Old Fashioned Pecan Pie

This old-fashioned pecan pie is a classic southern dessert.  It's sweet, buttery, and loaded with crispy pecans in every bite. Uses a pre-made deep-dish pie crust for a time-saving shortcut.

I'm proud to share with you my grandmother's (my Mimi) pecan pie recipe. I cherish old family recipes - they're such treasures! 

For another rich Southern favorite that's just as comforting, check out my Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread - it's like dessert and coffee cake all in one.

Recipe Timeline

Prep time - to measure out all the ingredients and blend together: 10 minutes

Bake time - since ovens can vary, bake time may be more or less: 45 minutes

Here's Why It's the Best Pecan Pie

This pie is everything you want in a classic holiday dessert!

1. It's sweet, buttery, and loaded with pecans in every bite.
2. The filling bakes up rich and gooey.
3. It's made with simple pantry ingredients, comes together in minutes, and tastes just as good the next day (if it lasts that long!).

If I had to pick a favorite dessert for my husband, it would be this one (even though he is a devout chocolate lover).  He says it's the best pecan pie recipe! But he would not turn down a slice (or two) of my Chocolate Chess Pie! 

Ingredient Photo with Notes

Let's take a peek at the ingredients. The #1 tip is to chop the pecans - this will make the pie much easier to slice!

• Pecans - always use baking pecans (which are unsalted) and not the salted pecans.
• Light Corn Syrup (Karo) - light corn syrup is a key ingredient in pecan pie! It provides sweetness and flavor. It's a must ingredient in creating the classic pecan pie consistency (jiggly center) that so many people love.
• Sugar - we add a little more sweet flavor by adding granulated sugar.
• Butter - for that classic rich buttery flavor. Salted or unsalted is fine, but I like the flavor the salted butter adds.
• Eggs - for binding the ingredients; the eggs don't have to be room temperature but it certainly seems to help blend more smoothly.
• Vanilla extract - use the pure stuff. Vanilla bean paste works very well, too.
• Deep dish pie crust - no need to thaw the crust or blind bake it! Pour the filling directly into the frozen pie crust and bake.

Ingredient Substitutions

• Use a different kind of nut. If you can't use or find pecans, you can replace them with other nuts like walnuts, almonds, or hazelnuts. But of course swapping out the nuts will give the pie a slightly different flavor and texture.
• Instead of corn syrup, you can use maple syrup, honey, or golden syrup. Keep in mind that these may also alter the flavor of your pie slightly.
• Swap out the extracts. If you don't have vanilla extract, you can use other flavorings like almond extract or maple extract.
• Graham cracker crust. Instead of a traditional pie crust, you can use a graham cracker crust for a delicious change of pace.

How to Make Old Fashioned Pecan Pie

My grandmother's original recipe must be at least 100 years old! The only change I made to her recipe was to use a pre-made pie crust.

Step 1 - blend sugar and melted butter.

Step 2 - add corn syrup and salt.

Step 3 - add eggs and vanilla extract.

Step 4 - add chopped pecans.

Step 5 - pour into pie shell.

Step 6 - bake for about 45 minutes.

Tip: To keep the crust from browning too quickly, I suggest laying a piece of foil over the pie during the last 5 minutes of baking or use a pie crust protector shield.

Recipe Tips

• Chopped pecans make for a neater slice of pie, and they can save you some prep time.  
• Don't overbake it! If the crust starts to brown before the filling is set, place a piece of tin foil on top of the pie to prevent the crust from burning.  Alternatively, you can use a pie crust protector shield to keep those edges from getting burnt.
• Use a sheet pan. Place the pie on a sheet pan to bake it. It helps to catch drips and also makes it easier to get the pie in and out of the oven!
• Fancy it up! We almost always top our slice of pecan pie with whipped cream or ice cream, or both!  Ahh, it's the best!
• Protect that pie! So now that you've made this delicious pie, what is the best way to transport it?  I love this Southern Homewares 3-in-1 Plastic Holder Container. Available now on Amazon!