A super flavorful, pecan pie recipe made with brown butter and rum! It’s truly our favorite recipe and perfect for Thanksgiving! The crust is buttery and flaky and pairs perfectly with the brown butter, rum filling. It’s really so delicious and everyone will love it!!
Let’s start this off with my husband’s reaction to the pie, “it’s by far the best pecan pie recipe I’ve ever tasted.” Yup, he really said that and I don’t get that reaction too often. And the men who were helping out with our yard devoured two slices each!
Out of all the pies I’ve made including crusts, fillings, different ingredients and measurements (it goes on and on) I think this one may take the pie. Although our sweet potato pie, pumpkin pie and chocolate chip cookie pie are pretty divine!
The best part is that I think it’s a pretty foolproof recipe. The thick, buttery and extremely flaky crust is my favorite crust recipe so far as well. Browning the butter and adding rum to the pecan filling was probably the smartest thing I’ve ever done in my life… truly, smartest decision ever.
I promise (fingers crossed) you will enjoy it. I’ll be making it for Thanksgiving AND Christmas this year.
Table of contents
How To Make Pecan Pie
Supplies
Mixing Bowl
Pie Dish
Pastry Brush
Rolling Pin
Measuring Cups and Spoons
Whisk and Spatula
Ingredients
- Pie Crust – Homemade or Store Bought
- Butter
- Rum, dark or light
- Brown Sugar
- Light Corn Syrup
- Eggs
- Vanilla Extract
- Salt
- Pecans
Directions
- Make a buttery pie crust and freeze.
- Brown the butter on the stovetop until it turns a golden brown.
- Let it cool a bit and add in the rum.
- In a bowl, whisk together brown sugar and corn syrup.
- Add in the browned butter and rum.
- Then add in the eggs, salt and vanilla and whisk until combined.
- Lastly, add in the chopped pecans and stir.
- Pour the filling into the pie dish.
- Brush egg yolk on the crust of the pie.
- Bake for 20 minutes at 400 degrees.
- Turn the oven to 325 and bake for 50 minutes or until the center of the pie is like a Jello texture.
- During the baking process, you will need to cover the crust with tinfoil so it doesn’t burn.
How to Store Pecan Pie
Plastic wrap or aluminum foil can be used to cover the pie loosely. When covered, pecan pie will last 3-4 days in a refrigerator. It tastes just as good right our of the refrigerator too!
How to Freeze Pecan Pie
In addition, pecan pie can be frozen. Put the pie in a heavy-duty freezer bag or wrap tightly with aluminum foil or plastic freezer wrap to freeze. The pie can freeze up to three months.
A Make-Ahead Pie Crust
If you are pressed for time, give yourself a head-start by making the pie crust before. I like to make the crust and shape it in the pie dish and then freeze the entire thing. Remember, you can make several pie crusts weeks before Thanksgiving and freeze them.
Tips For Making Pecan Pie Recipe
- Freeze your pie crust for 30 mins for the best results.
- Use quality ingredients when baking. Organic butter, pure vanilla, organic eggs, etc.
- Brush a lot of egg yolk on the pie crust before baking.
- During the baking process, take the pie out and wrap foil around the crust so it doesn’t burn. You can also prepare the tinfoil before the pie goes into the oven, by placing portion over the pie, then cutting a hole in the center so that the tinfoil will only lay over the crust.
- The pie filling can be a little gooey, it makes it better!
- Serve with ice cream or whipped cream.
Store Bought Pie Crust
We love making our own pie crust, however if you want to make an easy pecan pie, there is no shame is buying a buttery pre-made curst! The filling will work perfectly in it and you’ll love the flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the filling made of in pecan pie?
A pecan pie contains pecan nuts mixed with corn syrup, rum, eggs, butter, and sugar (usually white or brown sugar). Other types of sugar are also used, such as brown sugar, honey, molasses, maple syrup, or cane sugar.
Can I substitute dark Karo syrup for light?
Certainly. Karo Light and Dark corn syrups perform similarly and can generally be used interchangeably in recipes. Although our pecan pie recipe specifies which type to use, personal preferences may play a role in the choice.
Light corn syrup is usually used in fruit sauces and jams when a sweet note is needed. The Karo light corn syrup contains real vanilla.
Refiners’ syrup, a type of molasses, is used to make dark corn syrup. Several baked goods benefit from their robust flavor and color.
How can you tell if your pecan pie is done?
Shake the pan or tart tray after you take the pie out of the oven. It should jiggle a little in the middle, but appear stable.
When the pie filling shakes horizontally, it is not yet done.
Will pecan pie thicken as it cools?
When your pecan pie is ready, remove it from the oven and place it on a wire cooling rack. During the cooling process, the filling continues to cook and thicken.
Let your pie cool for a minimum of two hours so that it can fully set. It it’s still not set it needs more time, maybe even overnight in the refrigerator.
Do pecans rise to the top of the pie?
Yes. Due to the unbaked filling, the pecans rise to the top of the pie, making it look attractive.
The liquid filling in pecan pies is usually baked in pastry crusts that enclose the filling before it sets.
Is Pecan Pie better warm or cold?
Pecan pie is best served cooled down to room temperature or even straight from the fridge.
How long will it last?
Bourbon pecan pie can be refrigerated uncovered for up to 4-6 hours. Storing your pie in the freezer will keep it fresh and maintain its quality.
Should I Prebake my pie crust for pecan pie?
This is totally up to you! But if you want the crust to keep the exact shape and cool all the way through, then yes, you can prebake the crust for approximately 10 minutes. You have to use pie weights to properly blind bake.
Fill the crust with pie weights or dried beans and line it with foil or parchment paper. You should nestle some pie weights (or beans) against the sides of the pan to prevent the crust from collapsing.
Does rum pecan pie taste like alcohol?
As the alcohol evaporates, you’re left with a rich dessert that’s sweet with a hint of vanilla.
Serve….in Jars!
Serving it in individual Ball jars makes it easy to serve and prepare before anyone arrives!
Check Out These Other Delicious Pie Recipes
If you love pie as much as we do, here are some more delicious recipe!
Strawberry Lemonade Pie Recipe
Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie Recipe
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Best Pecan Pie Recipe
Ingredients
Buttery Flaky Crust
Pecan Pie Filling
- 1/4 cup butter, browned
- 1 tbsp rum, dark or light
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup light corn syrup
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup pecans, roughly chopped
Instructions
Buttery Flaky Crust
- Roll the dough out and fit it into the pie dish. You can refrigerate freeze it for 30 minutes (or even overnight) in the pie dish, which I recommend doing.
Brown Butter, Rum Pecan Pie Filling
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
- Brown the butter on the stovetop until it turns a golden brown.
- Let it cool a bit and add in the rum.
- In a bowl, whisk together brown sugar and corn syrup.
- Add in the browned butter and rum.
- Add in the eggs, salt and vanilla and whisk until combined.
- Lastly, add in the chopped pecans and stir.
- Pour the filling into a prepared pie dish.
- Brush egg yolk on the crust of the pie. Don't be shy, brush it on really good!
- Bake for 20 minutes at 400 degrees.
- Cover the crust with tinfoil after it starts to brown.
- Turn the oven to 325 degrees and bake for another hour or until the center of the pie is like a Jello texture.
- Let the pie cool for a few hours, even overnight. If it's very jiggly, it needs to sit before serving.
Suzy says
The flavor of this sounds so good! And I really love the tip on serving it in jars! Such a great idea!
Taylor says
I love the idea of serving the pecan pie in jars! Definitely saving this for Thanksgiving!
Billy says
This pie is so bomb and the addition of the rum and brown butter seriously just brings about so many amazing flavors!
Stephanie says
This was absolutely fabulous! I could eat this every night after dinner!
Matt Taylor says
This looks so yummy Eden! A clever idea using the little jars to serve it in as well. I am a big fan of pecan pie!
Valerie says
Hi I am super excited to make this for a Thanksgiving party we are having this week, do you know of anything that I could substitute the corn syrup for? Maybe honey?
sharon says
oh my gosh,that picture of the whole pie is above the mantel picture worthy! hahaha, i will try this! thank you so much!