Southern Pecan Pie

Written by
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
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Diana Rattray
Updated 07/15/19
Classic Southern pecan pie recipe

​The Spruce / Teena Agnel
Prep: 25 mins
Cook: 60 mins
Total: 85 mins
Servings: 8 servings
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
800 Calories
50g Fat
85g Carbs
8g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8
Amount per serving
Calories 800
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 50g 64%
Saturated Fat 16g 79%
Cholesterol 116mg 39%
Sodium 694mg 30%
Total Carbohydrate 85g 31%
Dietary Fiber 4g 14%
Protein 8g
Calcium 96mg 7%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

This old-fashioned Southern pecan pie is a traditional Thanksgiving dessert.

The pecan pie―also known as Karo pie―was originally introduced in 1902 by the company that makes Karo corn syrup. It has become a much-loved pie, always a favorite on the holiday dessert table.

This is a classic pecan pie, made with homemade butter and shortening pastry. You can also use a frozen unbaked pie shell or use a refrigerated crust.

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Ingredients

  • For the Crust:
  • 1 1/4 cups (6 ounces) all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 4 tablespoons chilled butter (cut into pieces)
  • 1/3 cup vegetable shortening (chilled)
  • 3 to 5 tablespoons ice water
  • For the Filling:
  • 1 cup light or dark corn syrup
  • 1 cup brown sugar (packed)
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/3 cup butter (melted)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 3 large eggs (slightly beaten)
  • 1 1/2 cups pecan halves

Steps to Make It

Note: while there are multiple steps to this recipe, this pie is broken down into workable categories to help you better plan for preparation and cooking.

Make the Crust

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for pie crust
    ​The Spruce / Teena Agnel

  2. Combine the flour, salt, and sugar; blend well.

    Combine flour, salt, sugar
    ​The Spruce / Teena Agnel 

  3. Add the pieces of butter and shortening and work with a pastry blender until the mixture forms crumbs. Some crumbs should be large, about the size of peas. If you use a food processor, pulse for about 5 to 7 times.

    Add butter
    ​The Spruce / Teena Agnel

  4. Work about 3 tablespoons of ice water into the mixture, then more water, about 1 teaspoon at a time, until the dough begins to hold together when a little is squeezed.

    Work ice water
    ​The Spruce / Teena Agnel

  5. Turn the mixture out onto a floured surface and press to form a flattened disc. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for about 30 to 45 minutes.

    Turn dough out
    ​The Spruce / Teena Agnel

  6. Roll the dough out into a circle about 2 inches larger than the pie plate (upside-down measurement). Fit it into the pie plate and flute the edge as desired. Refrigerate until you are ready to fill the pie.

    Roll dough out
    ​The Spruce / Teena Agnel

Make the Filling

  1. Gather the ingredients. Preheat the oven to 350 F.

    Ingredients for classic Southern pecan pie
    ​The Spruce / Teena Agnel

  2. In a large bowl, combine corn syrup, brown sugar, salt, butter, and vanilla; mix until smooth and well blended.

    Combine syrup
    ​The Spruce / Teena Agnel

  3. Add the slightly beaten eggs and blend well; stir in pecans.

    Add pecans
    ​The Spruce / Teena Agnel

  4. Pour the pecan mixture into the chilled pie shell.

    Add filling to crust
    ​The Spruce / Teena Agnel

  5. Bake for 55 to 65 minutes or until the filling is set. Check the pie for over-browning after about 40 minutes. If necessary, cover the crust edge with a pie shield or homemade foil ring to prevent excessive browning.

    Bake
    ​The Spruce / Teena Agnel

  6. Cool pecan pie thoroughly and serve with a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

    Pecan pie
    ​The Spruce / Teena Agnel

Tip

  • If you are using a frozen pie shell, place it on a baking sheet before you add filling. It's much easier to move to and from the oven that way.

Recipe Variation

  • Replace the pecans with the 1 1/2 cups of coarsely chopped walnuts.