What nut is the key ingredient in pecan pie?

The key ingredient in pecan pie is pecans. The classic dessert combines pecan nuts with a rich filling made from eggs, butter, and sugar—often corn syrup, though cane syrup, molasses, maple syrup, or honey may also be used.

Pecan pie is strongly associated with the Southern United States, where pecan trees are native and the nut became an important regional crop. The pie is especially common at Thanksgiving and Christmas, often served with whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, or hard sauce.

A common mix-up is confusing pecan pie with walnut pie or chess pie. Those desserts can have similar sweet, custard-like fillings, but pecans define the traditional version. Texas designated pecan pie its official state pie in 2013, reflecting the nut’s importance in Southern food culture.