Mouth-Watering Southern Pecan Pie Recipe
Are you ready to taste the best southern pecan pie? Look no further because I’ve got you covered! As a chef specializing in southern-style cuisine, I have a recipe that will blow your mind. Pecan pie is an old-fashioned dessert that has been around for centuries, and it’s especially popular in the southern states of America. This stunning classic pecan pie recipe is the perfect combination of rich flavors and sweetness that will make your taste buds dance.
Every bite of this utterly deadly southern pecan pie is filled with crunchy nuts and velvety custard, making it a fantastic dessert for any occasion or even a perfect snack. You won’t regret indulging in this sinful dessert, and I guarantee that it will leave an everlasting impression on you.
In my recipe, I share tips and tricks that will help you achieve perfect results every time. Moreover, you can find variations and substitutions in case you want to reinvent your pecan pie experience. Whether you’re an amateur baker or a professional chef, this recipe is easy to follow and is sure to impress anyone who tries it.
So don’t wait any longer! Grab your apron, preheat your oven, and get ready to bake the best southern pecan pie ever created!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Listen up, y’all. I’m about to tell you why this southern pecan pie recipe is the best thing you’ll ever put in your mouth. First off, let’s talk about the star of the show: pecans. Pecans are like gold in the south – Filling, delicious and packed with nutrients. Our recipe calls for not one, not two, but a whopping 4 cups of chopped pecans. Trust me when I say every bite is going to be like a rich symphony of nutty flavor and buttery goodness.
But that’s just the start. This recipe also uses a perfect blend of corn syrup – both light and dark – to create an utterly deadly caramel sweetness that is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth cravings. Mix in some light brown sugar, unsalted butter and quality Vanilla Extract for that distinct southern flavor profile.
What else? Ah yes, eggs! 3 large eggs to give you the use of its protein power to give your hair some lustrous locks(Trust the granny on that one), Have it once in a while don’t feel guilty about it because eggs also contain lutein and zeaxanthin which promote eye health just as pecans do(aka A Great Combo).
In summary, our best Southern Pecan Pie recipe has all the right ingredients mixed together to give you a classic Southern dessert that will knock your socks off. Creamy yet crunchy texture, packed with solid flavors, just enough sweetness – this pie is a masterpiece of baked excellence. So why wait? Get in that kitchen now and make yourself one of these delectable pies before someone else does!
Ingredient List
Let me break down the pecan pie ingredients you need to create this utterly deadly Southern Pecan Pie.
Here’s what you’ll need:
For the Pie Crust:
- 1 1/2 cups All-Purpose Flour
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/2 cup Margarine
- 3-4 tbsp Milk
For the Filling:
- 3/4 cup Brown Sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup Granulated Sugar
- 1/2 cup Corn Syrup (dark or light)
- 1/2 cup 2% Low-Fat Milk
- 1/2 cup Unsalted Butter, melted
- 3 Large Eggs + 1 Egg Yolk
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 4 cups Pecans, coarsely chopped or halved
Ensure that you have all of these ingredients before starting as they are crucial for creating the perfect Southern Pecan Pie. It’s said that ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ but I believe if ‘if it ain’t delicious, add pecans’.
The Recipe How-To
Now that we have our ingredients ready, it’s time to get to the fun part – baking! In this section, I’ll walk you through how to make the best southern pecan pie you’ve ever tasted.
Step 1: Preheat Your Oven
Before anything else, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 2: Combine the Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together 3 large eggs until they are well beaten. Next, add 1 cup of light corn syrup and 1/2 cup of packed light brown sugar, and whisk until everything is fully combined.
Now, add in 1/2 cup of melted unsalted butter, followed by 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and mix everything together.
Step 3: Add the Pecans and Dry Ingredients
Once the wet ingredients are well-combined, it’s time to incorporate your dry ingredients. Start with adding 2 cups of coarsely chopped pecans.
Then, add 1/4 cup of granulated sugar, 3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour, and a pinch of salt. Mix everything together until everything is just combined.
Step 4: Assemble Your Pie
Grab a 9-inch pie shell and pour your filling into the crust. Be sure to spread out the pecans evenly throughout the filling.
Step 5: Bake Your Pie
Bake your pie at 350°F for 45-50 minutes or until the filling is set but still has some jiggle in the center. Let it cool completely on a wire rack.
And there you have it – a delectable southern pecan pie fresh out of the oven! You can serve it warm or cold, and either way it makes for an utterly deadly dessert.
Substitutions and Variations
I’m not one to mess with a classic southern pecan pie recipe, but sometimes you just don’t have all the ingredients on hand. Here are a few substitutions and variations you can try to switch things up or work with what’s in your pantry:
1. Sweetener Substitutions: Swap out the corn syrup for molasses, honey, or maple syrup if you want to experiment with different sweeteners. Be mindful that each substitution will affect the flavor of your pie.
2. Nutty Alternatives: If you’re looking for an alternative to pecans, try using walnuts, almonds, or hazelnuts instead. They’ll give your pie a different flavor profile without straying too far from the original taste.
3. No Crust? No Problem: Sometimes I make this pie without a crust at all, and it still turns out delicious. Just pour the filling directly into a well-greased pie dish or ramekins and bake as usual.
4. Chocolate Overload: Add 1/2 to 1 cup of semisweet chocolate chips to the filling for a chocolate pecan pie twist that is utterly deadly.
5. Bourbon Pecan Pie: Substitute 1/4 cup of the corn syrup with bourbon for an adult-version of this dessert.
The beauty of Southern cooking is its flexibility so I encourage you to experiment and see what works for you!
Serving and Pairing
It’s not a secret that the best accompaniment for any pie, especially Southern Pecan Pie, is a big scoop of ice cream! I recommend a vanilla or butter pecan flavor to pair with this delectable dessert. The cold and creamy texture of the ice cream complements the gooey and warm filling of the pie. You’ll find that each bite is an explosion of flavors in your mouth, making it impossible to resist going back for seconds.
For those who prefer something lighter, whipping up some homemade whipped cream is a perfect substitute for ice cream. It adds a cool and refreshing touch to the cozy warmness of the pie. Just remember not to overdo it on the sweetness as this recipe is already quite rich.
If you are serving your Southern Pecan Pie for a special occasion, like Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner, consider adding some traditional seasonal spices such as cinnamon or nutmeg to your whipped cream for an extra festive touch.
Lastly, if you’re feeling adventurous with alcohol pairing, my recommendation would be to go for Bourbon or Whiskey. The boldness gives the buttery-sweet flavors of the pecans an added depth that only makes it utterly deadly (in a good way). If you’re open to exploring outside bourbon or whiskey, port wine is also another excellent pairing option. The fruity flavors cut through the richness of the pie, making it a well-rounded experience.
The key here is not to limit yourself but rather enjoy the endless variations and options. Keep in mind that while these servings and pairing suggestions are great starting points, they are by no means definitive – feel free to get creative! Ultimately, what matters most is that you indulge in every last crumb of your classic Southern Pecan Pie.
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
Once you’ve baked the best southern pecan pie, it’s important to know how to store and reheat it so that it stays fresh and delicious. The good news is that this pie can be made ahead of time, stored, and reheated without losing its buttery, nutty goodness.
To make ahead, simply bake the pie according to the recipe and let it cool completely. Once cooled, cover the pie tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This is a great option if you’re making several pies or if you want to prepare the dessert ahead of time.
When ready to serve, remove the pie from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about an hour before serving. This allows the pie to come to room temperature so that it is easier to slice.
If you have leftover pecan pie, you can store it in an airtight container or wrap it in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can also freeze pecan pie for up to 2 months. To do this, wrap the cooled pie tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil before placing it in a freezer-safe container.
To reheat pecan pie, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) and place the pie on a baking sheet. Cover the pie loosely with aluminum foil so that it doesn’t dry out while heating. Heat for 10-15 minutes or until warmed through.
Pro tip: Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an extra touch of sweetness and texture when serving your stored or reheated pecan pie!
Tips for Perfect Results
When it comes to baking a Southern Pecan Pie, there’s no doubt that one of the most important things to consider is achieving perfect results. Here are some helpful tips I’ve learned throughout my years of experience baking this utterly deadly and mouthwatering pie!
Firstly, make sure to use fresh and high-quality ingredients. From the dark and light corn syrups to the eggs, pecans, and butter, every ingredient should be fresh and unspoiled. Using old or stale ingredients can vastly affect the overall taste and quality of your pie.
Another important factor is the temperature of the ingredients. Let all ingredients come to room temperature before you begin mixing them together. This will help ensure even mixing and an evenly-baked pie.
The secret ingredient in my recipe is 2% low-fat milk, which adds a unique creaminess to the filling. However, be careful when adding liquid ingredients as too much can cause your pie to become too watery.
When it comes to the pecans, I recommend using pecan halves instead of chopped pecans for a classic Southern pecan pie texture. To enhance the flavor even further, toast the pecans at 350 degrees for about ten minutes before adding them to the filling. This will bring out their natural flavor and add more crunch to your pie.
Lastly, be patient when baking your Southern Pecan Pie. Don’t rush or overcook the pie, as it can result in a burnt crust or an overly hard filling. A baked pie will wiggle but not look liquidy or loose.
So, there you have it – these easy Southern tips guarantee that your Southern Pecan Pie will impress all your friends, whether they are from Old-fashioned black folks or modern-day foodies!
FAQ
Now that you have all the information and knowledge necessary to create the best Southern pecan pie, it’s time to tackle the most common questions and concerns about this delightful dessert. In this section, I’ll provide answers to frequently asked questions and offer tips that might prove useful during the preparation process. So, let’s dive into some of those nagging queries!
How do you make Paula Deen’s pecan pie?
For this Southern-style pecan pie recipe, you’ll need some key ingredients: 1 1/4 cups of pecan pieces to give it that signature nutty flavor, a pre-baked 10-inch pie crust as the base, light corn syrup and a total of 2 1/2 cups of brown sugar (divided). To bind it all together, 3 eggs will do the trick. Add a teaspoon of vanilla extract for some sweetness and 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon (again, divided) for a subtle, aromatic touch. Finally, we’ll need 10 tablespoons of unsalted butter – 6 melted and 4 reserved for the caramel drizzle.
Which corn syrup is best for pecan pie?
When making a southern-style corn syrup pie, it’s important to avoid the mistake of over-baking it. The perfect texture is achieved when the pie remains a little jiggly even after being pulled out of the oven. This is because the dark corn syrup used in the recipe gives the pie a rich and delicious taste, thanks to the presence of molasses in it. So, make sure not to overdo it and risk ruining the flavor and texture of your pie.
How do you keep pecan pie from being runny?
When you encounter a pie with a runny filling, you can easily remedy it by simply placing a foil over the crust and returning it to the oven. Set your oven to approximately 325 degrees Fahrenheit and pop it in for 20 to 30 minutes. However, it is crucial to keep an eye on your pie and not wait too long to remove it from the oven after you notice that the filling isn’t set.
What is the difference between light and dark corn syrup in pecan pie?
When baking a pecan pie, both light and dark corn syrups can be utilized in place of each other with only minor differences in taste. Light corn syrup mainly imparts sweetness and a subtle vanilla flavor, while dark corn syrup, aside from sweetness, also provides a deeper, toasted taste and a darker hue to the finished product.
Bottom Line
:
Now, it’s time to try the best southern pecan pie recipe you’ve ever tasted! Trust me, This is not just any old pecan pie. This is the classic southern pecan pie recipe that I’ve spent years perfecting.
The key to the success of this recipe is the perfect combination of ingredients: the sweetness of light and dark corn syrup with lightly packed brown sugar adds a rich and buttery flavor while 2% low-fat milk make this pie uniquely delicious.
So, whether you’re looking for a special dessert for your holiday feast or just want to treat your taste buds with something utterly deadly and irresistible, give this best southern pecan pie recipe a try.
Don’t forget to pair it with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream and enjoy it with a hot cup of coffee or tea. Dessert recipes don’t get any better than this. Trust me, your guests will thank you!
the best southern pecan pie Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 regular pie crusts (not the deep dish type - shallow)
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 5 tablespoons margarine
- 3 tablespoons 2% low-fat milk
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- enough pecans, for top garnish (can do chopped or whole)
Instructions
- While your oven is pre-heating to 350F, start melting the margarine over medium heat in a saucepan.
- Once margarine is melted, remove saucepan from heat and stir in brown sugar.
- Beat and then add the eggs and the rest of ingredients to the saucepan-- stir well.
- Pour evenly into the 2 pie shells.
- Lightly sprinkle (or place if whole ones) pecans on top.
- Once oven is pre-heated, bake on cookie sheet@ 350F for 30 minutes.