Walnut Pie

Indulge your sweet tooth with a scrumptious Walnut Pie, a delightful twist on the classic pecan pie! Enjoy the heavenly combination of a buttery, flaky crust with a gooey, caramel-like filling studded with crunchy walnuts. This showstopping dessert is perfect for holidays, special occasions, or just because.

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What Makes Walnut Pie a Wonderful Change From Pecan Pie 

Pecan pie has been a staple of authentic Southern cooking for decades. And if you count yourself among the folks charmed by a good pecan pie, there is another lesser-known pie you really must try: Walnut Pie.

Although people will forgive you for mixing up the two in a blind taste test, there are some subtle differences. Most noticeably, a walnut pie lacks the slight bitterness you can sometimes get from a pecan pie. But the tradeoff is that you won't get the same nuttiness that pecans impart to the pie. So, why not try baking this pie, and see which one you prefer?

Why You Should Try This Walnut Pie Recipe 

There aren't many differences when you compare walnut pie vs pecan pie recipes, but the one thing that stands out is the cost. Walnuts are much cheaper than pecans. And if you are into saving money, this version of the recipe for walnut pie is the way to go!

While other recipes call for expensive ingredients like heavy cream and real maple syrup, this version not only opts for ingredients that cost less but those that impart a more traditional taste to the dish.

Old Fashioned Walnut Pie Ingredients

For this recipe for Walnut Pie, you'll need:

• Eggs
• White sugar
• Salt
• Vanilla
• All-purpose flour
• Dark corn syrup
• Unsalted butter
• 9-inch unbaked pastry pie shell
• Unsalted walnuts

Ingredient Notes

You can use a premade pie shell or make one yourself. 

Don't bother shelling out extra money for unbroken walnut halves to make this pie. Broken pieces work just as well and cost less.

How to Make Old Fashioned Walnut Pie

To prepare the filling for the pie:

1. Put the eggs, sugar, salt, and vanilla into a large mixing bowl. 
2. Whisk the ingredients until the sugar dissolves. 
3. Melt the butter in the microwave and add it to the mixing bowl with the flour and dark corn syrup. 
4. Stir the pie filling with a rubber spatula until you can't see any specks of dry flour. 

To cook the pie:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
2. Place the prepared pie shell into a pie tin and pour the filling into it. 
3. Tap the pie tin gently on the counter to eliminate air pockets and create a neat flat top.
4. Arrange a layer of walnuts on top of the filling.
5. Bake on the middle rack of the oven for 15 minutes. Lower the heat to 350°F for 25 to 35 minutes. The pie is done when there is a slight jiggle when you shake it. Don't overcook the pie in the oven because it will continue to set as it cools. 
6. Cool the walnut pie on a wire rack.

What to Serve It With This Walnut Pie Recipe

There are lots of ways to make a slice of this pie extra special. Here are a few suggestions:

• Fresh whipped cream (preferably homemade) makes a light and creamy addition.
• A scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream is the ideal foil for the salty crunch of the nuts and crust. 
• Cream Cheese Fruit Dip adds a touch of tang to the old-fashioned Walnut Pie. 

How to Store Extra Walnut Pie

Since the recipe for Walnut Pie contains eggs, the USDA suggests that you refrigerate it if you are not planning on serving it within a few hours after baking. But, it is critical to store the pie correctly, or you can wind up with a soggy mess. 

1. Allow the pie to cool completely on a wire rack. 
2. Loosely wrap the pie in plastic, or better yet, put it in a specially-made pie container. 
3. The pie should be good for 3 to 4 days.

For more extended storage, you can freeze it for up to a month:

1. Pre-slicing the cooled pie will allow you only to thaw what you want to eat. You can then freeze each slice individually or all together. 
2. If you are freezing the entire pie, keep it in the pie tin; otherwise, place the pieces on a small freezer-safe dish or use cake bases to make wrapping easier. 
3. Cover the pie with two layers of plastic wrap and one layer of aluminum foil. Label and put in the freezer. 

What's the Best Way to Reheat Walnut Pie

Thaw a frozen pie in the fridge overnight. Since Walnut Pie is much more flavorful at room temperature, try to plan ahead and remove it from the fridge about an hour before eating.