Life got in the way of a pecan pie baking spree, but I did manage to make four. Out of the four, I was able to nail down a really good, straightforward, classic pecan pie recipe. The best pecan pie (at least for now) is based on a recipe from "Cooking Pleasures" magazine. It sets up nicely at room temperature, is soft (but definitely not runny), and has a rich caramel flavor.
Karo Brown Sugar Blend
One thing I changed from the original recipe was to use Karo's new "Brown Sugar Blend" corn syrup, which added more caramel flavor. Light corn syrup would also work. Update: I think the Karo Brown Sugar Blend (pictured below) was discontinued because I can't find it in stores or on their site. Too bad because it added some extra flavor.
Cooking Pecans in Butter
I also modified the original recipe by dry-toasting the pecans for two minutes and then stir-frying them in the butter. Here's a picture to give you an idea. I was careful not to burn it and only cooked the mixture until it just barely started to brown. This is one of my key steps for the best pecan pie and I do it with most recipes.
Recipe
The Best Pecan Pie Yet
Ingredients
- 1 9-inch deep dish unbaked pie shell
- 1 ½ cups pecan halves
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup light corn syrup or Karo "brown sugar" corn syrup
- ¾ cup packed dark brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons whipping cream
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F. Place pecans in a large skillet and turn heat to medium high. Cook pecans for 2 minutes, stirring often. Reduce heat slightly, add butter to skillet with pecans, and "stir-fry" butter and pecans until butter melts and browns - take care not to burn. This should only take about 3 minutes. Remove from heat.
- In medium bowl, stir or lightly whisk together eggs, corn syrup, brown sugar, cream, vanilla and salt. Stir in melted butter/pecan mixture then pour filling into unbaked crust.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes or until top is golden brown and appears set. The pie should still be slightly jiggly in center. Let cool completely at room temperature. Transfer to refrigerator to chill.
- This pie also freezes quite well.
Krista says
kicking myself! Just stuck my maple, bourbon pecan pie in the oven, and I forgot that I wanted to butter roast the pecans first! Oh well..... xo
PasserBy says
Thank you for this recipe!! I made this for Thanksgiving, and it was SO delicious that even those who don't normally like pecan pie LOVED this one!! It was also really quick and easy to make. The butter roasted pecans were especially delicious! I will be making it again for Christmas!!
Kelly says
Has anyone ever tried a different crust such as butter or vanilla cookie , chocolate or any others. If so, pass it on I'm curious! Thanks
Lara says
I have been searching out and trying to concoct Pecan Pie recipes for the last week or so; this one sounds perfect! I wondered about adding cream to the mix- I think it'll really add something to the texture. Thank you for posting it! (It's going on our table tomorrow for Thanksgiving!)
KathleenM says
I was looking for a pecan pie recipe for today's farmer's market pies. Yours looked great, directions and photos clear. I used light corn syrup. They turned out great! Thank you!
Anna says
Mariam, why don't you try par-baking it this time? Can't hurt. Now I did not have to par-bake mine (I used Mrs. Smith's) but I think par-baking might not be a bad idea for certain other brands.
Mariam says
The only explanation that I came up with is that maybe I was a little overzealous when I docked the crust? I plan to try it again, though I can't think what else I'd want to change. It *is* a pretty darned good pie.
Anna says
Mariam, that is interesting. Was there a hole in the crust? That sounds like a pretty wild pie.
Mariam says
I tried making this yesterday, and it turned out pretty yummy, but for some reason, the filling slipped below my crust, (ie: pecan layer, crust layer, yummy buttery layer) and resulted in a bit of a messy pie. I blame my frozen pie crust.
Anna says
For this pie, you do not toast the pecans in the oven first. You heat the dry skillet, add the pecans to the dry skillet, and warm them up (they won't be completely toasted at this point), then add the butter to the skillet with the hot pecans. The butter melts just as the pecans start to release their oils, so there's a convergence of flavorful fat and then I suppose, the pecans absorb it back up into their little pecan bodies. They're not toasted and crispy at this point, but rather (I suspect), fully loaded with pecan oil & butter (fat). So whatever fat they absorb seems to help them bake up nicely during their stint in the oven.
T. Martin says
Do you dry toast the pecans in the oven first or do you toast in a skillet and then add the butter to do the stir frying? Do you really find that doing this produces a crisper pecan in the finished pie?
Brian says
CONGRATULATIONS on winning the Bake-Off Contest!!! I was so happy for you and your daughter when you won! Again, congratulations!!!
Brenda says
I watched you on the Food Network again tonight! I get so excited for you at the end and just love your expression when they announce that you won. The best part is when you tell Fuzz she gets her bouncy house!
Jen says
I'm so happy this one was a success. The picture looks great!
Anna says
I got some feedback on the pie. Todd and my friend both agreed it was the best-ever. Now I'm not saying it's the best in the world, but it was the best of all the ones I made.
Ali, Don't wait until Thanksgiving, try it now!
V, sorry about the weight gain. Maybe it works the opposite way. Perhaps reading about diet food will make you lose weight.
Peabody, the brown sugar Karo is now widely available here in Austin.
Alison, Todd likes his pecan pie at room temp.
peabody says
I haven't seen the brown sugar kind, I will have to keep my eye out for it.
Thanks for testing all the types of pies...makes it easy for me 🙂
veuveclicquot says
gosh. just reading your blog is making me put on weight!!
Saving the "best one yet" for Thanksgiving. Thanks for sharing!
Alicat says
Looks awesome Anna! I'm saving this one for Thanksgiving. 🙂