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
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it reaches the correct temperature for baking the pie.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Incorporate Bourbon: Stir in the bourbon thoroughly to infuse the filling with its characteristic warmth and depth.
- Prepare Pie Crust: Evenly arrange the pecan halves in the unbaked 9-inch pie crust, creating a visually appealing layer of nuts.
- Pour Filling: Carefully pour the bourbon-butter filling mixture over the pecans in the pie crust, ensuring even distribution.
- 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.
- 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
