Ingredients:
- 1 x 9-inch Deep-Dish Pie Crust (chilled)
- 2 cups Pecans (halves or large pieces)
- 1 cup Light Corn Syrup
- 1/2 cup Dark Brown Sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup Unsalted Butter, melted and cooled slightly
- 3 Large Eggs, lightly whisked
- 1 Tbsp Vanilla Extract
- 1 tsp Fine Sea Salt
- 1 Tbsp Bourbon or Dark Rum (Optional)
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). If toasting pecans, spread them on a baking sheet and bake for 6–8 minutes until fragrant. Set aside to cool.
- Place the chilled pie crust in the pie plate. If using a homemade crust, consider blind baking for 10 minutes to prevent a soggy bottom.
- Gently melt the butter and allow it to cool slightly so it is not hot when added to the eggs.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the corn syrup, melted butter, brown sugar, salt, vanilla, and optional bourbon/rum until the sugar is mostly dissolved and the mixture is smooth.
- Lightly whisk the eggs separately, then slowly pour the eggs into the syrup mixture while whisking continuously until fully incorporated. Do not over-whisk.
- Stir 1 1/2 cups of the pecans into the filling mixture.
- Pour the filling mixture into the prepared pie shell.
- Artistically arrange the remaining 1/2 cup of pecans on top of the filling for presentation.
- Crucially, create a protective shield of aluminium foil and carefully cover the edges of the pastry crust to prevent burning.
- Bake for 30 minutes with the foil shield on.
- Remove the foil shield and continue baking for another 25–35 minutes, or until the edges are firm and slightly puffed, but the very centre still has a gentle ‘jiggle’.
- Remove the Pecan Pie from the oven and place it on a wire rack.
- Allow the pie to cool completely to room temperature (at least 2 hours) before attempting to slice. The filling sets fully only upon cooling.