
Print
Southern Pecan Pie Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Dessert, Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American
Description
This Southern Pecan Pie-inspired pumpkin bread is a moist and flavorful treat, perfect for autumn. It features warm spices, a tender crumb, and a luscious salted brown butter glaze that adds richness and depth, evoking the classic Southern pecan pie in a delightful loaf cake format.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 8 ounces all-purpose flour (1 2/3 cups; 225g)
- 1/2 ounce malted milk powder (2 tablespoons; 15g)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon (4g) Diamond Crystal kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
Wet Ingredients
- 2 large eggs (3 1/2 ounces; 100g)
- 8 ounces pumpkin or butternut squash purée (1 cup; 225g), canned or homemade
- 5 ounces neutral oil (vegetable or canola) (2/3 cup; 140g)
- 4 ounces granulated sugar (1/2 cup; 115g)
- 4 ounces light brown sugar (1/2 cup; 115g)
- 2 ounces milk (any fat percentage) (1/4 cup; 55g)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Glaze
- 2 ounces powdered sugar, sifted (1/2 cup; 60g)
- 1/4 teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 ounce unsalted butter (2 tablespoons; 30g)
- 1/2 ounce milk (any fat percentage) (1 tablespoon; 15g)
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare Pan and Oven: Grease an 8 1/2- by 4 1/2-inch loaf pan and line it with a 7- by 13-inch sheet of parchment paper, letting it hang over the long sides for easy removal. Position the oven rack in the lower-middle position and preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C).
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, malted milk powder, baking powder, kosher salt, ground cinnamon, baking soda, ground allspice, ground nutmeg, ground cloves, and ground ginger until evenly combined.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, pumpkin or butternut squash purée, neutral oil, granulated sugar, light brown sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and sugars are dissolved, about 1 minute.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gently add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients and whisk just until no dry flour remains, approximately 1 minute, being careful not to overmix to keep the bread tender.
- Bake the Bread: Transfer the batter to the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Bake for about 1 hour, until the loaf is domed, golden brown, and a tester inserted comes out with a few moist crumbs or internal temperature reaches 200°F (93°C).
- Cool the Bread: Place the pan on a wire rack set inside a rimmed baking sheet to catch crumbs and cool for 30 minutes. Run a butter knife around the edges to loosen, then lift the loaf out by the parchment sling. Remove parchment and return loaf to the rack.
- Prepare the Glaze: In a small heatproof bowl, combine sifted powdered sugar, kosher salt, and ground cinnamon.
- Brown the Butter: Melt unsalted butter in a 1-quart saucepan over medium-low heat. Increase to medium and simmer while stirring continuously, allowing the butter to foam, pop, and turn golden with chestnut brown milk solids, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Finish the Glaze: Add milk, vanilla extract, and browned butter solids to the powdered sugar mixture. Whisk vigorously until smooth, yielding about 3 ounces (1/3 cup; 80g) glaze.
- Glaze the Loaf: Drizzle the glaze evenly over the cooled pumpkin bread, letting it drip naturally. Let set for 10 minutes before slicing.
- Serve: Slice with a serrated knife and enjoy this moist spiced bread with its rich salted brown butter glaze.
Notes
- Use a neutral-flavored oil like vegetable or canola to keep the flavor balanced.
- Ensure not to overmix the batter to maintain a tender crumb.
- The glaze adds a rich, nutty flavor complementing the spices.
- For best results, use fresh spices to maximize aroma and depth.
- Loaf pan size is important; using the specified size ensures proper baking time and texture.
