No Fail Pecan Pie

Oh my dear!  Where to start??  First off, let me apologize for the silence.  My beloved macbook officially bit the dust last week and I've been in the process of mourning the loss.  You know the stages:  denial (pretending that my mac would somehow come back if only I plugged it into so many different outlets), bargaining (if I buy it a new screen maybe that'll do it!) and acceptance (finally realizing that my time with my first ever macbook was done....I've officially become one of those crazy Apple converts and saying goodbye to the piece of technology that was responsible for this was tough).  I got a new Macbook Pro this weekend and finally began the process of transferring photos and getting some new posts put together.  Woohoo!

Today's post is a little late due to the aforementioned issues, but I figured it is better late than never.  Pecan pie reminds be a lot of Thanksgiving, but you can also eat it year-round, which is why I decided to still do a post on it.  I mean, I would never turn a slice down.

I don't bake a lot of pies.  I love eating them, but making them really is an art.  It's not making cookie dough, rolling it into a ball and then you're good to go.  If you're not used to making your own crust it can be quite a daunting task.  Remember this terrible awful scenario from my last year's Thanksgiving pecan pie attempt?  Yeah, I'd like to forget it too.  

Because of that terrible awful experience I did a LOT of research with regards to recipes and techniques.  I absolutely love caramel pecan pie but wanted to stick with a traditional recipe since it's the kind my hubby's grandad loves so much.  I also knew I wanted something that wouldn't leave me with that dreaded watery/wet middle which can sometimes happen.  

I ended up settling on a pie crust recipe from Smitten Kitchen (hello obsession!) and a filling recipe from King Arthurs flour which had received rave reviews.  Luckily for me (and the hubby's family), this pie turned out just as I had hoped and I was actually able to bring an edible dessert to this year's get together.  [Insert loud sigh of relief}  I loved the flavor and texture of the pie crust and thought the filling had the perfect amount of richness while still keeping with the familiar flavor that everyone loves.  I definitely found my new go-to!

Today's post will only feature the filling recipe....I tried to post both the crust and filling recipe and it was WAY too long!  Check back Friday for the crust recipe and details!



Pecan Pie adapted from King Arthur Flour 
Printable Version
1/2 C chopped pecans

1 C pecan halves, roughly chopped (*these pieces should be slightly larger than those listed above)

1/2 tsp salt
3 eggs
1/2 C dark corn syrup
1/2 C light corn syrup
1/4 C sugar
1/2 C unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
1 tsp vanilla

Preheat oven to 325.  

Place chopped pecans on large baking sheet and sprinkle with salt.  *I placed the 1/2 C finely chopped pecans on one side and the roughly chopped 1 C on the other to keep them separate.  Toast in oven for 10-15 minutes or just until nuts become fragrant.  Don't let them burn!  Remove nuts from oven and set aside to cool.

Increase oven temperature to 375.

In medium bowl beat together 3 eggs, both corn syrups, sugar, butter and vanilla.  Stir in 1/2 C finely chopped pecans (first ingredient).

Pour mixture into prepared pie shell.  Sprinkle/arrange 1 C roughly chopped pecans (2 ingredient) over top, ensuring they are spread evenly.  I like to barely push them to halfway submerge them in the filling so they hold their place.

Bake pie in 375 degree oven for 45 minutes or until middle of pie is puffed up and seems fairly set.  Remove pie to cooling rack and allow to cool completely before serving.  Center will sink back down to even level as pie cools.

Some tips:
-If you don't like the idea of chopped pecans you can arrange whole nuts on top in a pattern. I just happen to like this rustic look better and find it easier to cut and serve the pie this way.
-Some recipes call for pre-baking or blind baking the pie crust.  This keeps it crisp and non-soggy when you're making a pie that has a custard type filling.  I blind baked one pie crust and didn't with the other....surprisingly I liked the pie crust that was NOT blind baked much better.  The blind baked one was way to crisp and almost hard.  Still, to each their own.

Puppy wants a piece too!  Ellie Bear managed to sneak

into this shot while I was snapping away.