July 12 is National Pecan Pie Day. Time to enjoy the homemade version of this classic dessert. Get together the ingredients for the pie that never goes out of style. But how do you make a pecan pie that is perfectly sweet, nutty, and gooey? Here are some tips and tricks to help you.
How to bake the best pecan pie ever
The quality of your ingredients will affect the taste and texture of your pecan pie. Here are some things to consider:
- Use large eggs, not extra large or medium. Large eggs will give you the right amount of custard filling for your pie.
- Use light corn syrup, not dark. Light corn syrup will give you a clear and smooth filling, while dark corn syrup will make it darker and more bitter.
- Use unsalted butter, not salted. Salted butter will make your pie too salty, especially if you are using salted pecans.
- Use fresh and unroasted pecans, not stale or roasted. Fresh and unroasted pecans will have a plump and uniform appearance, and a better flavor and crunch.
Toast Your Pecans
Toasting your pecans in butter before adding them to your pie will enhance their flavor and texture. To toast your pecans, melt some butter in a skillet over medium heat and add your pecans. Stir them occasionally until they are lightly browned and fragrant, about 10 minutes. Be careful not to burn them, as this will ruin your pie and spoil the results you wanted on National Pecan Pie
Arrange Your Pecans
There are different ways to arrange your pecans in your pie dish, depending on how you want your pie to look. One method is to evenly distribute the pecans throughout the pie dish, making sure that they are all touching the filling. This will ensure that each bite of the pie has a pecan in it. Another method is to create a pecan border around the edge of the pie. This is done by placing the pecans in a single layer around the edge of the dish, with the pointed ends facing out. This method is often used for decorative purposes, as it creates a beautiful border.
Bake Your Pie
Bake your pie in a preheated oven at 350°F for 50 to 55 minutes, or until the filling is set and the crust is golden. The filling will continue to cook and thicken as it cools, so don’t worry if it looks a bit jiggly when you take it out of the oven. Let your pie cool completely before slicing it, as this will help it hold its shape better.
Classic Whipped Cream Topping
Top off the pie with homemade whipped cream. The basic recipe calls for only three ingredients: cold heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla extract. You need to whip the cream on medium-high speed with an electric mixer until it forms soft, medium, or stiff peaks, depending on your preference. Garnish with your choice of nuts, chocolate shavings, cinnamon, or whatever suits your fancy.
Cinnamon Pecan Pie Topping
As an alternative try this is a simple and easy topping that adds a warm spice and crunch to your pie. You just need to toast some pecans in butter, then add brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, nutmeg, corn syrup, water, vanilla extract and rum flavor. You can serve it at room temperature over your pie.
Enjoy Your Pie
Serve your pecan pie at room temperature or slightly warm, with some whipped cream or vanilla ice cream if you like. You can also drizzle some caramel sauce or chocolate sauce over it for extra decadence. Treat your family and friends with this homemade pecan pie on National Pecan Pie Day.
