Dolly Parton’s Stress-Free Walnut Pie Recipe Is Perfect for Your Holiday Spread

Dolly Parton may be a country music legend and an award-winning actor, but she’s also a superstar in the kitchen. And in her cookbook, Dolly’s Dixie Fixin’s, the Tennessee-native shared one of her favorite holiday dessert recipes. So, if you’re looking for a stress-free dessert to make for your holiday spread, here’s the recipe for Parton’s delicious walnut pie.

Dolly Parton’s cookbook was inspired by her family

Parton grew up with 11 siblings in a cabin in rural Tennessee. And her late mother, Avie Lee Parton, would often make simple yet hearty southern-style dishes to feed the family. When Parton created her cookbook, Dolly’s Dixie Fixin’s, she incorporated many of her mother’s recipes. 

“I still like to try new foods as often as I can,” Parton said when her book was published. “But when it comes to cooking for myself and my husband, Carl, and my great big extended family, which numbers into the multiple hundreds these days, what we really want to eat is what comforts us most: good, hearty food rooted in mama’s cooking and those country gatherings of my childhood.”

“It’s the food from those Mom and Pop joints that welcome you in as if you’re family,” she added. “We really just want food that is lovingly made and joyfully served up. Around here, that’s what we call Dixie Fixin’s.”

Walnut pie is one of her holiday staples

In Dolly’s Dixie Fixin’s, Parton shares the recipe to her mom’s famous walnut pie. She also shared the recipe on social media and revealed how often it is served at her holiday table.

“If y’all are looking for a special dessert for your table, here’s one that’s always on my table at Thanksgiving and Christmas!” Parton tweeted.

Here’s how to make Dolly Parton’s walnut pie

The best thing about Parton’s walnut pie recipe is that it is simple and stress-free. It requires only eight ingredients, including store-bought pie crust, making it a breeze to put together. 

Here’s what you’ll need:

• 3 eggs
• 3/4 cup of sugar
• 3/4 cup light corn syrup
• 1 1/2 cups of finely chopped walnuts
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 4 tablespoons butter, melted
• 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• whipped cream

With all the ingredients on hand, the first step is to preheat the oven to 400°F.

Then line a 9-inch pie pan with the thawed pie crust.

For the filling, beat the eggs in a large bowl with a hand mixer. Then add in the corn syrup, sugar, salt, and vanilla extract until fully combined. Finally, add in the melted butter and mix. 

Once mixed, pour the filling mixture into the crust-lined pie pan. Top with walnuts, spreading evenly to make a beautiful top layer. 

Bake the walnut pie for 10 minutes at 400°F. Then turn the heat down to 300°F and bake for another 45 minutes. 

To ensure the crust doesn’t brown too much, cover it with a foil collar 30 minutes into cooking. 

When done, serve with a dollop of whipped cream and enjoy.