Skip to Content

Karo Syrup Pecan Pie

The Karo Syrup pecan pie recipe is the classic pecan pie recipe.  Why settle for anything else?

Whole Karo syrup pecan pie on a wood table

Karo Syrup Pecan Pie

It may be the best pecan pie recipe in the world.  It’s definitely the easiest pecan pie recipe.  The only question it needs to answer once and for all is what color corn syrup you should use.  But I digress; we’ll get to that in a minute.

I think a lot of people are intimidated by the idea of making a pecan pie from scratch.  And by “from scratch,” I mean even with using a frozen pie crust rather than making your own.  People can’t wrap their heads around how all those pecans end up in a perfect layer without some kind of magic happening.  Luckily, the magic is pure slight of hand—it’s only the illusion of hard work and skill.

A pecan pie is just a stir and a pour away.  Truly.  You put corn syrup, sugar, eggs, vanilla, and melted butter in a bowl, stir it up, add pecans and stir again, then pour the whole thing in a pie crust.  Then bake it.  How do you know when a pecan pie is set?  A pecan pie is set when the temperature in the middle of the pie reaches 200°F.  Then, take it out and let it cool for 2 hours to fully solidify.

Chocolate Pecan Pie Variation

To make a chocolate pecan pie, stir 2 ounces semi-sweet OR bittersweet chocolate, melted, into the pie filling mixture before you stir in the pecans.

More Pies

Bonus Question: Which Color Corn Syrup?

Should you use light or dark corn syrup for pecan pie?  Choose dark corn syrup for a deeper, more caramelized flavor, light syrup for a cleaner, lighter flavor. 

Closeup of pecan pie and crust
5 from 24 votes
Print

Karo Syrup Pecan Pie

The Karo Syrup Pecan Pie recipe is the classic pecan pie recipe. Get the original authentic recipe that works every single time!

Course Dessert
Cuisine American, American Southern
Keyword dessert, easy, pecans, pie, southern
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 494 kcal
Author Katie Moseman

Ingredients

  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 cup Karo corn syrup light or dark, see note
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups whole pecans
  • 1 unbaked deep dish 9-inch pie crust see note

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Place the pie crust on a baking sheet for easy handling and cleanup.

  2. In a large mixing bowl, mix the eggs, corn syrup, sugar, melted butter, and vanilla until thoroughly combined. Add the pecans and stir.

  3. Pour the mixture into the pie crust. Place the baking sheet with the filled pie crust into the preheated oven. Bake for about 1 hour, or until the center of the pie reaches 200°F as measured with an instant read thermometer.

  4. Remove from the oven and cool for 2 hours before serving.

Recipe Notes

Choose dark corn syrup for a deeper, more caramelized flavor, light syrup for a cleaner, lighter flavor.

If you have a regular pie crust but not a deep dish pie crust, leave out a little pie filling so that the pie doesn't bubble up and overflow when cooking.

Nutrition Facts
Karo Syrup Pecan Pie
Amount Per Serving
Calories 494 Calories from Fat 207
% Daily Value*
Fat 23g35%
Saturated Fat 5g31%
Cholesterol 69mg23%
Sodium 177mg8%
Potassium 138mg4%
Carbohydrates 71g24%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 59g66%
Protein 5g10%
Vitamin A 187IU4%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 34mg3%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

 

Recipe Rating




Lynn R. Verchot

Thursday 26th of December 2024

This is the same recipe my mother (who passed in 2007) always used for her wonderful pecan pies with one exception. She changed the vanilla extract measure to 1/2 tsp and added 1/2 tsp of pure almond extract.This made for an incredibly delicious pecan pie especially when she used fresh pecans that we picked up off the ground at my grandfather's house. We don't have those anymore but it is still possible to purchase delicious pecans. Always purchase pecan halves. Leaving the harvested pecan halves whole rather than chopping them really intensifies the pecan flavor in every bite of pie. Wonderful memories .... wonderful pie. Enjoy.

NB

Sunday 22nd of December 2024

My family has made this pie for generations. I use 1/2-3/4 cup each of Karo syrup and organic cane sugar. Sometimes I use dark, light, or a blend of the corn syrup, especially if I have small amounts of both. I also add a small amount of whiskey (Irish, Scotch, or Bourbon) as well as toast my 2 cups of pecans in an iron skillet atop the gas range. No, I do not make pie crust.

Patty K

Tuesday 10th of December 2024

When it's ready to take out of the oven, does it still appear wet in the center under the top layer? Does that solidify later? Thank you!

Katie Moseman

Tuesday 10th of December 2024

In my experience, I judge by two things: first, that the temperature reached 200 F in the center of the pie, and second, that when jostled gently, the pie wiggles but does not slosh. If both of those are true, it's done. It will continue to firm as it cools.

Patti Priest

Wednesday 27th of November 2024

Made this for Thanksgiving tomorrow! Added a splash of Salted Caramel Crown! Know it will be a huge hit! Covered crust with foil; baked at 400 for 10 minutes; 350 for 20 minutes; 325 for 30; 300 for 30. Will update when I serve it tomorrow! 👍🏻

Melissa

Tuesday 26th of November 2024

I have made this for years. Best one yet.