Pecan Pie Southern Classic (Printable format)

Rich and gooey pecan filling in a buttery flaky crust, a beloved Southern dessert classic.

# What You Need:

→ Pie Crust

01 - 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
03 - 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
04 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold, cubed
05 - 3-4 tablespoons ice water

→ Filling

06 - 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
07 - 1 cup light corn syrup
08 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
09 - 3 large eggs
10 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
11 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
12 - 2 cups pecan halves

# How-To Steps:

01 - Whisk together flour, salt, and sugar in a large bowl. Cut in cold butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add ice water, stirring just until dough comes together. Shape into a disk, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
02 - Preheat the oven to 350°F.
03 - On a lightly floured surface, roll dough into a 12-inch circle. Fit into a 9-inch pie dish and trim excess dough. Crimp edges as desired.
04 - Whisk together brown sugar, corn syrup, melted butter, eggs, vanilla, and salt until smooth.
05 - Stir pecan halves into filling mixture, then pour into prepared crust.
06 - Bake for 50-55 minutes until center is set but still slightly wobbly. Cover edges with foil if crust browns too quickly.
07 - Cool completely on a wire rack before slicing and serving.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • The filling creates this incredible gooey custard that somehow stays firm enough to slice but melts in your mouth
  • That buttery crust balances all the sweet richness so every bite feels complete
  • It actually gets better sitting overnight, making it perfect for make ahead holidays
02 -
  • That wobble in the center when you pull it from the oven means you did everything right
  • Cooling completely is non-negotiable or you'll end up with a runny mess instead of neat slices
  • Room temperature eggs blend into the filling much more smoothly than cold ones
03 -
  • Use a pie shield or foil to prevent the crust from over-browning while the center finishes cooking
  • The pie is done when a knife inserted halfway between center and edge comes out mostly clean
  • Giving the pie a full 24 hours to rest before serving improves both texture and flavor
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