Description
This rich and indulgent Brown Butter Bourbon Pecan Pie is a decadent twist on the classic Southern dessert. Featuring a nutty, caramelized brown butter filling enhanced with the warm depth of bourbon and crunchy pecan halves, this pie offers an irresistible balance of flavors and textures. Perfect for holiday gatherings or any special occasion, it promises a luscious, buttery crust and a gooey, flavorful center that will delight any pecan pie lover.
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: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it reaches the ideal temperature for baking the pie.
- Brown the Butter: Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir occasionally and cook until the butter turns a rich golden brown and emits a nutty aroma. Remove immediately from heat and transfer to a heatproof bowl to stop cooking.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix the browned butter, brown sugar, and salt together until well combined to form the base of your filling.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Add the light corn syrup, lightly beaten eggs, and vanilla extract to the butter and sugar mixture. Whisk everything until the mixture is smooth and uniform in texture.
- Incorporate Bourbon: Stir in the bourbon gently, ensuring it blends thoroughly into the filling.
- Prepare Pie Crust: Arrange the pecan halves evenly in the unbaked 9-inch pie crust to create a visually appealing nut layer.
- Pour Filling: Carefully pour the prepared filling mixture over the arranged pecans, evenly distributing it across the crust.
- Bake the Pie: Place the pie in the preheated oven and bake for 50-60 minutes, or until the filling is set and the crust achieves a golden brown color. If the crust edges brown too quickly, cover them with foil to prevent burning.
- Cool Completely: Remove the pie from the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack. This allows the filling to set properly for clean slicing and optimal texture.
Notes
- Use a deep-dish pie crust if you prefer a higher filling level.
- Ensure the butter is browned but not burnt for the best flavor.
- If you prefer a stronger bourbon flavor, you can increase the bourbon to 1/3 cup.
- Cover the pie edges with foil halfway through baking to prevent over-browning.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute the butter with a vegan butter alternative, but note this will change the flavor profile.
- Allow the pie to cool completely before slicing to avoid a runny filling.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American
Keywords: pecan pie, bourbon pecan pie, brown butter pie, southern dessert, holiday pie, pecan dessert, homemade pecan pie
