Nutty Delight: Pecan Pie With Streusel Topping Recipe
Crafting a delectable pecan pie with streusel topping brings pure comfort to your kitchen.
Layers of buttery crust and rich, nutty filling create an irresistible dessert.
Southern bakers have long cherished this classic treat with its crunchy, caramelized texture.
Warm spices and toasted pecans dance together in a symphony of flavors.
Homemade streusel adds a delightful crunch that elevates this traditional pie beyond expectations.
Each bite promises a perfect balance of sweet and nutty goodness.
Pecan Pie with Streusel Topping Highlights
Ingredients for Pecan Pie with Streusel Topping
Core Ingredients:Sweeteners and Syrups:Flavor Enhancers and Binders:Streusel Topping Ingredients:Preparation Guide for Pecan Pie with Streusel Topping
Prepare Baking Station
Heat the oven to 400°F. Position an empty baking sheet on the center rack to create an even cooking surface.
Crust Chilling
Gently place the premade pie crust into a pie pan. Slide the pan into the refrigerator to keep the crust cool and firm.
Brown the Butter
Select a small saucepan and melt butter over medium heat. Watch carefully as the butter transforms, developing golden-brown color and releasing a rich, nutty fragrance.
This typically takes around 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let it cool down naturally.
Create Luxurious Filling
Grab your stand mixer with a whisk attachment. Beat eggs energetically for 2 minutes until they become light and fluffy.
Gradually blend in:
Continuously mix while incorporating the cooled brown butter. Add:
Fold in pecans and toffee bits gently.
Pour the silky mixture into the chilled pie crust.
Initial Baking Cycle
Transfer the pie onto the preheated baking sheet.
Immediately reduce oven temperature to 350°F. Bake for 30 minutes.
Develop Streusel Topping
In a medium bowl, combine flour and brown sugar. Use a pastry blender to cut cold butter into the mixture until it resembles coarse sand.
Refrigerate or freeze until needed.
Final Baking and Topping
Remove pie from oven – the filling will appear liquid.
Distribute streusel evenly across the surface. Create a protective shield using a pie shield or aluminum foil around the edges.
Return to oven and bake 30-40 minutes until the center sets but remains slightly wobbly.
Patient Cooling
Transfer pie to a cooling rack.
Allow complete cooling before serving to ensure perfect filling consistency.
Tips for Pecan Pie with Streusel Topping
Variations of Pecan Pie with Streusel Topping
Pairing Ideas for Pecan Pie with Streusel Topping
Storage Guidelines for Pecan Pie with Streusel Topping
FAQs
Why brown the butter?
Browning butter develops a deeper, nuttier flavor that adds complexity to the pie’s taste, creating a rich and more sophisticated profile compared to regular melted butter.
Can I make the streusel topping ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the streusel topping in advance and store it in the refrigerator or freezer until you’re ready to use it, which helps maintain its crumbly texture.
How do I know when the pie is fully baked?
The pie is done when the center is just set but still slightly wobbly, and the streusel topping is golden brown. The filling should have a slight jiggle but not be liquid when you gently shake the pie.

Pecan Pie With Streusel Topping Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
- Yield: 8 1x
Description
Classic Southern pecan pie with streusel topping brings a sweet, nutty twist to a timeless favorite. Crisp pastry and caramel-like filling make every slice unforgettable.
Ingredients
- 2 cups pecans (finely chopped)
- 1 cup (230 g) packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) corn syrup
- 1 stick (113 g) unsalted butter
- 1 premade pie crust
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup (60 g) toffee bits
- 1/4 cup (50 g) granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tbsp milk
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp salt
Streusel Topping:
- 1/2 cup (60 g) all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup (50 g) packed brown sugar
- 1/4 cup (57 g) cold unsalted butter
Instructions
- Prepare the baking environment by heating the oven to 400°F and positioning an empty baking sheet on the center rack.
- Place the premade pie crust into a pie pan and refrigerate to maintain its coolness.
- Create brown butter by melting butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook for approximately 5 minutes until golden brown with a nutty fragrance and visible brown specks. Remove from heat and let cool.
- Whip eggs in a stand mixer for 2 minutes until light and fluffy. Gradually blend granulated and brown sugars, corn syrup, cooled brown butter, milk, vanilla extract, salt, lemon juice, and flour. Gently incorporate pecans and toffee bits into the mixture.
- Pour the filling into the chilled pie crust and transfer to the preheated baking sheet. Immediately reduce oven temperature to 350°F and bake for 30 minutes.
- Craft the streusel topping by combining flour and brown sugar in a medium bowl. Cut cold butter into the mixture using a pastry blender until it resembles coarse sand. Refrigerate until needed.
- Remove pie from the oven after initial baking. The filling will appear fluid. Evenly distribute the streusel topping and shield the pie edges with aluminum foil to prevent excessive browning. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 30-40 minutes until the center is barely set but slightly jiggly.
- Transfer the pie to a cooling rack and allow it to cool completely. For best results, prepare the pie a day before serving to ensure proper filling consistency.
Notes
- Watch the butter carefully during browning to prevent burning, as the transition from golden to burnt happens quickly.
- Use a lower initial oven temperature to prevent pie crust edges from over-browning while ensuring the filling sets properly.
- Keep streusel mixture cold until using to maintain a crisp, crumbly texture when baked.
- Prepare the pie a day before serving to allow flavors to meld and filling to set completely.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 438 kcal
- Sugar: 29 g
- Sodium: 130 mg
- Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 37 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Nate Harper
Founder & Recipe Curator
Expertise
Single-Recipe Development, Farm-to-Table Cooking, Seasonal Menu Planning, Culinary Storytelling, Home Kitchen Innovation
Education
Cascade Culinary Institute – Central Oregon Community College
Certificate in Culinary Arts
Focus: Farm-to-table cuisine, sustainable cooking practices, and seasonal recipe creation.
Nate studied under experienced chefs who emphasized local sourcing, minimal waste, and building recipes from fresh, simple ingredients.
Nate Harper is the founder and creative force behind Make, Take, Bake. Raised in the wild beauty of Oregon’s high desert, Nate grew up surrounded by family gardens, farmers’ markets, and home kitchens that celebrated the seasons.
His early love for simple, honest food evolved into a professional passion when he attended Cascade Culinary Institute, where he sharpened his skills in creating recipes that are sustainable, satisfying, and made for everyday life.
Nate’s goal is to make cooking feel accessible, free of fuss, and full of flavor. He believes a single, thoughtfully built dish can stand alone, and sometimes even steal the show.