Pecan Pie Cheesecake Is The Best Way To Switch Up The Holiday Classic (2024)

Looking to switch up your Thanksgiving dessert game this year? Take your pecan pie to the next level by turning it into a rich and nutty cheesecake. This recipe takes the classic pie to new heights by introducing an extra creamy base and a sweet-sticky pecan topping that we’d add to practically anything. Whether you’re a classic cheesecake lover at heart or are simply looking to go beyond pies this season, this pecan pie cheesecake will be the star at any holiday spread.

How to make pecan pie cheesecake:
Do the pecans need to be toasted? They don't have to be. While raw pecans work perfectly in this recipe, toasted would also give a delicious added flavor to the sweet topping.
Do I need to use a water bath? Nope! It's not necessary to use a water bath for this recipe. However, if you prefer to bake the cheesecake in a water bath, wrap the bottom of the pan in foil (to avoid water leaking into your pan) and place in a deep baking pan. Pour in enough boiling water to come up halfway in the baking pan.
Making the crust. We made a simple graham cracker crust for this cheesecake. It’s simple, reliable, and pairs perfectly with this cheesecake, but your options don’t stop there. Alternatively, you could make a gingersnap crust, like we do in our sweet potato cheesecake.
Check on your cheesecake. Our cheesecake was done after around 1 hour 30 minutes, but we suggest starting to check your cheesecake around the 1 hour mark just to make sure you’re not overbaking.

Can I make this in advance?
Absolutely! The cheesecake itself needs to be refrigerated for an hour up to overnight after baking and cooling, so you can prep the night before you're ready to serve. You can also make the topping up to an hour in advance and keep at room temperature before topping. Make sure to keep it at room temp instead of refrigerating, or else the butter will solidify.

Storage.
Once your cheesecake is done, turn off the heat, prop open the oven door, and let cheesecake cool in the oven for around 1 hour. Then, remove the aluminum foil and refrigerate the cheesecake in the pan until firm, at least 5 hours and up to overnight. Serve it right away, or wrap it in plastic wrap and keep it refrigerated for up to 5 days. We recommend not topping the cheesecake until you’re ready to serve, but if you’re storing prepared cheesecake, be prepared that the topping will change texture.

Tried making this spin on the classic? Let us know how it came out in the comments below!

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Yields:
10 serving(s)
Prep Time:
25 mins
Cal/Serv:
687

Ingredients

For the cheesecake

  • Cooking spray

  • 3

    (8-oz.) blocks cream cheese, softened

  • 1 c.

    packed brown sugar

  • 3

    large eggs

  • 1/4 c.

    sour cream

  • 2 tbsp.

    all-purpose flour

  • 1 tsp.

    pure vanilla extract

  • 1/4 tsp.

    kosher salt

For the crust

  • 1

    sleeve graham crackers, finely crushed

  • 5 tbsp.

    butter, melted

  • 1/4 c.

    packed brown sugar

  • Pinch of kosher salt

For the pecan pie topping

  • 4 tbsp.

    butter

  • 1/2 c.

    packed brown sugar

  • 1/2 tsp.

    ground cinnamon

  • 1/4 c.

    heavy cream

  • 1 3/4 c.

    whole or chopped pecans

  • Pinch of kosher salt

Directions

    1. Step1Preheat oven to 325º and grease an 8" or 9" springform pan with cooking spray. Make cheesecake filling: In a large bowl using a hand mixer (or in a stand mixer using the paddle attachment), beat cream cheese and brown sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, then sour cream, flour, vanilla, and salt.
    2. Step2Make crust: In a large bowl, mix together graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, brown sugar, and salt. Press mixture into prepared pan.
    3. Step3Pour filling over crust. Wrap bottom of pan in aluminum foil and place on a baking sheet. (If you want to bake the cheesecake in a water bath, wrap bottom of pan and place in a deep baking pan. Pour in enough boiling water to come up halfway in the baking pan.) Bake until center of cheesecake only slightly jiggles, about 1 hour 30 minutes. Turn off heat, prop open oven door, and let cheesecake cool in oven, 1 hour, then remove aluminum foil and refrigerate cheesecake in pan until firm, at least 5 hours and up to overnight.
    4. Step4Before serving, make pecan pie topping: In a nonstick skillet over low heat, melt butter and brown sugar until bubbly (keep heat low to avoid burning butter). Stir in cinnamon, heavy cream, pecans, and salt until completely coated, then remove from heat and let cool and slightly thicken. (You can make the topping up to an hour in advance and keep at room temperature; don't refrigerate as the butter will solidify.)
    5. Step5Release springform pan from cheesecake and spoon over cooled pecan pie topping. Serve.

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Pecan Pie Cheesecake Is The Best Way To Switch Up The Holiday Classic (2024)

FAQs

How to prevent pecan pie from being runny? ›

As such, you have to cook the pecan pie long enough for this liquid to develop a custard-like consistency. If your pecan pie is runny, simply bake it a bit longer, even up to 20 minutes.

Can you put a pecan pie back in the oven after cooling? ›

Once you're ready to eat the pecan pie, you can serve it cool from the fridge or reheated. You can reheat it in the oven at 325 degrees F (165 degrees C) for 15 minutes.

What is the filling made of in pecan pie? ›

Pecan pie is a delightful concoction of pecan nuts mixed with a rich, caramelly filling made from eggs, butter, corn syrup, and sugar. The earliest pecan pie can be traced all the way back to the late 1800s, but it really peaked in the early 20th century when Karo™ syrup printed a pecan pie recipe on its bottles.

Why is the middle of my pecan pie still liquid? ›

A soupy pecan pie filling can be fixed by covering the crust in foil and popping it back into the oven at around 325 degrees Fahrenheit for approximately 20 to 30 minutes.

Does pecan pie firm up as it cools? ›

Once you hit the sweet spot where it looks done, take your slightly jiggly pecan pie out of the oven and place it on a wire cooling rack. The filling continues to cook and will fully set as the pie cools, so giving a pie plenty of time at room temperature before serving is important.

How do you keep a pie from getting soggy on the bottom? ›

Often, blind-baking solves this problem. If you're making a single crust custard-filled pie, like a pumpkin pie, bake the pie dough first before adding filling to allow some of the moisture in the crust to evaporate. You can also totally blind-bake fruit pies.

Should I refrigerate pecan pie after baking? ›

According to the USDA, any pie that is egg-rich (such as pecan, pumpkin, lemon meringue, and any custard pie) must be kept in the fridge after baking and cooling. The exception here is some store-bought pies, which may contain preservatives that will allow the pies to be left unrefrigerated.

What happens if you overcook pecan pie? ›

Yes, you can overcook a pecan pie.

A pecan pie is likely overcooked or has been in the oven too long if the top turns black or the filling starts to crack. Overbaking your pie can make it sticky or crunchy, causing the filling to become tough, hard, and difficult to eat.

How to fix a runny pecan pie after baking? ›

One potential risk of making a translucent custard, like pecan pie filling, is that it might not set properly, leaving you with an unappetizingly runny slice. Once you've noticed the problem, the only solution is to protect the crust and pop the pie back in the oven.

What kind of pie pan is best for pecan pie? ›

Our favorite pie pan was also the Norpro Stainless Steel Pie Pan. It baked even, golden crusts, was easy to line with dough, and its slanted sides made it a cinch to cut and serve pie. Our top stoneware pick was the Made In Pie Dish, which had straight sides and a flat edge that made it easy to crimp.

Is it OK to leave pecan pie out overnight? ›

You can only keep it at room temperature for two hours. Since pecan pies contain eggs, they have more chances to get bad and make you sick. So, if you have kept your pies in the fridge, put them back within two hours. On the other hand, store-bought pies contain preservatives that keep them from spoiling.

What is the healthiest pie to eat? ›

Pumpkin Pie: This one is our winner! When in doubt, choose pumpkin pie. In competition with those mentioned above, it offers the fewest calories, and least fat and added sugar. It's also loaded with vitamins and minerals such as vitamin B12, thiamin, riboflavin, folate, niacin, phosphorous, calcium, and iron.

Does pecan pie still jiggle when done? ›

Take out the pie out of the oven and give the pan or tart tray a little shake. Shake the pie gently and, it should give a little jiggle in the center. The center should jiggle a little, but it should have some stability. If the pie filling shows horizontal movement on shaking, then it is not done yet.

Should pecan pie be jiggly in the middle? ›

You will know your pecan pie is done cooking when you can gently shake the pie dish and see that the center of the pie is not overly jiggly and the outer edges are set. If the pie jiggles a lot when you gently shake the pan, continue cooking it until the center is a little more set.

Why does my pecan pie looks foamy? ›

Over beating the filling will cause it to become foamy and will make the filling look cloudy. Keep an eye on the crust as it bakes. Typically it will need to be covered within about 20 minutes of baking. You can make pecan pie ahead of time and freeze them easily.

How do I get my pecan pie to set? ›

Flour - Adding just a little flour to the pecan pie filling helps set it and keeps it from being runny. Sugar - Granulated sugar adds just the right amount of sweetness.

Should pecan pie be jiggly after baking? ›

You will know your pecan pie is done when you can shake it gently and it is not overly jiggly. If it jiggles a lot when shaking, continue cooking until the center is more set, 5-10 more minutes. Allow pie to cool completely for several hours before cutting and serving. Or refrigerate for 1-3 days, until ready to serve.

How do you thicken a runny pie? ›

All-purpose flour is an easy solution, as you're sure to have it in your pantry. Since it's lower in starch, you'll use more of it than you would higher-starch thickeners.

What causes runny pie filling? ›

We reserve using flour as a thickener for heartier fruits like apples and pears. 2. Pay attention to bake times: one reason you'll often end up with a runny fruit pie is simply that it hasn't been baked long enough.

References

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