Southern Delight Pecan Pie 🥧🌰

This Pecan Pie recipe is a sweet southern classic that will make your taste buds dance! With its crunchy, nutty topping and a sweet, gooey filling, it's the perfect dessert to impress at your next gathering or simply to indulge yourself. Pair it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream, and you've got a match made in dessert heaven! 🍦💖

Ingredients

For the crust

• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 1/4 cup ice water

For the filling

• 1 cup light corn syrup
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups pecan halves

Instructions

Make the crust

1. In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, and sugar.
2. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
3. Gradually add the ice water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing until the dough just begins to come together.
4. Shape the dough into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

🥄 Chilling the dough helps it to relax, preventing it from shrinking during baking.

5. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
6. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to fit a 9-inch pie pan. Place it in the pan, trim the excess, and prick the bottom with a fork to prevent bubbling.

Prepare the filling

7. In a large bowl, whisk together the corn syrup, brown sugar, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla until smooth.
8. Stir in the pecan halves, ensuring they are evenly coated with the mixture.

🍂 For a touch of warmth, consider adding a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the filling!

9. Pour the filling into the prepared pie crust and spread it evenly.

Bake the pie

10. Bake in the preheated oven for about 60-70 minutes, or until the filling is set but slightly jiggly in the center.
11. Let the pie cool on a wire rack for at least 2 hours before slicing.

🧊 This cooling time is essential as it allows the filling to firm up, making for cleaner slices!

Variations

• Chocolate Pecan Pie: Stir in 1/2 cup of chocolate chips to the filling for a rich twist! 🍫
• Maple Pecan Pie: Substitute half of the corn syrup with pure maple syrup for a deeper, less cloying sweetness. 🍁
• Nut-Free: Replace pecans with seeds like sunflower or pumpkin seeds for a similar texture without the nuts. Just be mindful to adjust the baking time slightly as these may not require as long.
• High altitude: If you live at a high elevation, reduce the sugar by 1-2 tablespoons and increase the baking temperature by 25 degrees for optimal results.

Enjoy your delightful slice of Southern pecan pie! 🍽️✨