The Most Heavenly Brown Butter Pecan Pie with Streusel Recipe

Brown butter enhances an ordinary pecan pie into a decadent culinary experience that whispers comfort and nostalgia.

Rich, nutty aromas waft through kitchens, promising a dessert beyond traditional expectations.

Caramelized pecans nestled in a silky custard create a luxurious texture that melts effortlessly on your tongue.

streusel adds a delightful crunch, elevating this classic Southern treat with sophisticated layers of flavor.

Each slice promises a symphony of sweet, toasty notes that dance between creamy and crisp.

The carefully browned butter infuses depth and complexity, turning a familiar dessert into an extraordinary indulgence.

This pie represents more than a recipe—it’s a celebration of technique and tradition.

Brown Butter Pecan Pie with Streusel That Feels Like Fall

• Elevate Classic Pecan Pie: This recipe transforms the traditional pecan pie by introducing brown butter, which adds a rich, nutty depth that takes the dessert from ordinary to extraordinary.
• Textural Wonderland: The combination of a flaky, tender crust, creamy filling, crunchy pecans, and buttery streusel topping creates a multi-layered sensory experience that delights with every single bite.
• Masterful Technique Showcase: Brown butter technique and precise baking methods demonstrate sophisticated culinary skills, allowing home bakers to create a restaurant-quality dessert that looks and tastes professionally crafted.

Brown Butter Pecan Pie with Streusel Ingredients

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides the base structure for the flaky pie crust.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds subtle sweetness to the crust.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the crust.
• Unsalted Butter, Crisco: Creates a tender, flaky texture with rich flavor.
• Egg: Helps bind the crust ingredients together.
• Ice Water: Keeps the dough cold and ensures a flaky consistency.

• Eggs: Provides structure and richness to the filling.
• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Offers deep, complex sweetness.
• Corn Syrup: Helps create a smooth, glossy filling.
• Unsalted Butter: Adds nutty brown butter flavor and richness.
• Milk: Contributes to the creamy texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Provides warm, aromatic flavor.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness.
• Lemon Juice: Adds a slight tang to brighten the filling.
• All-Purpose Flour: Helps thicken the filling.
• Toffee Bits: Introduces extra sweetness and crunch.
• Pecans: Gives nutty flavor and texture to the pie.

• All-Purpose Flour: Creates the base of the streusel.
• Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness and caramel notes.
• Cold Unsalted Butter: Provides rich flavor and creates crumbly texture.

Baking Instructions for Brown Butter Pecan Pie with Streusel

Step 1: Prepare Pie Crust

Set up a small bowl with ice water. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, and salt. Using a pastry cutter or fork, blend in butter and Crisco until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs. Whisk an egg, use half with ice water, and mix into the flour blend until just combined. Separate dough into two discs. Roll out one disc on a floured surface and carefully transfer to a 9-inch pie pan. Fold excess crust underneath, crimp edges, and chill in the refrigerator.

Step 2: Create Brown Butter

Heat butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook until it turns golden brown and develops a rich, nutty fragrance (about 5 minutes). Remove from heat and let cool slightly.

Step 3: Mix Filling Ingredients

• Eggs
• Granulated sugar
• Brown sugar
• Corn syrup
• Browned butter
• Milk
• Vanilla
• Salt
• Lemon juice
• Flour
• Toffee bits
• Chopped pecans

Beat eggs for 2 minutes. Add sugars and corn syrup, beating for another minute. Stir in remaining ingredients until smooth.

Step 4: Prepare Oven and Bake First Stage

Preheat oven to 400°F with a baking sheet on the center rack. Pour filling into prepared pie crust. Place pie on hot baking sheet. Reduce oven temperature to 350°F and bake for 30 minutes.

Step 5: Make Streusel Topping

• Flour
• Brown sugar
• Cold butter

Whisk flour and brown sugar in a medium bowl. Cut in cold butter until mixture resembles coarse sand. Refrigerate until needed.

Step 6: Final Baking

After 30 minutes, remove pie from oven. Sprinkle streusel topping over pie. Cover crust with a pie shield. Continue baking at 350°F for 30-37 minutes. Pie should be slightly jiggly in the center when done.

Step 7: Cool and Serve

Remove pie from oven and let cool completely on a wire rack before slicing. Serve and enjoy the rich, nutty flavors of this decadent dessert.

Tips for Rich, Buttery Pecan Streusel Pie

• Brown the Butter Carefully: Watch the butter closely when browning to achieve a rich, nutty flavor without burning, which can turn bitter and ruin the pie's taste.
• Chill the Pie Crust: Refrigerate the prepared crust for at least 30 minutes to prevent shrinking and ensure a flaky, tender texture during baking.
• Use Room Temperature Eggs: Allow eggs to come to room temperature before beating to create a smoother, more consistent filling that incorporates ingredients evenly.
• Check Doneness Strategically: Look for a slightly jiggly center when removing the pie from the oven, as it will continue to set while cooling and prevent over-baking.
• Protect the Crust Edges: Use a pie shield or aluminum foil to prevent excessive browning and burning of the delicate pie crust during the longer baking time.

Storing Brown Butter Pecan Pie with Streusel the Right Way

• Refrigerate: Cover the cooled pie loosely with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Keep the pie away from strong-smelling foods to preserve its delicate flavor.
• Freeze: Wrap the entire pie or individual slices tightly in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Reheat: Warm individual slices in a preheated 325°F oven for 10-15 minutes. Place on a baking sheet to prevent the bottom crust from becoming soggy. Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence.

Pairing Ideas for Brown Butter Pecan Pie with Streusel

• Complement with Cinnamon Whiskey: Pair the rich, nutty brown butter pecan pie with a smooth cinnamon whiskey like Fireball. The warm spice perfectly enhances the caramelized butter and sweet pecan flavors, creating a delightful after-dinner treat.
• Match with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Top a slice of pie with a scoop of creamy vanilla bean ice cream. The cold, smooth texture contrasts beautifully with the warm, crunchy streusel and provides a refreshing balance to the pie's intense sweetness.
• Serve alongside Coffee Liqueur: A small glass of coffee liqueur like Kahlúa complements the pie's deep, toasty notes. The coffee undertones marry wonderfully with the brown butter and pecan elements, elevating the dessert's complex flavor profile.
• Pair with Aged Tawny Port: Choose an aged tawny port to drink with this pie. Its caramel and nutty characteristics harmonize seamlessly with the pie's rich, buttery filling and create a luxurious dessert experience.

Flavor Swaps for Brown Butter Pecan Pie

• Maple Pecan Paradise: Replace corn syrup with pure maple syrup for a deeper, more complex sweetness that complements the pecans and brown butter perfectly.
• Chocolate Chunk Challenge: Sprinkle dark chocolate chunks into the filling before baking, creating rich pockets of melted chocolate throughout the classic pecan pie.
• Bourbon-Spiked Special: Add 2 tablespoons of bourbon to the filling for an adult version that brings warmth and depth to the traditional recipe's flavor profile.
• Salted Caramel Crunch: Drizzle homemade salted caramel sauce over the pie after cooling, enhancing the nutty pecans and brown butter with a luxurious sweet-salty finish.

Brown Butter Pecan Pie with Streusel Recipe

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4.9 from 15 reviews

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

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Description

Rich brown butter elevates classic pecan pie with a crumbly streusel topping, making this Southern dessert a luxurious twist on tradition. Warm spices and caramelized pecans create a deeply satisfying treat you’ll crave from first delectable bite.

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Ingredients

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Pie Crust Ingredients:

• 2 cups (473 ml) flour
• 1.5 tablespoons (22.5 ml) sugar
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) salt
• 0.5 cup (113 grams) butter, chopped
• 6 tablespoons (90 ml) butter-flavored Crisco
• 0.5 egg
• 0.25 cup (59 ml) ice water

Main Filling Ingredients:

• 2 cups (226 grams) pecans, chopped
• 1 cup (220 grams) brown sugar, packed
• 0.5 cup (170 grams) corn syrup
• 3 large eggs

Secondary Filling Ingredients:

• 0.5 cup (113 grams) butter
• 0.5 cup (110 grams) toffee bits
• 0.25 cup (50 grams) granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) milk
• 1.5 teaspoons (7.5 ml) vanilla
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon (8 grams) flour
• 0.5 teaspoon (2.5 ml) salt

Streusel Ingredients:

• 0.5 cup (60 grams) flour
• 0.25 cup (55 grams) brown sugar, packed
• 0.25 cup (57 grams) cold butter

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Instructions

1. Create a chilled water bath in a small vessel and reserve to the side.
2. Combine flour, sugar, and salt in a spacious mixing bowl using a whisk.
3. Integrate butter and Crisco into the dry ingredients using a pastry cutter until the texture resembles coarse pebbles.
4. Separate egg liquid, retaining half and blending with ice water. Incorporate into flour mixture, stirring minimally to maintain cohesion.
5. Segment dough into two portions, forming one disc. Roll out on a flour-dusted surface and carefully transfer to a 9-inch pie vessel.
6. Crimp edges delicately, then refrigerate or freeze the crust to maintain structural integrity.
7. Position oven rack with a baking sheet at center, preheating to 400°F.
8. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium temperature, watching for golden transformation and nutty essence; approximately 5 minutes.
9. Whip eggs thoroughly in a mixing bowl for two minutes, then introduce granulated and brown sugars alongside corn syrup. Beat for an additional minute.
10. Fold browned butter, milk, vanilla, salt, lemon juice, and flour into egg mixture until silky smooth.
11. Gently integrate toffee fragments and pecan pieces into the filling.
12. Transfer filling into prepared pie shell, positioning on preheated baking sheet.
13. Reduce oven temperature to 350°F and bake for initial 30-minute segment.
14. Simultaneously prepare streusel by whisking flour and brown sugar, then cutting cold butter into mixture until sandy.
15. Refrigerate streusel until deployment time.
16. After first baking phase, extract pie and embellish with streusel topping.
17. Shield pie crust and continue baking for additional 30-37 minutes.
18. Verify doneness by observing a subtle center wobble.
19. Remove from oven and allow complete cooling on wire rack before slicing.

Notes

• Brown butter adds a rich, nutty depth that elevates the classic pecan pie flavor, creating a more complex and sophisticated dessert experience.
• Chilling the pie crust before baking helps prevent shrinkage and ensures a flaky, tender texture that melts in your mouth.
• The streusel topping provides a delightful crunch and extra layer of sweetness, transforming this traditional pie into a show-stopping dessert.
• Baking the pie on a preheated baking sheet helps create a perfectly crisp bottom crust and ensures even heat distribution.
• Toffee bits mixed into the filling add unexpected bursts of caramel-like sweetness that complement the pecans beautifully.
• Allowing the pie to cool completely helps the filling set and makes slicing clean and precise, enhancing both presentation and texture.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 30 g
• Sodium: 250 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg