Description
Pecan Cream Deep Dish Pie is a creamy, make ahead dessert featuring a buttery pecan crust, rich brown sugar cream cheese filling, toasted pecans, and fluffy whipped topping. Perfect for holidays, potlucks, and family gatherings.
Ingredients
For the Crust:
1 cup all purpose flour
1 cup finely chopped pecans
1 half cup butter, softened
Pinch of salt
For the Filling:
2 cups finely chopped toasted pecans
2 eight ounce packages cream cheese, softened
1 quarter cup butter, melted
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 quarter teaspoon salt
2 eight ounce tubs whipped topping, divided
Additional chopped pecans for garnish
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a 13 by 9 inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, finely chopped pecans, softened butter, and a pinch of salt. Use a hand mixer or sturdy spoon to blend until a soft dough forms. The mixture should hold together when pressed.
Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the baking dish, making sure to spread it all the way into the corners. Bake for 25 to 35 minutes until lightly golden and set. Remove from the oven and allow the crust to cool completely before adding the filling.
While the crust bakes, spread the pecans for the filling onto a sheet pan. Place them on a lower rack in the oven and toast for 8 to 12 minutes, or until fragrant and lightly browned. Keep a close eye on them to avoid over browning. Let them cool fully, then chop into small, even pieces.
Place the softened cream cheese into a large bowl. Beat with an electric mixer until completely smooth and creamy. Make sure your cream cheese has fully softened to room temperature before you begin mixing. Cold cream cheese can result in stubborn lumps that are hard to blend until smooth.
In a separate bowl, stir together melted butter, brown sugar, vanilla extract, and salt. Mix well, breaking up any clumps in the sugar to ensure a silky consistency.
Add this brown sugar mixture to the cream cheese and continue beating until fully incorporated and smooth.
Gently fold in half of one tub of whipped topping along with the toasted pecans. Stir until evenly distributed. Reserve the remaining half tub for the topping.
Next, fold in the second full tub of whipped topping. Mix gently until just combined and no white streaks remain. Be careful not to over mix, as you want to maintain a light texture.
Notes
Toast the pecans for the filling to enhance flavor.
Ensure cream cheese is fully softened to avoid lumps.
Dark brown sugar adds a deeper molasses flavor.
For a lighter option, use reduced fat cream cheese and light whipped topping.
Store covered in the refrigerator up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes + Chill Time: 4 hours
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American