39 Perfect Pecan Desserts
This time of year, pecans are the star of dessert dishes everywhere. From bars, to truffles, to milkshakes and classic pies, these pecan desserts are a festive way to celebrate the season with family and friends.
Banana Upside-Down Pancake Cake
Banana Upside-Down Pancake Cake Recipe
This incredibly tender, delicious spice cake has a secret… Aunt Jemima pancake mix. That’s right, this brunch-worthy cake starts with boxed pancake mix (but no one would guess it). The added bonus of brown sugary caramelized bananas, toasted pecans, and a hit of rum only makes the idea of cake-for-breakfast all the more appealing.
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Bourbon-Pecan Tassies
Think of these tasty little tassies as your own personal pecan pie. They're both salty and sweet, with a hit of oaky bourbon. Whole-grain rye flour adds the perfect touch of sour to the shortbread-like crust, while toasted pecans do double duty in the crust and in the maple-splashed filling. As if that weren't enough to jingle your bell, we drizzle warm bittersweet chocolate over each bite to ensure maximum satisfaction.
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Spiced Glazed Pecans
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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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Chocolate Pecan Torte
There are toasted pecans in this all-in-one-bowl bittersweet chocolate torte. For the best flavor (and convenience!), make the torte a day ahead.
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Vegan Mini Pumpkin Spice Bites
Vegan Mini Pumpkin Spice Bites Recipe
For a guilt-free, vegan dessert that's sure to get you in the fall spirit, there's no better option than these adorable mini pumpkin spice bites. Encased in a simple walnut-pecan-date crust, the key to this autumnal treat lies in the silken tofu filling. Providing a creamy consistency without affecting flavor, silken tofu is the best kept vegan dessert secret.
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Chocolate-Pecan Mousse Tart
Chocolate-Pecan Mousse Tart Recipe
This pecan dessert is a great make-ahead option. You can make and freeze crust ahead of time, then thaw in fridge overnight before preparing the filling.
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Pumpkin-Pecan Streusel Pie
Pumpkin-Pecan Streusel Pie Recipe
Create the chunky texture by leaving those extra-big blueberry-size pieces in the streusel mix.
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Pecan Pie Bars
These chewy, bite-size bars require just 20 minutes of prep time.
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Decadent Cream Puffs with Praline Sauce and Toasted Pecans
Decadent Cream Puffs with Praline Sauce and Toasted Pecans Recipe
It may be tempting to use a stand mixer for the cream puff batter, but it pays to mix it by hand: You need to see when the mixture is smooth and shiny, which will prevent over-mixing.
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Pecan-Espresso Toffee
Take a crack at this intensely rich and buttery holiday treat.
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Chocolate Pecan Pie Truffles
Chocolate Pecan Pie Truffles Recipe
We used our Cooking Light recipe for Maple-Bourbon Pecan Pie to make these truffles, and the nutritional information is based on that pie.
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Bourbon Pecan Pie Milkshake
Bourbon Pecan Pie Milkshake Recipe
The only thing better than leftover pie is leftover pie in the form of a milkshake... with bourbon.
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Pecan Pound Cake
A drizzle of lemon-infused glaze gives this creamy nut-filled cake a sweet finish.
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Pecan Sticky Wedges
This cinnamon and pecan sticky roll is a great make-ahead brunch option or it could also serve as a sweet dessert.
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Chocolate Chip-Toasted Pecan Pancakes
Chocolate Chip-Toasted Pecan Pancakes Recipe
Add a generous dollop of whipped cream for an unexpected dessert.
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Bourbon-Butter-Salted Pecan Ice Cream
Bourbon-Butter-Salted Pecan Ice Cream Recipe
Try a small twist on classic Butter-Pecan Ice Cream by adding a couple tablespoons of bourbon.
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Whole-Grain Pecan Blondies
Whole-Grain Pecan Blondies Recipe
Blondies are simply brownies without the chocolate. A light-colored metal pan is your best bet for even baking and cakey, moist blondies.
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Hazelnut, Pecan, and Bourbon Pie
Hazelnut, Pecan, and Bourbon Pie Recipe
For depth of flavor, Kir Jensen roasts the pecans and hazelnuts before adding them to the filling. She likes to roll her cornmeal pastry extra thick, so it's more substantial.
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Maple-Pecan Bars
Reminiscent of pecan pie, gluten-free Maple-Pecan Bars deserve a spot at your holiday dessert buffet. Use pure maple syrup to form the gooey brown sugar and pecan mixture needed to make these heavenly bars.
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Pecan Spice Cake with Caramel-Rum Glaze
Pecan Spice Cake with Caramel-Rum Glaze Recipe
Substitute extra cream for rum in the sauce, if you like. For a thicker glaze, add the whole 1 1/3 cups powdered sugar, whisking constantly, as the glaze begins to cool in the pan. For a sheer, saucy glaze, use less powdered sugar.
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Caramel-Pecan Brownies
Sweet and irrisistable, these Caramel-Pecan Brownies are absolutely drool-worthy. Serve them at your next party and they'll become an instant favorite.
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Salted Caramel-Chocolate Pecan Pie
Salted Caramel-Chocolate Pecan Pie Recipe
A cross between a fudge pie and pecan pie, this is all the more stunning if you arrange the pecans from the center in a spiral pattern.
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Chocolate-Chip-Pecan Cookie Bars
Chocolate-Chip-Pecan Cookie Bars Recipe
Feel free to swap walnuts or almonds for the pecans, or use half nuts and half dried cranberries for tart, chewy bars.
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Pecan Cake with Caramel Mousse and Brown Sugar Topping
Pecan Cake with Caramel Mousse and Brown Sugar Topping Recipe
This decadent and luscious pecan cake can serve as an alternative to a pie at the dessert table, or it can become an instant classic all on its own.
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Pecan Pralines
Be sure to use a heavy Dutch oven and a candy thermometer, and make pralines on a day when the weather is dry—humidity can make them grainy.
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Pecan and Honey Diamonds
Pecan and Honey Diamonds Recipe
Pecan and Honey Diamonds have a shortbread-type crust with a rich honey-pecan filling. These bite-sized cookies won't last long, so bake a double batch!
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Pecan Cookies
Make the cookie dough up to a month in advance, wrap it tightly, and freeze. Thaw dough completely by placing it in the refrigerator overnight.
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Pecan Date Mini Pies
How do you go one better on a classic? Add honey and dates to the filling, make a press-in cream cheese crust, and miniaturize.
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Pumpkin-Pecan Cheesecake
Pumpkin-Pecan Cheesecake Recipe
Test Kitchen Professional Pam Lolley combined the flavors of three holiday favorites--pumpkin pie, pecan pie, and cheesecake-- to create this luscious holiday dessert.
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Pecan Pie Cupcakes
Pecan Pie is the quintessential dessert of fall. Crunchy toasted pecans and buttery Piecrust Leaves enhance the rich creamy frosting for a cupcake you'll make again and again.
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Caramel-Pecan Dacquoise
Caramel-Pecan Dacquoise Recipe
This decadent dacquoise is as fun to say as it is to eat. A traditional dacquoise is made with meringue and cream such as buttercream or whipped cream.
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Utterly Deadly Southern Pecan Pie
Utterly Deadly Southern Pecan Pie Recipe
Once you’ve made a pecan pie in a cast-iron skillet, you may never go back to a pie plate. Simply press a refrigerated pie crust into the skillet, sprinkle with sugar, top with the pecan mixture, and bake. Serving it in the skillet is also easy and makes the dish even more Southern.
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Gluten-Free Buttermilk-Pecan-Walnut Cake
Gluten-Free Buttermilk-Pecan-Walnut Cake Recipe
This light and fluffy cake works well at the breakfast or brunch table or just as well with a scoop of ice cream for dessert. Did we mention that it's gluten-free?
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Winn's Fig and Pecan Rugelach
Winn's Fig and Pecan Rugelach Recipe
This is a gluten-free variation of the traditional Jewish pastry. Filled with fig preserves, pecans, and brown sugar, they are the perfect treat for a Hanukkah celebration.
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Grapefruit-Pecan Sheet Cake
Grapefruit-Pecan Sheet Cake Recipe
Nothing says easy entertaining quite like serving a classic sheet cake. We love this citrus riff on the Southern standy of Grapefruit-Pecan Sheet Cake.
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Pecan Bourbon Balls
Think a bourbon ball is a bourbon ball is a bourbon ball? Think again. Try coating them in spiced toasted pecans for a sweet-salty variation and you'll be a convert for life.
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Chocolate-Pecan Pie Granola
Chocolate-Pecan Pie Granola Recipe
Perfect for on-the-go snacking, this granola brings traditional pecan-pie flavor to a portable breakfast or afternoon pick-me-up treat.
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German Chocolate-Pecan Pie Bars
German Chocolate-Pecan Pie Bars Recipe
Everyone will ask you for the recipe for these bars after just one bite! They're easy to make and everyone will love them at your next gathering or party.
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Chocolate-Pecan Chess Pie
Chocolate-Pecan Chess Pie Recipe
Dark, rich, and intensely chocolaty, this is our favorite new twist on pecan pie. Make it even more special and serve with sweetened whipped cream.