Old-Fashioned Homemade Pecan Pie

Name: Best Pecan Pie
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 65 min
Ingredients: Homemade Pie Crust; or store bought pie crust; 1/3 cup butter (melted); 1 tsp cornstarch; 1/2 cup brown sugar; 1/2 tsp salt; 1 cup corn syrup; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 3 large eggs; 2 ½ cups pecans

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Just one bite of this pecan pie and you’ll know exactly why it’s my family’s favorite! Keep reading and I’ll be your pecan pie coach, walking you through my 6 fool-proof steps to pie perfection.

a slice of pecan pie on a white plate with a fork and whole pecans on either side of it, sitting on top of a tan towel on a wood surface, with the glass pie dish full of pie in the background and more pecans scattered around

This is the best recipe for Pecan Pie!

I taste, adjust and remake all of my recipes until they are 100% share-worthy, so I can confidently say this the best pecan pie recipe and really the only one you’ll ever need.

Go ahead and reserve a spot on your Thanksgiving table now, because you will be the pecan pie queen (or king) once your family tastes this one!

The pecan pie filling is made with very simple ingredients that come together inside a buttery pie crust, and the finished product is addictive.

Most people have pecan pie after Thanksgiving dinner, but I say there are no pie rules and you can have this one any time, not just special occasions!

a whole pecan pie being placed on a wood surface with two hands, on top of a tan towel and surrounded by two glasses of milk, a small dish of pecans, more pecans scattered around, a stack of plates and forks and a pie serving spatula

What’s to love about this Southern Pecan Pie Recipe?

This perfect pecan pie recipe will make you the star of family gatherings, don’t say I didn’t warn you! Here are just a few of the reasons you’ll love this pie:

Just 6 easy-to-follow steps
A perfected classic pecan pie recipe
Made with 8 simple ingredients
Make it with homemade pie crust or store-bought crust
Perfectly flavored gooey filling in a flaky crust
No pre-baking the crust or filling

ingredients for pecan pie arranged on a wood surface with a tan towel including corn syrup, pecans, butter, eggs, corn starch, vanilla extract, salt and brown sugar

Best Pecan Pie Ingredients

The perfect combination of crunchy pecans, gooey filling and flaky pie crust is made with surprisingly simple ingredients. Keep reading for my best tips, and get the full recipe with measurements and instructions in the recipe card below.

Pie Crust: I recommend using homemade pie crust, but you can also use premade pie crust.
Butter: Melted
Cornstarch: This important ingredient helps the pie filling set to the right consistency and keeps it from being runny.
Brown sugar
Salt
Corn syrup
Vanilla extract
Eggs
Pecans

two white plates with pecan pie slices on them, with a fork on the front plate, sitting on top of a tan towel on a wood surface with a glass dish of pecans beside them and more pecans scattered around, and the pie dish with more pie in the background

How to Make a Pecan Pie

This easy pecan pie recipe just takes 10 minutes of prep time and 6 easy-to-follow steps. Get the full recipe with ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.

Pie Crust

Make pie crust. Follow our pie crust instructions to make a homemade crust. Once the crust is assembled and fluted in the pie pan, place it in the refrigerator while you prepare the filling.

Filling

Prep oven. Position your oven rack in the bottom ⅓ of your oven and preheat the oven to 350º.

wet ingredients for pecan pie being whisked together in a white bowl on a wood surface with a tan towel beside it

wet ingredients for pecan pie being whisked together in a white bowl on a wood surface with a tan towel beside it, with a few egg yolks in the bowl that have not been mixed in yet

Combine cornstarch and butter. Whisk the cornstarch into the melted butter.
Combine wet ingredients. In a large bowl whisk the brown sugar, salt, corn syrup, vanilla extract, and melted butter mixture. Add in the eggs and whisk again.

pecans being added to a glass pie dish with unbaked pie crust in it sitting on a wood surface

a glass pie dish sitting on a wood surface with pecans in it, and the pecan pie filling mixture being poured over the top of it

Add pecans to pie crust. Pour the pecans into the unbaked pie crust. Spread into an even layer.
Add filling to pie crust. Pour the filling over the pecans. The pecans will slowly rise to the surface.

a pecan pie that is ready to bake in a glass baking dish sitting on a wood surface with a tan towel and whole pecans around it

a freshly baked pecan pie in a glass baking dish sitting on a wood surface with a tan towel and whole pecans around it

Bake pie. Place the pie in the oven and bake for 35 minutes. Check the pie every 20 minutes to see if the crust is becoming too brown. If so, cover the edge with a crust protector. Bake for 60-75 minutes.

How to Tell if Pecan Pie is Done

You can check is your pie is done by using a combination of visual cues and a little bit of jiggling. Here’s how to know when your pie is ready:

Visual Inspection:

Check the color of the pie. The crust should be golden brown, and the filling should be set. The pecans on the surface may darken a bit, but they should not be burned or overly toasted.

The “Jiggle” Test:

Gently tap the side of the pie dish, or give it a light shake. The center of the pie should have a slight jiggle, similar to a gentle wave. It should not be liquidy or overly wobbly. The outer edges of the filling should appear slightly puffed and set.

Toothpick or Knife Test (Optional):

If you’re uncertain, you can also insert a toothpick or a thin knife into the center of the pie, about an inch from the edge. It should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs attached. If there’s liquid filling on the toothpick or knife, the pie needs more time.

Baking Time:

The exact baking time can vary depending on your oven and the recipe you’re using, but most pecan pies bake for around 50-60 minutes at 350°F (175°C). Keep a close eye on it in the last 10 minutes to avoid over-baking.

Resting Time:

Once the pie is done, remove it from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack. During this cooling process, the filling will continue to set.

Remember that over-baking can lead to a dry and tough pie, while under-baking can result in a runny filling. So, it’s important to find the right balance using the visual cues and the jiggle test. If you’re using a specific pecan pie recipe, follow the recommended baking time and temperature provided in that recipe for the best results.

a piece of pecan pie being lifted out of a half empty glass pie dish that is sitting on a wood surface beside a tan towel, a plate with a slice of pie topped with whipped cream on it, and a dish of whipped cream.

Southern Pecan Pie Tips for Success

For best results, follow these tips:

Use fresh pecans: Fresh is best! Believe it or not, the flavor or pecans can change and go rancid.
Use the recommended amount of pecans: Even if you love pecans, don’t overdo it. Using more than the recipe calls for can cause your pie to overflow.
Tent the pie to avoid over-browning: If the top or edges of the pie are getting too brown before the center is finished, tent the pie with aluminum foil so the center can continue baking without over-cooking the top or edges.
Let it cool completely: Be patient and let the pie cool completely so it has a chance to fully set.

Serving this recipe for Pecan Pie

My personal preference is to serve pie slices warm, but you can also serve at room temperature. Top each slice with your favorite toppings and enjoy!

Here are some of my favorite toppings:

Homemade whipped cream
Caramel sauce
Maple syrup drizzle
Chopped nuts
Dash of cinnamon or nutmeg

pecan pie with a large slice missing out in a glass pie dish sitting on a wood surface surrounded by pecans and a tan towel with two glasses of milk in the background

How to Store Pecan Pie

Store leftover pie covered or in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.

Does Pecan Pie need to be refrigerated?

Homemade pecan pie should be refrigerated due to the eggs in the filling. Store-bought pie can usually be left at room temperature due to the preservatives, but it’s best to refrigerate your homemade pie if not eaten within a few hours.

Can you freeze Pecan Pie?

Pecan pie freezes well. To freeze, wrap the pie tightly with plastic wrap and then aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. I suggest labeling it with the date. This pie can be frozen for up to 1-2 months.

When you’re ready to serve the pie, remove it from the freezer and place it in the refrigerator to thaw for about 4-6 hours or overnight. Avoid thawing at room temperature to maintain the pie’s texture.

How long does Pecan Pie last?

This recipe lasts 3-5 days when refrigerated. When frozen, it can last up to 2 months.

Homemade Pecan Pie FAQs

How do you keep Pecan Pie from getting soggy?

To prevent a soggy crust, you can brush egg-wash onto the pie crust before adding the filling. You can also chill the pie crust ahead of time, which can help prevent a soggy crust.

What is the difference between chess pie and Pecan pie?

The main difference between chess pie and pecan pie is that chess pie does not have any nuts. Chess pie traditionally is made from flour, butter, sugar, eggs, and sometimes milk. Pecan pie is typically made with pecans, butter, cornstarch, brown sugar, corn syrup, eggs, and sometimes other ingredients for flavor.

Can you overcook Pecan Pie?

Yes, you can overcook this pie. Because ovens can vary, it’s best to check your pie for doneness using the methods mentioned above.