Upside Down Apple Pecan Pie is the perfect dessert for someone who loves homemade desserts but doesn't have time to make them from scratch. A frozen apple pie is a base for this decadent and delicious sweet treat.
WHAT KIND OF FROZEN PIE IS USED?
This simple recipe calls for a whole frozen apple pie.
There are many different brands and options. I advise getting one with a flaky crust that does not have a crumbly topping on it.
Making an apple pie from scratch is amazing but very time-consuming. Using a frozen pie reduces the time spent in the kitchen tremendously.
ONLY FOUR INGREDIENTS
The Upside Down Apple Pecan Pie only uses four ingredients. I love recipes with 5 or fewer ingredients!
- Frozen apple pie
- Butter
- Light brown sugar
- Chopped pecans
HOW TO MAKE AN UPSIDE DOWN APPLE PECAN PIE
This is a very easy dessert to make, but it is important to follow the directions. There is a little trick involved in getting the gooey caramel layer “upside-down”.
STEP ONE: MAKE CARAMEL PECAN MIXTURE
Start off by preheating the oven to 400°F.
Now place the butter into a microwavable bowl. Microwave the butter for 30 seconds to 1 minute or until it is melted.
Stir in the pecans and brown sugar until well-combined.
STEP TWO: LAYER INGREDIENTS
Take the frozen pie out of the freezer and out of the box it came in.
Lay a sheet of wax paper down on the counter. Remove the pie from the pie pan it came in and sit it on the wax paper.
I like to use a deep-dish pie pan for this recipe. If you do not have one it is fine to use the pie pan the pie came in, but it may be messier.
Spray the deep-dish pie pan with nonstick cooking spray. Place a sheet of parchment paper over the pie pan and spray the top of the parchment paper with nonstick cooking spray.
Spread the butter pecan mixture in the bottom of the pie pan (on top of the parchment paper).
Place the frozen pie directly on top of the pecan mixture.
STEP THREE: BAKE
Bake the pie at 400°F according to the frozen pie package directions. Usually frozen pies bake around 60 minutes or so. Bake until the pie is golden brown on top and cooked through.
I recommend putting a cookie sheet under the pie pan while it is baking. The caramel sauce could bubble up the sides of the pie during the bake time causing a mess in the oven.
STEP FOUR: COOL AND FLIP
When the pie is done cooking, remove it from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes.
There may be some liquid bubbling up around the sides…no worries. This is just the pecan caramel topping.
Place a cake plate or platter over the pie firmly and flip it over. The pie is upside down on the platter. Gently remove the parchment paper and allow the pie to finish cooling before you cut into it.
This is wonderful served with whipped topping or ice cream.
UPSIDE DOWN APPLE PECAN PIE RECIPE
You can print off the complete ingredients and instructions for this amazing Upside Down Apple Pecan Pie via the recipe card below.
If you make this recipe and love it…please leave me a 5 Star Rating and PIN it for later! I would really appreciate it!

Upside Down Apple Pecan Pie is quick and easy. This recipe has a shortcut that will save you a ton of time!
- 1 frozen apple pie
- 4 Tablespoons melted butter
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
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Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F.
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First you will melt your 4 Tablespoons of butter in a small bowl.
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Next combine the brown sugar and pecans into the bowl with the melted butter and stir to combine the ingredients.
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Now take the frozen apple pie out of the freezer and out of the box. Lay a piece of wax paper down on the counter and take your pie out of the pie pan it is in and sit the pie on the wax paper. You can use the pie pan the pie came in, but if you have a deep dish pie pan it will work a little better.
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Take your deep dish pie pan (or regular pie pan) and spray with nonstick cooking spray. Now place a piece of parchment paper over the pie pan and spray the parchment paper with nonstick cooking spray also. Cut the paper down or just let the extra hang out…it doesn't matter!
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Now you will spread the pecan mixture in the bottom of the pie pan (on top of the parchment paper) evenly.
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Place the frozen pie on top of the pecan mixture.
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Bake the pie at 400 degrees F according to the package directions. You want the pie to be golden brown on top.
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Placing a cookie sheet under your pie pan while it is baking will catch any ooey gooey goodness that may leak out!
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When the pie is done cooking, remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes. Don't be surprised by a lot of "liquid" bubbling up around the sides of the pie. This is just the butter and brown sugar mixture. The 5 minutes the pie is cooling allows for this mixture to start to harden and forms that delicious gooey yumminess!
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Place a cake plate or platter over the pie firmly and flip it over so that the pie is upside down on your cake plate. Remove the pie pan gently and then carefully remove the parchment paper. Allow to cool before cutting.
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This is great served with a side of ice cream!
If you make this recipe and love it…please leave me a 5 Star Rating and PIN it for later! I would really appreciate it!
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I can’t believe I can make this amazing looking dessert with just 4 ingredients! Perfect recipe for those times you need to whip up a dessert for a bake sale or impromptu dinner guests.
I agree Corinne!
I love Mrs Smith pie’s and never thought about creating this recipe. I love how I easy it is to make so I will be making this recipe soon.
Thanks Joyce…hope you like it!
I never would have thought to do this. Such a great idea using one of these awesome pies to make a new creation!
[client]
Thanks Stace!
If someone presented that to me, I never would have guessed you made it with from a boxed pie! Oh my! That looks just divine!
I love being able to use shortcuts that no one notices!!
I have never seen an upside down pie before, what an amazing idea! I don’t know if we have this brand in Canada but I’m going to check for it! I can’t resist pie!
Thanks Shaylee…I think you will love it!
Every single ingredient is one my husband would go crazy for. Plus it is so darn simple to make. Great idea!
Hope he likes it!!
Seriously just 4 ingredients and an upside down apple pecan pie to die for Yummmm! Pinning for my own pleasure!
Julie Syl Kalungi
Thanks Julie!
Yummy pie or upside-down my favorite desserts and then paired with ice cream wow =)
I agree..ice cream pairs with so many things!
WAIT A SECOND! Is Thanksgiving coming up!!?? 😉
What a easy and delicious recipe! thanks for sharing
Thanks for stopping by Agnes
I never had a pie like this before. It’s really very interesting and it sounds so good and decadent! I love the combination of an apple and pecan pie!
It is a great combo!
Thanks Nicole!