Southern Pecan Pie

No holiday celebration would be complete without a gorgeous Southern Pecan Pie on the dessert table. Served with a generous dollop of fresh whipped cream, it’s unapologetically rich and decadent to the very last forkful.

Easy Southern Pecan Pie Recipe

Pecan pie is one of the simplest pies you’ll ever make. No, really. The filling consists of pecans, sugar, eggs and corn syrup, and the variations start from there. Some cook’s prefer to use brown sugar in place of granulated sugar, or a mixture of the two. That would be me. At times, maple syrup is used in place of the corn syrup. Other cooks prefer dark corn syrup in place of light corn syrup for the gooey filling. Then, there’s the star of the pie, which pecans are the best to use? My answer is, use quality pecans whether they’re from Georgia or from the great state of Texas. I can tell you first hand, they’re both spectacular.

Checkout this quick list of ingredients to make easy Brown Sugar Pecan Pie: (Scroll down for the full printable recipe card.)

• Pie Crust – One deep dish 9-inch pie crust.
• Nuts – Whole pecan halves. You can also use roughly chopped pecan pieces.
• Eggs – Large eggs bind the filling.
• Corn Syrup – Light corn syrup form the base of the filling.
• Sugar – Light brown sugar OR granulated sugar. Classic pecan pie is made with white sugar, but brown sugar is my FAVORITE way to make it!
• Flavoring – One teaspoon vanilla extract adds creamy floral notes to the flavor.
• Butter – Salted or unsalted butter for richness.
• Salt – Salt balances the sweetness of the pie.
• Topping – Fresh whipped cream or frozen whipped topping, thawed. i.e. Cool Whip or similar.

Is Pecan Pie a Southern Thing?

We love our pecans in the South and this Southern style pecan pie is one of our iconic desserts. In keeping with tradition, my pecan pie is made to according to my family’s taste. I actually prefer to use a brown sugar or a mixture of brown sugar and granulated sugar for the filling. Karo corn syrup is my go-to. I’ve worked with the great people who make Karo Syrup, and I developed this recipe for Toffee Crunch Pecan Pie for them a few years ago. Their classic pecan pie recipe is considered the gold standard, and I couldn’t agree more.

How to Make the Best Homemade Southern Pecan Pie Recipe

• Heat Oven and Prepare Pie Plate – Set the oven temperature to 350°F to preheat. Press pie crust firmly into pie dish. Set aside.
• Make Filling – In a medium size mixing bowl, whisk together corn syrup, sugar, eggs, butter, vanilla and salt.
• Pecans – Add pecans, stir until fully coated and evenly distributed.
• Transfer to Crust – Pour pecan pie filling into pie crust. Use a spoon to space pecans evenly.
• Oven – Bake per the cook time in the recipe until the center is set when gently shaken or reaches 200°F.
• Cool – Cool on a cooling rack for at least 4 hours or chill prior to cutting.
• Serve – Serve at room temperature or warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or chilled with whipped cream.

Kitchen Equipment to Make Pecan Pie Recipe

• One 9-inch deep dish pie pan or dish.
• Measuring cups and spoons.
• Medium bowl and small microwave safe bowl (for the melted butter).
• Hand mixer and large rubber spatula or spoon.

Recipe Variations, Tips and Substitutions

• Nuts – I use pecan halves in this recipe but you could use chopped pecans, if that’s your preference. Either way, it’s delicious.
• Pie Shell – This Southern-style pecan pie recipe can be made in either a frozen unbaked deep dish pie shell or a homemade pie crust. If you use a frozen crust, there’s no need to thaw or par bake prior to filling. To make your own crust, checkout my recipe for Flaky Pie Crust here.
• Can I Substitute Honey in Pecan Pie? I don’t recommend using honey in place of the corn syrup for the filling. While I love honey, it tends to dominate the flavor of the pie more than the pecans and takes the flavor in another direction.
• Do You Use Dark Corn Syrup or Light Corn Syrup for Pecan Pie? It really depends on the baker’s preference. Dark corn syrup is made dark with the addition of refiner’s sugar, which is a type of molasses. That fact will affect the color and flavor. Using it, will result in a darker pie. It won’t shorten the length of time to bake however, you should watch the pie for over browning while baking.
• Brown Sugar or White Sugar in Pecan Pie – I use a mix of two kinds of sugar for my pecan pie. I like to use 1/2 cup light brown sugar and 1/2 cup granulated sugar for the warm honey color that it gives to the baked pie and the flavor brown sugar gives to the filling.
• Check the Pie Halfway – Be certain to check the pie halfway through baking. If the pecans are browning too quickly, lay a piece of aluminum foil on top. They are coated in sugar, after all.
• Evenly Distribute the Pecans – I highly recommend that after pouring the filling into the pie crust, use a spoon to evenly space the pecans in the filling. At this point, you can flip them over so they’re right side up for the prettiest presentation.
• When to Serve Brown Sugar Pecan Pie: This pie can be enjoyed year-round for dessert. It’s a popular Thanksgiving dessert, Christmas dessert, popular for picnics, Easter, July 4th celebrations or anytime pie is on the menu.
• Chocolate Pecan Pie – You may also like this recipe for Chocolate Pecan Pie with chocolate chips.

Storage and Leftovers

• Allow Time for the Pie to Cool – It’s important to allow ample time for the pie to cool and set before slicing. If you cut this pie within 20-30 minutes of baking, the filling won’t be set.
• Leftovers – You can store this brown sugar Pecan Pie covered with foil, plastic wrap or in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or chilled in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
• Freezer – You can also freeze baked pecan pie for up to two months.

More Easy Pie Recipes to Make

I have three favorite kinds of pie. Warm, room temperature and chilled. If you love pie, too checkout these recipes for more pie making inspiration from my kitchen to yours:

• This easy Pineapple Buttermilk Pie is a pineapple twist on a  Southern classic.
• Old Fashioned Oatmeal Pie is a fabulous way to use pantry ingredients turning them into something spectacular.
• Mile High Coconut Cream Pie is a stunner!
• Apple Butter Pie features sugar and spice and everything nice.
• Lemon Lime Atlantic Beach Pie.
• The BEST Sweet Potato Pie recipe topped with a homemade crunch streusel.
• Scratch made Blueberry Pie.
• You might also like this recipe from Southern Living for Rhubarb Custard Pie.

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Helpful Kitchen Items

• Deep Dish Pie Pan
• Mixer
• Measuring Set
• Mixing Bowls