20 Ways with Pecan Pie That Deserve a Second Slice

Spiced Pecan Pie Bars
Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

Thanksgiving dinner isn't complete without a pecan pie. Whether you serve up the classic pecan pie or get creative with a chocolatey-topped or cheesecake-layered variation, it's a holiday player we can't wait to see passed our way year after year. Rich and chocolaty, bourbon-infused, bite-sized, even made into bread pudding–our favorite pecan pie recipes are equally irresistible. For a true Southern approach, whip up Test Kitchen pastry extraordinaire Pam Lolley's Pecan Pie, a recipe that's no-frills but full of flavor. Or give our Best Pecan Pie a whirl for a flavor that will remind you of grandma's kitchen bite after bite. For a more creative dish, try our Pecan Pie Brownies or Pecan Pie Cake with Browned Butter Frosting. No matter which pecan pie recipe you choose, you simply can't go wrong, especially when you're armed with whipped cream and an ice cream scooper. Finish the feast with a dessert that makes the most of one of our favorite Southern ingredients.

01 of 20

Best Pecan Pie

Best Pecan Pie
Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Best Pecan Pie

Is there anything nicer than the taste of home? That's what the Best Pecan pie serves up. That home-for-Thanksgiving taste that feels like it's fresh from grandma's oven. Straight from Palestine, Texas's Oxbow Bakery, this decadent pie pairs perfectly with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream, though it's flavorful enough to stand on its own.

02 of 20

German Chocolate-Pecan Pie

German Chocolate-Pecan Pie
Alison Miksch

Recipe: German Chocolate-Pecan Pie

A stellar riff on the flavors of German chocolate cake, this baked treat is an ode to two of our favorite Southern desserts. The result of this recipe is a delicious hybrid with a chocolatey richness and nutty exterior that guarantees an excellent ending to any holiday meal. You can also customize, experimenting with different looks by arranging the pecans however you like for a personal touch.

03 of 20

Texas Pecan Pie

Texas Pecan Pie
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

Recipe: Texas Pecan Pie

Texans are picky when it comes to pecan pie; they've earned the right. The state produces over 70 million pounds of pecans a year. With a fudgy texture and just the right ratio of nuts, this classic pie doesn't have any bells or whistles. But a slice (or two) is sure to live up to any Texan's standards.

04 of 20

Double-Chocolate Pecan Pie

Double-Chocolate Pecan Pie
Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Double-Chocolate Pecan Pie

Chocolate lovers rejoice. This one's for you. Satisfy everyone's sweet tooth while still catering to the classic pecan pie fans with our Double-Chocolate Pecan Pie. It pairs a dark chocolate piecrust with the decadent chocolate-pecan filling. But we don't stop there. It's topped with an extra chocolate drizzle to take the chocolatey taste and presentation to the next level.

05 of 20

Double-Decker Pecan Cheesecake Pie

Double-Decker Pecan Cheesecake Pie Recipe Image
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Double-Decker Pecan Cheesecake Pie

The nutty topping on this pecan cheesecake pie adds a nice crunch to the characteristic creaminess of a cheesecake. The two textures are distinct, but they work together to make each bite both chewy and smooth. What results is a decadent pecan cheesecake pie the likes of which we'd like to make for every holiday dinner.

06 of 20

Chocolate-Bourbon Pecan Pie

Chocolate-Bourbon Pecan Pie
Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Chocolate-Bourbon Pecan Pie

Talk about indulgence. The South's region-wide appreciation for whiskey goes beyond drinking. Since Kentucky is the Bourbon capital of the world and distilleries are scattered throughout the South, (Jack Daniels makes their home in Lynchburg, Tennessee), we are rife with options—for drinking, sure, but also for adding to our recipes, like this Chocolate-Bourbon Pecan Pie Recipe. Bourbon has found its way into sauces, braises, and especially desserts, none more delicious than this one. Now bourbon and pecan pie fit together like peanut butter and jelly or Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. That sounds like a great fit to us.

07 of 20

Pecan Pie Bars

Pecan Pie Squares
Lee Harrelson

Recipe: Pecan Pie Bars

If you're craving pecan pie but would rather have a mini bar than a hulking slice of pie as a result of your efforts, this recipe is a perfect alternative. They're great for parties, too, and they are easy enough to nibble while sipping wine and talking to partygoers. The best part of this recipe, though, isn't just the cute bar, convenient form, or tasty final product, though those are ample enough reasons to try this recipe.

08 of 20

Pecan Pie Cookies

Pecan Pie Cookies
Marisa Spyker

Recipe: Pecan Pie Cookies

If you don't think cookies can offer a pie crust experience, think again. These Pecan Pie Cookies gift a crust in the form of a shortbread-like cookie with a hint of molasses flavoring. It pairs with the addictive pecan filling in a way that just might convince you that you're biting into a mini slice of pie.

09 of 20

Utterly Deadly Southern Pecan Pie

Utterly Deadly Southern Pecan Pie
Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Utterly Deadly Southern Pecan Pie

Despite it's name, this recipe will only bring delight. Once you've made a pecan pie in a cast-iron skillet, you may never go back to a pie plate. You've seen skillet cookies, but once you try the skillet pie, you'll shout hurray. This technique is easy, and the result is an authentic pecan pie, a bit crispy, a lot tasty. All you have to do is simply press a refrigerated pie crust into the skillet, sprinkle it with sugar, top it with the pecan mixture, and bake. Serving it in the skillet is also easy and, if possible, it makes the dish even more Southern.

10 of 20

Pecan Pie Brownies

Pecan Pie Brownies
Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Pecan Pie Brownies

Looking for something to take to the school bake sale? Barring any nut allergies, this is the recipe for you to try. It combines two things everyone loves: pecan pie and brownies, the flavors of which are so great together. Do you want to make your brownies extra amazing? Of course you do. Then you should add a premade pecan pie to your bowl of homemade brownie batter. The result? Mouthwatering brownies—oh so easy to make—with the full, bold favor of pecan pie. The creaminess of the brownies and the sweetness of the pie blend beautifully. Be sure to bake a few batches; they'll be gone before you know it.

11 of 20

Spiced Pecan Pie Bars

Spiced Pecan Pie Bars
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

Recipe: Spiced Pecan Pie Bars

These aren't your average pecan pie bars. Two pantry staples—ground cinnamon and ginger—give the traditional pecan pie filling an unexpected and flavorful twist that will fly off the dessert table faster than it took to make them...and with a recipe that requires only 10 minutes of hands on time, that's saying something.

12 of 20

Pecan Pie Cobbler

Pecan Pie Cobbler
Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Pecan Pie Cobbler

Bring the ease of a cobbler to your holiday table in a way that's perfect for the season with our Pecan Pie Cobbler. This pie-cobbler combo comes together in a matter of minutes. Just don't forget the ice cream.

13 of 20

Pam Lolley's Pecan Pie

Pam’s Pecan Pie
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Margaret Monroe Dickey; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Recipe: Pam Lolley's Pecan Pie

"This was my mom's go-to pie for the holidays," recalls Test Kitchen Professional Pam Lolley. "She was notorious for leaving it in the oven too long. As far as I know, she never owned a timer. We all had a lot of fun teasing her—saying, 'It must be Thanksgiving when you smell pecans and sugar burning!' Her first reply would always be, 'Well, I just don't know what went wrong.'"

14 of 20

Barbara Bush's Chocolate Pecan Pie

Chocolate Pecan Pie
bhofack2/Getty Images

Recipe: Barbara Bush's Chocolate Pecan Pie

Apparently, former first lady Barbara Bush "wasn't so sure about the idea of adding chocolate to a pecan pie... until she tasted this one," so you can rest assured it will impress. Its ingredient list is simple but the taste is anything but.

15 of 20

Mini Chocolate-Pecan Pies

Mini Apple-Cinnamon Pies, Mini Cranberry-Cheesecake Pies, and Mini Chocolate-Pecan Pies
David Malosh; Prop Styling: Robyn Glaser; Food Styling: Maggie Ruggiero

Recipe: Mini Chocolate-Pecan Pies

No family members can fight over the last slice of pie with these adorable, personalized portions of pie. Plus, they make the sweetest food gifts for the holiday season, so bake an extra batch to bring by the neighbors' house.

16 of 20

Pecan Pie Bread Pudding

Pecan Pie Bread Pudding

Recipe: Pecan Pie Bread Pudding

We took all the flavor of your favorite pecan pie recipe and turned it into a rich, big-batch bread pudding. Even though leftovers aren't likely, we know a scoop of this Pecan Pie Bread Pudding would be a perfect accompaniment to your morning coffee the next day.

17 of 20

Pecan Cheesecake Pie

Pecan Cheesecake Pie
Jennifer Davick; Styling: Buffy Hargett

Recipe: Pecan Cheesecake Pie

If you love plain cheesecake and pecan pie, why not have both? The crunchy top and creamy center of this dessert gives it flavor and texture in every bite.

18 of 20

Pecan Pie

Pecan Pie
Southern LIving

Recipe: Pecan Pie

Refrigerated pie crusts make this classic pecan pie a snap to put together. All its missing is a dollop of homemade whipped cream.

19 of 20

Crunchy Pecan Pie Bites

Crunchy Pecan Pie Bites
Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Crunchy Pecan Pie Bites

These tiny pecan pie bites are the ideal party appetizer or food gift for friends and family. They start with frozen phyllo pastry shells and take just 15 minutes of hands-on time.

20 of 20

Pecan Pie Cake with Browned Butter Frosting

Pecan Pie Cake
Photographer: Antonis Achilleos, Prop Stylist: Kay Clarke Food Stylist: Rishon Hanners

Recipe: Pecan Pie Cake with Browned Butter Frosting

You probably can't imagine Thanksgiving without a classic pecan pie on the table, but this layered beauty just might have your pie plate gathering dust next year. "Even my family members who don't care for dessert loved it!" wrote one five-star reviewer. "I'm saving it to a recipe card so I can make it again next year."

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