There’s something undeniably comforting about the sweet, nutty aroma of Pecan Pie baking in the oven. This classic Southern dessert, with its buttery crust and rich, caramel butterscotch like filling, is a staple at holiday gatherings and a true celebration of simplicity and flavor. Whether you’re a longtime fan or discovering this iconic treat for the first time, making Pecan Pie from scratch is easier than you might think—and the results are nothing short of spectacular. Let’s dive into a recipe created by Colonel Sanders!

Serve this with a Big Scoop of Ice Cream and/or Whipped Cream.

Did you know: Pecan Pie is the official Pie of Texas.

What is Pecan Pie

Pecans, the star ingredient, are nuts native to the southern United States, contributing their distinct buttery flavor and crunchy texture to this iconic dessert. It is a luxurious dessert, often described as comfortingly sweet but well-rounded, perfect for festive occasions.

This classic Southern U.S. dessert combines pecans with a rich filling of eggs, butter, and sugar, typically sweetened with corn syrup. Older recipes, which predate the invention of corn syrup, often used darker-based syrups or molasses and sometimes included white or brown sugar, sugar syrup, maple syrup, or honey.

Most recipes balance the sweetness with salt and vanilla as flavorings, while popular additions like chocolate or bourbon whiskey enhance the pie’s depth and variety. This dessert serves as a specialty of Southern U.S. cuisine and typically appears at holiday meals in the United States, especially during Thanksgiving and Christmas.

The Pie is cooked until the filling sets with a custard-like consistency and a toasty layer of pecans forms on top. People typically serve it warm or at room temperature, pairing it with whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, or hard sauce for added indulgence.

Pecan Pie Flavor Profile

The flavor profile of pecan pie is a deep, roasted nuttiness, and indulgently sweet with a caramelized or butterscotch pudding or custard like filling.

Colonel Sanders Pecan Pie

This recipe originates with Colonel Sanders and is written as;

• 4 eggs, slightly beaten
• 1 cup golden Karo syrup (light corn syrup)
• 1/3 cup sugar
• pinch of salt
• 1 tbsp. lemon juice or vinegar
• 4 tbsp. butter
• 2 tsp. vanilla
• 2/3 cup pecan halves
• Unbaked pie shell

Mix together thoroughly (first 7 ingredients). Put pecan halves in an unbaked pie shell. Pour on the filling mixture. Bake 35 min. in a 325-350 degree F oven.

Pecan Pie Ingredients

Pie Shell, Pecans, Eggs, Corn Syrup, Sugar, Salt, Lemon Juice, Butter, and Vanilla.

Corn Syrup

The type of syrup added determines whether the filling turns out lighter or darker. Using homemade Karo syrup (or golden syrup as an alternative) creates a darker butterscotch filling. While bottled, light corn syrup produces a lighter color, almost like the Portuguese Tarts (Pasteis de Nata). You can also combine light corn syrup with a portion of molasses to achieve that butterscotch color.

How to make Pecan Pie

This is a really simple recipe. Mix the first seven (7) ingredients and pour them into the unbaked Pie shell with the Pecan nuts already in, and bake. That’s all there is to it! Set aside for several hours to cool.

Toasted Pecans

Toasting pecans enhances their natural flavor and adds a delightful crunch. Here’s how to do it:

Stovetop Method

1. Preheat the Pan: Heat a dry skillet over medium heat.
2. Add the Pecans: Spread the pecans in a single layer in the skillet.
3. Toast and Stir: Stir frequently for 4–5 minutes until the pecans are golden brown and fragrant.
4. Cool: Remove the pecans from the pan immediately to prevent over-toasting and let them cool.

Oven Method

1. Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350F /175C.
2. Prepare a Baking Sheet: Spread the pecans in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
3. Toast: Bake for 7–10 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even toasting. Watch closely to prevent burning.
4. Cool: Remove the pecans from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet.

Tips: Toast only as many pecans as you’ll use, as they can lose freshness over time. For extra flavor, toss the pecans with a small amount of melted butter, salt, or spices before toasting.

Add Ins

Some popular additions include butterscotch, maple, chocolate, pumpkin, bourbon, caramel, cinnamon, nutmeg, peanut butter, and Irish crème. Very similar to Pecan Pie is Chess Pie which uses Cinnamon and Nutmeg.

How to Bake Pecan Pie

Place the Pie on a baking sheet and into a preheated oven at 350 F on the lowest or second-lowest rack position to bake. It only takes 35 minutes to bake, or until the center is set. Test this by piercing the center and seeing if it comes out clean. Allow the pie to cool, which also gives the filling more time to set.