Classic Karo Pecan Pie - CopyKat Recipes (2024)

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Enjoy a classic southern dessert with this easy pecan pie recipe. This recipe has been in my family for more than 50 years and uses the original Karo Pecan Pie recipe. This is the recipe that my grandmother used, and she always received requests for her pie!

Classic Karo Pecan Pie - CopyKat Recipes (1)

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Why is This Karo Syrup Pecan Pie the Best?

The Karo syrup classic pecan pie recipe has always been a favorite of mine. It has the perfect amount of butter to sugar ratio, which allows the pie to set perfectly and has a rich, delicious, nutty, sweet flavor and has the perfect amount of sweetness with a rich robust flavor of toasted pecans.

It is hard to describe why this is my favorite pie besides that it is truly the perfect old-fashioned pecan pie recipe. You cannot find a better one. So make sure you save this recipe for your family and friends.

Karo Pecan PieIngredients

This is quite a simple recipe that produces an extraordinary southern pecan pie. As such, you will most likely have all the ingredients at home if you are an avid baker. But just in case, here’s a list of what you need:

  • Large eggs
  • Sugar
  • Karo corn syrup
  • Salt
  • Vanilla extract
  • Butter
  • Pecans
  • Unbaked pie crust (pastry shell)
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Store Bought Pie Crust or Homemade?

I think you know the answer to this one, but either will do! But, of course, using a homemade pie shell will add an extra flair to the already amazing pie recipe. If you want to try making your own pie crust, try this homemade pie crust recipe.

However, if you aren’t up for making a pie crust from scratch, don’t worry. Using a store-bought shell will still make an outstanding pecan pie. I think the refrigerated crust tastes more like homemade than the frozen crust, and you can still shape the edges to make it look like a homemade crust.

Is Light or Dark Karo Syrup Better For Pecan Pie?

There is no right or wrong answer to this. It comes down to what you want your pie to taste or even what you might already have in your pantry.

Light Karo Syrup will give the pecan pie more of a vanilla flavor, which is, of course, scrumptious, so you cannot go wrong there.

If you choose to use dark Karo Syrup, then the pie will have a slightly toasted flavor along with a little bit more robust amber color.

How to Make Karo Pecan Pie

  1. Set the oven temperature to 350 degrees.
  2. Beat the eggs in a medium bowl.
  3. Add sugar, corn syrup, salt, vanilla, and melted butter. Whisk to combine.
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  1. Place the pecans in the pie shell. Pour in the filling mixture.
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  1. Place the pie on the center rack of oven.
  2. Bake in a 350°F oven for 50 to 60 minutes. The nuts will rise to the top and form a crusted layer.
Classic Karo Pecan Pie - CopyKat Recipes (5)

Can I Use Pancake Syrup Instead of Karo Syrup?

When finding a substitute for Karo syrup, pancake syrup will not cut it. It is too thin, so it will not have the same effect.

Good things to substitute Karo syrup would be honey, golden syrup, or a sugar-water mixture.

To make the sugar-water mixture, combine 1 cup of sugar and ¼ cup of water. Always thoroughly stir the sugar into the water to create a sugary paste.

How to Store Karo Pecan Pie

This pie must be stored in the refrigerator since it has an egg base.

First, allow the pie to cool completely, which will prevent it from cracking from the cold. Then, cover the pie with Press’n Seal, Saran Wrap, or the lid of your pie pan, and place it in the refrigerator.

How Long Will Karo Syrup Pecan Pie Last?

Assuming you have not eaten the whole pie already, the pie can last for 4 to 5 days if stored properly in the fridge.

What to Serve with Pecan Pie

You can serve this pie with a lot of whipped cream or a dollop of vanilla ice cream.

I love serving this pecan pie with my creamy homemade vanilla ice cream. I always heat the pie a little first to make sure it’s nice and warm to melt the ice cream slightly.

Classic Karo Pecan Pie - CopyKat Recipes (6)

Love homemade pies? Try these recipes!

  • Caramel Pie
  • Chocolate Pudding Pie
  • Coconut Custard Pie
  • Double Layer Pumpkin Pie
  • Eggnog Pie
  • Lemon Meringue Pie
  • Marie Callender’s Banana Cream Pie
  • Million Dollar Pie
  • Ritz Mock Apple Pie
  • Sour Cream Raisin Pie
  • Toll House Cookie Pie

Favorite Thanksgiving Dessert Recipes

  • Mississippi Mud Cake
  • Pig Pickin Cake
  • Sock It To Me Cake

Check out my easy pie recipes and the best Thanksgiving dessert recipes here on CopyKat!

Karo Pecan Pie

It's easy to make a classic Karo syrup pecan pie with this recipe. You'll love this old-fashioned dessert enjoyed for generations.

4.93 from 13 votes

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Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Karo Pecan Pie, Pecan Pie, Pie Recipes

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour hour

Total Time: 1 hour hour 10 minutes minutes

Servings: 8

Calories: 427kcal

Author: Stephanie Manley

Ingredients

  • 3 eggs
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 cup Karo corn syrup
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup melted butter
  • 1 cup pecans
  • 1 unbaked pie crust (pastry shell)

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F.

  • In a medium bowl, beat the eggs.

  • Add the sugar, corn syrup, salt, vanilla, and butter. Mix in the corn syrup mixture with an electric mixer or whisk the batter.

  • Place the pecans in the pie shell, add the egg mixture, and bake on the center rack of the oven for 50 to 60 minutes.

  • The nuts will rise to top and form a crusted layer.

Notes

Top tips for baking this pie!

If the crust edges begin to brown while cooking, you can place foil on the crust only to keep the crust from over-browning.

There are no high altitude adjustments for this recipe.

Nutrition

Calories: 427kcal | Carbohydrates: 57g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 76mg | Sodium: 332mg | Potassium: 94mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 45g | Vitamin A: 275IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 1.2mg

Classic Karo Pecan Pie - CopyKat Recipes (2024)

FAQs

Is it better to use light or dark Karo syrup for pecan pie? ›

Light and dark corn syrup can be used interchangeably in almost every instance, with slight flavor variances. In a pecan pie, for example, light corn syrup will contribute sweetness and a hint of vanilla, but that's about it. Dark corn syrup, in addition to sweetness, will add color and a more robust, toasty flavor.

Should Karo pecan pie be refrigerated? ›

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.

Why is my Karo pecan pie runny? ›

A pecan pie is essentially a custard pie, and a liquid center is almost always the result of underbaking. The Karo Classic Pecan Pie recipe calls for baking the pie for 60 to 70 minutes at 350 degrees. In some ovens, however, the pie can take 75 minutes or more.

Is there a taste difference between light and dark Karo syrup? ›

Typically, light corn syrup is used when a delicately sweet flavor is desired, such as in fruit sauces and jams. Karo light corn syrup is made with real vanilla. Dark corn syrup is made with refiners' syrup, a type of molasses. With its more robust flavor and color, it is ideal for many baked goods.

What makes a pecan pie not set up? ›

If runny pecan pie fillings are a chronic problem, check your oven temperature. It may be running too cool and not be sufficiently hot for the custard magic to take place.

What is the primary thickening agent in pecan pie? ›

Butter: Butter gives this pie richness and a delicious depth of flavor. Cornstarch and water: Two teaspoons of cornstarch and a tablespoon of cold water work together to help thicken the filling. Eggs: Whole eggs help bind the filling together and add welcome moisture.

Can you overcook pecan pie? ›

Pecan pie has a somewhat similar set of issues—the filling can crack, the bottom can be under-baked, the filling can seep under the crust, and the nuts can be soggy. Like the pumpkin pie, the filling will crack if the pie is over-baked or cools too quickly.

How do you make store bought pecan pie better? ›

Spread store-bought or homemade whipped cream over pumpkin pie, pecan pie or chocolate pudding pie. Sprinkle with crushed chocolate sandwich cookies.

Why do pecan pies boil over? ›

Water evaporates more quickly up here, and when you mix together super sugary, buttery, liquid-y ingredients and blast them in a hot oven, the vaporizing water leaves behind a cauldron of boiled-down, molten sugar that can bubble, then violently blow its way out of its crust.

What's the difference between chess pie and pecan pie? ›

You can also think of pecan pie as an extension of chess pie, with brown sugar and corn syrup taking the place of granulated sugar and pecans adding nuttiness and crunch. And then there is Kentucky bourbon and walnut pie (aka Derby pie), which adds Bourbon, chocolate, and walnuts to the chess pie formula.

Which Karo syrup is sweeter? ›

Dark corn syrup is made by combining corn syrup with molasses and caramel colouring and is sweeter than light corn syrup.

Is dark or light Karo syrup better for constipation? ›

Karo syrup is a type of dark corn syrup that may help with your child's bowel movements, especially if it's painful to go or they are constipated. Constipation occurs when your child passes a painful stool or when the number of bowel movements is less frequent than normal.

How do I substitute light Karo syrup for dark? ›

All you need to do is add 1/4 cup of molasses to 3/4 cup of your light syrup. This helps the syrup keep the same consistency and gives it that robust flavor of dark syrup. No molasses? You could also dissolve brown sugar in water on the stovetop until it forms a syrup.

How do you keep pecan pie from getting soggy? ›

Blind Bake

The most common way to ward off a soggy pie crust is by a process called blind baking. Blind baking means you pre-bake the crust (sometimes covered with parchment or foil and weighed down with pie weights to prevent the crust from bubbling up) so that it sets and crisps up before you add any wet filling.

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