Baked Southern Pecan Pie with Bourbon Caramel
This classic Southern pecan pie features a flaky pastry crust filled with a gooey bourbon caramel and toasted pecans, baked until golden and set. This southern-inspired desserts ready in about 75 minutes layers (9-inch) unbaked pie crust, large eggs, light corn syrup into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 8, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 (9-inch) unbaked pie crust
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup light corn syrup
- 1 cup, packed dark brown sugar
- 1/4 cup (4 tbsp), melted unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp bourbon
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 cups, toasted pecan halves
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Place 1 (9-inch) unbaked pie crust into a pie dish and crimp edges neatly.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together 3 large eggs, 1 cup light corn syrup, 1 cup packed dark brown sugar, 1/4 cup melted unsalted butter, 2 tbsp bourbon, 1 tsp vanilla extract, and 1/4 tsp salt until smooth and combined.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 1/2 cups toasted pecan halves evenly.
- Step 4: Pour the filling into the prepared pie crust, spreading pecans evenly across the top.
- Step 5: Bake on the middle rack for 55-60 minutes until the filling is set but slightly jiggly in the center and the crust is golden brown.
- Step 6: Remove from oven and cool completely on a wire rack before slicing to allow the filling to firm up.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Baked Southern Pecan Pie with Bourbon Caramel take to make?
Total time is about 75 minutes (15 min prep + 60 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Baked Southern Pecan Pie with Bourbon Caramel?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Baked Southern Pecan Pie with Bourbon Caramel?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Baked Southern Pecan Pie with Bourbon Caramel for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Baked Southern Pecan Pie with Bourbon Caramel?
Southern desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
