This Pecan Cream Cheese Pie begins with a flaky crust filled with a cheesecake-like center and topped with toasted pecans, coconut, chocolate, and caramel sauce. It’s what winning at dessert looks like.
Alright, friends, we’re officially in the Thanksgiving red zone. This is it. The turkey is thawing. The rolls are waiting patiently in the freezer. And maybe you’re so on top of things, you’ve even got your mashed potatoes whipped up and waiting for their last butter bath in the oven.
What’s left? The PIE.
What’s your favorite Thanksgiving pie? Obviously pumpkin is a classic, but it’s never been on my top 10 list. I’d choose a pumpkin pinwheel over pumpkin pie any day. Apple pie has always been underwhelmingin my book, though that won’t stop me from eating a fat slice of it with a scoop of ice cream.
Custard pie is our Thanksgiving standard, and while it definitely makes my favorites list, this year I was craving something a little different. I’m a fan of the brown sugary, crunchy pecan pie, but there are enough recipes for that floating around the inter webs. Instead, I thought I’d go with something a little less pie-ish and a little more cheesecake-ish. I hope you can forgive me.
Here’s the deal. Underneath that layer of toasty pecans and coconut lies an impossibly creamy mixture of cream cheese, powdered sugar, butter, and Cool Whip. That’s right. A little lighter and fluffier than cheesecake, this filling still has that delightfully sweet tang we know and love.
And of course, the goodies don’t end there. A cream cheese pecan pie is just begging for some chocolate and caramel sauce. A generous drizzle of both completes this dessert trifecta- Pie + Cheesecake + Turtles. Awwwww, yeah.
If you’re worried about fitting this pie in to your already-packed Thanksgiving day plans, FEAR NOT! You can whip this up the day before and store it in the fridge overnight. All you’ll have to do on the big day is gracefully whisk the pie to the table, just as everyone is unbuttoning their pants and pretending they simply couldn’t eat another bit. Don’t worry, they’re faking. They’re totally going to eat pie. No one can resist the allure of the Coconut Pecan Cheesecake Turtle Pie. No one I tell you!
Friends, I hope you all have a joyful Thanksgiving with the ones you love. And remember, at the end of the day, what’s most important isn’t the moisture level of your turkey, the loftiness of your mashed potatoes, or the strange color of Aunt Sue’s cranberry sauce. What’s most important is the faces gathered around the table. Take some time to give thanks, enjoy each other, and make memories with your family. I know that’s what I’ll be doing. Happy Thanksgiving!
Join Our Community
Sign up for the NeighborFood email community to get recipes in your inbox ad free and access exclusive content from us! You can also follow us on Instagram and Pinterest. Made our recipe? Leave us a star rating or comment below!
Coconut Pecan Turtle Cream Cheese Pie
Ingredients
- 1 9-inch pie shell
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 8 ounces cream cheese (at room temperature)
- 1/4 cup melted butter
- 8 ounces Cool Whip (thawed)
- 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- Caramel sauce for drizzling
- Chocolate sauce for drizzling
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Place a piece of parchment paper in the pie shell, pressing it against the bottom and sides. Fill the parchment shell with beans or rice, then place it in the oven for 12-15 minutes, or just until the edges start to get a bit golden. Remove the pie from the oven, then carefully lift the parchment and weights out of the pie and throw them away. Return the crust to the oven and bake an additional 5-8 minutes or until the crust is golden all over. Remove from the oven and allow to cool.
- In the meantime, spread the coconut and pecans on a baking sheet and toast in the oven for 4-6 minutes, stirring once, or until golden and fragrant. Remove from the oven and set aside.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the powder sugar, cream cheese, and melted butter. Beat on high speed until light and fluffy, about 5-7 minutes, scraping the sides as needed. Stir in Cool Whip.
- Spread the Cool Whip mixture evenly into the cooled pie shell. Top with coconut and pecans then drizzle with warmed caramel and chocolate sauce. Refrigerate for at least two hours or overnight before serving.
Notes
- Feel free to use your favorite pie crust recipe or pick up ready-made at the store.
Nutrition
Did you make this recipe?
Leave a review, Mention @NeighborFoodie, or tag #neighborfoodies!
Recipe adapted from The Family Treasures Cookbook Vol 2
Leave a Reply