Brown Butter Bourbon Pecan Pie Recipe

Introduction

Brown Butter Bourbon Pecan Pie is a decadent twist on a classic Southern dessert, combining the rich nuttiness of browned butter with the warm depth of bourbon. This pie offers a perfectly gooey filling and a crisp, flaky crust that will impress any crowd.

The image shows a close-up of a slice of pecan pie on a wooden surface. The pie has three clear layers: the bottom layer is a light, flaky crust; the middle layer is a smooth, golden-brown filling; and the top layer is covered with whole pecans that are shiny and slightly caramelized, giving a glossy texture. The photo is focused on the pie’s edge, highlighting the thickness of each layer and the nuts on top. The background is softly blurred. 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. Stir occasionally until it turns a rich golden brown and smells nutty. Remove from heat immediately and pour into a heatproof bowl to stop cooking.
  3. Step 3: In a large bowl, mix the browned butter, brown sugar, and salt until well combined.
  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 until evenly incorporated.
  6. Step 6: Arrange the pecan halves evenly in the unbaked pie crust.
  7. Step 7: Pour the filling mixture over the pecans in the crust.
  8. Step 8: Bake for 50-60 minutes, or 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. 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.
  • Substitute bourbon with rum or whiskey for a different flavor profile.
  • Use a homemade pie crust for an added buttery taste and flakiness.
  • Cover pie edges earlier in baking if your oven runs hot to avoid burning.

Storage

Store leftover pie covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds if desired, or enjoy cold.

How to Serve

The image shows a close-up of a slice of pecan pie on a wooden surface, with the pie slice filling the frame from left to right. The pie has three clear layers: a light golden crust at the bottom that looks firm and slightly crumbly, a thick, amber-colored filling in the middle that is smooth and glossy, and a top layer full of whole, shiny pecans that are rich brown with a slightly caramelized texture. The edges of the crust are visible on the left side, where the pie rests directly on the wood. The background is softly blurred with a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this pie ahead of time?

Yes, you can bake the pie a day ahead and store it in the refrigerator. Just bring it to room temperature before serving for the best flavor.

What if I don’t have bourbon on hand?

You can replace bourbon with an equal amount of dark rum, whiskey, or even vanilla extract for a similar depth of flavor.

Print
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Brown Butter Bourbon Pecan Pie Recipe


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

Description

This Brown Butter Bourbon Pecan Pie is a rich and decadent twist on a classic Southern dessert. Featuring a nutty browned butter base combined with the warmth of bourbon, the pie is filled with a luscious, sweet filling studded with crunchy pecan halves. Baked to a golden perfection in a flaky pie crust, this dessert offers a perfect balance of caramel-like flavors and a hint of boozy depth, ideal for holiday gatherings or special occasions.


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 Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it reaches the correct temperature for baking the pie.
  2. Brown the Butter: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter, stirring occasionally. Continue cooking until the butter turns a golden brown color and emits a nutty aroma. Immediately remove from heat and transfer it to a heatproof bowl to stop the cooking process.
  3. Mix Brown Sugar and Butter: In a large mixing bowl, combine the browned butter with the packed light brown sugar and salt, stirring until the mixture is uniform.
  4. Add Wet Ingredients: Whisk into the butter-sugar mixture the light corn syrup, lightly beaten eggs, and vanilla extract until the filling is smooth and well blended.
  5. Incorporate Bourbon: Stir in the bourbon thoroughly to infuse the filling with its characteristic warmth and depth.
  6. Prepare Pie Crust: Evenly arrange the pecan halves in the unbaked 9-inch pie crust, creating a visually appealing layer of nuts.
  7. Pour Filling: Carefully pour the bourbon-butter filling mixture over the pecans in the pie crust, ensuring even distribution.
  8. Bake the Pie: Place the pie in the preheated oven and bake for 50-60 minutes until the filling sets and the crust becomes golden brown. If the crust edges begin to darken prematurely, shield them with foil to prevent burning.
  9. Cool Completely: Remove the pie from the oven and let it cool entirely on a wire rack. Cooling allows the filling to firm up for clean, perfect slices when served.

Notes

  • Using browned butter intensifies the nutty flavor, complementing the pecans beautifully.
  • Cover crust edges with foil if they brown too quickly during baking to prevent burning.
  • Allow the pie to cool completely before slicing to ensure the filling is set and easy to cut.
  • You can substitute bourbon with whiskey or leave it out for a non-alcoholic version, though it slightly alters the flavor profile.
  • Store leftovers covered at room temperature for up to two days or refrigerated up to a week.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 55 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: Brown Butter Bourbon Pecan Pie, Pecan Pie, Bourbon Pie, Southern Dessert, Holiday Pie, Nutty Pie, Caramel Pie

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