Nutty Brown Butter Pecan Pie with Streusel Recipe

Drizzling golden brown butter adds a nutty complexity to this classic pecan pie streusel recipe that’ll make your taste buds dance with delight.

Southern kitchens have long cherished this decadent dessert with its rich, caramelized depths.

The brown butter swirls through the filling, creating a luxurious backdrop for toasted pecans and a delicate streusel topping.

Warm spices whisper hints of comfort in every single bite.

Each slice promises a perfect balance of crisp, crumbly texture and deep, smooth sweetness.

The streusel adds a delightful crunch that contrasts beautifully with the silky pie base.

Dive into this irresistible dessert that transforms a simple pie into a memorable culinary experience.

Brown Butter Pecan Pie with Streusel Ingredients

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides the sturdy foundation for a flaky, tender base that cradles the rich filling.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds a subtle sweetness and helps create a delicate crust texture.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor and balances the buttery richness.
• Unsalted Butter: Delivers rich, creamy flavor and creates those coveted flaky layers.
• Crisco: Ensures a tender, melt-in-your-mouth crust with incredible flakiness.
• Egg: Binds the ingredients and adds structure to the dough.
• Ice Water: Keeps the butter cold and helps create a light, crisp crust.

• Eggs: Create a silky, smooth base that holds the pie together.
• Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create a glossy filling.
• Brown Sugar: Adds deep caramel notes and moisture to the pie.
• Corn Syrup: Ensures a gooey, consistent texture and prevents crystallization.
• Unsalted Butter: Develops a rich, nutty flavor through browning.
• Milk: Adds creaminess and helps blend the filling ingredients.
• Vanilla Extract: Brings warm, aromatic depth to the pie.
• Salt: Balances and intensifies the sweet flavors.
• Lemon Juice: Brightens and cuts through the richness.
• All-Purpose Flour: Helps thicken the filling.
• Toffee Bits: Introduces extra caramel crunch and sweetness.
• Pecans: Provides nutty texture and signature pie flavor.

• All-Purpose Flour: Creates a crumbly, crisp texture.
• Brown Sugar: Adds a rich, molasses-like sweetness.
• Cold Unsalted Butter: Ensures a crisp, crumbly streusel topping.

Tools to Bake Brown Butter Pecan Pie with Streusel

• Stand mixer or large bowl: Essential for mixing pie filling ingredients efficiently.
• Pastry cutter or fork: Perfect for cutting butter into flour for both crust and streusel.
• 9-inch pie pan: Necessary for shaping and baking the pie.
• Saucepan: Needed to brown butter and create rich flavor.
• Baking sheet: Helps create even heat distribution in the oven.
• Pie shield or aluminum foil: Protects pie crust from burning during long baking time.
• Rolling pin: Used to roll out pie dough smoothly.
• Whisk: Great for combining dry and wet ingredients.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient proportions.
• Cooling rack: Allows pie to cool evenly after baking.

How to Make Brown Butter Pecan Pie with Streusel

• Pie Crust Preparation

Create a tender, flaky foundation by mixing flour, sugar, and salt. Work cold butter into the dry ingredients until crumbly. Add a touch of egg and ice water to bind the dough. Gently shape into a disc and chill in the refrigerator.

• Brown Butter Magic

Transform ordinary butter into a golden, fragrant liquid by slowly heating until it develops a rich, nutty essence. This technique elevates the pie’s depth of flavor and creates a sophisticated undertone.

• Filling Creation

Whisk eggs until they become light and airy. Incorporate sugars, corn syrup, and browned butter, blending until silky smooth. Fold in pecans and toffee pieces for surprising texture and crunch.

• Streusel Topping

Mix flour and brown sugar, then cut in cold butter to create a crumbly, sandy mixture. This crispy layer adds a delightful contrast to the creamy pie filling.

• Baking Process

Start with a hot oven, then reduce temperature to ensure even baking. Protect the crust edges with a shield. The pie is perfect when the center has a gentle wobble – a sign of a custardy, luxurious interior.

• Cooling and Serving

Allow the pie to rest and set completely. This patience rewards you with clean, beautiful slices that showcase the pie’s intricate layers and rich, complex flavors.

Pro Tips for Pecan Pie Streusel Magic

• Develop deep, nutty flavors by carefully browning butter, watching closely to prevent burning and stirring continuously for even caramelization.
• Chill pie dough for at least 30 minutes before rolling to prevent shrinking and ensure a flaky, tender crust that holds its shape beautifully.
• Toast pecans briefly before adding to the filling to enhance their natural richness and create a more complex, deeper flavor profile.
• Keep streusel ingredients ice-cold for that perfect crumbly texture that adds delightful crunch and visual appeal to the pie's surface.
• Use an instant-read thermometer to check pie doneness, aiming for a center temperature of 200°F to guarantee a perfectly set filling without overbaking.

How to Slice & Serve Pecan Pie with Streusel

• Dessert Companion Pairings: Creamy vanilla ice cream melts luxuriously over warm pie slices, creating a delightful temperature contrast.
• Holiday Gathering Showstopper: Perfect centerpiece for thanksgiving or winter celebrations, this pie becomes an instant conversation starter with its golden brown streusel topping.
• Beverage Harmony: Rich bourbon or dark roast coffee complements the deep nutty flavors and caramelized butter notes, elevating the entire dessert experience.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare pie one day in advance, allowing flavors to develop and providing stress-free entertaining with minimal last-minute preparation.

How to Store Brown Butter Pecan Pie Leftovers

• Pie Freshness Tactics: Store the pie covered at room temperature for 2-3 days or refrigerate up to 5 days to maintain optimal flavor and texture.
• Freezing Strategy: Wrap the entire pie or individual slices tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 3 months for extended enjoyment.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the pie crust and streusel topping 1-2 days before baking, storing them separately in airtight containers to save time and reduce day-of stress.
• Slice and Serve Wisdom: Cut clean, precise slices by using a sharp knife dipped in hot water and wiped dry between each cut, ensuring beautiful presentation for every serving.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes

Calories: 450 kcal

Servings: 9

Sinful Brown Butter Pecan Pie with Streusel

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4.6 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Delightful brown butter pecan pie with streusel offers a rich, nutty experience from Southern kitchens. Warm spices and caramelized pecans create a memorable dessert that promises comfort and indulgence for passionate bakers.

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Ingredients

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• 2 cups (473 ml/16 oz) pecans, chopped
• 1 cup (220 grams/8 oz) brown sugar, packed
• 3 large eggs
• 0.5 cup (170 grams/6 oz) corn syrup
• 0.5 cup (113 grams/4 oz) butter
• 0.5 cup (110 grams/4 oz) toffee bits
• 2 cups (473 ml/16 oz) flour
• 0.25 cup (50 grams/2 oz) granulated sugar
• 1.5 tbsps (22.5 ml/0.75 oz) sugar
• 0.5 cup (113 grams/4 oz) butter, chopped
• 6 tbsps (90 ml/3 oz) butter-flavored Crisco
• 0.5 egg
• 0.25 cup (59 ml/2 oz) ice water
• 1 tsp (5 ml/0.2 oz) salt
• 1 tbsp (15 ml/0.5 oz) milk
• 1.5 tsps (7.5 ml/0.25 oz) vanilla
• 1 tbsp (15 ml/0.5 oz) fresh lemon juice
• 1 tbsp (8 grams/0.3 oz) flour
• 0.5 tsp (2.5 ml/0.1 oz) salt
• 0.5 cup (60 grams/2 oz) flour
• 0.25 cup (55 grams

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Instructions

1. Pastry Preparation: Whisk flour, sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Cut in butter and Crisco until mixture resembles coarse crumbs, creating a textured base for the pie crust.
2. Dough Formation: Blend egg liquid with ice water, gently incorporating into flour mixture. Minimize stirring to maintain delicate texture. Divide dough, forming one disc and rolling out on floured surface.
3. Crust Positioning: Carefully transfer dough to 9-inch pie dish, crimping edges meticulously. Chill in refrigerator to preserve structural integrity.
4. Brown Butter Transformation: Heat butter in saucepan over medium flame, watching for golden hue and nutty aroma—approximately 5 minutes. This process develops rich, complex flavor profile.
5. Filling Composition: Vigorously whip eggs, then introduce granulated and brown sugars with corn syrup. Integrate browned butter, milk, vanilla, salt, lemon juice, and flour until achieving silky consistency.
6. Pecan Integration: Fold toffee fragments and pecan pieces into filling, ensuring even distribution of nutty elements.
7. Baking Technique: Preheat oven to 400°F with baking sheet on center rack. Pour filling into prepared crust, reducing temperature to 350°F immediately upon placing pie.
8. Streusel Crafting: Whisk flour and brown sugar, cutting in cold butter until mixture resembles sandy texture. Refrigerate until needed.
9. Topping and Finishing: After initial 30-minute baking, extract pie and sprinkle with prepared streusel. Shield crust edges and continue baking 30-37 minutes until center shows subtle wobble.
10. Cooling Protocol: Remove from oven and allow complete cooling on wire rack before slicing, enabling filling to set perfectly.

Notes

• Butter Browning Technique: Monitor butter carefully during browning to achieve golden color and nutty aroma without burning, which develops rich flavor complexity.
• Crust Chilling Strategy: Refrigerating or freezing pie crust before baking helps prevent shrinkage and maintains crisp, flaky texture during baking.
• Filling Consistency Check: Ensure filling has a subtle center wobble when done, indicating perfect custard-like texture without overbaking.
• Streusel Preparation Tip: Keep streusel ingredients cold and work quickly to maintain a sandy, crumbly texture that creates delightful crispy topping.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 45 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg