I Made the Pioneer Woman's Pecan Pie Recipe—and It's Heavenly Pecan Perfection In Every Bite (Bookmark This!) (2024)

With a hint of crunch on top of a gooey filling, this Pioneer Woman pecan pie is a total classic. And it only requires a few steps to make it at home!

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While pumpkin pie is a classic for any Thanksgiving dinner menu, pecan pie is right up at the top of the list along with it. This Pioneer Woman pecan pie is a traditional recipe, made with sugar, corn syrup, butter and eggs. All it needs is a dollop of fresh whipped cream.

Can’t get enough pecan desserts? Try these pecan sandies cookies, too.

How to Make Pioneer Woman Pecan Pie

I Made the Pioneer Woman's Pecan Pie Recipe—and It's Heavenly Pecan Perfection In Every Bite (Bookmark This!) (1)Molly Allen for Taste of Home, Getty Images

Ree Drummond’s pecan pie recipe couldn’t be any simpler. It requires just a few steps to put together and fill the pie. After that, you can let the oven do all the work!

Ingredients

  • 1 unbaked pie crust
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 3 tablespoons dark brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup light corn syrup
  • 3/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/3 cup salted butter, melted
  • 3 eggs, beaten
  • 1 cup chopped pecans

Editor’s Tip: Make toasted pecans to give the pie extra flavor.

Tools You’ll Need

Directions

Step 1: Prepare your pie crust

I Made the Pioneer Woman's Pecan Pie Recipe—and It's Heavenly Pecan Perfection In Every Bite (Bookmark This!) (5)Molly Allen for Taste of Home

Use your favorite homemade pie crust recipe or store-bought dough. Roll out the dough and place it in a pie plate. Once the dough has been placed in a pie plate, poke the bottom with a fork for venting.

Step 2: Mix the filling

I Made the Pioneer Woman's Pecan Pie Recipe—and It's Heavenly Pecan Perfection In Every Bite (Bookmark This!) (6)Molly Allen for Taste of Home

Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a bowl, add the white sugar, brown sugar, salt, corn syrup, vanilla extract, melted butter and eggs. Whisk to combine until smooth.

Step 3: Fill the pie crust

I Made the Pioneer Woman's Pecan Pie Recipe—and It's Heavenly Pecan Perfection In Every Bite (Bookmark This!) (7)Molly Allen for Taste of Home

Spread the chopped pecans in the pie crust in an even layer. Pour the filling mixture over top. The pecans will rise to the top within a few seconds.

Step 4: Time to bake!

I Made the Pioneer Woman's Pecan Pie Recipe—and It's Heavenly Pecan Perfection In Every Bite (Bookmark This!) (8)Molly Allen for Taste of Home

Carefully place the pie in the oven. Bake for at least 50 minutes until set. Depending on your oven, you may need to cover the pie to avoid too much browning while baking. You may also need to bake your pie for additional time. The pie is ready when the filling just barely jiggles.

Once baked, remove the pie from the oven and allow it to fully cool for several hours before serving. Serve with homemade whipped cream if desired. Don’t forget to refrigerate your pecan pie!

Here’s What I Thought

I Made the Pioneer Woman's Pecan Pie Recipe—and It's Heavenly Pecan Perfection In Every Bite (Bookmark This!) (9)Molly Allen for Taste of Home

Digging your fork into a slice of this pecan pie is truly an experience. First thing’s first, the texture is second to none. Because the pecans rose to the top, a slight crunch formed. Breaking through that crunchy top layer brings you to the gooey filling, and then to the flaky crust serving as the perfect base. It’s a layered experience making this pie not just about flavor but all about mouthfeel as well.

The flavor is rich and sweet with plenty of caramel notes. To me, pecans bring plenty of flavor to the table on their own, and this recipe captures that. There’s no need to cover them in sugar and make it too sweet. The flavor of the pecans gets to stand on its own, with an appropriate amount of sugar to back it up.

When baking, be sure to vent your pie crust by poking a few holes to avoid any pitfalls. And certainly keep an eye on your bake time. If you have a thick-enough pie crust, you may not need to cover it to avoid too much browning. But it all depends on your oven. The pie may be done in 50 minutes, or it may require more time. Either way, be sure that when you remove it from the oven you allow it to cool. This gives time for the filling to fully congeal to offer that ooey-gooey texture in every bite that we all love.

Don’t forget to check out more of our favorite Thanksgiving recipes!

Caramel Pecan Desserts You’ll Go Nuts Over

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I Made the Pioneer Woman's Pecan Pie Recipe—and It's Heavenly Pecan Perfection In Every Bite (Bookmark This!) (10)Taste of Home

Layered Turtle CheesecakeAfter receiving a request for a special turtle cheesecake and not finding a good recipe, I created my own. Everyone is thrilled with the results and this cheesecake remains a favorite at the coffee shop where I work. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, WisconsinShop NowLove turtles? Try these turtle-inspired recipes.

Caramel-Pecan Apple PieYou'll love the smell in your kitchen—and the smiles on everybody's faces—when you make this scrumptious caramel apple pie recipe. It takes me back home to Virginia, to my granny's table. —Jean Castro, Phoenix, Arizona

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Praline Ice CreamIf you're a caramel lover, you'll want to try this homemade praline ice cream topped with a rich caramel sauce. I've made this recipe for many ice cream socials at church. —Julia Register, Huntersville, North Carolina

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Homemade Turtle CandiesI am a self-taught candy maker through trial and error. This turtle candy recipe is a favorite of friends and family. —Carole Wiese, New Berlin, Wisconsin

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Caramel-Pecan Cheesecake PieIn fall or any time of year, this nutty, rich and delicious pecan pie recipe is one I am proud to serve. While it seems very special, this caramel pecan cheesecake is a snap to make. —Becky Ruff, Monona, Iowa

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Caramel Apple BarsThese bars make an excellent fall dessert. We like to warm individual servings in the microwave and serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It quickly became a family favorite; maybe it'll become one of your family's, too. —Carol Stuber, Osawatomie, Kansas

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Chocolate Caramel WafersTo keep my holiday cooking quick, I've come to rely on fast recipes like this one. The crunchy-chewy tidbits are our youngster's favorite.

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Caramel Pecan CheesecakeI created this creamy cheesecake using two of my favorites—caramel and pecans. It is a stunning cake and rivals any I've tasted. —Deidre Sizer, Cedarville, Ohio

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Chocolate Caramel Pecan CookiesThis is my favorite recipe for bake sales and bazaars. Each delightfully sweet chocolate cookie has a fun caramel surprise in the middle, thanks to Rolo candy. Dipped in pecans before baking, they look so nice that they sell in a hurry. —Melissa Vannoy, Childress, Texas

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Caramel-Pecan Apple SlicesHere's a warm, decadent side dish for fall or winter brunches. Ready to eat in only 15 minutes, the apples are also good alongside a pork entree or spooned over vanilla ice cream. —Carol Gillespie, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania

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Heavenly Praline CakeA moist cake and generous frosting are filled with the fabulous flavor of caramel. The candied pecans are almost a dessert by themselves!—Jennifer Rodriguez, Midland, Texas

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Caramel Pecan ShortbreadMy grandchildren look for Grandma's "candy bar cookies" every Christmas. I recommend doubling the recipe for these sweet treats because they go so fast. —Dorothy Buiter, Worth, Illinois

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Caramel Pecan Ice Cream DessertMy mother passed this old-time recipe on to me because she knew I'd want to make it. I love desserts—especially this one! —Mary Wright, Morriston, Ontario

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Caramel Apple CupcakesTake these extra special cupcakes to your next event and watch how quickly they disappear! With a caramel topping and spice cake base, they're the perfect mix of two fall-favorite treats. —Diane Halferty, Corpus Christi, Texas

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Pecan Caramel CandiesSalty and sweet, these candies are the perfect little snack. Form a kitchen assembly line with your kids, and the making becomes just as fun as the eating. —Julie Wemhoff, Angola, Indiana

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Turtle CookiesOur special education class developed these fudgy turtle cookies. We have a cookie club teachers can pay to join, and members give this cookie two thumbs up. —Debbie Ethridge, Bentonville, Arkansas

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Turtle Tart with Caramel SauceBetween the creamy chocolate filling, crunchy nut crust and gooey caramel sauce, this tart has a whole lot to love. Plus, you can make it two to three days in advance. One of my daughters even asks for this instead of cake on her birthday. —Leah Davis, Morrow, Ohio

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Caramel Pecan PieThis is hands down the best pecan pie—it’s so good, it’s scary! I’m making it for Thanksgiving because there will be others around to share it with me. Here’s the trick: Toss the bag of caramels to your kid or spouse and promise they can eat whatever is left after they unwrap your 36 caramels. —Larry Crowder, Grand Blanc, Michigan

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I Made the Pioneer Woman's Pecan Pie Recipe—and It's Heavenly Pecan Perfection In Every Bite (Bookmark This!) (2024)

FAQs

What is a substitute for Karo syrup in pecan pie? ›

For every one cup of corn syrup that the recipe calls for, use one cup of maple syrup instead. The great thing about maple syrup is it has some nutritional benefits. Maple syrup contains antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, such as Vitamin B6, calcium, niacin, potassium, and riboflavin.

Is pecan pie bad for you? ›

Pecan pie is traditionally made with a good amount corn syrup and/or brown sugar, which only contributes sugar and calories. Once again, your crust can be a big source of fat, especially artery-clogging saturated fat. Although pecans have many healthy attributes, more doesn't mean it's healthier.

How do you keep pecans from sinking in a pie? ›

To prevent the pecans from sinking into the filling for pecan pie, when you add them, do so gently. Some recipes call for adding some chopped nuts to the filling and reserving the remaining nuts to place on top. Other recipes only call for placing the nuts on top of the filling.

How jiggly should pecan pie be? ›

If the filling is flowing in a wavy movement from the center to the edge, your pie isn't set quite yet. Wait for the moment when the center of your pecan pie gives you just a little jiggle, like the stable but slightly wiggly movement of Jell-O when you give it a gentle shake.

Is it better to use light or dark Karo syrup for pecan pie? ›

Light and dark corn syrup can be used interchangeably in almost every instance, with slight flavor variances. In a pecan pie, for example, light corn syrup will contribute sweetness and a hint of vanilla, but that's about it. Dark corn syrup, in addition to sweetness, will add color and a more robust, toasty flavor.

Is corn syrup or maple syrup better for pecan pie? ›

The flavor of your pie will definitely be different. But maple and pecan is a popular combination, and most the maple syrup you buy in store is just corn syrup with flavoring anyways. You may want to cut the maple syrup with some corn syrup or honey so maple flavor isn't too overpowering.

What is the unhealthiest pie to eat? ›

The worst ... apple and pecan pie. "When apples are baked into a buttery crust and covered with sugar and butter, they go from a healthy fruit to a fattening heart attack," says Cohn.

Is pecan pie bad for blood pressure? ›

Pecan offers proteins, fibers, and healthy fats that keep you satisfied and energetic. They are also a great source of magnesium, potassium, and calcium, which help to lower blood pressure.

Is it bad to eat pecans every day? ›

Like many other nuts, pecans contain a high percentage of fat and can lead to diarrhea if too many are eaten in a short amount of time. Over-consumption may also lead to digestive issues like gas and bloating. Recommendation: One ounce (15-19) pecan halves per day.

Should I make the pecan pie the night before? ›

Although it can be served warm, pecan pie is best when it's completely set. Very often, I'll make my pecan pie the night before Thanksgiving; by the next day, it's perfect.

Can I leave my pecan pie out overnight? ›

You can only keep it at room temperature for two hours. Since pecan pies contain eggs, they have more chances to get bad and make you sick. So, if you have kept your pies in the fridge, put them back within two hours. On the other hand, store-bought pies contain preservatives that keep them from spoiling.

Why is my homemade pecan pie runny? ›

A pecan pie is essentially a custard pie, and a liquid center is almost always the result of underbaking. The Karo Classic Pecan Pie recipe calls for baking the pie for 60 to 70 minutes at 350 degrees. In some ovens, however, the pie can take 75 minutes or more.

How long to let pecan pie rest? ›

If you baked the pie from scratch, be sure to let it cool for two hours, then lightly wrap in plastic wrap or aluminum foil.

Why is my pecan pie so hard? ›

Bake the pie too long and the filling will become rock hard after cooling. Don't bake the pie long enough and the filling will ooze all over the place and the pie will fall apart. There are three okay ways to kind-of tell when your pecan pie is done but only ONE foolproof way to tell when your pecan pie is done.

What can I use instead of Karo syrup? ›

Substitutes for Corn Syrup
  • Brown Rice Syrup. Brown rice syrup is one of the best substitutes for corn syrup. ...
  • Maple Syrup. Maple syrup is another corn syrup substitute you can try out and is most likely in your pantry right now. ...
  • Agave. ...
  • Simple Syrup. ...
  • Tapioca Syrup. ...
  • Honey. ...
  • Golden Syrup. ...
  • Black Treacle.

Why does pecan pie need corn syrup? ›

It is quite possible to make pecan pie with brown sugar, white sugar, maple syrup or a combination. Corn syrup sweetens pecan pie and gives it a smooth texture by preventing the crystallization of the sugar when baking. It also acts with the eggs to thicken. It can be replaced with maple syrup and flour.

Can I substitute honey for corn syrup in a pie? ›

Each one varies in taste as well. Some will have a floral flavor while others will have a more bold taste. When substituting honey for corn syrup, using equivalent amounts is recommended. For every one cup of corn syrup, use one cup of honey instead.

Is Karo the same as light corn syrup? ›

The clear Karo corn syrup has been called "light" since the 1940s, before "light" became a popular description for reduced-calorie products. The term "light" in this case refers to the color, and not the number of calories. Many consumers refer to light corn syrup as "white" corn syrup.

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