Nutty and buttery, these pecan desserts shine, offering rich flavors and textures for classic favorites and creative baking ideas. Our collection includes cookies, bars, pies and cheesecakes.
32 Pecan Dessert Recipes That Go Beyond the Pie
Updated on Jul. 30, 2025
1/32
Pecan Pralines
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
about 2-1/4 pounds
From the Recipe Creator:
My pecan praline recipe is special to me because I received it from my mother, who was an excellent cook! I also am a Texas Aggie Mom and I use pecans from a South Texas Aggie grower that our Aggie Mom's club has purchased from for many years. The quality is outstanding and far better than you will find in any grocery store. —Carol Jones, Blue Ridge, Texas
2/32
Butter Pecan Cookies
Total Time
35 min
Servings
4 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
When my daughter was a teen, these butter pecan cookies earned her blue ribbons from two county fairs. Then a few years ago, her own daughter took home a blue ribbon for the same cookie. Needless to say, these mouthwatering morsels are winners! —Martha Thefield, Cedartown, Georgia
3/32
Shortcut Coconut-Pecan Chocolate Tassies
Total Time
35 min
Servings
about 3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
You can garnish these cookies with pecan halves or a couple of chocolate chips before baking, or drizzle the cookies with a little melted chocolate after taking them out of the oven. —Deb Villenauve, Krakow, Wisconsin
4/32
Caramel-Pecan Apple Pie
Total Time
1 hour 50 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
You'll love the smell in your kitchen—and the smiles on everybody's faces—when you make this scrumptious caramel apple pie recipe. It takes me back home to Virginia, to my granny's table. —Jean Castro, Phoenix, Arizona
5/32
Pecan Brownies
Total Time
30 min
Servings
16 brownies
From the Recipe Creator:
It's hard to eat just one of these nutty pecan brownies—good thing a batch can bake up in a matter of minutes. —Karen Batchelor, Bellevue, Nebraska
6/32
Pecan Pie Bars
Total Time
45 min
Servings
3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These bars are decadently rich—just like pecan pie! They’re sure to disappear from the dessert table at your next gathering, so you might want to save one for later before putting them out. —Carolyn Custer, Clifton Park, New York
7/32
Pecan Pie Muffins
Total Time
35 min
Servings
about 2-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
While these are delicious year-round, you could easily turn them into an edible Christmas gift. They look festive on a decorative tray wrapped in red or green cellophane or tucked into a giveaway cookie plate. And don't forget to include the recipe so your recipient can enjoy this treat over and over again! —Pat Schrand, Enterprise, Alabama
8/32
Honey Pecan Cheesecake
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Birthdays and holidays are great times for cheesecake, and Christmas is ideal for this particular one. In our annual church baking contest, it won first place! —Tish Frish, Hampden, Maine
9/32
Pecan Butter Tarts
Total Time
40 min
Servings
1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I searched for the perfect butter tart for ages. After many attempts, I discovered this favorite that begs for a scoop of ice cream on top. —Susan Kieboam, Streetsboro, Ohio
10/32
Cherry Chocolate Pecan Pie
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I'm a pie baker, and this is one my family frequently requests. With the brandy-infused cherries and chocolate chips, it's an awesome twist on a pecan pie. —Sonya Labbe, Santa Monica, California
11/32
Caramel-Pecan Pumpkin Pull-Aparts
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
We love sticky buns made with my husband's angel biscuit dough, caramel and pecans. For a twist, try apple butter or applesauce instead of the pumpkin. —Carolyn Kumpe, El Dorado, California
12/32
Caramel Pecan Ice Cream Dessert
Total Time
35 min
Servings
15 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My mother passed this old-time recipe on to me because she knew I'd want to make it. I love desserts—especially this one! —Mary Wright, Morriston, Ontario
13/32
Honey Pecan Triangles
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
4 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
After stirring up batches of these tasty bar cookies for many years, I know to include plenty on cookie trays. They have all the goodness of pecan pie and are so easy to serve to a crowd. —Debbie Fogel, East Berne, New York
14/32
Maple Pecan Pie
Total Time
50 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Our Vermont maple syrup can't be beat, and this is one of my favorite pies. It's also quick and easy to make. —Mildred Wescom, Belvidere, Vermont
15/32
Buttermilk Pecan Pie
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This is the treasured "golden oldie" that my grandmother made so often whenever we'd come to visit. Grandma grew her own pecans, and we never tired of cracking them and picking out the meat when we knew we'd be treated to her special pie! —Mildred Sherrer, Fort Worth, Texas
16/32
Pecan Pie Brownies
Total Time
50 min
Servings
12 brownies
From the Recipe Creator:
Chopped pecans top these chewy, chocolaty brownies for an irresistible dessert. The nutty pie topping has a gooey texture that ties this treat together. —Molly Allen, Hood River, Oregon
17/32
Caramel Pecan Shortbread
Total Time
45 min
Servings
about 4 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
My grandchildren look for Grandma's "candy bar cookies" every Christmas. I recommend doubling the recipe for these sweet treats because they go so fast. —Dorothy Buiter, Worth, Illinois
18/32
Texas Pecan Pie
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I won a blue ribbon for this pie at the Texas State Fair. Since I was in the military for more than 20 years, I didn’t really start cooking until after I retired. Now I enjoy spending my time in the kitchen. —Michelle Shockley, Wichita, Kansas
19/32
Maple Pecan Tarts
Total Time
50 min
Servings
1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I absolutely love pecans. I combine them with maple and vanilla to create the ultimate tart, made even richer with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. —Redawna Kalynchuk, Barrhead, Alberta
Also give this pecan tarts recipe a try!
20/32
Raisin Pecan Pie
Total Time
55 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I remember my Grandmother Voltie and Great-Aunt Ophelia making this southern-style pie for Thanksgiving. It was always one of the many cakes and pies lined up for dessert. —Angie Price, Bradford, Tennessee
21/32
Copycat Patti’s Sawdust Pie
Total Time
40 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
We top this with sliced bananas, whipped cream and more sliced bananas. It's based on a sawdust pie recipe my mom got from a potholder she bought at the Patti's 1880s Settlement in Grand Rivers, Kentucky. —Jennifer Choisser, Paducah, Kentucky
22/32
Caramel Pecan Pie
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This is hands down the best pecan pie—it’s so good, it’s scary! I make it for Thanksgiving because there are others around to share it with me. Here’s the trick: Toss the bag of caramels to your kid or spouse and promise they can eat whatever is left after they unwrap your 36 caramels. —Larry Crowder, Grand Blanc, Michigan
23/32
Pumpkin Pie Bars
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These bars taste like a cross between pumpkin pie and pecan pie—yum! If you can't find butter cake mix, yellow cake mix works. —Sue Draheim, Waterford, Wisconsin
24/32
Toffee Pecan Bars
Total Time
55 min
Servings
3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Curl up with a hot cup of coffee and one of these treats. The golden topping and flaky crust give way to the heartwarming taste of old-fashioned pecan pie. —Dianna Croskey, Gibsonia, Pennsylvania
25/32
Pecan Pie Thumbprints
Total Time
40 min
Servings
4-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
A good buttery dough and nutty filling take time to make, but the results are so worth it. After munching on a few, I think you'll agree. —Peggy Key, Grant, Alabama
26/32
Caramel Rolls
Total Time
50 min
Servings
15 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These irresistible rolls are perfect as an Easter brunch idea! —Louis Jacobsen, Dallas, Wisconsin
27/32
Li’l Pecan Pies
Total Time
50 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These tempting little tarts have all the rich traditional taste of a full-sized pecan pie in a much smaller package. The tarts are perfect for two. —Christine Boitos, Livonia, Michigan
28/32
Salted Pecan Shortbread Squares
Total Time
50 min
Servings
4 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
My shortbread squares are the ultimate go-to for cookie trays and gift-giving. The buttery caramel and toasted nuts make it tough to eat just one. —Diana Ashcraft, Monmouth, Oregon
29/32
Chocolate Pecan Pie
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When my fiance first made this chocolate bourbon pecan pie for me, I declared it to be the best pie ever! Creamy chocolate combines with crunchy nuts in a great, gooey filling. —Tanya Taylor, Cary, North Carolina
30/32
Pecan Tassies
Total Time
45 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These pecan tassies are very good for parties and special occasions. You'll probably want to double the recipe because they'll disappear in a hurry! —Joy Corie, Ruston, Louisiana
31/32
Chewy Pecan Pie Bars
Total Time
40 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
This treat is one of my husband's favorites. I've been making these bars for many years, and we still can't get enough. I never mind making this recipe—it's about as easy as baking can be! —Judy Taylor, Shreveport, Louisiana
32/32
Cranberry Pecan Pie
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I first prepared this pie at Thanksgiving to share with my co-workers. It was such a success! Now I freeze cranberries while they are in season so that I can make it year-round. —Dawn Liet Hartman, Mifflinburg, Pennsylvania
Pecan Desserts FAQ
What desserts can I make with pecans?
You can make everything from classic pecan pies and pralines to bars, cookies, brownies and pecan triangles. Fold pecans into brownie batters for added texture, press them into shortbread crusts, or toast and scatter them over creamy fall-flavored cheesecakes. If you’re short on time, pecan pie bars and chocolate pecan tassies come together quickly and pack easily for potlucks or lunchboxes.
How do I toast pecans for baking?
There are several easy ways to toast nuts like pecans. To toast them in an oven, spread them in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment or foil. Bake at 350°F for 5 to 10 minutes, stirring once or twice to ensure even browning. They are done when they darken slightly and smell nutty and warm. For stovetop toasting, cook them in a dry skillet over medium heat for three to five minutes, shaking the pan frequently. Toasted pecans enhance desserts like pralines, shortbreads or pumpkin bars.
How do I store leftover pecan desserts?
You can store most pecan desserts, such as cookies, bars and brownies, in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. But if they contain dairy or eggs, it is best to refrigerate them. Let chilled desserts sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes before serving for the best texture. For longer storage, wrap desserts tightly in foil or storage wrap to prevent freezer burn, then seal them in airtight freezer-safe containers for up to two months.
