Description
This Pecan Pie Dip is a creamy, sweet, and nutty dessert dip featuring a smooth cream cheese base topped with a warm, gooey pecan topping reminiscent of classic pecan pie flavors. Perfect for serving with apple slices, pretzels, or cookies, it’s a crowd-pleasing treat ideal for parties and gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Base:
- 8 ounces cream cheese (227g), softened
- 4 ounces Cool Whip (113g), thawed
- 1 cup powdered sugar (120g)
- 1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste or extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Pecan Topping:
- 1 cup chopped pecans (120g), see notes
- ⅓ cup light corn syrup (107g)
- 3 tablespoons salted butter (42g)
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Prepare the Cream Cheese Base: In a medium bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, thawed Cool Whip, powdered sugar, vanilla bean paste, and salt until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Chill the Base: Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly in a pie dish. Cover and refrigerate it while you prepare the pecan topping, or refrigerate for up to one day ahead.
- Make the Pecan Topping: In a medium saucepan, combine the chopped pecans, light corn syrup, salted butter, egg, vanilla extract, and salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring continuously, until the mixture begins to boil in the center.
- Simmer the Topping: Continue to slow boil the mixture for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring constantly. You will notice the mixture change from dark to pale and back to dark again, indicating it is properly cooked.
- Cool and Assemble: Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow the pecan topping to cool in the pot for 10 minutes. Then, pour the topping evenly over the chilled cream cheese base.
- Serve: Enjoy immediately, serving the dip with fresh apple slices, pretzels, cookies, or your favorite dippables.
Notes
- Smaller pecan pieces work best for this dip to ensure a good texture; options like Trader Joe’s Chopped Pecans or a mix of Fisher Nuts Chopped Pecans and Pecan Chips are recommended.
- For a gooier and less chunky topping, reduce the amount of pecans by half.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 60mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
