Sweet Pecan Paradise: Homemade Caramel Pecan Delight Pie Recipe

Sweet aromas of buttery caramel and toasted pecan delight pie recipe swirl through kitchens, promising a decadent dessert experience.

Layers of rich flavors blend perfectly in this irresistible treat.

Each bite delivers a symphony of textures that dance across your palate.

Crisp pastry cradles a smooth, golden caramel filling studded with crunchy pecans.

The dessert transforms simple ingredients into an extraordinary culinary masterpiece.

Warm gatherings and special celebrations deserve this elegant pie that speaks volumes about comfort and indulgence.

This recipe will become your new favorite dessert sensation.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes

Calories: 466 kcal

Servings: 7

Caramel Pecan Delight Pie Ingredient Rundown

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides the sturdy base for a flaky, tender pie crust that holds its shape perfectly.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor and helps control gluten development for a more delicate texture.
• Unsalted Butter: Creates those sought-after flaky layers and adds rich, creamy flavor to the crust.
• Ice Water: Binds the ingredients together without warming the butter, ensuring a light and crisp pastry.

• Granulated Sugar: Transforms into a golden, glossy caramel with deep, complex sweetness.
• Heavy Cream: Adds luxurious richness and smooths out the caramel's texture.
• Butter: Brings a silky, velvety finish to the caramel sauce with its deep, comforting flavor.
• Vanilla Extract: Introduces a warm, aromatic depth that complements the caramel's sweetness.

• Pecans: Provides a delightful crunch and nutty, toasted flavor that perfectly complements the caramel.
• Brown Sugar: Offers a rich, molasses-like sweetness that caramelizes beautifully when toasted.
• Corn Syrup: Helps create a glossy, smooth texture and prevents sugar crystallization.

Gear To Make Caramel Pecan Delight Pie Easily

• Medium bowl: Perfect for mixing dry ingredients smoothly.
• Pastry cutter: Helps break down cold butter into tiny pieces for flaky crust.
• Hands: Useful alternative to pastry cutter for mixing dough.
• Plastic wrap: Keeps dough fresh and helps it rest in the refrigerator.
• Whisk: Ensures flour and salt are evenly combined.
• Rolling pin: Helps roll out pie crust to desired thickness.
• Pie dish: Baking vessel for the caramel pecan delight pie.

How To Bake Caramel Pecan Delight Pie With A Perfect Top

• Pastry Foundation

Create a soft, crumbly base by gently combining flour and a pinch of salt. Work the chilled butter into the mixture using your fingertips until it looks like sandy breadcrumbs.

• Dough Binding

Splash in icy cold water, drop by drop, until the mixture transforms into a cohesive dough. Your gentle touch is key – mix just enough to bring everything together without overworking.

• Resting Period

Shape the dough into a smooth disk, then cocoon it in plastic wrap. Tuck it into the refrigerator for a relaxing 30-minute chill. This quiet time helps the butter firm up and ensures a flaky, tender crust.

• Preparation Readiness

After its cool rest, your dough is primed and ready for the next stage of pie magic. The chilled dough will roll out beautifully, creating a perfect canvas for your delicious caramel pecan filling.

Fun Flavor Swaps For Caramel Pecan Delight Pie

• Butter Blessing: Use cold, high-quality unsalted butter for the most flaky, tender pie crust that melts in your mouth and creates beautiful layers.
• Chilling Magic: Always refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes (or up to 2 days) to prevent shrinking and help the crust maintain its shape during baking.
• Gluten-Free Swap: Replace wheat flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend to make this pie accessible for those with gluten sensitivities, ensuring the same delicious texture.
• Nutty Alternatives: Experiment with different nuts like walnuts or almonds instead of pecans to create unique flavor profiles while maintaining the pie's delightful crunch and richness.
• Make-Ahead Brilliance: Prepare the pie dough up to 3 days in advance and store in the refrigerator, or freeze for up to 1 month, making holiday baking and meal preparation much easier and stress-free.

How To Slice And Serve Caramel Pecan Delight Pie

• Sweet Slice of Heaven: Serve each wedge with a generous scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for a classic dessert pairing that melts beautifully against the warm pie.
• Nutty Caramel Crunch: Sprinkle extra chopped pecans on top of the slice and drizzle with additional warm caramel sauce to enhance the pie's rich texture and flavor profile.
• Coffee Companion: Accompany the pie with a hot espresso or strong black coffee to balance the sweetness and provide a sophisticated dessert experience that complements the caramel and pecan notes.
• Whipped Cream Elegance: Top each slice with a dollop of freshly whipped cream, lightly dusted with ground cinnamon for an extra layer of warmth and indulgence.

Tips For Storing Caramel Pecan Delight Pie Correctly

• Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Keep the pie dough wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and store in the coldest part of your refrigerator for up to 48 hours before baking to maintain optimal texture and flavor.
• Freezing Technique: Properly sealed pie dough can be frozen for up to 3 months, allowing you to prepare ahead and have a quick dessert solution whenever unexpected guests arrive.
• Freshness Preservation: Once baked, cover the Caramel Pecan Delight Pie with a loose aluminum foil tent and refrigerate for 3-4 days, ensuring the delicate pecan and caramel layers remain deliciously intact.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the pie dough and filling components separately up to two days in advance, then assemble and bake when you're ready to serve, saving valuable time during busy cooking sessions.

Indulgent Caramel Pecan Delight Pie

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Scrumptious caramel pecan delight pie promises a Southern comfort classic with rich, buttery layers. Pecans and caramel create a harmonious dance of sweetness that you’ll savor until the last delectable crumb.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 ¼ cups (155 g) all-purpose flour
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
• 4 tbsps (60 ml) ice water
• 1 ½ cups (150 g) pecan halves
• 1 cup (200 g) brown sugar, packed
• ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter
• ¼ cup (60 ml) heavy cream
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 cup (240 ml) heavy whipping cream
• 2 tbsps powdered sugar
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• Additional pecans (optional)
• Caramel drizzle (optional)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Dough Preparation: In a large mixing bowl, meticulously combine flour and salt until evenly distributed, creating a uniform dry base for the pie crust.
2. Butter Integration: Delicately work chilled butter into the flour mixture using fingertips or a pastry blender, breaking down the butter until the texture resembles coarse, irregular crumbs that will yield a beautifully flaky crust.
3. Moisture Binding: Slowly introduce ice-cold water, gently folding and pressing the dough until it just comes together, being careful to avoid overworking the delicate mixture.
4. Dough Conditioning: Form the pastry into a compact disk, wrap securely in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least one hour to allow gluten relaxation and butter solidification, ensuring a tender, melt-in-your-mouth pie crust.
5. Crust Shaping: Roll out the chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to a thin, even thickness, carefully transferring it to a pie dish, crimping the edges with precision and trimming any excess.
6. Pecan Caramel Filling: Whisk together corn syrup, eggs, brown sugar, vanilla, and salt in a mixing bowl until smooth and thoroughly combined, creating a rich, glossy base for the pie.
7. Nut Incorporation: Generously scatter pecans across the prepared pie crust, ensuring an even distribution that will provide delightful crunch and nutty flavor.
8. Filling Distribution: Carefully pour the caramel mixture over the pecans, allowing it to settle naturally and fill the spaces between the nuts.
9. Baking Process: Place the pie in a preheated oven at 375°F, baking for 40-50 minutes until the filling sets with a slight wobble and the crust turns a golden-brown hue.
10. Cooling and Serving: Remove from the oven and allow the pie to cool completely on a wire rack, letting the filling set and develop its full, rich caramel flavor before slicing and serving.

Notes

• Prevent Overworking Dough: Handle the pastry mixture gently to maintain butter’s cold temperature, ensuring a light, flaky crust that doesn’t become tough or dense.
• Chill for Perfection: Refrigerate dough for at least 30 minutes before rolling, allowing gluten to relax and butter to firm up, which creates a more tender and crisp pie crust.
• Moisture Management: Add water sparingly and just enough to bind ingredients, preventing a soggy or dry crust that can compromise the pie’s delicate texture.
• Temperature Control: Use ice-cold butter and water to maintain the pastry’s structural integrity, helping create those coveted delicate, layered flakes during baking.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Mixing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 466
• Sugar: 27 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 32 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 44 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 76 mg