Description
This luscious Pecan Cream Pie is a no-bake American dessert that combines a crisp graham cracker crust with a rich, creamy filling studded with toasted pecans. Perfect for holidays or any special occasion, the pie features a smooth blend of cream cheese, brown sugar, and whipped cream, topped with crunchy pecans for added texture and flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 1 (9-inch) graham cracker or traditional pie crust, baked and cooled
Filling
- 1 cup chopped pecans, toasted
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Garnish
- Extra pecan halves or chopped pecans for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Toast Pecans: In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast the chopped pecans for 4–5 minutes until fragrant, stirring frequently. Remove from heat and set aside to cool completely.
- Whip Cream: In a mixing bowl, beat the heavy whipping cream together with the powdered sugar until stiff peaks form, creating a fluffy whipped cream.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Mixture: In a separate large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with the light brown sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt until smooth and creamy with no lumps.
- Fold Whipped Cream: Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until fully combined, ensuring to maintain the light and airy texture.
- Add Pecans: Stir in the toasted pecans carefully and evenly distribute them throughout the filling.
- Assemble Pie: Spoon the pecan cream filling into the cooled pie crust and smooth the top with a spatula.
- Garnish: Optionally, decorate the top of the pie with extra pecan halves or chopped pecans for a decorative touch.
- Chill: Cover the pie with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or preferably overnight until the filling is set and chilled.
- Serve: Slice the pie into 8 pieces and serve chilled for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- To save time, use a store-bought graham cracker crust instead of baking your own.
- For added depth of flavor, consider mixing a splash of bourbon or maple syrup into the filling.
- This pie can be made a day in advance and stored covered in the refrigerator.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes (plus 5 minutes toasting pecans and 4+ hours chilling)
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 21 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg
