Homemade pecan pie is a classic Southern dessert known for its rich, gooey filling and toasted pecans. Here’s a basic recipe to make a delicious pecan pie from scratch:
Ingredients:
For the Pie Crust:
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cubed
- 3-4 tablespoons ice water
For the Pecan Filling:
- 1 1/2 cups pecan halves
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup light corn syrup
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions:
For the Pie Crust:
- Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, and granulated sugar. Add the cold, cubed butter.
- Cut the Butter: Use a pastry cutter or fork to cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add Ice Water: Gradually add ice water, one tablespoon at a time, while gently mixing the dough. Stop adding water when the dough begins to come together.
- Form a Disk: Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and shape it into a disk. Wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- Roll Out the Crust: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll out the chilled dough on a floured surface to fit a 9-inch pie pan. Place the rolled-out dough in the pie pan, crimp the edges, and set it aside.
For the Pecan Filling:
- Prepare the Pecans: Arrange the pecan halves on the bottom of the prepared pie crust.
- Whisk the Filling: In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, corn syrup, granulated sugar, brown sugar, melted butter, vanilla extract, and salt until well combined.
- Pour the Filling: Carefully pour the mixture over the pecans in the pie crust.
- Bake: Bake the pie in the preheated oven for about 50-60 minutes, or until the filling is set, and the pie has a slight jiggle in the center.
- Cool: Allow the pecan pie to cool completely on a wire rack before serving.
Homemade pecan pie is a delightful treat, especially during the holidays. You can serve it with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra touch of sweetness. Enjoy!