Butterscotch Texas Pecan Pie Recipe
Texas Pecan Pie Recipe
You’ll love our easy Butterscotch Texas Pecan Pie Recipe, inspired by homestyle Southern flavors. This dessert combines crunchy pecans with the sweet richness of butterscotch. Simple and indulgent, this pecan pie captures Southern charm without the hassle. Join us in baking up a slice of tradition with our straightforward Butterscotch Texas Pecan Pie Recipe.
Several years ago, I began craving a richer depth of flavor in my homemade pecan pie. Butterscotch felt like the obvious flavor palate, so I began tossing a handful butterscotch chips in with a regular pecan pie filling.
But over the years, the recipe has evolved and developed into the delicious pie with a smooth and caramel-like butterscotch filling that we’re sharing in this post today. It’s the perfect pecan pie for the holiday dinners and everything in between!
Ingredients for Texas Pecan Pie
This Butterscotch Texas Pecan Pie Recipe comes together with a harmonious blend of ingredients, each playing a crucial role in crafting the perfect dessert.
- Pie Crust: Serving as the buttery foundation, the pie crust encases the decadent filling, providing a flaky and delicious base for the rich flavors to unfold. Try using our beginner-friendly recipe for the very best pie crust recipe.
- Butter: The addition of butter enhances the overall richness of the filling, contributing a velvety texture and a subtle, indulgent flavor.
- Butterscotch Chips: The star of this recipe, butterscotch chips infuse a sweet and buttery essence into the pie, creating a luscious layer of flavor that complements the pecans perfectly.
- Dark Corn Syrup: Functioning as a sweetener and binder, corn syrup adds the necessary sweetness to the filling while ensuring a smooth and gooey consistency. Light corn syrup works too. But dark corn syrup does lend an extra depth of flavor to the pie, in the same way brown sugar does.
- Large Eggs: Acting as a binding agent, the eggs provide structure to the pie filling, contributing to its overall texture and helping it set during baking.
- Vanilla: Introducing a subtle aromatic note, vanilla enhances the overall flavor profile, adding a touch of warmth to the sweet and nutty combination.
- Pecan Halves: The pièce de résistance, pecans bring a delightful crunch and distinctive nuttiness to the pie. Whether chopped or halved, the pecan pieces will elevate the texture, making each bite a delightful blend of sweetness and nuttiness.
Tips for Success
- Chill Your Pie Crust: Ensure your pie crust is well-chilled before rolling it out and fitting it into the pie dish. This helps maintain its flakiness during baking.
- Pre-Bake Your Crust: For an extra crisp crust, consider pre-baking it for a few minutes before adding the filling. This helps prevent a soggy bottom.
- Melt Butterscotch Chips Gently: When melting the butterscotch chips, use low heat and stir continuously to prevent burning. This ensures a smooth and velvety texture in the filling.
- Room Temperature Eggs: Allow your eggs to come to room temperature before incorporating them into the filling. Room temperature eggs blend more easily and contribute to a smoother texture.
- Evenly Distribute Pecans: Whether you choose chopped or halved pecans, distribute them evenly across the filling. This ensures a balanced nutty flavor in every slice.
- Use Quality Pecans: Opt for fresh, high-quality pecans. Their freshness enhances the overall taste and texture of the pie.
- Cool Completely Before Slicing: Allow the pie to cool completely before slicing. This helps the filling set and ensures clean, well-defined slices. In fact, making the at least 24 hours ahead of time is ideal. This gives the pie enough time to set completely.
- Serve at Room Temperature: Pecan pie is usually best enjoyed at room temperature. This allows the flavors to fully develop and the texture to be at its most indulgent.
- Store Properly: If you have leftovers, store the pie in the refrigerator to maintain its freshness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this pie ahead of time?
Yes, you can make the Butterscotch Texas Pecan Pie ahead of time. Here are some steps you can follow:
- Prepare and Bake: Follow the recipe instructions to prepare the pie, including making the crust, preparing the filling, and baking the pie as directed.
- Cool Completely: Allow the baked pie to cool completely at room temperature. This is crucial to let the filling set properly.
- Refrigerate: Once the pie has cooled, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate. It’s advisable to refrigerate pies with egg-based fillings to maintain freshness.
- Bring to Room Temperature Before Serving: When you’re ready to serve the pie, take it out of the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature. This usually takes about 1-2 hours.
- Optional: Warm Before Serving: If you prefer serving the pie warm, you can reheat individual slices in the microwave for a short time or warm the entire pie in a preheated oven for a brief period. Be cautious not to overheat to avoid altering the texture.
By following these steps, you can easily prepare the Butterscotch Texas Pecan Pie in advance, making it a convenient and time-saving dessert option for special occasions or gatherings.
Instructions for Freezing & Thawing
Freezing and thawing this Southern Pecan Pie can be done successfully while maintaining its flavor and texture. Here’s a guide to help you through the process:
Freezing:
- Cool Completely: Allow the baked pie to cool completely at room temperature after it has been baked.
- Wrap Well: Once cooled, wrap the entire pie securely in plastic wrap. For added protection, you can place it in a resealable plastic freezer bag or wrap it in aluminum foil.
- Label and Date: Write the date and the contents on the packaging to keep track of when it was frozen.
- Freeze: Place the wrapped pie in the freezer. Ensure it is placed on a flat surface to maintain its shape.
Thawing:
- Slow Thaw in the Refrigerator: For the best results, transfer the frozen pie from the freezer to the refrigerator. Allow it to thaw slowly for about 24 hours or until completely thawed. This gradual thawing helps preserve the texture of the pie.
- Serve at Room Temperature: Once the pie has thawed in the refrigerator, let it come to room temperature before serving. This usually takes an additional 1-2 hours.
- Optional: Reheat Individual Slices: If you prefer serving warm slices, you can reheat them in the microwave or a preheated oven. Keep an eye on the slices to avoid overcooking and altering the texture.
It’s essential to note that freezing may affect the texture slightly, especially with pies containing a custard-like filling. However, many find that the flavor remains delicious even after freezing.
How can I prevent pie crust edges from browning too quickly?
If your pie crust edges are browning too quickly during baking, there are a few strategies you can use to prevent this:
- Use a Pie Crust Shield: A pie crust shield is a simple tool that covers the edges of the crust to prevent over-browning. You can find them at kitchenware stores or easily make one by covering the edges with aluminum foil.
- Wrap Edges with Foil: If you don’t have a pie crust shield, you can create a makeshift one by gently wrapping the edges of the crust with strips of aluminum foil. This helps shield the edges from direct heat.
- Cover Edges Midway Through Baking: If you notice the edges browning too quickly while the rest of the pie needs more time to bake, you can cover the edges with foil about halfway through the baking time. This allows the crust to reach a perfect golden brown during baking without overdoing it.
- Use a Lower Oven Rack: Placing the pie on a lower oven rack can help reduce the direct heat on the edges of the crust, preventing them from browning too rapidly.
- Adjust Oven Temperature: If necessary, you can lower the oven temperature slightly. This can help slow down the browning process and allow the filling to set without overcooking the crust.
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Butterscotch Pecan Pie Recipe
From the flaky crust to the gooey pecan filling, this recipe is sure to become a family favorite recipe. Serve it with a scoop of ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream on top of the pie to really put it over the top!
Butterscotch Pecan Pie Recipe
Discover the simple deliciousness of our Butterscotch Texas Pecan Pie Recipe—a Southern classic with a twist.
Ingredients
- 1 Pie crust (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 Pie crust (store-bought or homemade)
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- 1 ½ cups butterscotch chips
- 1 ½ cups butterscotch chips
- 1 cup corn syrup
- 1 cup corn syrup
- 3 large eggs
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 ½ cup chopped or halved pecans
- 1 ½ cup chopped or halved pecans
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350ºF.
Prepare the pie crust in a 9-inch pie dish and keep it chilled until ready to fill and bake.
Melt the butter and butterscotch chips together over low heat. The consistency should be thick and smooth-- so don't worry that it doesn't look silky like melted chocolate.
Remove from heat and let the mixture cool for a minute or two.
Mix together the corn syrup, eggs, and vanilla. Add the butterscotch mixture to the bowl 1/4 cup at a time, and mix well in between each addition.
Mix in the pecans.
Pour the pie filling into the uncooked pie crust.
Bake for 60-70 minutes, or until the pie seems mostly set. It's ok to be a little wiggly in the middle.
Let cool for 2-3 hours at room temperature before serving or storing in the fridge.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 534Total Fat: 29gSaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 14gCholesterol: 77mgSodium: 194mgCarbohydrates: 67gFiber: 2gSugar: 56gProtein: 6g