Top 31 Best Pecan Recipes

These are the best pecan recipes, all in one place. And believe me when I say that there are so many pecan desserts that aren't pie! This list of pecan dessert recipes will give you all the inspiration you need for Thanksgiving and beyond.

Jump to:

• Best Pecan Recipes
• 1. Pecan Upside Down Cake
• 2. Pecan Brownies
• 3. Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies
• 4. Pecan Butter
• 5. Pecan Snowball Cookies
• 6. Butter Pecan Ice Cream
• 7. Brownie Pecan Pie
• 8. Pecan Pie Bars Recipe
• 9. Delicious Butter Pecan Cheesecake
• 10. Pecan Pie
• 11. Maple Pecan Cupcakes with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting
• 12. Maple Pecan Macarons
• 13. Caramel Pecan Squares
• 14. Mini Pecan Pie Cheesecakes
• 15. Pecan Pie Layer Cake
• 16. Easy Candied Pecans
• 17. Salted Caramel and Pecan Chocolate Cake
• 18. Pecan Cream Pie with Graham Crust 
• 19. Salted Maple Pecan Brittle
• 20. Coffee Eclairs with Pecan Streusel
• 21. Chocolate Covered Pecans
• 22. Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie Custard Cake
• 23. Coconut Pecan Shortbread Bars with Raspberry Filling
• 24. Caramel Pecan Frangipane Apple Galette
• 25. Peach & Pecan Streusel Coffee Cake
• 26. Brown Butter Bourbon Madeleines with Dark Chocolate Ganache and Pecans
• 27. Pecan Kringle
• 28. Pull-Apart Cinnamon Pecan Rolls
• 29. Pecan Praline Blondies
• 30. Self-Saucing Pecan Cobbler
• 31. Kentucky Bourbon Puddings with Candied Pecans
• Pecan Recipes FAQs
• Related Pecan Recipes
• Top 31 Best Pecan Recipes

I chose these simple pecan recipes because they are as delicious as they are reliable. Yet most of them only use pantry basics. If you love pecans, certainly you've come to the right place.

Best Pecan Recipes

1. Pecan Upside Down Cake

What could be more harmonious than a moist yogurt cake with a crunchy and sweet caramelized pecan topping? An upside-down cake bakes on top of a layer of fruit or nuts and is then flipped over so that the sticky, gooey base becomes visible and makes a beautiful (and tasty) decoration.

2. Pecan Brownies

Chunky, nutty, chocolatey pecan brownies are irresistible. A pinch of cinnamon adds warmth and a hint of spice; they are simply the perfect brownies for Fall.

3. Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies

This is one of those pecan recipes you'll love to make. Chewy on the outside, gooey on the inside, and loaded with nutty pecans, chocolate chips, and brown butter flavor. Surely this sounds like the best cookie recipe ever?

What's more, I hand over all my tips for baking the best cookies ever.

4. Pecan Butter

You can drizzle homemade pecan butter onto just about anything and make it into a pecan dessert. But while it tastes delicious on its own or on cakes, you can even use it in savory recipes in salad dressing; it's that versatile. My foolproof 2-step recipe takes just 20 minutes, including the prep time. You'll never need to buy nut butter again.

5. Pecan Snowball Cookies

These sweet, crunchy, and buttery pecan snowball cookies are a delicious way to decorate your dessert table this holiday season! Also known as Mexican wedding cookies or Russian tea cookies, these snowy treats use just a handful of basic pantry staples to create a fun-shaped and eye-catching dessert that all ages will love.

6. Butter Pecan Ice Cream

Don't you just love a no-churn ice cream recipe? All the creamy deliciousness without an ice cream maker. The chunks of candied pecans in every bite are beyond divine; all you need is a loaf and a stand mixer. Surely it's too good to resist! I'd even suggest you double up on pecan goodness and serve it with another one of these pecan recipes.

7. Brownie Pecan Pie

This Brownie Pecan Pie includes three major steps: making the crust, baking the brownie, and cooking the caramel. To keep things easy and approachable, the brownies only use a single bowl, and the caramel is a no-fail recipe that comes together in less than 10 minutes. 

8. Pecan Pie Bars Recipe

All the most amazing cross parts of pecan pie in a cookie bar, with all the best bits of both. A homemade caramel sauce is poured over chopped pecans and baked over a crisp shortbread crust. You've got chewy, you've got crispy, and you've got pecan flavor. Undoubtedly delicious.

9. Delicious Butter Pecan Cheesecake

Another pecan dessert mash-up. Graham cracker crust and tangy salted brown sugar cheesecake filling. So far, so cheesecake. But then a buttery pecan pie topping turns this pecan recipe into something else even better.

To put it another way, make this dessert, and you can have your cake and eat it.

10. Pecan Pie

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/332773859977189121/

How could I miss a classic pecan pie off this list? Just because there are so many other pecan recipes doesn't mean we ignore the original and arguably the best. Pecan pie is packed with Fall flavors and makes the ultimate Thanksgiving dessert. Without a doubt, anyone can agree it's worth making again and again.

Serve pecan pie with a generous dollop of whipped cream. So far, nothing beats it.

11. Maple Pecan Cupcakes with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting

Cupcakes are the ideal party dessert because they look cute, and everyone can have their own (i.e., you don't have to share). Cinnamon, nutmeg and maple syrup give the cupcakes a nice warming spiced flavor, and the sponge is moist and tasty. Finally, a smooth and silky maple cream cheese frosting sprinkled with crushed pecans is the perfect finishing sweet touch.

12. Maple Pecan Macarons

Can't get enough of that maple-pecan combination? Now try it in macaron form. The maple buttercream filling is to die for, sandwiched between dainty macaron cookie shells dusted in crunchy pecans. Macarons can be challenging, but the result is well worth the effort.

First time making homemade macarons? Take my macaron online class and learn exactly how it's done.

13. Caramel Pecan Squares

Easy caramel pecan squares make the best grab-and-go snack or plate for a dessert table. You'll love how easy they are to slice up and serve, and there are no complex ingredients or equipment - just pantry staples and a sheet pan.

To be sure, this is a pecan recipe to enjoy with hot drinks and cozy afternoon chats.

14. Mini Pecan Pie Cheesecakes

Indeed, mini desserts are so fun and so versatile. Bite-sized, tangy, and tasty, undoubtedly, this is the ultimate pecan snack recipe to share with a crowd. You'll certainly love the pecan crunch against soft cheesecake. And the pecan pie filling on top is sweet, gooey, and loaded with more chopped nuts. You'll want to make a double batch! But then again, you might not want to share.

15. Pecan Pie Layer Cake

If you want to put a delicious twist on pecan pie, then unquestionably, you should try this dessert. Triple-decker layers of light brown sugar cinnamon cake are sandwiched with homemade pecan pie filling and slathered in cinnamon frosting. It's like a pecan pie but with all the best bits of a cake. Surely this is an alternative Thanksgiving dessert that guests will love.

16. Easy Candied Pecans

Candied pecans make the perfect sweet and salty snack. Serve them in bowls at parties, put them on a cheese board, chuck them onto salads and use them to decorate cakes. But significantly, glazed or candied nuts of any sort are ridiculously easy to make. Which means you can make them all the time!

17. Salted Caramel and Pecan Chocolate Cake

Rich chocolate sponge, salted caramel, toasted salted pecans, and more caramel sauce make for a truly decadent pecan dessert recipe. Serve this showstopper at birthdays or special occasions, and you'll certainly become everyone's favorite host.

18. Pecan Cream Pie with Graham Crust 

A light and creamy no-bake dessert is surely going to be a favorite. First, make a Graham cracker crust. Secondly, whip up a rich cream and cream cheese filling, and finally, pour it into the pie crust and chill in the fridge. And that's it! Without a doubt, this has to be one of the easiest flavored pecan recipes.

19. Salted Maple Pecan Brittle

In my view, homemade candy always tastes better. You will need a candy thermometer to get it right, but you'll be hooked once you've tasted your delicious chocolate pecan brittle with sweet maple undertones and toasty flavor.

Forthwith, you can serve this bark as a pecan snack or wrap it up as homemade gifts for friends, colleagues, and loved ones.

20. Coffee Eclairs with Pecan Streusel

I can never get enough of pecan and coffee flavors together. Here, a golden puffed and crunchy eclair is filled with silky coffee cream and, finally, topped with coffee glaze and pecan streusel. To conclude, it's divine.

To that end, if you are nervous about making choux pastry eclairs, my in-depth guide to making eclairs has helped many home bakers to master it.

21. Chocolate Covered Pecans

Crunchy, creamy, and chocolaty! This easy recipe is one of my favorite healthy pecan desserts. What's more, they are shockingly easy to make. Roasted pecan recipes have such a deep smoky flavor, and I also love to sprinkle them with a little sea salt at the end. Furthermore, this recipe is naturally gluten-free and will work for those with dietary restrictions.

22. Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie Custard Cake

I have found the most irresistibly gooey pecan dessert. Collapsing custard cake might run off the plate, but you'll have fun scooping it up! Unbelievably, it's prepped and baked in just half an hour. Rich bourbon and honey flavors mix with the pecans, and it has the most amazing texture. Believe me; you won't want to share it.

23. Coconut Pecan Shortbread Bars with Raspberry Filling

Pecans also go beautifully with raspberries. In addition, the coconut flavors in these pecan shortbread squares give an almost tropical taste. I'd serve them in summer, or they make delicious little Spring desserts.

24. Caramel Pecan Frangipane Apple Galette

A galette is undeniably one of the easiest desserts you can make, the crust takes a few minutes to prepare, and then it's simply a case of loading it with toppings of your choice. Additionally, this galette recipe has pecan frangipane to make it even richer and more decadent and a caramel sauce that pushes it over the edge. In conclusion, you need to try it.

25. Peach & Pecan Streusel Coffee Cake

Here's a summer pecan recipe for you. They're not just for Fall! Delicious ripe and juicy peaches pair beautifully with coffee and pecan recipes, and I guarantee you'll love this one. The brown sugar crumb topping and peach glaze elevate it to perfection.

26. Brown Butter Bourbon Madeleines with Dark Chocolate Ganache and Pecans

Madeleines are the daintiest little French pastries! And it's easy to jazz them up further, like in this easy pecan recipe.  Rich and satisfying, every bite is loaded with flavor- first butter and then bourbon, and finally, crunchy pecans. It's a shame they're so small; you'll just have to eat several.

27. Pecan Kringle

If you're looking for pecan breakfast ideas for the holiday season, this is certainly the pecan recipe for you. A buttery and sweet breakfast treat is surely the best way to start the day. The pecan filling is so full of warm cinnamon spice and brown sugar, and whilst the dough has a few steps to follow, the result is well worth it.

28. Pull-Apart Cinnamon Pecan Rolls

You'll score some serious points if you put this on the Thanksgiving table. But pull-apart pecan rolls are a pecan recipe that will work anytime; I love serving it for brunch. Using store-bought frozen dinner rolls makes this recipe much easier than you might think.

29. Pecan Praline Blondies

Rich, buttery pecan praline blondies are the perfect coffee time treat. Stuffed with crunchy, chewy, sweet pecan nuts and rich vanilla and maple syrup flavor, you won't be able to resist. Indeed, there's a reason why blondies are some of my favorite food!

30. Self-Saucing Pecan Cobbler

You had me at self-saucing. Honestly, this pecan recipe is like magic. Pecan cobbler is the perfect combination of tender cake, crunchy toasted pecans, and an excellent caramel sauce that bubbles away underneath, ready to be revealed when you dig in with a spoon.

Serve warm straight out of the oven with a scoop of vanilla ice cream that will melt all over it and provide even more sauce. Dreamy.

31. Kentucky Bourbon Puddings with Candied Pecans

Could a dessert tick any more boxes? It looks pretty, smells incredible, and is full of texture, to say nothing of the taste. Serve these individual pecan desserts at dinner parties so no one has to share, but you might need to make extra. I'd definitely eat more than one.

Pecan Recipes FAQs

Related Pecan Recipes