Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I Enjoy This Pie Because It’s Lighter In Texture Than Traditional Pecan Pie Yet Still Indulgent. The Cream Cheese Adds A Tangy Smoothness That Balances The Sweetness Of The Brown Sugar And Maple Syrup. I Like That It’s Easy To Make Ahead, Which Means I Can Prepare It The Day Before And Have A Beautiful Dessert Ready To Serve Without Stress.
Ingredients
(Here’s A Tip: Check Out The Full List Of Ingredients And Measurements In The Recipe Card Below.)
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1 9-Inch Pie Crust, Unbaked
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2 Packages (8 Oz Each) Cream Cheese, Softened
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⅓ Cup Powdered Sugar
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1 Cup Heavy Cream
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½ Cup Brown Sugar
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1 ½ Cups Finely Chopped Pecans
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¼ Cup Maple Syrup
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¼ Tsp Salt
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Thawed Whipped Topping (Optional)
Directions
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I Bake The Pie Crust According To Package Directions And Let It Cool Completely.
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In A Mixing Bowl, I Combine Cream Cheese And Powdered Sugar Until Smooth.
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In A Separate Bowl, I Whip Heavy Cream Until Stiff Peaks Form.
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I Fold The Whipped Cream Into The Cream Cheese Mixture Gently.
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I Stir In Brown Sugar, 1 Cup Of Chopped Pecans, Maple Syrup, And Salt.
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I Pour The Filling Into The Cooled Pie Crust And Spread It Evenly.
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I Top With Whipped Topping (If Using) And Sprinkle The Remaining Pecans On Top.
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I Refrigerate For At Least 2 Hours, Or Overnight, To Allow It To Set.
Servings And Timing
This Recipe Makes 8 Servings. Prep Takes About 20 Minutes, Plus At Least 2 Hours Of Chilling Time. For Best Results, I Prefer Letting It Chill Overnight.
Variations
I Sometimes Add A Splash Of Vanilla Extract To The Filling For Extra Depth. For A Holiday Twist, I Use Candied Pecans On Top Instead Of Plain. If I Want A More Caramel Flavor, I Swap The Maple Syrup For Dark Corn Syrup.
Storage/Reheating
I Store Leftover Pie Covered In The Refrigerator For Up To 4 Days. Since It’s A Cream Pie, I Don’t Recommend Freezing It Because The Texture Changes After Thawing. This Pie Is Best Served Cold.
FAQs
Can I Use A Graham Cracker Crust Instead Of A Traditional Pie Crust?
Yes, I Sometimes Use A Graham Cracker Or Cookie Crust For A Different Flavor And Texture.
Do I Have To Whip The Cream Separately?
Yes, Whipping The Cream First Ensures The Pie Has A Light, Fluffy Texture Instead Of Being Dense.
Can I Make This Ahead Of Time?
Absolutely. I Usually Prepare It A Day Before Serving So It Has Plenty Of Time To Chill.
Can I Use Whole Pecans Instead Of Chopped?
I Prefer Chopped Pecans In The Filling, But Whole Pecans Work Nicely As A Decorative Topping.
How Do I Prevent The Filling From Being Too Sweet?
I Balance The Sweetness By Using Unsweetened Whipped Cream Or Cutting Back Slightly On The Brown Sugar.
Conclusion
I Love Making Pecan Cream Pie Because It’s A Creamy, Nutty Dessert That Feels Both Familiar And Fresh. The Smooth Filling And Crunchy Pecans Create A Perfect Balance, Making It A Showstopper At Any Table. Whether For Thanksgiving Or A Casual Gathering, This Pie Is Always A Hit.
PrintPecan Cream Pie
A creamy twist on classic pecan pie with a smooth custard-like filling and crunchy pecans. Perfect for holidays, gatherings, or anytime dessert cravings hit.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Dessert, Holiday
- Method: No-Bake (with baked crust)
- Cuisine: American, Southern
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
1 (9-inch) pie crust, unbaked
2 packages (8 oz each) cream cheese, softened
⅓ cup powdered sugar
1 cup heavy cream
½ cup brown sugar
1 ½ cups finely chopped pecans
¼ cup maple syrup
¼ teaspoon salt
Whipped topping (optional)
Instructions
Bake the pie crust according to package directions; let cool.
In a bowl, beat softened cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth.
In a separate bowl, whip heavy cream until stiff peaks form.
Gently fold whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture.
Stir in brown sugar, 1 cup pecans, maple syrup, and salt.
Spread filling evenly into cooled pie crust.
Top with thawed whipped topping (optional) and sprinkle with remaining pecans.
Refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight to set.
Slice and serve chilled.
Notes
Top with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence.
Garnish with a sprig of mint or powdered sugar for elegance.
Best made a day ahead for easier slicing and a firmer filling.