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11 Nearly Perfect Pecan Pie Recipes

October 28, 2013
Photo: Randy Mayor
It isn't the holidays without pecan pie on the table—but you don't need to load up on fat or calories to get a lot of taste. These nutty pies and tarts offer clever and lighter twists on this classic dessert. 
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11 Nearly Perfect Pecan Pie Recipes

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Easy as Pie

Photo: Charles Masters
View Recipe: Honey-Pecan Tart With Bittersweet Chocolate Drizzle

Very little says "holiday dessert" like pecan pie. In this collection you'll find all sorts of unique pecan pies and tarts that will have your family begging for the recipe.

Honey's sweet-tangy touch is countered by bittersweet chocolate in this twist on traditional pecan pie. If you'd like a more casual pie, you can make this in a 9-inch pie plate; you'll probably need to bake the filling an additional 3 to 5 minutes.

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Maple-Pecan Pie

Photo: Courtesy of Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Maple-Pecan Pie

No Thanksgiving dinner is complete without a pecan pie. If you have gluten-free family members, this pie will be a real treat for them.

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Pecan-Date Pie

Photo: Justin Walker
View Recipe: Pecan-Date Pie

Our 100% whole-grain pie shaves more than one-third of the sugar and calories off the classic, and it cuts saturated fat in half. Toasting the pecans intensifies their flavor and adds notes of caramel.

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Classic Pecan Pie

Becky Luigart-Stayner
View Recipe: Classic Pecan Pie

If you're looking for an easy pecan pie recipe, this is it. To pack lots of pecans in the filling, we kept fat to a minimum in the simple-to-make piecrust, resulting in a biscuit-like texture.

 

 

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Maple-Bourbon Pecan Pie

Charles Masters
View Recipe: Maple-Bourbon Pecan Pie

Maple syrup and bourbon infuse the pie with distinctive sweetness. For a decadent treat, top warm pie with low-fat vanilla ice cream.

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Pecan Pie With Spiked Cream

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner
View Recipe: Pecan Pie With Spiked Cream

Brown rice syrup is a sweetener with a soft, delicate flavor. It is sold in jars in the baking section of large supermarkets or health-food stores. You can substitute dark corn syrup in its place. You can make and freeze the unbaked crust up to a week ahead; bake the pie up to a day in advance, and refrigerate. Remove it from the refrigerator about an hour before you plan to serve it.

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Oatmeal Pecan Pie

Becky Luigart-Stayner
View Recipe: Oatmeal Pecan Pie

Rolled oats add heartiness to the filling of this classic dessert. Make the pie up to a day ahead, but store it in the refrigerator if you do.

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Bourbon-Pecan Tart With Chocolate Drizzle

Becky Luigart-Stayner

Make the tart a day ahead, and store it in the refrigerator. You can use a 9-inch pie plate instead: simply roll the dough to a 13-inch circle, fold the edges under, and flute.

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Pecan and Date Pie

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner
View Recipe: Pecan and Date Pie

The unexpected addition of dates to this classic pie gives the filling more body and a smooth sweetness. Don't use packaged chopped dates, which are rolled in sugar. Instead, use moist and sticky whole dates. Coat your knife with cooking spray for easy chopping.

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Pecan Tassies in Cream Cheese Pastry

Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Pecan Tassies in Cream Cheese Pastry

If slicing and serving the pecan pie is more than you want to handle during the busy holidays, these pecan tassies provide the same great pie taste in single-serving bites.

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Oat-Crusted Pecan Pie With Fresh Cranberry Sauce

Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Oat-Crusted Pecan Pie With Fresh Cranberry Sauce

The pie and sauce can each be made up to two days ahead. Cover the pie loosely with aluminum foil for the last eight minutes of baking if it begins to brown too much.

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