Brown Butter Bourbon Pecan Pie Recipe

Introduction

Brown Butter Bourbon Pecan Pie is a delightful twist on the classic Southern dessert, featuring rich browned butter and a splash of bourbon for depth and warmth. This pie offers a perfectly gooey filling with toasted pecans that make each bite irresistible.

A close-up view of a slice of pecan pie showing three clear layers: a light golden flaky crust at the bottom, a thick, gooey caramel-colored filling in the middle, and a dense layer of shiny toasted pecan halves on top, richly caramelized and slightly glossy. The slice rests on a wooden surface with soft lighting highlighting the textures and depth of the pie. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 1 unbaked 9-inch pie crust
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, browned
  • 1 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup light corn syrup
  • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup bourbon
  • 1 1/2 cups pecan halves

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Step 2: Brown the butter by melting it in a saucepan over medium heat. Continue cooking and stirring occasionally until it turns a rich golden brown and emits a nutty aroma. Remove from heat and pour into a heatproof bowl to stop cooking.
  3. Step 3: In a large bowl, combine the browned butter, brown sugar, and salt, stirring until well mixed.
  4. Step 4: Add the corn syrup, lightly beaten eggs, and vanilla extract to the butter mixture. Whisk until smooth.
  5. Step 5: Stir in the bourbon.
  6. Step 6: Arrange the pecan halves evenly in the unbaked pie crust.
  7. Step 7: Pour the filling mixture over the pecans.
  8. Step 8: Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until the filling is set and the crust is golden. If the crust edges brown too quickly, cover them with foil.
  9. Step 9: Let the pie cool completely on a wire rack before slicing to allow the filling to set properly.

Tips & Variations

  • For extra crunch, toast the pecans lightly before arranging them in the crust.
  • If you prefer a non-alcoholic version, omit the bourbon and add a teaspoon of vanilla extract instead.
  • Use a deep-dish pie crust to accommodate a thicker filling if desired.
  • Cover the crust edges with foil or a pie shield halfway through baking to prevent burning.

Storage

Store leftover pie covered loosely with foil or plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat slices gently in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds or serve chilled with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

How to Serve

A close-up image of a slice of pecan pie placed on a wooden surface with a white marbled background. The pie has three visible layers: a flaky light brown crust at the bottom, a thick golden brown filling in the middle, and a top layer covered with whole pecan halves that are toasted and glossy with syrup. The top nuts create a textured, rough appearance contrasting with the smooth middle layer. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a store-bought pie crust?

Yes, store-bought pie crust works perfectly for this recipe and saves time without sacrificing flavor.

How do I know when the pie is fully baked?

The pie is done when the filling is set but still slightly jiggles in the center. The crust should be golden brown, and the pecans will appear toasted.

Print
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Brown Butter Bourbon Pecan Pie Recipe


  • Author: Marina
  • Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x

Description

A rich and decadent Brown Butter Bourbon Pecan Pie featuring a buttery, nutty filling infused with bourbon and topped with crunchy pecan halves in a flaky pie crust. This classic dessert is perfect for holiday celebrations or any special occasion.


Ingredients

Scale

Pie Crust

  • 1 unbaked 9-inch pie crust

Filling

  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, browned
  • 1 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup light corn syrup
  • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup bourbon
  • 1 1/2 cups pecan halves

Instructions

  1. Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the pie.
  2. Brown the Butter: Melt the unsalted butter in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Continue cooking until the butter turns a rich golden brown and emits a nutty aroma. Remove from heat immediately and transfer to a heatproof bowl to prevent further cooking.
  3. Combine Sugar and Butter: In a large bowl, mix the browned butter, light brown sugar, and salt until well combined.
  4. Add Wet Ingredients: Stir in the light corn syrup, lightly beaten eggs, and vanilla extract into the butter mixture. Whisk thoroughly until the filling is smooth.
  5. Incorporate Bourbon: Add the bourbon to the filling and mix to combine evenly.
  6. Prepare the Pie Crust: Arrange the pecan halves evenly over the bottom of the unbaked 9-inch pie crust.
  7. Pour Filling: Pour the prepared filling mixture evenly over the pecan halves in the pie crust.
  8. Bake the Pie: Bake in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes until the filling is set and the crust is golden brown. If the crust edges brown too quickly, cover them with foil to prevent burning.
  9. Cool Before Serving: Remove the pie from the oven and allow it to cool completely on a wire rack. This cooling step allows the filling to set properly for clean slicing.

Notes

  • Be careful when browning butter to avoid burning it; remove it from heat as soon as it turns golden brown and smells nutty.
  • If the pie crust edges brown too fast during baking, tent with foil to prevent over-browning.
  • Allow the pie to cool fully before slicing to ensure the filling sets well.
  • You can substitute bourbon with whiskey or omit it entirely for a non-alcoholic version.
  • Serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent treat.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 50-60 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: Brown Butter Bourbon Pecan Pie, pecan pie, bourbon pie, dessert, holiday pie, southern dessert, nutty pie

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