Traditional pecan pie gets a flavor makeover with the addition of brown butter and bourbon! The resulting gooey, sweet, and flavorful pecan pie is anything but traditional!
Omgosh, you guys. When I was talking about all the brown butter recipes I have coming up, I wasn’t even exaggerating. I started editing pictures and was jotting down a list of all the recipes I have ready for fall, and I just kept writing “brown butter” over and over. I almost couldn’t believe how much I got carried away.
This is not bad news. Anything but. Who doesn’t want 8,000 more brown butter recipes in their collection? Still, I could’ve diversified a little more!
I guess I just feel like if you are melting butter for a recipe anyway, you might as well brown it! Anybody else?
And while we’re on the subject of ingredients with which I become overly-infatuated with and binge on, this pie also has bourbon! Wait that came out wrong. I don’t binge on bourbon. By itself. I mean I have, but not recently. Okay, I never have. Unless it’s in a dessert, I hate bourbon. Though I have binged on other liquors, but thankfully those days are long gone. We’re getting very off topic here.
Back to the subject at hand: bourbon in baked goods. It’s delightful! Bourbon in almost any other setting = intolerable swill. But in baked goods, like this perfect pecan pie, it adds richness, depth, and caramel-like flavors. It just gives an extra level of richness and warmth that you don’t get without it.
Brown butter… well, I could go on and on, but it has a pretty similar effect as the bourbon, but still different too. The brown butter also adds richness, depth, and nutty, caramel-like flavors, but the flavors are still different from the bourbon. They have different essences, so while they lend similar characteristics to the recipe, the underlying flavors are different. Hmmmm, how do I explain this? Just try the pie. K?
It’s ooey, gooey, sweet, and full of buttery pecans, sugar, and corn syrup. You get all the favorite things you love about traditional pecan pie, but with deeper and richer flavors. With a dollop of fresh homemade whipped cream, spiked with a teensy bit of bourbon, well, this particular pie is quite sensational.
Brown Butter Bourbon Pecan Pie
Ingredients
For pie:
- 1 - 9- inch unbaked prepared pie crust
- 1/2 c. unsalted butter
- 1 1/3 c. dark corn syrup
- 1 c. sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 3 tbsp. bourbon
- 2 tsp. vanilla
- 2 c. pecan halves
For whipped cream:
- 1 1/2 c. heavy cream
- 3 tbsp. powdered sugar
- 1-2 tbsp. bourbon
Instructions
For pie:
-
Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring frequently, until golden brown. It will develop brown flecks and a nutty fragrance. (About 6-8 minutes.)
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Add the dark corn syrup and sugar, cooking for an additional 1-2 minutes, or until the sugar is dissolved.
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Remove from heat and cool for 10-15 minutes, or until the mixture is close to room temperature.
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Whisk in the eggs, bourbon, and vanilla.
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Fold in the pecan halves.
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Pour the mixture into the unbaked pie shell.
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Bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes, or until the center of the pie puffs, and the filling is set.
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Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. It helps to chill the pie in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours before cutting. Even if you serve the pie at room temperature, an hour or so in the fridge helps it to firm up.
For whipped cream:
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Combine heavy cream and powdered sugar in a large mixing bowl.
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Beat until the mixture just reaches stiff peaks, about 5-6 minutes.
-
Beat in the bourbon. Serve with the pie!
Medha @ Whisk & Shout says
September 6, 2015 at 3:11 pmThis looks delicious! Pinning!
Sarah says
September 9, 2015 at 8:37 pmThanks, girl!
Nancy | The Bitter Side of Sweet says
September 9, 2015 at 6:06 pmI confess I have not made any brown butter recipes so bring on the 8000! 🙂 This pie looks amazing!
Sarah says
September 9, 2015 at 8:42 pmLol! I just can’t stop with the brown butter. Once you start, it’s hard to hold back, I guess!! 🙂
Angeline P says
September 19, 2015 at 6:43 pmI am totally pinning this! I actually used browned butter for the first time for my sour cream pumpkin cake and it was divine! The frosting was so rich. I am a total Southern gal and I love me some pecan pie…and with bourbon as well. Thank you for sharing!
Sarah says
September 29, 2015 at 10:25 pmOmgosh, I know – brown butter is addictive. I sort of want everything that uses butter to have it be browned first. Lol! Thanks so much, Angeline! 🙂
Mrs Major Hoff says
September 21, 2015 at 11:40 pmThis reminds me of the derby pie I make every year for Thanksgiving! Yours looks delicious! Thanks for stopping by Awesome Things Tuesday!
Chelsea says
December 16, 2015 at 4:56 pmJust put mine in the oven. We’ll see how it goes!!
Sarah says
December 17, 2015 at 10:47 amGreat!!! Let me know! 🙂
Law says
December 24, 2015 at 1:35 pmI’ve made this pie three times this season, for different parties.
It’s been very well-received at each one.
I’ve got one in the oven now, with 3/4c brown sugar. I also used a cup of corn syrup, and 3 tbsp of molases. I’m expecting this one to be extra nutty/earthy.
This is wonderful pie.
Sarah says
December 26, 2015 at 12:15 pmThat’s wonderful to hear! I’m so glad you like it! Thanks so much for the feedback, and for the adjustments you made. Let me know how it turns out with those tweaks. Happy holidays to you!!! 🙂
Coley | Coley Cooks says
November 21, 2016 at 1:36 pmI’ve been searing for a nice pecan pie to make this Thanksgiving and THIS IS IT!! I might even add a little chocolate to it. Question – you mention brown sugar in the description but not the recipe – is that an error? Just curious! Thanks 🙂
Sarah says
November 21, 2016 at 4:09 pmYes!! It was an error. Thank you so much for bringing it to my attention. I didn’t end up using brown sugar – I used regular sugar and DARK corn syrup! Chocolate would be amazing in this pie – especially dark chocolate! Please let me know how you like it! 🙂
Coley | Coley Cooks says
November 24, 2016 at 9:05 amThank you so much for getting back to me!! I’m making it RIGHT NOW. Procrastinate much?? Haha. I know it’s going to be amazing! Happy Thanksgiving! 🙂
Sarah says
November 25, 2016 at 6:43 pmHey girl! Did you try the pie? How did it turn out?? Let me know if you guys liked it! I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!!!
Holly J says
November 7, 2017 at 8:47 pmHow much would it affect the pie to not let it cool the whole way before adding the egg mixture ? Can’t wait to finish this!!
Sarah says
November 7, 2017 at 9:07 pmWell, the main thing is, if you add the eggs before the corn syrup and sugar mixture cools a bit, they might scramble! You just can’t add eggs to anything that’s super hot or they’ll scramble a bit, know what I mean? Definitely make sure it cools for a few minutes before adding the eggs! I hope you love it!!!
Holly J says
November 10, 2017 at 3:11 pmThis was delish!! I will make this recipe every year! So amazing. Thank you!!
Sarah says
November 12, 2017 at 8:28 pmOMG, yay!! I’m so happy you liked it!! Is there any changes you made or anything you’d do to tweak it? Thanks for your comment!! 🙂
BNW says
November 22, 2017 at 2:07 pmI made this pie yesterday up till baking, then froze it. On my way out of town for turkey day and notice it’s thawing out. It’s in a cooler and will be well chilled till we get there. But Will it be a problem when I bake it later today? The flavor is so great on this pie, I’ll be so sad if it doesn’t come thru. Thank You!
Sarah says
November 22, 2017 at 6:11 pmHuh, that’s an interesting way to prep-ahead! It’s a great idea. I’m not sure, but I would think it should be fine. The flavors, if anything, should have had more time together to mingle and mix, and that would be a good thing. I like your make-ahead technique. Let me know how it turns out, and how you like the pie! Happy Thanksgiving!!!
Ashleihh says
December 24, 2017 at 3:23 pmI made this pie today with 1/2 brown sugar and 1/2 white sugar and a home made flakey cream cheese crust and I’m dying to cut into it but I have to wait until after dinner tonight. It smells amazing though!
Sarah says
December 24, 2017 at 3:55 pmYAY! I hope you like it! It definitely will be amazing with your homemade crust! I HATE making crusts, but it will make such a difference – yours sounds awesome. 🙂 Make sure to get it chilled in the fridge for a few hours so you can cut it neatly later! Merry Christmas!
Christi says
November 10, 2018 at 5:15 pmMy pie tasted delicious, but it was very soupy once we cut in to it. I baked it for 45 minutes and it seemed like the filling was set. It only cooled about an hour out of the oven before we cut into it. Does it need to cool completely? Any suggestions?
Sarah says
November 10, 2018 at 5:43 pmYes, it does help to cool completely, and I find that it helps to chill too…. even if you serve the pie at room temperature, chilling for about an hour seems to help it firm up. Thank you so much for the feedback – I’m going to add notes to the recipe. I’m sorry that it wasn’t set enough! I’m glad that you otherwise liked it. 🙂
Angi says
November 17, 2018 at 9:41 pmIm making this 4 days before Thanksgiving. Hoping to cool completely and then freeze. Planning to thaw day before Thanksgiving and serve slightly warmed. Any experience freezing after cooking??
Sarah says
November 18, 2018 at 3:02 pmI do freeze pecan pies sometimes when we have leftovers. I chill them in the fridge first for a few hours to firm them up so that they don’t get squished or crushed when I wrap them. I wrap in a layer of Saran wrap, then a layer of foil – just to keep out any freezer odors! This is usually for longer periods, like a month or two, but I’d still probably do that even if I was freezing for just a few days! I hope you like it, and HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Megan Eyre says
November 19, 2018 at 3:44 pmDoes the filling make 2 9” pies??
Sarah says
November 19, 2018 at 8:57 pmNo, just 1!
Krystal says
November 21, 2018 at 4:07 pmHow long does the whipped topping last? Do I need to make it right before serving?
Sarah says
November 21, 2018 at 4:25 pmYou can make it ahead! It made sink and defluff a bit, but it’ll be fine for a day ahead! Happy Thanksgiving!!
Jamie says
November 25, 2019 at 9:54 amHi! I’m making this for thanksgiving and attempting a homemade pie crust. In case it doesn’t turn out, I’d like to make a double batch and pour half into a storebought crust- just to be safe. Will this recipe work fine if i double it, or am I better off making two separate batches? Thanks!
Sarah says
November 25, 2019 at 8:46 pmI think you can make the brown butter in one batch, and then divide it, so you wouldn’t have to do that part twice, but when making the remaining pie ingredients, I’d do it separate…. I’d be afraid that you’ll end up with an uneven distribution of eggs, pecans, and maybe sugar if you do a double batch and try to split it. Sorry that it’ll be more work! I’m sure your homemade crust will turn out great though! Happy holidays!
Cathy says
November 9, 2019 at 6:27 pmI used three eggs instead of four for a gooier pie. The browned butter and bourbon really take the flavor of this pie to the next level! I love it!!
Sarah says
November 10, 2019 at 1:12 pmOh, great tip! Thank you so much for sharing that tip! Love it.
Sabrina says
November 26, 2019 at 11:14 amMade this pie last Thanksgiving and Christmas 2018 they were a hit just delicious!! Last year I prepared one day in advance wondering if I try two days will they be okay?.
Sarah says
November 26, 2019 at 7:34 pmYes, they’d probably be okay! I think you can get away with it. I’d maybe store it in the fridge. 🙂 Happy Thanksgiving!
Jamie Douglas says
November 28, 2019 at 7:50 pmThis was SO GOOD. It was a major hit. I’ll never do a different pecan pie again. I baked mine 68 minutes though but that had it perfectly set without refrigeration. It was amazing!
Sarah says
November 28, 2019 at 9:22 pmOmg, yay! So glad you loved it. It’s one of my favorite holiday pie recipes. Thank you for sharing your feedback! Happy Thanksgiving!!
Ellie says
November 25, 2020 at 6:44 pmThis smells and sounds delicious. However it does NOT work with a aluminum disposable pie tin. It spilled out all over the place in the oven. I even tried crimping the crust up to create a dam. Lesson learned haha, I will have to use a deeper pie dish next time.