Butterscotch pecan pie is a decadent twist on classic pecan pie, thanks to the addition of butterscotch chips. A flaky, buttery crust is paired with a gooey pecan-butterscotch filling to create the perfect homemade fall dessert. Using just 8 simple ingredients, it's an easy pie recipe that's a must-have for the holidays.
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The butterscotch chips add warm notes of brown sugar, butter, and vanilla, elevating the traditional pecan pie to one you will savor with every bite.
And because butterscotch pecan pie is best served chilled, it can be made up to 48 hours ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator, giving you more time to focus on all of those Thanksgiving side dishes.
For more holiday pie recipes, try turtle pie (no bake), apple pie with puff pastry, and caramel nut tart.
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⭐️ Why This Pie is the Best
- Flaky buttery crust with a rich and gooey pecan-butterscotch filling
- Festive pie recipe that's perfect for your holiday table
- Since it's best served chilled, you can make it ahead of time and store in the fridge until ready to serve
- Easy butterscotch pie made with 8 simple ingredients
- Freezer-friendly homemade pecan pie
🥧 Ingredient Notes
- Pie crust - You can use a store-bought pie crust or make it homemade
- Unsalted butter - Using unsalted butter helps us control the amount of salt
- Light corn syrup - You can use light or dark corn syrup. Dark corn syrup will have a more intense flavor as it contains molasses.
- Light brown sugar - Adds more molasses flavor to our pie
- Salt - Don't skimp on the salt. Without it, the pie will be too one-note sweet.
- Butterscotch chips - Adds the flavor of brown sugar, butter, and vanilla to our pecan pie.
- Eggs - Helps to thicken our custard-like pie filling
- Vanilla extract - Gives this pie deeper and richer flavor
- Toasted pecans - Using toasted pecans adds a nuttier and more pleasant flavor than using raw pecans
📝 Variations & Substitutions
- Pecans. You can use halved or chopped pecans for this pie, but halved pecans will be more visually pleasing. If you love pecans, try my chocolate chip pecan cookies!
- Nuts. Substitute walnuts, almonds, or hazelnuts for a fun twist!
- Gluten-free: Use a gluten-free pie crust to make gluten-free pie
- Dark brown sugar. This will have a more intense flavor with a higher amount of molasses.
🔪 How to Make Gooey Butterscotch Pecan Pie
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. and move oven rack to lower third of oven. Line a baking sheet with a piece of foil and set aside.
On a floured surface, roll out your pie dough into a large disc, about ⅛" thick. Transfer your dough into a 9-inch pie pan and gently press it into the pan.
Use a paring knife or scissors to cut off any excess dough, leaving about ½" of overhang. Fold the overhang underneath itself so that it's leaning on the edge of the pie plate, and crimp the edges with a fork. Place in the refrigerator to chill.
In a medium saucepan, combine the butter, corn syrup, brown sugar, and salt over medium-low heat, until butter is melted. Remove from the heat and stir in butterscotch chips. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk the eggs and vanilla extract until well blended.
Pour ¼ cup of the butterscotch mixture over the beaten eggs, whisking continuously. This will help to temper the eggs. Add another ¼ cup, stir, then add the rest of the mixture, continuing to whisk until fully incorporated.
Stir in the pecans.
Pour the pie filling into your prepared pie crust and place onto the foil-lined baking sheet.
Bake for 60-65 minutes on lower rack, or until most of the pie seems stable with just a slight jiggle left in the middle when moved.
Let cool for 2 hours at room temperature, then serve with your favorite toppings or refrigerate for later.
👩🏼🍳 Expert Tips
- Storage: Cover pie and store in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- How to freeze: After completely cooled, wrap individual slices with foil and place in a freezer-safe storage bag. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months. To thaw, place in fridge overnight.
- Let it cool. For optimal gooey texture, this pie is best served chilled. However, you can also serve it at room temperature after letting it cool for 2 hours.
- Make ahead: Because it's best served chilled, you can make this pie up to 48 hours ahead of time, cover, and store in your refrigerator until ready to serve.
- Use toasted pecans. This will give your pie a nuttier and richer flavor than using raw pecans. To toast pecans: Spread them onto a baking sheet and place into a preheated 350 degree F. oven for 8-10 minutes.
- Bake in the lower-third of your oven. This will avoid over-browning.
- Use room temperature eggs. This will prevent your eggs from being cooked when adding the hot butterscotch mixture.
🍫 Topping Ideas
This pie is mouth-watering served as-is, but you can make it even more decadent by adding a fun topping. Here are some suggestions:
- Whipped cream
- Drizzle with melted chocolate
- Sprinkle with butterscotch chips
- Ice cream
- Chopped chocolate covered pecans
💬 Frequently Asked Questions
This butterscotch pie is made as a twist on pecan pie, with butterscotch chips added to the filling. This gives it a brown sugar-butter-vanilla forward flavor that is unique and delicious.
You can either store your pecan pie in the fridge for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Pecan pie should have just a slight jiggle left in the middle when it's done.
🥧 Related Recipes
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Gooey Butterscotch Pecan Pie
Ingredients
- 1 pie crust, homemade or store-bought
- 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- ¾ cup light corn syrup
- ¼ cup light brown sugar, packed
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup butterscotch chips
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups toasted pecans, halved or chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. and move oven rack to lower third of oven. Line a baking sheet with a piece of foil and set aside.
- On a floured surface, roll out your pie dough into a large disc, about ⅛" thick. Transfer your dough into a 9-inch pie pan and gently press it into the pan.
- Use a paring knife or scissors to cut off any excess dough, leaving about ½" of overhang. Fold the overhang underneath itself so that it's leaning on the edge of the pie plate, and crimp the edges with a fork. Place in the refrigerator to chill.
- In a medium saucepan, combine the butter, corn syrup, brown sugar, and salt over medium-low heat, until butter is melted. Remove from the heat and stir in butterscotch chips. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk the eggs and vanilla extract until well blended.
- Pour ¼ cup of the butterscotch mixture over the beaten eggs, whisking continuously. This will help to temper the eggs. Add another ¼ cup, stir, then add the rest of the mixture, continuing to whisk until fully incorporated. Stir in the pecans.
- Pour the pie filling into your prepared pie crust and place onto the foil-lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 60-65 minutes on lower oven rack, or until most of the pie seems stable with just a slight jiggle left in the middle when moved.
- Let cool for 2 hours at room temperature, then serve with your favorite toppings or refrigerate for later.
Notes
- Storage: Cover pie and store in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- How to freeze: After completely cooled, wrap individual slices with foil and place in a freezer-safe storage bag. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months. To thaw, place in fridge overnight.
- Let it cool. For optimal gooey texture, this pie is best served chilled. However, you can also serve it at room temperature after letting it cool for 2 hours.
- Make ahead: Because it's best served chilled, you can make this pie up to 48 hours ahead of time, cover, and store in your refrigerator until ready to serve.
- Use toasted pecans. This will give your pie a nuttier and richer flavor than using raw pecans. To toast pecans: Spread them onto a baking sheet and place into a preheated 350 degree F. oven for 8-10 minutes.
- Bake in the lower-third of your oven. This will avoid over-browning.
- Use room temperature eggs. This will prevent your eggs from being cooked when adding the hot butterscotch mixture.
Barb Haner
I made this recipe for my Thanksgiving pie this year. It is amazing! Gooey and rich with the flavor of pecans and butterscotch. I will definitely make this again!
MaryAnne
So happy to hear that you enjoyed it! 😊
Pj
Can you make this with an alternate to butterscotch chips
MaryAnne
Hi Pj, yes, you could substitute chocolate chips or peanut butter chips for a different flavor!