Easy Pecan Pie Recipe: A Dessert To Knock Their Socks Off

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I know, I know, a Thanksgiving pecan pie recipe can be so intimidating.  But don’t worry, I’m sharing the easiest version of the best Southern pecan pie recipe that anyone can make. You know I love delicious easy recipes especially for the Thanksgiving menu this year!  I mean, someone had to make the sacrifice to practice and create the best pecan pie recipe, right?! Seriously, though, don’t miss the extra secrets and suggestions at the end.

close up of one slice of southern pecan pie

RECIPES WITH MEANING

Pecan pie and lemon pound cake were two desserts that my Grandmother was known for in our family when I was growing up. “Grammy” and Papa lived close enough for me to walk to there house whenever I wanted to. I would often perch myself in their cozy kitchen and watch my Grammy make desserts where the scrumptious smell alone would knock your socks off.

I guess the reason that this recipe and her pound cake recipe are so precious to me is because Grammy passed away several years ago. She was my person. The one in my family that I was most like and I loved her dearly.

Every time I start gathering supplies to make these two recipes, fond memories spent with just Grammy and I in her kitchen flood through me. I pray that one day my children and future grandchildren have warm fuzzy memories of me in the kitchen as well.

EASY SOUTHERN PECAN PIE RECIPE KARO INCLUDED

I hope you can make some of those special memories with my old-fashioned but EASY recipes as well.

If I can do it, you can do it!

I know that one of the favorite ingredients for anyone making a pecan pie recipe is Karo syrup. I don’t know why you would try to do it any other way! Yes, I know the sugar content is high, but it’s one dessert for one day. Let’s live a little.

Is pecan pie really bad for you?

Like I mentioned above, this recipe is made with Karo syrup AND two types of sugar and a dot of syrup so the sugar numbers are high. A gluten-free pie crust could be used in substitution for a flour one, so that would make it better for some people. Most people only eat one or two slices a year, so to me, it’s a splurge that’s worth taking!

How do you know pecan pie is done?

It took me a couple tries before I realized that the only way to know a pecan pie is done in the oven is when the top get a dark brown, almost caramelized look to it. The pie should still be just slightly jiggly in the center when you move it – but not over liquid-y.

How long should a pecan pie cool?

Two or three hours. Here’s the deal… if you cut into a warm pie, all the yummy filling inside is going to fall apart everywhere as you try to move it to a plate. If you let the pie cool properly, you’ll be able to cut a clean slice and leave all of it intact.

Can pecan pie be made ahead of time?

Absolutely if it is baked before setting aside! Since it needs to cool for at least two hours anyway, you can make hours ahead and keep it room temperature until it’s time to serve.

Does pecan pie need to be refrigerated?

If it is properly baked, it can remain at room temperature for several hours unless the temps inside a house are very hot. The pie needs to be refrigerated after several hours and can not be left out.

PECAN PIE RECIPE

I look forward to making this easy recipe because of the joy it brings to my family. Below I’m sharing the ingredients, instructions and recipe card for you to print. Don’t miss my other easy southern treats like my apple pie recipe, gluten free banana bread, and oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. If I can make them, so can you!

Pecan pie ingredients

There’s more detail on the printable recipe card below but here’s a quick glance at the general ingredients:

  • unbaked pie crust
  • white sugar
  • brown sugar
  • salt
  • Karo syrup
  • maple flavoring
  • melted butter
  • eggs
  • pecans

Easy pecan pie recipe instructions

The ingredients and instructions for a printable recipe card are below but here’s the basic idea ->>>

Basically, you are going to pour pecans into the best unbaked pie crust (store-bought or homemade) and then pour the syrupy mixture over the top.

Important:  Grab a piece of tin foil about the size of the pie plate and place it over the top of the pecan pie when you place it in the oven.

Very important:  Don’t mash the tin foil down on the pie … let it be like a tent that hovers and barely touches the pie crust edges.  If you allow the foil to rest right on the top of the pie, the gooey yumminess will come off on the foil when you remove it later.

You will keep the foil atop the pie for the first 30 minutes of baking time.  When you remove it, there will be an additional 20 minutes of baking without it.

Here’s your printable recipe card of how to make the best pecan pie recipe:

BEST Pecan Pie – No Fail Easy Recipe That Will Knock Their Socks Off!
 
Ingredients
  • 1 unbaked pie crust
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 3 Tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup karo syrup
  • 3/4 t vanilla flavoring
  • 1/3 cup melted butter
  • 3 beaten eggs
  • 1 heaping Tablespoon pecans (chopped)
Instructions
  1. Chop pecans to your desired size and place in bottom of pie crust
  2. In a bowl, mix the rest of the ingredients very well and pour over pecans
  3. Place foil lightly over top of pie
  4. Bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes
  5. Remove foil and bake on 350 degrees for 20 more minutes
  6. If center is still giggly when you touch pie pan, turn off oven but left pie sit for 15 minutes in oven.
  7. Remove and enjoy!
 

Occasions

You really don’t need a special reason to make a Southern pie recipe but around here, it’s top of the request list for Thanksgiving dinners.  It simply wouldn’t be the holidays without this sweet dessert of Thanksgiving pie!  Since it’s such a unique treat, this amazingly easy pecan pie recipe would make a wonderful gift to someone you care about.  I mean, who wouldn’t love to receive a homemade pecan pie from your kitchen?!

UPDATE

I failed to mention that I used that heaping Tablespoon of pecans when mixing the recipe, but I also add a few bigger pieces on the very top before placing in the oven (notice the image) for a prettier presentation.  This can be at your own discretion and totally optional.

Hey, maybe I should make several and sell them to my local friends on Christmas Eve.  Nah, they’ll want the joy of making their own since it’s so incredibly easy.  You could share my easy Thanksgiving dessert with your friends and family and let them try their hand at it as well!


YOU MAY NEED:

This is our favorite gluten free pie crust that we’ve used many times. We have enjoyed the graham cracker crust but there is also a ginger snap one for something new! Here’s the best pie dish.

Sweet Pecan Fact Sheet

Are you ready to wow your people?


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Shan

Published on HuffPost, Okefenokee Living Magazine, and more, Shan is a Family Travel Journalist with a passion for helping women lose the overwhelm of planning family-friendly trips in the south. She shares travel reviews & insider secrets that Women REALLY want to know about Georgia, Florida, & the Carolinas vacations.

☕️ It’s THE REAL DEAL around here ☕️

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46 Comments

  1. Emily
    December 7, 2016 / 8:06 am

    Pecan pie is always my first pick. Yours looks tasty!!

  2. Sonya
    December 7, 2016 / 8:10 am

    This pie looks incredible! Our family LOVES pe an pie! Will need to give this a try 🙂

  3. jen
    December 7, 2016 / 8:17 am

    This sounds Delicious! Perfect holiday dessert!
    xo
    Jen
    effortlesseverydaystyle.com

  4. Chrissy
    December 7, 2016 / 10:13 am

    Ooooooh! I am definitely going to have to try this! I’m new to baking and think I may have found my baking groove!

  5. Michelle
    December 7, 2016 / 12:07 pm

    THANK YOU… been needing a good recipe for pecan pie… no fail is for me… thanks

  6. Emily
    December 7, 2016 / 1:17 pm

    Never had pecan pie but this looks delicious!!

    xx Emily | happilylindsey.com

  7. Stacie LaMothe
    December 7, 2016 / 2:08 pm

    OMG! So yum, I wasn’t too crazy about the one I made for Thanksgiving. I’ll definitely be trying this one for Christmas!! Cant wait!

  8. Stacy Calhoun
    December 7, 2016 / 2:45 pm

    I love me a great pecan pie, and this one looks like I have to make one now. I like how the directions are simple, and the pictures are gorgeous, that makes me want it even more.

  9. Alexie
    December 7, 2016 / 4:42 pm

    Pecan Pie is my FAVE!! I can’t wait to have some this christmas!

  10. Amie
    December 7, 2016 / 5:47 pm

    My husband will die if I make pecan pie, it’s his favorite but I always think it looks too hard!

    • Shan
      Author
      December 7, 2016 / 6:35 pm

      That made me laugh out loud, Amie. GO FOR IT and bless yo’ man, honey. hahaha

      blessings,
      Shan

  11. Rebecca Hicks
    December 7, 2016 / 7:43 pm

    Mmm that looks SO good. Pecan pie is my absolute favorite pie, especially when it’s mixed with chocolate chips. YUM.

  12. Cait Weingartner
    December 8, 2016 / 5:43 am

    This Pecan Pie looks sinfully delicious! I love a good homemade pie, and cannot wait to try this recipe. I think it will make a great addition to my holiday dessert list.

  13. Suzanne
    December 8, 2016 / 9:12 am

    I’m confused. Does that picture seriously only have 1 tbsp. of pecans? The recipe sounds great, but that picture looks like more than a heaping tbsp. and those are halves, not chopped. It’s a pretty pie, though:)

    • Shan
      Author
      December 8, 2016 / 12:01 pm

      You are right, Suzanne. Yes, it’s a heaping Tablespoon of chopped pecans, but I failed to mention that I add a few bigger pieces right on top before it goes in the oven-adding that now. Thanks for pointing that out! 😉

      blessings,
      Shan

  14. Jessica Bradshaw
    December 8, 2016 / 9:42 am

    My husband loves pecan pie so much!! I will have to try this for him.

    • Shan
      Author
      December 8, 2016 / 12:01 pm

      It’s so good, Jessica. May get you some brownie points with the hubs! lol

      blessings,
      Shan

  15. Jasmine Eclipse
    December 8, 2016 / 11:47 pm

    Pecan pie is my favourite type of pie! And it’s funny because it never used to be… but now I absolutely love it! I really want to bake my own, I just might try!

  16. Miri
    December 9, 2016 / 10:46 am

    Oh boy. I just need the crust and the other ingredients are WAY too nearby!

  17. Mother of 3
    December 15, 2016 / 4:47 pm

    This sounds so good, I used to have a go to pecan pie recipe but I haven’t made it in a few years and no longer remember how I made it… I did however, add a sprinkle of chocolate chips to the bottom of the pie with the pecans. While not a traditional pecan pie I loved the mix of chocolate and nuts.

  18. Ilka Elise
    March 7, 2017 / 7:17 am

    Great recipe, had to safe it. thank’s for sharing 🙂
    Much love

  19. Joanne Tabares
    March 7, 2017 / 7:32 am

    My father in law used to love pecan pie. He’s been gone many years now, but it still reminds me of him. Looks good.

  20. Maddi
    March 7, 2017 / 7:46 am

    I have never even tried a pecan pie! But this looks so yummy! I think ill need to give it a go! 🙂 Thanks for sharing! I also love the photos that you’ve got with it 🙂

    • Shan
      Author
      March 7, 2017 / 8:17 am

      I was never interested in it either, Maddi. When I married my country guy though, he insisted. Now I love it but it has to be just right! 😉
      blessings,
      Shan

  21. Cait
    March 7, 2017 / 7:51 am

    i have to say ive never been a huge fan of peacan pie but yours looks AMAZING!

    • Shan
      Author
      March 7, 2017 / 8:18 am

      I never was either, Cait until a few years ago. never say never. 😉
      blessings,
      Shan

  22. Devon @ureadyteddy
    March 7, 2017 / 8:01 am

    I LOVE pecan pies but mine always get so soupy. I. Ended some hacks to make it a little simpler. Thanks for the tips!!

  23. Erin Klema | The Epicurean Traveler
    March 7, 2017 / 8:23 am

    Pecan pie is my FAVORITE! I’ve never attempted to make a pecan pie at home, but this doesn’t sound as difficult as I thought it would be. Thanks for going through all that testing for us!

  24. Ayanna
    March 7, 2017 / 11:45 am

    I can totally do this! I love pecan pie, but have never made one because it seemed like too much work. The next time I need to take a dessert to a party, I’m trying this.

  25. jodie Fitz
    March 7, 2017 / 1:07 pm

    This recipe looks delish! Would love for you to stop over for a visit…we’re still playing around with St. Patrick’s Day fun yum at the site. Looking forward to following along. Have a great day!

  26. Bonnie
    March 7, 2017 / 1:22 pm

    PECan pie is a staple! THis looks easy and delicious

  27. Sarah @ Sarah's Bake Studio
    March 7, 2017 / 3:29 pm

    I have yet to make a Pecan Pie, but this one looks delish and easy enough. Pinned!

  28. anne @onedeterminedlife
    March 7, 2017 / 3:55 pm

    I love pecan pie so much. This one looks so good.

  29. Kristine-Bites of Flavor
    March 7, 2017 / 4:17 pm

    I’ve only made pecan pie once and added the pecans to the top of the pie. Now I HAVE to try your version and see what the difference is. This looks delicious!!

  30. Gwendolyn
    March 7, 2017 / 6:50 pm

    I love Pecan Pie!! Your recipe definitely looks and sounds easy to make 🙂 Reading about Pecan Pie made my mouth water!! I can’t wait to try this recipe!

  31. nikita
    March 7, 2017 / 7:53 pm

    Looks delicious! Can’t wait to try it!

  32. jehava
    March 7, 2017 / 8:46 pm

    This looks great! It’s my favorite pie and I’m always looking for new recipes.

  33. Kenya
    March 7, 2017 / 9:29 pm

    I’m not a huge fan of pecan pie but this makes me wanna try and make it myself! It gotta have Momma’s touch! Ya know!

  34. Amanda
    March 8, 2017 / 12:11 pm

    I’ve never heard of the tin foil trick. I’ll have to give it a try. Thanks for sharing! It looks beautiful!

  35. Valerie
    March 9, 2017 / 10:38 pm

    This sounds so good!

    -Valerie

  36. WayneH
    September 13, 2020 / 1:20 pm

    I grew up in Texas and my family made it with half clear Karo and half brown Karo, with no added sugar.

  37. Michelle
    November 10, 2021 / 7:17 pm

    Hi. Sound easy enough. Is the corn syrup the lite one or needs to be dark? Or does it even matter? Thanks!

    • Shan
      Author
      November 11, 2021 / 7:42 am

      It’s definitely your preference. The only difference between the two is the obvious color, but also the dark one has a lot stronger flavor. I always use the light corn syrup since it’s clear in color and mild in taste. Thanks for your question!

      -shan

  38. Marlene
    November 15, 2022 / 12:44 am

    This looks exactly like my moms pie growing up – it was the best ever! I love the filling part and I would take the pecans off the top, eat the rest of the pie, then eat the pecans. She did something to the pecans because they always tasted like candied pecans. I haven’t figured out what she did. Would you have any idea? Sprinkle them with sugar?

    Also, I’m making this for Thanksgiving but also going to try making it keto and keep my fingers crossed!

    • Shan
      Author
      November 16, 2022 / 2:18 pm

      Hey there! Sounds like a wonderful memory. I would guess that she made a type of candied pecan. You could try mixing about 5 Tablespoons sugar (brown sugar is great), 3/4 cup water, Tablespoon vanilla, and a dash of salt and cinnamon. Warm in a saucepan on medium, add chopped nuts and simmer couple minutes, stirring frequently. Nuts should be coated and sauce should have a shiny texture. Be sure not to burn. Pour out in single layer on plate or pan until cool. Hope this helps! Let me know how it turns out!
      -shan

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