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Classic Pecan Pie (A Foolproof Holiday Recipe!)

A beautiful plate of a homemade, elegant, and flaky slice of a Pecan Pie, being served with a large dollop of whipped cream at a Thanksgiving dinner.

A classic recipe for a traditional, Southern-style Pecan Pie, perfect for a holiday dessert. The dish features a from-scratch, flaky pie crust made with a combination of butter and shortening. The rich, sweet filling is a simple mixture of corn syrup, brown sugar, melted butter, and eggs, poured over a generous layer of chopped pecans. The pie is baked until the filling is set and the crust is golden brown, then cooled completely before serving.

Ingredients

  • For the Pie Crust:
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup vegetable shortening or lard
  • 3/4 cup salted butter, cut into pieces
  • 1 egg, lightly beaten
  • 1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar
  • 5 tablespoons cold water
  • For the Filling:
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup corn syrup (light or dark)
  • 1/3 cup melted salted butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 3 whole eggs, beaten
  • 1 heaping cup of chopped pecans

Instructions

  1. Make the Pie Crust: In a large bowl, mix the flour and salt. Add the shortening and butter, and use a pastry blender or your fingers to cut the fats into the flour until the mixture resembles small pebbles.
  2. Add the egg, cold water, and vinegar. Stir until the dough just comes together. Divide the dough in half, wrap each half in plastic, and chill. (This recipe only requires one half of the dough).
  3. Assemble and Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  4. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one half of the chilled dough to fit your pie pan. Place the crust in the pan.
  5. In a separate bowl, mix together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, salt, corn syrup, melted butter, vanilla, and beaten eggs for the filling.
  6. Pour the chopped pecans into the bottom of the unbaked pie shell. Pour the syrup mixture over the top of the pecans.
  7. Cover the top and the crust lightly with foil. Bake for 30 minutes.
  8. Remove the foil and continue baking for another 20 minutes. Check if the pie is set; it should only jiggle a little in the center. If it shakes a lot, cover it with foil again and bake for an additional 20 minutes or until set.
  9. Allow the pie to cool for several hours or overnight before slicing and serving.

Notes

  • This is a classic holiday dessert, perfect for Thanksgiving or Christmas.
  • The recipe makes enough dough for two pie crusts, but you will only need one for this pie. The other half can be reserved for another use.
  • The baking time for this pie can vary significantly, from 50 to 75 minutes. The key is to bake until the center is just slightly jiggly.
  • It is crucial to let the pie cool completely for several hours. This allows the sweet filling to set properly, ensuring clean slices.