Pecan Pie

Pecan Pie Recipe: Classic and Delicious

This pecan pie is a traditional dessert that combines a crispy base and a sweet filling, perfect for ending any meal with a special touch. So, if you're looking to prepare a homemade, simple dessert that everyone will love, this recipe is ideal for you. The combination of pecans and corn syrup gives it an unmistakable flavor that invites you to repeat.

Preparation time

This recipe adapts well to any time you have enough time to enjoy cooking and a good dessert.

• Preparation: 30 minutes
• Cooking: 45 minutes
• Total: 75 minutes
• Servings: 8 servings
• Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

For the dough

• 1 cup of flour
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 pinches of salt
• 1/2 stick of butter, cut into small pieces
• 3 tablespoons water

For the filling

• 4 eggs
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 6 tablespoons liquid butter
• 2 tablespoons rum
• 1 cup corn syrup
• 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups pecans, halved and in pieces

If you can't find corn syrup, you can replace it with maple syrup or natural honey, although the pie's texture and flavor will be slightly different. The butter must be of good quality to ensure an optimal flavor in the dough. If you don't have butter, margarine can be a substitute, although it slightly changes the texture and aroma.

Utensils we will use

• Mixing bowl
• Rolling pin to flatten the dough
• Kneading and cutting board
• Pie dish (can be removable or fixed base)
• Refrigerator
• Manual or electric whisk
• Standard home oven

Preparation

1. Prepare the dough

1. Mix dry ingredients. In a bowl, place the flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder. Mix with a spoon so they are well integrated.
2. Add butter. Add the butter cut into small pieces. Work with your hands until you get a sandy texture, similar to fine breadcrumbs. This helps the dough become crispy later.
3. Incorporate the water. Gradually add the 3 tablespoons of cold water to bind the dough. Knead lightly until it forms a ball without being sticky.
4. Roll out the dough. With a rolling pin, roll out the dough on a floured board, ensuring it has a uniform thickness. Place it in the mold, making sure it covers the base and sides well.
5. Decorate edges. Along the edges, use your fingers to make small waves or press with a fork to give it a decorative touch and prevent the dough from shrinking during baking.
6. Rest. Take the mold with dough to the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes so that the butter cools well and the gluten relaxes, which will prevent the dough from shrinking when baked.

This cold resting technique is key to achieving a firm and crispy base, just like in professional preparations. If you wish, you can use this time to prepare the filling.

2. Prepare the filling

1. Beat liquid ingredients. In another bowl, add the eggs, sugar, melted butter, rum, corn syrup, and vanilla extract. Beat well until you get a homogeneous and somewhat thick mixture.
2. Add walnuts. Incorporate the walnuts, broken into halves and pieces, into the mixture. Stir carefully to distribute evenly but without breaking the walnuts too much.
3. Pour into the base. Take the base out of the refrigerator and pour the filling inside, making sure it is well leveled and distributed.
4. Decorate with walnuts. You can place some whole walnuts or halves on top for an aesthetic and appetizing finish.

3. Bake the pecan pie

1. Preheat oven. Set the oven to heat to 180°C so it's ready when you put the pie in.
2. Baking. Place the mold in the oven and bake for 45 minutes, or until the surface is golden and the filling is firm to the touch.
3. Check doneness. To know if it's ready, insert a toothpick into the center; it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.

To finish and serve

Let the pie cool to room temperature before unmolding to prevent it from breaking. You can leave it in the refrigerator to firm up its texture more if desired. Serve in individual portions and accompany it with a cup of American coffee from recognized brands such as Santa Clara or a hot tea from La Costeña. It is also common to enjoy it at family celebrations or pleasant gatherings.

I want to share these tips with you

• Firm dough: Do not overwork the dough to prevent it from becoming tough after baking.
• Fresh nuts: Use fresh nuts, not rancid ones, for optimal flavor and crispy texture.
• Mandatory rest: Resting in the refrigerator is key to prevent the dough from shrinking.
• Healthy substitutions: You can use brown sugar for a deeper flavor, but adjust the amount to avoid over-sweetening.
• Baking control: Monitor the time and color, as each oven works differently; the pie should not burn but should brown well.

Nutritional information per serving

• Calories: 310 kcal
• Protein: 4 g
• Fats: 18 g
• Carbohydrates: 42 g
• Fiber: 3 g

Values are approximate and correspond to one serving of pie (approx. 70 grams). It is recommended to consume in moderation to take advantage of the nutrients without exceeding calories.

5 keys to make it perfect

• Cold butter: Using cold, cut butter makes the dough crispier.
• Measure ingredients well: Flour and sugar must be measured precisely to balance texture and flavor.
• Avoid excess liquid: Just the right amount of water to form the dough without it becoming sticky.
• Uniform beating: For the filling, it's important to beat all ingredients well to integrate the flavors.
• Rest before baking: The dough must rest in the cold so that it doesn't shrink.

When is it ideal to enjoy it?

This pecan pie is perfect for family celebrations and gatherings during autumn and winter, when the weather calls for warm and comforting flavors. It is also ideal to accompany a late breakfast with coffee or as a dessert after a special meal. The pie's texture and flavor make it a delight that should not be missing on dates like Christmas or Thanksgiving.

Comparison table between Pecan Pie and similar desserts

Video instructions for preparing pecan pie

This video shows a step-by-step visual guide similar to ours so you can follow with confidence and have no doubts about textures or timings.

Another video recipe with homemade tricks that facilitate the process and explain important details on how to obtain a creamy and crispy filling.

Share your experience with pecan pie

Cooking is for experimenting and sharing. If you have prepared this recipe, tell us how it turned out, what variations you tried, or if you found any trick to improve it. Your opinion and advice can help more people enjoy this delight! Remember that we can adapt classic recipes to make them more personal or suitable for our tastes.

Culinary glossary

• Rolling pin: Cylindrical utensil for rolling out dough.
• Sandy dough: Granular texture obtained by mixing butter and flour before adding liquids.
• Rest: Let the dough rest to develop gluten and achieve better texture.
• Baking powder: Chemical leavening agent that helps preparations rise.
• Whisk: Instrument for mixing ingredients and aerating mixtures.