Brown Butter Pecan Pie

5 from 6 votes
13 Comments

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This Brown Butter Pecan Pie is INCREDIBLE! I love the nutty, brown sugar taste of pecan pie, and brown butter is the perfect addition!

Brown Butter Pecan Pie on a plate topped with whipped cream
Featured with this recipe
  1. Ingredients for Brown Butter Pecan Pie
  2. Tips for Pecan Pie
  3. Top It Off
  4. Frequently Asked Questions
  5. Make your Pecan Pie Ahead
  6. More Delicious Pie Recipes from Favorite Family Recipes
  7. How to Make Brown Butter Pecan Pie
  8. Brown Butter Pecan Pie Recipe

This pecan pie is really easy to make and you probably have most of the ingredients on hand. Pecan pie is perfect for when you aren’t craving fruit or chocolate, but definitely something sweet. Pies are always a traditional holiday dessert that is loved by all! This dessert pie is extra special with an extra easy brown butter step. If you’ve never tried brown butter before, you are MISSING OUT! It is a simple liquid mixture that is sweet and savory, plus, adds all the flavor to the pie. The best part is that brown butter is so easy to make and yet it adds so much flavor!

Ingredients for Brown Butter Pecan Pie

Thanksgiving is never complete without the classic pecan pie on the table! This homemade pecan pie is always a favorite and so simple to make. It is a family favorite and always a pie that everyone loves. Layer the ingredients together and you will have the best pecan pie recipe!

  • Pie crust – Make it easy and buy a frozen pre-made pie crust or make a homemade pie crust from a homemade pie dough.
  • Pecans – Roughly chop the nuts in a food processor or place the pecan in a Ziploc bag and use a rolling pin to crush the pecans. The rough chop gives the best texture.
  • Melted Butter – Melt the unsalted butter in a saucepan until it is golden brown.
  • Eggs – Whisk together the eggs in a medium bowl.
  • Karo syrup – This light corn syrup will hold together without caramelizing the pie filling.
  • Brown sugar – Add in the sweetness and make this dessert the best. It even gives the filling a maple syrup type flavor. Sweet but not too overly sweet.
  • Vanilla – Just a teaspoon vanilla extract gives it a sweet and woody flavor.
  • Salt – Just a pinch of salt!
  • Cinnamon – Brings a little sweet and a hint of spice.
  • Whipped cream – Top it off and enjoy the perfect combination!
Unbaked pecan pie in a pie dish


Tips for Pecan Pie

  • The baking time for pecan pie filling can vary depending on your oven. Usually 40-50 minutes will do the trick. If the crust looks like it’s getting too brown but the filling isn’t quite set up, cover the outer edge of the pie with aluminum foil.
  • A deep dish pie crust will add in all the filling for the pecan pie. You can add in pie weights when baking the pie dough so that it will not puff up. Add another layer of baking protection to your pie pan by using a baking sheet.
  • Toast your pecans for a more earthy flavor and delicious texture to your pie.
Brown Butter Pecan Pie in a pie dish

Top It Off

This pie goes great with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream. Try it with our homemade vanilla ice cream for a real treat! I used chopped pecans because that is what I had on hand, but you can also use pecan halves or whole pecans. You can also make your own pie crust, or try our Perfect Pie Crust recipe. Or try drizzling a few tablespoons of homemade caramel sauce over the top of each slice. Yum!

Brown Butter Pecan Pie on a plate topped with whipped cream

“This is my go to recipe for butter pecan pie! I have made it numerous times over the holidays and everyone absolutely loves it! Thank you for such an easy and yummy recipe.”

-Kemie

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you keep pecan pie crust from getting soggy?

To avoid a soggy crust, brush the surface of the unbaked crust with a beaten egg or egg white mixed with water before adding the filling.

What does brown butter pecan pie taste like?

Sweet, salty, a little gooey and crunchy, this pie has all sorts of flavors and textures happening. Toasted pecans with vanilla and butter give the pie its signature flavor.

Why is pecan pie so hard?

You have to be careful that you avoid overcooking your pecan pie. The pie shell tends to cook quickly. You will want to check the pie midway to make sure it is browning evenly.

Is pecan pie healthy to eat?

Pecan pie is filled with corn syrup, brown sugar, and butter which has several calories. Pecans on the other-hand have many health benefits but it still does not make this pie healthy.

Is pecan pie best served warm or cold?

For pecan pie recipes it is best to serve cooled down to room temperature. You can even place the pecan pie in the refrigerator. It actually is good to have the pie cooled down to help set the filling.

READ MORE:25+ Thanksgiving Pies and Desserts

Make your Pecan Pie Ahead

This pecan pie is the perfect dessert to make ahead of time and save in the refrigerator up to two days. You can even get ready for the holidays a month earlier and freeze this pie. Cover whole pie or even by the slice in plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for three to five days. When ready to serve, set out thaw to room temperature.

More Delicious Pie Recipes from Favorite Family Recipes

Pies make the very best kinds of desserts! You can make them ahead, and there’s always something for everyone. From apple pie to pumpkin pie to everything in between, try some of our family’s most cherished pie recipes:

How to Make Brown Butter Pecan Pie

Brown Butter Pecan Pie on a plate topped with whipped cream

Brown Butter Pecan Pie

5 from 6 votes
This Brown Butter Pecan Pie is INCREDIBLE. I love the nutty, brown sugar taste of pecan pie, and brown butter is the perfect addition!
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 9 servings

Video

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350. Bring pie crust to room temperature by putting it out on the counter for about 15 minutes. Grease a 9-inch pie pan and press the thawed pie crust into the pan.
    crust pressed into a 9-inch round dish
  • In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once butter is melted, continue to cook it over medium heat until it turns golden brown. Remove from heat and set aside.
    Melted butter for The Old Spaghetti Factory's Mizithra Pasta.
  • Pour the chopped pecans evenly over the pie crust.
    pie crust with pecans inside
  • In a large bowl, mix eggs, Karo syrup, brown sugar, vanilla, salt, and cinnamon. Stir until combined. Add browned butter.
    karo syrup, brown sugar, brown butter, eggs, vanilla, salt, and cinnamon mixed in a bowl
  • Pour the mixture evenly over the pecans.
    Unbaked pecan pie in a pie dish
  • Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until filling has set up. If the crust looks like it's cooking too fast, cover it with foil. You will know the pie is done when the edges are set and the middle has a slight jiggle but not too much. You can also check with a thermometer – the middle of the pie should be 200 degrees.
    Brown Butter Pecan Pie in a pie dish
  • Let cool completely before serving. Serve with whipped cream.
    Brown Butter Pecan Pie on a plate topped with whipped cream

Notes

Make your Pecan Pie Ahead of Time

  • This pecan pie is the perfect dessert to make ahead of time and save in the refrigerator up to two days.
  • You can even get ready for the holidays a month earlier and freeze this pie.
  • Cover the pie in plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for three to five days.
  • When ready to serve, set out to come to room temperature.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 375kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 4gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 68mgSodium: 222mgPotassium: 127mgFiber: 2gSugar: 42gVitamin A: 250IUVitamin C: 0.2mgCalcium: 42mgIron: 0.9mg

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About the author

Echo Blickenstaff

Echo lives in Pleasant Grove, Utah with her husband, Todd, who works in advertising, and her four kids: two girls and two boys. She deploys her accounting degree as the blog’s resident problem solver. In her time outside the kitchen, Echo loves to get away from the phones and busy schedules and spend quality time with the family. Anywhere’s great – but getting out into nature in the mountains or on the beach – is the best kind of getaway.

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Comments

  1. This is my go to recipe for butter pecan pie! I have made it numerous times over the holidays and everyone absolutely loves it! Thank you for such an easy and yummy recipe.

    1. The pie crust isn’t cooked before filling in the video. I’m not sure where you are seeing that. Sorry!

  2. 5 stars
    Delicious pie! I have made it as written and it was wonderful. For a different twist, I’ve also eliminated the cinnamon and added about a 1/2 cup of chocolate chips. Yummy!

  3. 5 stars
    I just now printed out your recipe…I can’t wait to try it! I was just talking to my family who was visiting how brown butter makes everything better! I love to find new ways to make pecan pies, and this is perfect. Thank you for sharing!

  4. 5 stars
    I assume in the recipe the 1/2 (cup) brown sugar, right? Also, I used chopped macadamia nuts, divine!

  5. Why was mine pie soup? Was it because my corn syrup was expired for a year (although seal hadn’t been taken off yet).

    1. Oh no! Its hard to tell what the culprit could be – oven temperatures, expired ingredients, and even altitudes can affect the bake. I am so sorry!