This is my absolute most favorite pie of all time! This Oatmeal Pecan Pie is the much better version of plain old pecan pie. 

I love Thanksgiving, but really, I do it for the pie.

I find that there are very few occasions in a year that call for pie, and no other occasion that calls for a Pecan Pie. Seven years ago, after I discovered the delicious joy of this Oatmeal Pecan Pie and declared it my absolute favorite pie of all time, Thanksgiving also moved up the holiday ranks to my number 1 spot (tied only with Christmas and the Fourth of July, because Christmas music and fireworks).

I spend most of November, and sometimes a good portion of October, thinking about this pie. Seriously, I live for this pie in November. It's my FAVORITE.

In college I spent my first Thanksgiving away from home with a boyfriend's family for the holiday weekend. All was going swimmingly until preparations for the holiday dinner began and I saw the pies on the counter. There was pumpkin, and apple, and pecan - all my favorite Thanksgiving pies. But I was instantly homesick when I saw that they were wrapped in plastic with labels indicating they'd been purchased from Costco. That would never have happened at home. We'd outsource the turkey before we'd forgo homemade pies and the perfect flaky, buttery crust that store bought pies just never, ever get right.

I muddled through that holiday somehow, painfully aware of how much I missed my own family and our pies. The next year when I once again skipped the cross country flight for a Thanksgiving with friends, I brought my own pies.

Yes, it's a holiday about gratitude and I always do my best to contemplate my many, many blessings . . . as long as one of them is homemade pie. 

So, let's talk pie. Better yet, let's talk Oatmeal Pecan Pie.

If you think you don't like Pecan Pie, you might like this one. My mother always said she didn't like pecan pie, until I started bringing this one for the holiday dinner and I notice she always has a slice or two. The oatmeal adds more texture, balances the sticky sweetness. It's not just a pie that tastes like sugar, which is sometimes the complaint I hear from Pecan Pie haters - this one is more robust. Give it a try. If you already like Pecan Pie, you're probably going to love this Oatmeal Pecan Pie.

Traditionally, Pecan Pie is made with corn syrup. I know corn syrup has been blacklisted in the foodie world and I am fine with that. Still, I really don't think it's a big deal to put it in a Pecan Pie once a year, you know? But, there is also an alternative to the corn syrup that actually adds a rich, nuttier flavor than the flavorless sweet taste of corn syrup - Golden Syrup. If you can find it, use it instead. If you can't, corn syrup is just fine.  (I have had luck finding Lyle's Golden Syrup at World Market/Cost Plus, if you have one near you.)

And one last note on the pie crust: I really like the pie crust, almost more than whatever is in the middle. I highly recommend making your own pie crust - I normally use Katie's All Butter Pie Crust recipe and it works like a flaky, buttery charm every time.

Now, let's eat pie already!

Oatmeal Pecan Pie

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You can make this a day or two ahead of time, just keep it in the fridge.

Ingredients

• dough for a 9 inch pie plate (see notes above on pie crust)
• 1 cup packed dark brown sugar
• 1 cup light corn syrup (or golden syrup - see notes above)
• ¾ cup rolled oats
• 1 cup chopped pecans, lightly toasted
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 2 large egg whites, lightly beaten

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Roll dough into an 11-inch circle and put it into a 9 inch pie plate - flute the edges.
3. Combine the remaining ingredients in a large bowl, stirring well to combine. Pour into the prepared crust. Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 50 minutes, until center is set - if you jiggle the pie plate the filling will still move slightly, but only slightly and the top will be firm to touch. Cool completely before cutting.

Notes

Adapted from Cooking Light 2006

More Thanksgiving Desserts: 

Apple Slab Pie

Spiced Pear Cake with Caramel Glaze

Pumpkin Pie Bars

Cinnamon Apple Blondies with Caramel Sauce

Pumpkin Magic Custard Cake with Salted Caramel Sauce