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

• Indulge in Gourmet Delight: Elevate your dessert game with this sophisticated pecan pie that transforms a classic treat into a culinary masterpiece through its rich brown butter and streusel topping.
• Master Complex Techniques: Learn professional baking methods like browning butter and creating streusel, which add depth of flavor and texture to a traditional pie recipe.
• Perfect for Special Gatherings: Impress guests at holiday celebrations, dinner parties, or family reunions with a dessert that looks and tastes like it came from a high-end bakery.
• Customize with Creativity: Experiment with toffee bits and precise browning techniques to make this recipe uniquely yours, turning a standard dessert into a personalized culinary experience.

Ingredients for Pecan Pie with Streusel Topping

• Eggs: Essential protein base that helps bind and structure the pie filling.
• Pecans: Classic nut that provides rich, nutty flavor and signature texture to the pie.
• Pie Crust: Foundational base that holds the pie filling and adds buttery, flaky texture.

• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Provide sweetness and help create a caramelized, rich flavor profile.
• Corn Syrup: Creates a smooth, glossy filling and prevents sugar crystallization.

• Butter: Adds deep, nutty flavor through browning and helps create a smooth texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Provides warm, aromatic undertones to complement the pecans.
• Milk: Adds moisture and helps create a creamy pie filling.
• Flour: Helps thicken and stabilize the pie filling.
• Salt: Balances and enhances the overall sweetness of the pie.
• Lemon Juice: Adds a subtle brightness and helps balance the sweet flavors.

• Flour, Brown Sugar: Create the base of the crumbly streusel topping.
• Cold Butter: Helps create a sandy, crumbly texture for the streusel.
• Toffee Bits: Adds extra caramel-like sweetness and crunch to the pie.

Preparation Guide for Pecan Pie with Streusel Topping

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Heat the oven to 400°F. Position an empty baking sheet on the center rack to create an even cooking surface.

Step 2: 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.

Step 3: 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.

Step 4: Create Luxurious Filling

Grab your stand mixer with a whisk attachment. Beat eggs energetically for 2 minutes until they become light and fluffy.

• Granulated sugar
• Brown sugar
• Corn syrup

• Milk
• Vanilla extract
• Salt
• Lemon juice
• Flour

Fold in pecans and toffee bits gently.

Pour the silky mixture into the chilled pie crust.

Step 5: Initial Baking Cycle

Transfer the pie onto the preheated baking sheet.

Immediately reduce oven temperature to 350°F. Bake for 30 minutes.

Step 6: 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.

Step 7: 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.

Step 8: 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

• Brown the butter slowly to develop a rich, nutty flavor that elevates the entire pie's taste profile.
• Chill the pie crust before filling to prevent shrinkage and maintain a crisp texture during baking.
• Beat eggs thoroughly to create a light, airy filling that provides a smooth, luxurious consistency.
• Protect pie edges with a shield to prevent over-browning while ensuring even baking of the streusel topping.
• Let the pie cool completely at room temperature to allow the filling to set properly and achieve the perfect slice.

Variations of Pecan Pie with Streusel Topping

• Gluten-Free Pecan Pie: Replace regular flour with almond flour or gluten-free flour blend in both the filling and streusel topping. Use a gluten-free pie crust to accommodate those with wheat sensitivities.
• Maple Bourbon Variation: Substitute corn syrup with pure maple syrup and add a splash of bourbon to the filling for a rich, deep flavor profile. Enhance the topping with a sprinkle of maple sugar.
• Vegan Pecan Delight: Use coconut oil instead of butter, replace eggs with flax eggs, and swap corn syrup for agave nectar. Create a nut-based crust using ground almonds and dates for a completely plant-based version.

Pairing Ideas for Pecan Pie with Streusel Topping

• Drizzle a rich, smooth bourbon-infused vanilla sauce over each slice to complement the nutty pecans and enhance the pie's sweet complexity.
• Serve a warm, spiced caramel apple cider alongside the pie, creating a harmonious blend of autumnal flavors that highlight the dessert's rich caramel undertones.
• Select an aged tawny port with its deep, complex notes of dried fruits and caramel, which perfectly resonates with the pie's sweet, buttery profile and nutty pecan essence.

Storage Guidelines for Pecan Pie with Streusel Topping

• Wrap the cooled pecan pie tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Keep refrigerated for up to 4 days, maintaining its fresh flavor and texture.
• Place the pie in a freezer-safe container or wrap it securely with plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months, preserving its delicious streusel topping and rich filling.
• Thaw the pie in the refrigerator overnight. Warm individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or reheat the entire pie in a preheated 300°F oven for 10-15 minutes until warmed through.

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

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4.8 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Classic Southern pecan pie with streusel topping celebrates traditional dessert flavors from the American South. Sweet, nutty layers combine crisp pastry and rich caramel-like filling that home bakers will absolutely adore.

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Ingredients

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• 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

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Instructions

1. Prepare the baking environment by heating the oven to 400°F and positioning an empty baking sheet on the center rack.

1. Place the premade pie crust into a pie pan and refrigerate to maintain its coolness.

1. 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.

1. 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.

1. 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.

1. 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.

1. 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.

1. 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