Homemade Pecan Pie | Walking on Sunshine Recipes (2024)

Looking for a delicious and crowd-pleasing dessert to serve at your Thanksgiving dinner? Look no further than this homemade pecan pie recipe!

With its flaky crust, sweet and nutty filling, and hint of warm spices, pecan pie is the perfect way to end any holiday meal. Best of all, this recipe is easy to make from scratch using pantry ingredients that you probably already have on hand.

Check out some other Thanksgiving dessert ideas for even more delicious recipes!

For some people the Thanksgiving meal is not complete without a slice of pecan pie. However, growing up my family never had pecan pie as part of our Thanksgiving desserts.

I guess this is what happens when you grow up in a German/Italian household from Queens, NY. We always had traditional apple pie and pumpkin pie.

Looking for more Thanksgiving Pies to serve? Check out my favorite Mini Pumpkin Pie Flowers, Mini Pecan Pie Tarts or Pecan Pie Cheesecake

👩‍🍳Recipe Notes

• This recipe uses homemade pie dough. Check out my post onPie Crust Basicsfor full step-by-step photos. You can also check out my post onPie Crust Basics Part Part Twofor ideas on decorating pies using homemade pie dough.
• I like to pre-bake the pie shell. This will ensure a flakier bottom crust once baked and keep the pie crust from getting soggy.
• This recipe does not use molasses. If you prefer a darker, richer filling, try this pecan pie recipe from Simple Recipes.

Wilton Excelle Elite Non-Stick Tart and Quiche Pan with Removable Bottom, 9-Inch -CGGYYZ Mini Round Tart Pan with Removable Bottom, Nonstick Mini Pie Pans for Baking, Carbon Steel Quiche Pan Set for Cupcake Muffin Cakes and Desserts, Including 6 Tart Pan and 1 Tart Tamper (Green)HONGBAKE Round Tart Pan 9 Inch with Removable Bottom, Nonstick Quiche Baking Pan for Oven, Tarts Tin for Cheese Cakes, Desserts

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📋Ingredients

🥣Step-by-Step Instructions

1️⃣ Prepare the Pie Crust

• Mix together the flour and the salt.
• Add the shortening to the bowl and using a pastry blender, work the shortening into the flour until it resembles coarse crumbs.
• Slowly add the cold water, a little at a time, stirring until the dough forms a ball and begins to pull away from the sides of the bowl.
• Pressing the dough onto the bottom and sides of pie pan.
• Chill the pie dough in the pan for at least 30 minutes.
• Bake for only 10 minutes in a 375°F preheated oven.
• The crust will not be fully baked as it will go back into the oven with the pie filling.

2️⃣ Prepare the Filling

• Combine the brown sugar, butter, corn syrup, vanilla extract and eggs using an electric mixer.
• Add the chopped pecans and stir to combine.

3️⃣ Baking Instructions

• Add the mixture to the pre-baked pie crust.
• Return the pie back to the oven and bake for 35 to 45 minutes or until the center is set.
• Halfway through the baking, add the pecan halves in a circle design on top of the pie. Be careful not to press too heavily.
• If the pie crust edge is getting too brown, cover the edges with aluminum foil. Pie crust shields work great too!
• As soon as you remove the pie from the oven.
• Cool for 30 minutes or refrigerate for 2 hours until chilled before serving.

📌Quick Tip: Check the internal temperature of the pie using a meat thermometer to ensure that it reaches at least 200°F.

⏲Prep Ahead Tips

• Make the pie crust in advance and store it in the refrigerator for up to two days before using.
• Prebake the pie crust and allow it to cool completely before adding the filling. This will ensure a flakier bottom crust once baked.
• Prepare the filling ingredients in advance. Store them in the refrigerator until ready to use.
• Bake the pecan pie one day in advance and store it at room temperature over night or refrigerate it for up to 3 days before serving.

🍶 Storage Tips

• Baked pecan pie should be stored in an air-tight container or covered with plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
• Place the container in the refrigerator.
• Baked pecan pie will last up to 3 days when stored properly.

❄️Freezing Tips

• To freeze the pie, make sure to cool it completely first.
• Then wrap the pie with a few layers of aluminum foil or plastic wrap.
• Store the wrapped pie in an air-tight container or freezer bag and place it in the freezer for 3 months.

🔁 Thaw and Reheat

• Be sure to thaw the pie overnight in the refrigerator before eating.

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📇Recipe Card

📖 Recipe Card

This recipe has been updated since it first appeared in 2017 with new photos, information and a new printable recipe card that includes nutritional information. I hope you enjoy the updates as much as I enjoyed working on them!