Southern-Style Classic Pecan Pie with Bourbon
A rich Southern pecan pie with a buttery crust and a luscious filling enhanced by a splash of bourbon for depth. This southern american-inspired desserts ready in about 90 minutes layers all-purpose flour, chilled, diced unsalted butter, cold water 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 430 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 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 6 tbsp chilled, diced unsalted butter
- 3 tbsp cold water
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup light corn syrup
- 3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
- 4 tbsp melted unsalted butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp bourbon whiskey
- 1 1/2 cups pecan halves
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. In a food processor, pulse 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 6 tbsp chilled diced unsalted butter, and 1/4 tsp salt until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add 3 tbsp cold water and pulse until dough just comes together.
- Step 2: Turn dough onto a floured surface and knead 3-4 times. Roll out dough into a 12-inch circle and fit into a 9-inch pie plate, trimming excess edges. Chill crust for 15 minutes.
- Step 3: In a large bowl, whisk 3 large eggs, 1 cup light corn syrup, 3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar, 4 tbsp melted unsalted butter, 1 tsp vanilla extract, and 2 tbsp bourbon whiskey until smooth.
- Step 4: Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups pecan halves evenly over the chilled crust. Pour the filling mixture over the pecans, spreading gently.
- Step 5: Bake pie at 350°F for 55-60 minutes until filling is set but slightly jiggly in the center. If crust edges brown too quickly, cover with foil.
- Step 6: Cool pie on a wire rack for at least 2 hours before slicing for the filling to fully set.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Southern-Style Classic Pecan Pie with Bourbon take to make?
Total time is about 90 minutes (30 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 Southern-Style Classic Pecan Pie with Bourbon?
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 Southern-Style Classic Pecan Pie with Bourbon?
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 Southern-Style Classic Pecan Pie with Bourbon 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 Southern-Style Classic Pecan Pie with Bourbon?
Southern American 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.
