This classic Pecan Pie is always a crowd pleaser! The filling is so yummy no one ever notices the crust is gluten-free! Plus it is dairy-free optional, corn syrup-free and super EASY to make!
Pecan Pie
Just the right amount of sweet, slightly gooey, packed with pecans and sooooo yummy!
In my family, it’s always been a big affair hosted at my parents’ house with lots of family and friends. The crew changes from year to year but there’s always a core group of us.
Anyway…. this is all to say that my mom wants new members at the table to feel at home, so she always asks their favorite dish.
Years ago, when I was in college, I had a friend visiting for Thanksgiving and all this person wanted was pecan pie.
Pecan pie wasn’t part of our repertoire of desserts at that point but my mom said sure (!) and set about finding the best pecan pie recipe she could.
This recipe came from my aunt who got it from the Wayside Inn in Virginia and it has been part of our Thanksgiving ever since.
It is one of the easiest pies I’ve ever made and it is really yummy!
It has a simple classic pie shell (we use ready-made gluten-free pie crusts these days as there are many delicious options) and the filling is just the right amount sweet, slightly gooey and packed with pecans!
The filling is just 6 ingredients: pecans, maple syrup, brown sugar, eggs, vanilla and a touch of butter.
And since I’m always asked what ready-made gluten-free pie crusts we like, here are two of our favorites: Whole Foods gluten-free pie crust and Wholly Gluten-Free pie crusts.
They are both readily available in stores near us, both have nice flavors and hold together well.
Are there any ready-made gluten-free pie crusts you love?
Back to the pecan pie… it comes together super quickly!
You first beat the eggs until they’re well combined, then add in the maple syrup and brown sugar and beat until the mix is a little frothy.
Add in the vanilla, butter and pecans and you are set!
Pour into the ready-made pie crust and top with a few whole or crushed pecans and bake!
That’s it!
Super yummy! And a perfect addition to Thanksgiving or Christmas dessert!
Hope you love it as much as we do!
Scroll down for recipe and leave a comment if you try.
2 tablespoons butter or dairy-free butter, softened
2 cups pecans, broken pieces (plus whole pecans or additional chopped pecans for the top -- optional but recommended)
1 gluten-free pastry shell, unbaked (we used Whole Foods gluten-free pie shell)
1 egg, beaten, for egg wash, optional but recommended for a glossy pie crust
Instructions
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
In a large bowl, beat eggs well using an electric mixer.
Add maple syrup and brown sugar, beat until well combined and a little frothy.
Add the last three ingredients (vanilla, butter, pecans) and mix until well combined.
Pour into pie shell.
Add extra whole or crushed pecans to the top of the pie in any design or random pattern you like.
If using an egg wash, lightly brush edge or rim of pie crust with the beaten egg.
Bake for 45 minutes, checking at 35 minutes to make sure pecans not burning. If pecan's are starting to brown too much, cover with foil for the last 10 minutes.
I followed the directions exactly and the pie never set. It had to be spooned out. Any idea what went wrong? The taste was perfect so I would love to be able to make it again and have it come out properly.
Sorry you had that experience! I have no idea! I made the pecan bars,which are essentially the same filling, many times this season and didn’t have an issue. I will take another look at the recipe and see if I have any ideas!
We’ve been making this recipe in the family for years with the directions above, but ovens are sometimes calibrated differently…. happy you got it to set!
Great question! Unfortunately because the recipe calls for 3 eggs, I’m not sure it can be made vegan. While I’ve never made it vegan, the Pecan Pie Bars might be easier to adapt because they only call for 2 eggs.
Hi! My name is Karen, and I’m the mom in our Healthy Gluten-Free Family. My posts and pictures here and on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook and Twitter are labors of love that allow me to share a very personal journey with you, one our family has taken together — learning, experimenting and sharing how to raise a healthy happy gluten-free family. Read more ...
I followed the directions exactly and the pie never set. It had to be spooned out. Any idea what went wrong? The taste was perfect so I would love to be able to make it again and have it come out properly.
Sorry you had that experience! I have no idea! I made the pecan bars,which are essentially the same filling, many times this season and didn’t have an issue. I will take another look at the recipe and see if I have any ideas!
Same happened to me. The temperature is too low. I had to cook for additional 15 minutes and then let cool in the oven when turned off
We’ve been making this recipe in the family for years with the directions above, but ovens are sometimes calibrated differently…. happy you got it to set!
How can the filling be made vegan?
Great question! Unfortunately because the recipe calls for 3 eggs, I’m not sure it can be made vegan. While I’ve never made it vegan, the Pecan Pie Bars might be easier to adapt because they only call for 2 eggs.