If you’ve ever tried Sam’s Club Pecan Pie, you already know it’s the gold standard of store-bought desserts—it’s luxurious, indulgent, and worth every bite.
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How to make Sam’s Club Pecan Pie
Sam’s Club Pecan Pie is a large, ready-made dessert pie sold at Sam’s Club, typically under their “Member’s Mark” brand. It features a sweet, gooey custard filling topped with whole pecans in a buttery, flaky crust, often with a hint of maple flavor.
Ingredients
For the Pie Crust:
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup cold unsalted butter, diced into small cubes
- 3–4 tablespoons ice water
For the Filling:
- 1 cup light corn syrup
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 3 large eggs
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 cups halved pecans
Instructions
Step 1: Make the Pie Crust
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
- Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or fork until the mixture forms coarse crumbs.
- Add ice water a tablespoon at a time, mixing gently until the dough comes together into a ball. Avoid overworking the dough to keep it flaky.
- Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes before rolling it out.
Step 2: Prepare the Filling
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the corn syrup, brown sugar, salt, and vanilla extract.
- Add the eggs and mix until smooth. Then, whisk in the melted butter until the filling is fully combined.
- Fold in pecan halves, ensuring every bite of filling will have plenty of crunchy pecans.
Step 3: Assemble the Pie
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Roll out the chilled dough on a floured surface and transfer it to a 9–10-inch pie dish. Trim off any excess crust and pinch the edges for a decorative finish.
- Pour the prepared pecan filling into the crust. Use a spoon to evenly distribute the pecans for a prettier presentation.
Step 4: Bake the Pie
- Carefully place the pie in the preheated oven and bake for 50–60 minutes.
- The pie should puff up slightly during baking and the filling should be mostly set in the center, with just a slight jiggle.
- If the crust edges brown too quickly, cover them with aluminum foil or a pie crust shield about halfway through baking.
Step 5: Cool and Serve
- Allow the pie to cool completely—this step is essential for the filling to set properly and achieve the iconic Sam’s Club texture!
- Slice and serve at room temperature or warm slightly in the oven before enjoying. Pair with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for the perfect dessert experience.
Tips for Success
- Toast the Pecans: To enhance the nutty flavor and mimic the rich taste of Sam’s Club’s premium pecan pie, toast your pecans in the oven at 350°F for 6–8 minutes before adding them to the filling.
- Use Quality Butter: Since butter is a key ingredient in both the crust and filling, opt for unsalted, high-quality butter for a silky, rich flavor.
- Avoid Overmixing the Dough: When making the crust, handle the dough as little as possible to prevent it from becoming dense or tough. Keep the butter cold for flaky layers.
- Check Your Pie’s Doneness: If the filling is bubbling and the center has slightly set (but is still jiggly), your pie is done. Don’t overbake, as it can lead to a dry texture.
- Recreate the Shine: The glossy look of Sam’s Club’s pecan pie comes from the corn syrup in the filling—don’t skip this ingredient for authentic results.
What to serve with
Sam’s Club Pecan Pie is a rich and indulgent dessert that perfectly balances caramel sweetness with nutty crunch. While it’s delightful on its own, pairing it with complementary flavors and textures can elevate your dessert experience into something truly unforgettable.
1. Whipped Cream: A dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream is a classic choice. Its airy texture and subtle sweetness provide a perfect contrast to the richness of the pie. For extra flavor, whip the cream with a hint of vanilla extract, bourbon, or cinnamon.
2. Vanilla Ice Cream: Cool, creamy vanilla ice cream is one of the most popular pairings for Sam’s Club Pecan Pie. When served warm, the pie gently melts the ice cream to create a luxurious combination of textures. Classic vanilla is always a good choice, but you can try butter pecan ice cream for a nutty twist.
3. Caramel Sauce: Drizzle warm caramel sauce over the top of each slice for an extra layer of decadence. This pairing works especially well if you want to amplify the pie’s buttery, caramel-like filling.
4. Crème Anglaise: If you’re feeling fancy, serve Sam’s Club Pecan Pie with crème anglaise—a rich, vanilla custard sauce. The silky, creamy texture complements the pie beautifully and adds a touch of elegance to your presentation.
5. Chopped Candied Pecans: Sprinkle some candied pecans on top of the Sam’s Club Pecan Pie before serving for added crunch and sweetness. You can toss pecans with sugar and cinnamon, roast them, and use them as a garnish for a professional-looking finish.
Ingredients Substitutes
If you’re excited to bake a homemade version of Sam’s Club’s pecan pie but realize you’re missing a few ingredients—or simply want to customize the recipe—don’t worry!
Substitutes for the Pie Crust
1. Pre-Made Pie Crust: If you’re short on time, you can ditch the homemade crust and opt for a store-bought pie crust instead. Look for a high-quality frozen or refrigerated option, such as Pillsbury or Trader Joe’s, which still delivers that buttery flakiness.
2. Gluten-Free Pie Crust Use a gluten-free flour blend for a homemade crust or choose a certified gluten-free store-bought crust. Almond flour-based crusts or oat crusts are great alternatives if you’re avoiding gluten.
Substitutes for Corn Syrup
Corn syrup is key in achieving the glossy, gooey filling that stands out in pecan pie, but here are some substitutions you can use:
1. Honey: Replace corn syrup with honey to achieve a similar consistency and sweetness. Keep in mind that honey will add a slightly floral or earthy undertone to the pie.
2. Maple Syrup: Pure maple syrup works beautifully as a substitute, infusing your pie with a warm, rich flavor. However, maple syrup may result in a slightly less thick filling, so you may need to bake it a few extra minutes to set.
3. Brown Rice Syrup: For a milder change, brown rice syrup can be swapped for corn syrup. It’s less sweet, so you may need to increase the sugar slightly to match the original flavor.
4. Golden Syrup: Popular in European baking, golden syrup is a fantastic corn syrup replacement. Its buttery, caramel-like flavor complements pecan pie beautifully.
5. Molasses (for depth): If you love bold flavors, replacing half of the corn syrup with molasses (or using light molasses) adds a rich depth that pairs well with the nuttiness of pecans. Avoid using full dark molasses as it may overpower the pie’s sweetness.
Substitutes for Brown Sugar
Brown sugar gives pecan pie its deep caramel-like sweetness, but you’ve got alternatives if you don’t have it on hand:
1. White Sugar + Molasses: To replicate brown sugar, mix 1 cup of granulated sugar with 1–2 tablespoons of molasses. Adjust the molasses amount depending on whether you want a light or dark brown sugar flavor.
2. Coconut Sugar: Coconut sugar has a similarly rich, caramel-like profile and works perfectly as a natural alternative to brown sugar.
3. Turbinado Sugar: Also known as raw sugar, turbinado sugar can mimic the texture and flavor of brown sugar in pies.
4. Maple Sugar: Using maple sugar instead of brown sugar gives the pecan filling a distinct touch of maple that’s perfect for winter desserts.
Substitutes for Pecans
While pecans are the star of this recipe, there are great alternatives for those with nut allergies, dietary restrictions, or simply to add your own twist to this classic pie:
1. Walnuts: Walnuts have a similar crunch and nutty flavor to pecans and can easily take their place in the recipe. Toast them lightly for extra flavor.
2. Hazelnuts: Replacing pecans with hazelnuts gives the pie a slightly sweeter and creamier texture. Chop the hazelnuts to distribute flavor evenly.
3. Almonds: Slivered or sliced almonds add a mild nutty flavor and work well as a substitute, especially when toasted.
4. Cashews (for creaminess): Cashews make for a softer, buttery alternative, though they don’t offer the same crunch as pecans.
Final Thoughts
Sam’s Club Pecan Pie on its own is an indulgent treat, but pairing it with the right toppings and sides can take this already delicious dessert to new heights.
More Sam’s Club Recipes:
Ingredients
For the Pie Crust:
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup cold unsalted butter
- 3–4 tablespoons ice water
For the Filling:
- 1 cup light corn syrup
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 3 large eggs
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 cups halved pecans
Instructions
Step 1: Make the Pie Crust
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
- Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or fork until the mixture forms coarse crumbs.
- Add ice water a tablespoon at a time, mixing gently until the dough comes together into a ball. Avoid overworking the dough to keep it flaky.
- Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes before rolling it out.
Step 2: Prepare the Filling
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the corn syrup, brown sugar, salt, and vanilla extract.
- Add the eggs and mix until smooth. Then, whisk in the melted butter until the filling is fully combined.
- Fold in pecan halves, ensuring every bite of filling will have plenty of crunchy pecans.
Step 3: Assemble the Pie
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Roll out the chilled dough on a floured surface and transfer it to a 9–10-inch pie dish. Trim off any excess crust and pinch the edges for a decorative finish.
- Pour the prepared pecan filling into the crust. Use a spoon to evenly distribute the pecans for a prettier presentation.
Step 4: Bake the Pie
- Carefully place the pie in the preheated oven and bake for 50–60 minutes.
- The pie should puff up slightly during baking and the filling should be mostly set in the center, with just a slight jiggle.
- If the crust edges brown too quickly, cover them with aluminum foil or a pie crust shield about halfway through baking.
Step 5: Cool and Serve
- Allow the pie to cool completely—this step is essential for the filling to set properly and achieve the iconic Sam’s Club texture!
- Slice and serve at room temperature or warm slightly in the oven before enjoying. Pair with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for the perfect dessert experience.
