A decadent fusion of two classic confections, this pie marries the velvety richness of a traditional cheesecake with the caramelized crunch of pecan pie. Encased in a golden, flaky shell, each slice offers layers of creamy, nutty indulgence—ideal for festive gatherings or as a centerpiece for any celebration.
1standard 9-inch pastry shellunbaked (store-bought or homemade variety)
Cheesecake Filling:
8ouncesfull-fat cream cheesebrought to room temperature
1large egg
½cupwhite granulated sugar
½teaspoonpure vanilla essence
Nut-Caramel Topping:
1¼cupspecansroughly chopped (toasting optional for enhanced flavor)
½cupcorn syruplight variety
3whole eggs
½teaspoonfine sea salt
1teaspoonvanilla extract
½cupfirmly packed light brown sugar
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9-inch pie plate with the pastry dough, pressing gently into the edges. Flute or crimp the perimeter as desired. Set aside.
In a mixing bowl, blend the softened cream cheese and granulated sugar until completely smooth and lump-free. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until fully incorporated and creamy. Pour this mixture evenly into the pie shell, smoothing the surface.
In a separate bowl, vigorously whisk the eggs, corn syrup, brown sugar, salt, and vanilla until the mixture is homogenous and glossy. Fold in the chopped pecans until evenly distributed.
Gently spoon the pecan mixture over the cheesecake layer, distributing it gradually to prevent disrupting the base layer.
Place the pie on a rimmed baking tray to catch any overflow. Bake for 50 to 55 minutes, or until the center is firm to the touch and the surface has developed a golden hue. If the crust edges begin to over-brown, tent with aluminum foil.
Allow the baked pie to cool on a wire rack until it reaches room temperature. Then, transfer to the refrigerator and chill for a minimum of 4 hours or preferably overnight to achieve clean slices and optimal texture.
Notes
For deeper flavor, consider lightly toasting the pecans before incorporating them. The pie is best served thoroughly chilled for neat slices and layered presentation.