Pecan Pie Filling in a Jar- Pecan Sauce Recipe (2024)

A fully cooked pecan pie filling recipe that can be canned, used as a sauce for ice cream or cheesecakes, or fill a fully baked pie shell for a quick and easy dessert. But don't worry, we have included instructions if you want to use this filling in your own unbaked pie crust!

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Homemade pecan pie is a quintessential Thanksgiving dessert. And while we love making pies, especially our gluten-free pecan pie, sometimes making a whole pie is a lot of work.

This recipe is so popular it was featured in South in Your Mouth's Southern Food Weekend Potluck.

📖Why This Recipe Works

This recipe can be canned and given as a gift to a party host or in place of a cookie exchange. It is naturally gluten-free and can be made easily dairy-free.

Made on the stovetop, stirring over low heat prevents the eggs from scrambling. Once fully cooked it can be used in a variety of ways from filling mini tart shells to canning for use later in the year!

This recipe can also be used to make pecan pie bars or a pie when used with your favorite pie crust recipe!

🧾Ingredient Notes

Pecans- I like to use a mix of halves and pieces.

Dark Corn Syrup - There are recipes that use light corn syrup, but I love the richer flavor that dark corn syrup brings to the pecan pie filling.

Light Brown Sugar - I like to use light brown sugar to offset the richness of the dark corn syrup. If you only have dark brown sugar that will work too! I do not recommend substituting granulated sugar, but dark coconut sugar will work.

Unsalted Butter - Melted to keep the filling smooth and creamy. If you use salted butter reduce the salt by half. Use vegan butter for dairy-free.

Vanilla Extract - A touch of vanilla adds warmth and flavor depth to the filling.

💭Optional Pecan Pie Filling Add-Ins

This delicious pecan pie filling recipe definitely doesn’t need any changes, but here are a few ways it can be adjusted to fit your needs:

• Dairy-Free Pecan Pie Sauce- Use dairy-free butter in the filling.
• Bourbon- Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of bourbon along with the vanilla.
• Walnut- I know. It’s a pecan pie. But you can totally just swap out with your favorite nuts, but walnuts are the most common.
• Chocolate Pecan-Add 1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips as the sauce is cooling.

⏲️How to Make Stove Top Pecan Pie Filling

1. Melt- Add all the ingredients, except the vanilla extract, in a saucepan. Heat on low heat and constantly stir until the sugar is dissolved and the butter is melted.
2. Boil- Gradually increase the heat until the pecan mixture reaches a low boil. Stir every minute to ensure the eggs do not scramble. Once the mixture has thickened add the vanilla extract.
3. Cool- Cool to room temperature before using.

See below for storage and canning instructions.

🥧How to Use Cooked Pecan Pie Sauce

Beyond using this filling for pie (or mini pies), you can use this pecan pie sauce on cheesecakes, stir it into yogurt for a snack, or make an ice cream sundae!

You can also use it on top of pancakes or waffles, like our pumpkin pancake syrup, on top of oatmeal, or stir it into overnight oats.

Cooked pecan pie filling can also be used in pastry treats like homemade pop tarts or hand pies or as a cake filling.

⏲️How to Make Pecan Pie Filling for Baking

1. Par Bake- Blind bake your crust for at least 15 minutes at 425 F degrees.
2. Melt- Melt your butter and cool slightly so as not to cook the eggs.
3. Combine- Whisk in the corn syrup, brown sugar and salt. Add the beaten eggs and vanilla.
4. Bake- Add your pecans to the pie shell (if you want a pretty design) and pour over the sauce or add them directly to the sauce and pour it into your pie shell. Bake until the center is just set.
5. Cool- This easy pecan pie recipe needs to cool on a baking rack for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight.

Failing to cool your pecan pie properly will result in a running center. The filling needs time to set up properly.

👩🏻‍🍳 Expert Tip

Using room-temperature eggs will reduce the chances of the eggs scrambling creating an unwelcome texture.

🌡️Storage

Cool the sauce completely and store it in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks. Serve at room temperature or warm. You can reheat the sauce in the microwave on 50% power stirring every few minutes. Or reheat in a saucepan on the stovetop over low heat.

This recipe can be frozen in a sealed container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

If baked in a pie, store the pie in its original pie plate at room temperature and cover it with foil or plastic wrap.

Canning Instructions

Leave one inch of headspace in your jar when canning to prevent jar overflow in the canner.Once the sterilized jars are filled and the lids are attached, the pecan pie filling is canned in a water bath canner for 25 minutes.

Remove from the heat and allow the jars to sit for an additional 5 minutes before carefully removing them from the water. Let sit for 24 hours before checking the seal.

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