Embrace the flavors of the holiday season with this classic pecan pie, featuring a buttery homemade crust and a rich, nutty filling.
Ingredients:
For the Pie Dough:
- 1 ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- ⅓ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- ½ cup cold butter, cubed
- 3-4 tablespoons ice water
For the Pie Filling:
- 3 large eggs
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar (light or dark)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 0.35 cup butter, melted and cooled
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 2 cups pecans, chopped and some left whole for decoration
Instructions:
- Prepare Pie Dough:
- Pulse flour, sugar, and salt in a food processor. Add the cold butter, pulsing until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Gradually add ice water, pulsing until dough just comes together. Form into a disk, wrap, and chill for an hour.
- Roll and Blind-Bake:
- Roll out the chilled dough on a floured surface to fit a 9-inch pie dish. Trim and crimp the edges. Chill in the freezer for 20 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Line the pie crust with parchment and pie weights. Bake for 20 minutes, then remove weights and parchment.
- Pie Filling:
- Whisk together eggs, both sugars, vanilla, and salt. Add melted butter and flour, stirring until smooth.
- Spread chopped pecans in the pie crust and pour the filling over the top. Arrange whole pecans on the surface.
- Bake:
- Place pie in the lower third of the oven and bake for 40-42 minutes until the filling is set.
- Cool:
- Let the pie cool to room temperature, then refrigerate to set completely before serving.
Notes:
- Cold butter is crucial for a flaky crust; keep it chilled until use.
- Handle the dough minimally to prevent toughness.
- Spoon and level the flour when measuring to avoid a dense crust.
- Chill the unbaked crust to prevent over-browning.
- Baking the pie on the lower oven rack ensures the filling cooks evenly without over-browning the crust.
- Cooling the pie thoroughly allows the filling to firm up for perfect slices.
This pecan pie is a holiday staple, with its flaky crust and sweet, nut-filled filling. It’s a dessert that's sure to please a crowd and become a festive favorite.
