Silky Pecan Cream Pie Recipe: A Heavenly Southern Classic

Crafting a delectable pecan cream pie brings pure joy to any dessert lover’s kitchen.

Southern bakers have long celebrated this rich, indulgent treat that blends creamy textures with nutty crunch.

Pecans deliver a distinctive warmth that dances across your palate with each delightful bite.

Smooth custard and caramelized nuts create a symphony of flavors that feels like a sweet embrace.

Home cooks adore how simple ingredients can produce such an extraordinary dessert.

Crisp pastry and silky filling combine to make something truly magical.

Let this recipe inspire you to create a memorable masterpiece that will have everyone asking for seconds.

What Makes Pecan Cream Pie Rich and Dreamy

• Transforms simple ingredients into a stunning dessert with minimal culinary skills required, perfect for bakers of all levels.
• Delivers a rich, creamy texture with crunchy pecan topping that guarantees smiles from kids and adults alike, making it ideal for family gatherings and potlucks.
• Prepare the pie in advance and chill for 2 hours, allowing busy home cooks to plan dessert without last-minute stress and ensuring deep, melded flavors.
• Excellent for special occasions like holiday dinners, birthdays, or weekend potlucks, bringing a touch of homemade elegance to any table.

Ingredients That Make Pecan Cream Pie Irresistible

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides the base structure for the pie crust, look for unbleached flour for best texture.
• Salt: Enhances the flavor of the crust and helps control gluten development.
• Unsalted Butter: Creates flaky layers, must be chilled for the best pie crust texture.
• Ice Water: Helps bind the dough together without developing too much gluten.

• Cream Cheese, Heavy Cream: Combine to create a rich, smooth, and luxurious filling with perfect consistency.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens the filling and helps create a smooth texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth of flavor and aromatic sweetness to the cream filling.

• Pecans, Brown Sugar, Butter: Classic combination that creates a caramelized, crunchy topping with deep nutty flavors, choose fresh, high-quality pecans for best results.

Baking Pecan Cream Pie: A Simple Walkthrough

Step 1: Create Buttery Pie Crust

Mix flour and salt in a large bowl. Crumble chilled butter into the mixture until it looks like rough sand. Slowly add ice water, stirring until dough forms. Shape into a flat circle, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for half an hour. Preheat oven to 350F. Roll out dough and place in pie pan. Poke holes in bottom with fork. Bake until golden brown, about 20-25 minutes. Let cool completely.

Step 2: Whip Creamy Filling

Beat cream cheese until silky smooth. Gradually blend in powdered sugar. In another bowl, whip heavy cream with vanilla until soft peaks form. Gently fold whipped cream into cream cheese mixture until fully combined.

Step 3: Craft Caramelized Pecan Topping

• Chopped pecans
• Brown sugar

Stir continuously until pecans turn golden and smell toasty. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.

Step 4: Assemble and Chill Pie

Pour cream filling into cooled crust. Spread evenly. Sprinkle caramelized pecans across the top. Refrigerate for minimum 2 hours. Optional: Garnish with extra whipped cream and whole pecans before serving.

Tips for the Best Pecan Cream Pie Texture

• Master Your Pie Crust: Freeze butter for 15 minutes before cutting to ensure ultra-flaky, tender crust that crumbles perfectly.
• Prevent Watery Filling: Pat cream cheese dry before mixing to avoid excess moisture and maintain a rich, creamy texture.
• Toast Pecans Carefully: Watch pecans closely while browning to prevent burning, stirring constantly for even caramelization and maximum flavor.
• Chill for Perfect Texture: Let pie set in refrigerator for minimum 4 hours or overnight to help filling stabilize and flavors develop fully.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Swap cream cheese with coconut cream and use plant-based butter for a delicious vegan-friendly version of this decadent dessert.

Storing and Reheating Slices of Pecan Cream Pie

• Store the pecan cream pie in an airtight container or cover with plastic wrap. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Wrap the pie tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Place in the refrigerator overnight to thaw before serving.
• Gently warm the pecan topping in a skillet over low heat for 1-2 minutes to restore its crispy texture and enhance the nutty flavor.
• For best taste and texture, enjoy the pie directly from the refrigerator. The cold temperature helps maintain the cream filling's smooth consistency.

Toppings and Pairings for Pecan Cream Pie

• Smooth bourbon-infused caramel sauce complements the nutty pecan topping, enhancing the pie's rich, creamy texture.
• Warm, aromatic chai tea balances the sweetness of the pie, offering a comforting and complex flavor profile.
• Creamy, cold vanilla ice cream provides a delightful contrast to the warm, toasted pecan topping, creating a luxurious dessert combination.
• Sweet, golden wine with hints of honey and apricot perfectly offsets the pie's richness, creating a harmonious dessert pairing.

Fun Variations on Classic Pecan Cream Pie

• Gluten-Free Pecan Cream Pie: Replace traditional flour with almond or coconut flour for the crust, ensuring a crisp base that's safe for gluten-sensitive individuals.
• Vegan Pecan Cream Pie: Swap cream cheese with cashew-based cream cheese, use coconut whipped cream, and replace butter with coconut oil for a plant-based version.
• Low-Sugar Pecan Cream Pie: Substitute powdered sugar with stevia or monk fruit sweetener, reducing overall sugar content while maintaining delicious flavor.
• Maple Pecan Cream Pie: Replace brown sugar with pure maple syrup in the pecan topping, adding a rich, natural sweetness to the classic recipe.

Pecan Cream Pie Recipe

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4.8 from 20 reviews

• Total Time: 45 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Sweet Southern comfort comes alive in this Pecan Cream Pie, blending rich nutty flavors with silky custard in a flaky crust. Generations of family recipes converge, promising a delightful dessert that welcomes you to savor each heavenly bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 (8 ounces / 226 grams) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1 ¼ cups pecans, toasted and chopped (plus extra for garnish)
• 1 (9-inch) graham cracker or shortbread pie crust

Sweet Ingredients:

• ½ cup brown sugar, packed
• ¼ cup pure maple syrup
• ⅓ cup powdered sugar

Liquid and Flavoring Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream, cold
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Craft the pie foundation by blending flour and salt in a spacious mixing vessel. Incorporate chilled butter until the mixture transforms into a sandy texture.
2. Introduce ice water incrementally, kneading until the dough coheres into a unified mass.
3. Mold the dough into a compact disc, encase in plastic film, and refrigerate for a minimum of half an hour to stabilize its structure.
4. Activate the oven to 350F (175C). Unfurl the chilled dough across a pie pan, perforating the base with fork punctures to prevent unwanted inflation.
5. Bake the crust until it achieves a golden amber hue, approximately 20-25 minutes. Allow complete cooling before further preparation.
6. Whip cream cheese in a mixing bowl until silky smooth, gradually integrating powdered sugar to create a uniform blend.
7. In a separate container, agitate heavy cream with vanilla, generating soft, billowing peaks.
8. Delicately fold whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture, ensuring thorough yet gentle incorporation.
9. Transfer the luxurious cream filling into the cooled crust, distributing evenly across the surface.
10. Melt butter in a skillet over medium flame, introducing chopped pecans and brown sugar to create a glossy, caramelized coating.
11. Toast pecans until fragrant and deeply bronzed, approximately 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat and allow brief cooling.
12. Cascade the candied pecan mixture across the cream filling, creating an enticing textural layer.
13. Refrigerate the pie for a minimum of two hours, permitting flavors to harmonize and set.
14. Prior to serving, optionally embellish with additional whipped cream and whole pecans for an elegant presentation.

Notes

• Choose cold butter for the pie crust to ensure a flaky, tender texture that melts in your mouth.
• Use unsalted butter to control the salt content and prevent the crust from becoming too salty.
• Avoid overworking the dough when mixing to keep the crust light and crisp.
• Toast pecans briefly to enhance their nutty flavor and add a delightful crunch to the pie.
• Swap heavy cream with coconut cream for a dairy-free alternative that maintains the creamy consistency.
• Replace pecans with toasted almonds or walnuts if you prefer a different nut flavor.
• Reduce sugar by using a sugar substitute like stevia for a lower-calorie version of the dessert.
• Prepare the pie a day ahead to allow flavors to develop and make entertaining easier.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 hours
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 394
• Sugar: 24 g
• Sodium: 233 mg
• Fat: 31 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 33 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 67 mg