Pecan pie starts with a few core ingredients, nuts, sugar or syrup, eggs and butter, then transforms through format, mix‑ins and presentation into a wide range of desserts. What holds each variation together is the nutty richness of pecans plus a filled or layered structure that supports sweetness, texture and crunch. Whether you’re turning it into a bar, a cookie, a cake or even a bark, the goal stays the same: the filling must set, the nuts must remain discernible, and the base must support the layers. These versions experiment with crusts, no‑bake methods, cheesecake swirls, pumpkins, brownies, bark and bourbon, but each remains firmly rooted in the pecan‑pie idea. The result is desserts that deliver nutty warmth, structural integrity and recognisably rich pecan flavour, no matter the shape or format.

Pecan Pie Bars

Pecan Pie Bars. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

A shortbread or cookie‑bar crust is topped with a thick pecan filling and baked, then cut into squares. The crust holds firm, the filling sets without leaking, and the pecans retain their crunch. Each bar shows visible nut texture and a gooey centre. Every bite gives structure, sweetness and nutty depth.
Get the Recipe: Pecan Pie Bars

Southern Pecan Pie

Southern Pecan Pie. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

This version uses a flaky pie crust filled with a rich mixture of pecans, eggs, butter and syrup and baked until the centre holds firm. The pecans sit atop the filling and brown without sinking. The crust remains crisp and supports the filling. Each slice reveals nut, golden fill and crunchy edge.
Get the Recipe: Southern Pecan Pie

Pecan Pie Cookies

Pecan Pie Cookies. Photo credit: Maria’s Mixing Bowl.

Cookie dough is folded with chopped pecans and often small bits of the classic filling ingredients and then baked. The pecans stay whole, the dough sets with crisp edges and a soft interior. Each cookie holds shape and delivers the flavour of pecan pie in a single bite. Every chew gives nutty, sweet and crisp notes.
Get the Recipe: Pecan Pie Cookies

Pecan bars on a baking sheet.
Pecan Pie Magic Cookie Bars with Chocolate Shortbread Crust. Photo credit: Call Me PMc.

A rich chocolate shortbread base is layered with pecan‑pie‑style filling and almonds or coconut, then baked and cut into bars. The chocolate crust keeps the build anchored and the filling sets clean. The nuts on top remain crisp and visible. Each piece combines chocolate, nuts and structure.
Get the Recipe: Pecan Pie Magic Cookie Bars with Chocolate Shortbread Crust

Chocolate Pecan Pie

Chocolate Pecan Pie. Photo credit: Dutch Oven Daddy.

A pie shell is layered or mixed with chocolate (either melted or cocoa powder) along with the classic pecan filling so you get nutty richness plus chocolate depth. The crust supports the heavier filling and holds the slice intact. The pecans stay crisp and the chocolate integrates cleanly. Every forkful brings pecan crunch, chocolate weight and strong finish.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Pecan Pie

Pecan Pie Lasagna

Pecan Pie Lasagna. Photo credit: Maria’s Mixing Bowl.

Sheets of pastry or crust are layered with pecan filling, cream cheese layer or whipped topping and pecans between each layer to mimic a lasagna structure. Each layer holds its integrity and doesn’t collapse into mix. The nuts remain visible and the layers stack clean. Each serving gives layered texture, nutty flavour and firm shape.
Get the Recipe: Pecan Pie Lasagna

Creamy Pecan Pie

Slice of pecan pie on a white plate with a fork, placed on a burlap surface. The pie has a pastry crust, creamy filling, and is topped with chopped pecans.
Creamy Pecan Pie. Photo credit: Mama’s on a Budget.

The filling is enriched, perhaps with extra cream cheese or heavy cream—while pecans remain surfaced and the crust stays crisp. The creamy layer softens but keeps structure and the pecans stay atop the fill. Each slice cuts clean even with the richer base. Every bite gives smooth richness and nut crunch.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Pecan Pie

Old Fashioned Pecan Pie Recipe (no corn syrup!)

A bite of pecan pie on a fork.
Old Fashioned Pecan Pie Recipe (no corn syrup!). Photo credit: Little House Big Alaska.

This version adheres to classic components but replaces corn syrup with brown sugar or maple syrup while pecans remain central. The crust holds the build and the filling sets with eggs and syrup alternative. The pecans stay whole and browned. Each slice gives traditional flavour re‑framed with familiar structure.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Pecan Pie Recipe (no corn syrup!)

Pecan Pie Bark

Pecan Pie Bark. Photo credit: Maria’s Mixing Bowl.

Pecan‑pie‑style filling is poured over or stirred into melted chocolate, spread thin, cooled until firm and broken into shards. The nuts remain intact, the chocolate base holds it together and the syrup mix sets cleanly. Each shard holds structure and crunch. Every piece delivers nutty sweetness and chocolate anchoring.
Get the Recipe: Pecan Pie Bark

No Bake Pecan Pie Cheesecake

A close up view of pecan pie cheesecake slice on a white plate, with a fork on the side.
No Bake Pecan Pie Cheesecake. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

A crust supports a no‑bake cheesecake layer topped with pecan‑pie filling or pecans and syrup. The cheesecake holds shape without baking and the pecans stay crisp. The filling sets in the fridge and the crust keeps everything in line. Each slice gives rich cream layer, nuts and syrup finish.
Get the Recipe: No Bake Pecan Pie Cheesecake

Mini Muffin Pecan Pies

Mini Muffin Pecan Pies. Photo credit: Mama’s on a Budget.

Pie filling of pecans and syrup is baked in mini muffin tins inside crust or cookie shell so each is single‑serve. The shapes stay intact, the nuts sit on top, and the crust holds even in miniature. Each muffin‑pie is structured and bite‑sized. Every one delivers nut, refill sweetness and clean shape.
Get the Recipe: Mini Muffin Pecan Pies

Maple Pecan Pie Tassies

Maple Pecan Pie Tassies. Photo credit: Grits and Gouda.

Mini pastry cups are filled with maple‑syrup‑inspired pecan filling and baked until set. The cups hold each portion, the pecans stay above the filling, and the texture remains firm. Each mini tart holds structure and nut clarity. Each bite gives maple, pecan and portable form.
Get the Recipe: Maple Pecan Pie Tassies

Pecan Pie Cobbler

Pecan Pie Cobbler. Photo credit: Cooking With Katie Cross.

A pecan‑pie‑style filling is poured into a deep dish and topped with biscuit or dough topping, baked until the topping browns and the nut‑syrup below bubbles. The pecans hold structure underneath, and the topping finishes golden. The dish remains sliceable or spoon‑able without collapsing. Everything finishes with crust, nut filling and topping intact.
Get the Recipe: Pecan Pie Cobbler

Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars

Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars. Photo credit: Mama’s on a Budget.

Similar to other bar formats but with extra chocolate either in crust or filling, topped with whole pecans and cut into bars. The chocolate crust or layer supports the nut filling and the nuts stay crisp. Slicing reveals chocolate base with nut top. Each bar delivers layered flavour and strong structure.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars

Pecan Pie Cake

Pecan Pie Cake. Photo credit: Maria’s Mixing Bowl.

A cake batter is combined or layered with pecan‑pie filling or pecans and syrup topping and baked, then sliced like cake. The cake holds the pecan layer intact, the syrup doesn’t soak through, and the nuts stay visible. Every slice keeps cake crumb and nut finish. Each bite gives cake texture and pie‑inspired flavour.
Get the Recipe: Pecan Pie Cake

Chocolate Chunk Pecan Pie

Chocolate Chunk Pecan Pie. Photo credit: Xoxo Bella.

Chunks of chocolate are folded into the pecan‑pie filling or crust so each piece has nut, syrup and chocolate break. The crust holds the build, the filling sets, the chocolate breaks clean. The nuts remain crisp and the chocolate chunks remain distinct. Every forkful delivers nut, chocolate and sweet syrup.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Chunk Pecan Pie

Bourbon Pecan Pie

Pecan pie on a plate with a slice taken out.
Bourbon Pecan Pie. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

A traditional pecan pie is enhanced with a splash of bourbon in the syrup‑based filling, the crust holds the build and the pecans stay whole. The bourbon adds depth without weakening structure. The filling sets clean and the nuts finish crisp. Each slice serves nut, syrup and mature flavour.
Get the Recipe: Bourbon Pecan Pie

Pecan Pie Brownies

Pecan Pie Brownies. Photo credit: Mama’s on a Budget.

Brownie base is topped or are mixed with pecan‑pie filling, syrup, pecans and butter, then baked until set and cut into squares. The brownies hold texture and the pie‑filling layer stays visible and intact. The pecans add crunch and the syrup layer blends with the chocolate base. Each piece gives chocolate, nut and sweet‑syrup layers.
Get the Recipe: Pecan Pie Brownies

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About the author

Hi, Iโ€™m Lucy! Iโ€™m a home cook, writer, food and wine fanatic, and recipe developer. Iโ€™ve created and tested hundreds of recipes so that I can bring you the best tried and true favorites.

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