Southern pecan pie tart recipe is an elegant holiday dessert! The best pecan tart recipe is easy and delicious with a simple pecan tart crust! It's sure to be your go-to pecan pie recipe from now on!
And if you enjoy this tart recipe, you’ll love my Brown Butter Sweet Potato Pie, my Deep Dish Caramel Apple Pie, and my 45 Best Cookies for Cookie Exchange!
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Best Pecan Tart Recipe - Easy and Delicious
Move over, pumpkin pie! For the holidays, you can't go wrong with a great pecan pie! This is my go-to pecan pie recipe, scaled down to a tart pan for a smaller-batch dessert with a more elegant presentation. Enjoy it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or as is! Either way, it's perfect for your Thanksgiving dinner and special celebrations all throughout the holiday season!
Easy Pecan Pie Tart
This pecan pie tart is the perfect fall dessert! With all the amazing rich, buttery, vanilla flavors and gooey filling of a standard pecan pie, with an added flavor boost from spiced dark rum to add dimension and depth!
If you've made a bourbon pecan pie before, adding rum to this pecan pie tart has a similar effect. But to me, an aged spiced rum works better with the flavors of the pecans and pure vanilla extract. So let's get into what you'll need to make this pecan tart!
Pecan Tart vs Pecan Pie
The biggest difference between this easy pecan pie tart recipe and a pecan pie recipe is that you'll need a tart pan for this one! If you've followed my blog so far, you know I LOVE my tart pan. It's nonstick, the removable bottom makes it so much easier to slice and serve from than a pie pan, and the fluted edges are instant elegance!
This pan makes it so easy to make a super fancy-looking dessert that will really impress your guests, so you know I had to use it for my pecan pie tart! It takes this classic southern dessert up just a notch and makes it perfect for a special occasion.
So the first step in making this pecan pie tart is picking up a 9-inch tart pan if you don't have one already! Once you've got your pan, you're ready to go!
Should I prebake my pie crust for pecan pie?
In my experience, traditional pecan pie tends not to have to dreaded "soggy bottom" that so often plagues custard pies or fruit pies.
So there isn't much need to for blind baking your pie crust, but if you're especially wary of a soggy tart crust, you can bake your pecan pie tart on a lower oven rack, or preheat the oven with a large baking sheet inside and then bake your tart on the hot baking sheet.
What is pecan tart made of?
Pecan tart ingredients are similar to those of pecan pie! Just in smaller proportions. Let's take a look at what you'll need:
- pie crust - as always, I used my flaky all-butter pie crust recipe for this pecan pie tart. You can also use your favorite homemade or store-bought roll-up pie pastry dough as well.
- melted butter - you can also brown your butter for an added rich, nutty flavor, but I've found that it doesn't make a big difference in flavor in this tart.
- pecans - we're using both pecan halves and finely chopped pecans in this recipe, so that we can have pecans throughout our filling and also have whole pecans neatly arranged on top for that stunning pecan pie look!
- light corn syrup - if you can't find corn syrup, you can also use maple syrup as an alternative. It will give a slightly different texture and a stronger maple flavor, but it should still work!
- brown sugar - I typically use light brown sugar in this recipe, but either light or dark brown sugar would be great!
- eggs - the eggs help to produce that sweet filling that is the signature flavor and texture of pecan pie!
- pure vanilla extract - I always say this, but make sure that your vanilla extract is a good quality extract! Here's one that I love.
- spiced dark rum - this is optional, but a little dark or spiced rum adds a rich flavor complexity that I love in this pecan pie tart! I've also used bourbon for this pecan pie tart with fantastic results!
- salt - a very important part of this recipe, salt offsets some of the sweetness and brings out the flavors even more.
Equipment
I mentioned above that you definitely should use a 9-inch tart pan with a removable bottom for this tart. You'll also need a large bowl to mix it all up, a rubber spatula to scrape everything out of the bowl, and measuring cups and spoons!
Tips and F.A.Q.
In this pecan pie tart we're making our filling out of butter, brown sugar, eggs, corn syrup, vanilla, rum (or bourbon), and salt. And, of course, pecans! Other variations can include maple syrup, chocolate, or cream cheese, like in this pecan pie cheesecake! Check the recipe card below for the full ingredients and instructions!
The primary thickening agent in pecan pie filling is eggs. Eggs play a crucial role in providing structure and thickening to the filling when combined with sugar, corn syrup, and other ingredients. As the pecan pie bakes, the eggs set, creating a firm and cohesive texture for the filling. Additionally, the sugar and corn syrup contribute to the overall sweetness and consistency of the pecan pie filling.
I usually use light corn syrup in my classic pecan pie, but if you like to use dark corn syrup that would work too. It adds a bolder, deeper flavor that to my taste can overpower some of the other flavors in the pie, but it can be used largely interchangeably.
You may be wondering -- how do I make my pecan pie not runny? With this pecan pie tart you most likely won't have that issue because the filling is relatively thin. But if you're worried about your filling being too thin, you can add in an extra tablespoon or two of chopped pecans.
If the filling is bubbling and the center jiggles slightly when shaken, it's ready!
Yes, your tart filling will solidify as it cools, so it won't be completely firm when it's first out of the oven. Let it cool about 15-20 minutes if you'd like to enjoy it warm.
Your pie may be underbaked, or may not have been allowed to cool or set properly. To avoid a pecan pie falling apart, ensure you follow the recipe and baking time accurately, and allow it to cool fully at room temperature before slicing into it.
Store your pecan pie tart in the fridge, well wrapped, for up to four days. You can also freeze your pecan tart, wrapped in plastic wrap and a double layer of aluminum foil, for up to two months.
Up in Canada, butter tarts are like the sweet royalty—buttery, sugary, and sometimes rocking the raisin vibe in a flaky pastry shell, while down South, pecan pies bring that Southern charm with their firm, nutty filling, doing a sweet dance in a classic pie crust. One's all gooey goodness, the other's got that solid texture, and together, they're the dessert dream team, each with its own tasty twist!
My go-to thanksgiving side dish is my Southern Baked Mac and Cheese -- you've gotta try it! I also love my Air Fryer Sweet Potato Chunks, and my Apple Pie With Graham Cracker Crust is another delicious pie your guests will love! Wash it all down with a Pumpkin Spice Espresso Martini!
If you try this recipe, I would love it if you could leave a star review rating and comment below! It’s so wonderful hearing your feedback! And don’t forget to share your creations with me by tagging @chenee_today on Instagram!
More Tart Recipes You'll Love
- Passionfruit Tart with Almond Crust
- Pear Puff Pastry Tart with Caramelized Onion and Blue Cheese
- Brown Butter Peach Tart
- Puff Pastry Tart with Cranberry and Brie
📖 Recipe
Equipment you may need
- 9-inch tart pan
Ingredients
- 1 pie crust
- 4 tablespoon (56 g) unsalted butter - melted
- 2 large eggs - beaten
- ½ cup (171 g) light corn syrup
- ½ cup (110 g) light brown sugar - packed
- 2 teaspoon (10 ml) pure vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoon (30 ml) dark rum - optional
- ¼ teaspoon (2 g) salt
- ½ cup (118 g) pecan chips
- 1 cup (99 g) pecan halves
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and place pie crust into a 9-inch tart pan. Press into bottom and sides of the pan and remove crust overhang. Place crust in fridge to chill while you prepare the filling.1 pie crust
- In a bowl, whisk together corn syrup, brown sugar, egg, butter, vanilla, salt, and rum (if using). Whisk until smooth.4 tablespoon unsalted butter, ½ cup light corn syrup, ½ cup light brown sugar, 2 large eggs, 2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, 2 tablespoon dark rum, ¼ teaspoon salt
- Add pecan chips to the rest of the filling ingredients and stir to combine. Pour into prepared crust. Add pecan halves on top in desired pattern.½ cup pecan chips, 1 cup pecan halves
- Bake for 45-50 minutes or until filling is bubbling and edge of crust is golden brown.
- Allow to cool on a wire rack at least 15 minutes before slicing. Serve warm or room temperature with whipped cream or ice cream.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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Last Updated on November 13, 2023 by Chenée Lewis
cj
Thinking about making tart-lets instead. How would you suggest modifying the receipe?
Chenée Lewis
You'd need to shorten the cook time for sure! I haven't tried this recipe for tartlets but I would guess that I would start checking them after 20 minutes.
Nathalia Basso
Chenee this pie looks so great!
Nathalia | NathaliaFit - Fitness & Wellness Blog
Chenée Lewis
Thank you! It's yummy!
Alice | SkinnySpatula
I love pecan pies and yours looks incredible, Chenée! Pinning to make over the holiday break.
Chenée Lewis
Thank you! I hope you enjoy it!
Dannii
I adore anything with pecan and this tart looks ingredient. I can't wait to try it.
Chenée Lewis
Thanks so much! I hope you love it!
Ipsa
Ahh.. I'm making this pecan pie tart for this holiday season. This looks mouth-watering indeed. Love this delicious nutty tart.
Chenée Lewis
Thank you! I hope you enjoy 🙂
veenaazmanov
Love to definitely try this Tart. This looks yum. Great option for gifting too. Super delicious dessert.
Chenée Lewis
Oh yeah I hadn't even thought about gifting! Great idea!
Adrianne
Pecan Pies are one of my all time favourite desserts!! Yours looks SO good, I wish I was having a piece right now. I love the idea of spiced dark rum in there also!! Thanks
Chenée Lewis
Thanks! I think the rum adds so much depth of flavor!