Description
Homemade pecan cream pie delivers rich Southern comfort with silky custard and crunchy pecans. Caramel notes and buttery crust create a delightful dessert you’ll savor down to the last delicious crumb.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 packages (16 oz / 453 g) cream cheese, softened
- 1 ¼ cups pecans, toasted and chopped (plus extra for garnish)
- 1 (9-inch) graham cracker or shortbread pie crust
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup
- ⅓ cup powdered sugar
- 1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream, cold
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Pastry Preparation: Combine flour and salt in a large mixing bowl. Cut chilled butter into the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
- Dough Formation: Add ice water gradually, kneading until the dough forms a cohesive ball. Shape into a disc, wrap in plastic, and chill for 30 minutes to rest and firm up.
- Crust Baking: Preheat oven to 350F (175C). Roll out chilled dough into a pie pan, prick the bottom with a fork. Bake until golden brown, approximately 20-25 minutes, then cool completely.
- Cream Filling Creation: Whip cream cheese until smooth, gradually blending in powdered sugar. In a separate bowl, whip heavy cream with vanilla until soft peaks form. Gently fold whipped cream into cream cheese mixture to create a light, airy filling.
- Pecan Topping Development: Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add chopped pecans and brown sugar, toasting until pecans are fragrant and caramelized, about 3-4 minutes.
- Pie Assembly: Spread cream filling evenly into the cooled crust. Drizzle caramelized pecan mixture over the top, creating a rich, crunchy layer.
- Chilling and Finishing: Refrigerate pie for at least two hours to set. Before serving, garnish with additional whipped cream and whole pecans for an elegant touch.
Notes
- Crust Consistency Check: Ensure butter is ice-cold and cut into small cubes for a flaky, tender pie crust that doesn’t become tough.
- Cream Mixing Technique: Fold whipped cream into cream cheese gently to maintain volume and prevent deflating the airy texture.
- Pecan Toasting Precision: Watch pecans carefully while caramelizing to avoid burning; they can quickly turn from perfectly toasted to bitter and burnt.
- Chilling Importance: Allow sufficient refrigeration time to let flavors meld and filling set properly, creating a cohesive and delightful dessert experience.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 hours
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 28 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg