Best Southern Pecan Pie
This old fashioned Southern Pecan Pie Recipe is going to be the Best Southern Pecan Pie that’s ever passed your lips! Crunchy pecans and sweet molasses give this super easy pie tons of flavor.
I cannot imagine my childhood without thinking of pecans. I’m from South Carolina and if there’s one thing that was ALWAYS around-it was pecans, whether pralines, spiced candied pecans, or this amazing homemade pecan pie.
My great grandma’s molasses pecan pie is straight from an old, much loved handwritten recipe card. It’s a tried and true, no-fail classic that is always a huge hit for Christmas or Thanksgiving dessert, in fact, it makes my list of favorite Southern Thanksgiving foods!
Why I love this recipe
- this simple pie has a flaky pie crust and sweet gooey filling that perfectly satisfies your sweet tooth
- you can make it faster with store-bought pie crust or make our super easy homemade pie crust recipe
- it is made ahead of time so doesn’t add stress to busy holiday dinner prep
Ingredients
You only need a few simple ingredients for this easy pecan pie recipe.
- corn syrup (I use Karo syrup)
- molasses
- egg
- brown sugar
- butter
- vanilla extract
- salt
- pecans
- pie shell or homemade pie crust
Instructions
This recipe is no-fuss and simple to make.
- Start with a premade or homemade pie crust in a pie plate.
- In a medium bowl combine corn syrup, molasses, egg, brown sugar, melted butter, vanilla, and salt and whisk until blended.
- Spread pecan halves in the unbaked pie shell and pour the pecan pie filling mixture over them in the pie dish.
- Bake on the center rack of the oven for one hour or until the center is set. Cool on a wire rack.
Tips for best results
- For easy pouring, spray your measuring spoon or cup with nonstick spray before measuring corn syrup and molasses
- If you would like a picture-perfect design you can reserve 1/2 cup of pecans from the shell. After pouring the corn syrup mixture over arrange the reserved pecans in a design on top. Use a spoon to moisten the pecans with the corn syrup mixture before baking.
- If crust starts to brown before the center of the pie is set, cover with with a piece of aluminum foil to protect the edges.
Variations & serving suggestions
- use chopped pecans or chop your own whole pecans instead of halved pecans
- make this chocolate pecan pie recipe to indulge your sweet tooth
- top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and caramel syrup
FAQs
The pecan pie is done when the center is no longer liquid but has a slight jiggle consistency similar to jello.
According to Cooks Illustrated, you want the center of the pecan pie to reach an internal temperature of 185F.
Yes, if you are not eating the pie within two hours, cover it with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Yes, this pie can be made ahead and frozen up to three months. If freezing, allow pie to cool completely then wrap in foil and place in a freezer-safe container. When ready to serve, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and bring to room temperature before serving.
You can also freeze individual slices on a plate and then transfer to a freezer bag or freezer-safe container. Thaw single servings overnight in the refrigerator.
If you don’t have light corn syrup you can substitute dark. It will give it a more rich flavor, it is simply a matter of personal preference.
You can eat pecan pie warm or cold. If you like it warm, reheat the pie in the oven at 325F for 15 minutes.
Are you a fan of pecan pie? What are your family’s usual Thanksgiving desserts?
Here are some other Thanksgiving dinner recipes you might enjoy:
- Layered Cheesecake Pumpkin Pie
- Sweet Potato Pie (from scratch)
- Sweet Potato Casserole
- Candied Yams
- Apple Pie
If you try this recipe, please comment and rate it below, I love hearing from you!
Print
Best Southern Pecan Pie
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 60 mins
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 mins
- Yield: 10 1x
- Category: dessert
- Method: baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This classic Pecan Pie Recipe is straight out of southeastern Virginia and is going to be the Best Southern Pecan Pie that’s ever passed your lips! Prepped in just minutes, it’s perfect for all of your holiday meals!
Ingredients
- 9 inch frozen premade pie shell
- 2 cups halved pecans
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup light corn syrup
- 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 tbsp molasses
- 1/2 stick (4 tbsp) butter, melted
- pinch of salt
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- In a bowl combine eggs, corn syrup, brown sugar, molasses, butter, vanilla and salt. Mix with a whisk until blended.
- Spread the pecans in the pie shell, reserving about 1/2 cup if you’d like to create a particular design on the top of your pie.
- Pour the mixture over the pecans. I normally spiral the reserved pecans along the top of the pie to make a picture-friendly design but it’s not necessary. If you do it make sure to use a spoon to spoon topping over the nuts you add on top so they are coated, don’t just set them on the top dry!
- Bake for one hour on middle rack. If crust starts too look too browned tent the pie with foil.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool completely before serving.
Notes
- For easy pouring, spray your measuring spoon or cup with nonstick spray before measuring corn syrup and molasses
- If you would like a picture-perfect design you can reserve 1/2 cup of pecans from the shell. After pouring the corn syrup mixture over arrange the reserved pecans in a design on top. Use a spoon to moisten the pecans with the corn syrup mixture before baking.
- If crust starts to brown before center of the pie is set, cover with aluminum foil to protect the edges.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/10th pie
- Calories: 1050
- Sugar: 45.1 g
- Sodium: 926.8 mg
- Fat: 60 g
- Carbohydrates: 119.3 g
- Protein: 12.8 g
- Cholesterol: 67.9 mg
Keywords: old fashioned pecan pie
I make your recipe every Thanksgiving!
★★★★★
Do you pre bake the pie shell ?
No Gina, don’t prebake it, it will bake as the filling bakes. ~Melissa
Favorite thanksgiving dessert – Pie – just about any kind of pie! Will try this pecan for the family.
★★★★★
I hope you love it as much as I do Sheila!
What topping do you mean to spoon on top of the pecans?
I think she means the sugar mixture , If there’s nothing on the nuts on top they might burn in the oven.
What do you mean by “ Use a spoon to moisten the pecans with the corn syrup mixture before baking?”
Like soak the pecans in the mixture prior to placing them on top?
Sorry for any confusion, you want all of the pecans on the top to be covered with the corn syrup mixture so I use a spoon to scoop up some of the liquid and cover any dry pecans on the top.
Made this pie last night and it looks amazing. Can’t wait to eat it this evening. Thank you so much for this awesome recipe. My first pie to ever make!
This is the best pecan pie I’ve ever had, my husbands grandma makes this for him and between us ladies, pretty certain I won ha! If you haven’t made this then you’re missing out. Over 60 likes on the pictures on FB!
Oh I’m SO glad you like it Staci! I love it a ton too!! ~Melissa
Was this supposed to be for a pre made 9 inch deep dish crust or 9 inch regular crust?
I used the regular ones and ended up with enough liquid to fill two.
Hi Robin, I believe I’ve always made it with a standard pie crust…I just looked back in my recipe notes and I’ve never noted otherwise. I’m adding it to my calendar to make again soon so I can test the crust just to double check, thank you for the feedback, I’ll let you know when I test it again. ~Melissa
I came across the same issue the first time I made it! I just made it again tonight, and it is the perfect amount of filling for a deep pie crust!
Thanks for the recipe!
Molasses won’t spoil. You can buy a small bottle and it will last forever. It’s a must in oatmeal cookies.
Thank you for sharing this recipe and your childhood memories. I’m always amazed how food connects us so much to our loved ones. I’m going to try this pie for Thanksgiving. We always have pumpkin and coconut custard pies.
Can I use syrup in place of molasses? I don’t want to buy to use this small amount?
Thanks for sharing!! Never made one but will give this a try.
I’ve never tried it Nan, if you do try it will you let me know so I can include the outcome in the post? Incidentally molasses is great to have on hand for gingerbread too!
I LOVE pecan pie. Thanks for the recipe.
★★★★★
You’re welcome Janine!