American Pecan Pie: Original Recipe of the Classic Walnut Cake

Ingredients
🥧 1 pie crust (can be homemade or store-bought)
🌰 200 g. pecan nuts
🥚 3 large eggs
🍬 200 g. brown sugar
🍯 200 ml. corn syrup (or honey)
🧈 50 g. melted butter
🌿 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
🧂 1 pinch of salt

If you have a sweet tooth, I have exactly what you need: a pecan pie. 

This classic American dessert is perfect for any special occasion. With its creamy filling topped with crunchy walnuts, you’re going to love it! Imagine an autumn afternoon with the scent of toasted walnuts and caramel filling your house, the aroma of a succulent pecan pie , which combines the sweetness of syrup with the deep, toasted flavour of pecans.

Pecan pie is a classic dessert from the southern United States , especially popular during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays . Its origins can be traced back to the French influence in the city of New Orleans, where pecans were also abundant and quickly became part of local pastries . Here in Spain, it is not common to use pecans, so this dessert is a perfect option to learn more about this dried fruit.

Pecans are a nut native to North America , already consumed by Native Americans long before the arrival of European settlers. Today there is a wide variety of pecan pie recipes, some with chocolate , bourbon or even coconut, which demonstrates the versatility of this delicious dessert . It is not difficult to find pecans these days, but if you prefer the classics, I recommend the lemon meringue pie , the easy and homemade apple pie or the La Viña pie.

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How to make the Pecan pie: Easy, Step-by-step Recipe

Step by step preparation

1. First, preheat the oven to 175°C. Place the pie dough into a greased and floured 22–24cm pie tin and press it down well on the bottom and sides. Prick the bottom with a fork to prevent it from rising during baking. Remove half of the pecans and chop them coarsely.
2. In a large bowl, beat the eggs with the brown sugar until smooth. Add the corn syrup (or honey), melted butter, vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. Mix all the ingredients well.
3. Add the chopped pecans to the mixture, reserving the other half to decorate the top of the cake.
4. Pour the mixture into the prepared pie crust mold. Decorate the surface of the pie with the reserved pecans.
5. Bake the pie in the lower third of a preheated oven with top and bottom heat for about 50–60 minutes, or until the filling is firm and the crust is golden. If the crust browns too quickly, cover the edges with aluminum foil to prevent burning. The filling will rise during baking and sink as the pie cools, which is normal.
6. Once ready, remove the tart from the oven and let it cool completely before cutting and serving. This will allow the filling to set and make it easier to cut.

My Little Tips for a perfect pecan pie

• If you prefer to make the pie dough at home, mix 250g flour, 125g cold butter cut into cubes, 1 egg and a pinch of salt. Knead until you have a smooth dough and leave to rest in the fridge for 30 minutes before using.
• Although traditional pecan pie is made with pecans, you can try using other nuts such as macadamia nuts or hazelnuts to give the pie a different touch.
• To impart a more intense flavor, add 1–2 tablespoons of bourbon to the mixture before baking. The alcohol will evaporate, but the flavor will remain infused into the filling.
• If you see that the top of the cake is browning too quickly, cover with aluminum foil and continue baking.
• Pecan pie is delicious on its own, but if you want to really kick it up a notch, serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
• Another interesting option is to make mini pecan pies in individual molds. They are perfect to serve at parties or gatherings, so that each guest has their own individual portion of dessert. You can also experiment with different types of syrup, such as maple syrup, to vary the flavor.
• For those with dietary restrictions, there are gluten-free options. You can use a gluten-free flour blend for the dough and make sure all the other ingredients are also celiac-friendly. Also, for a vegan version, you can use egg substitutes and vegetable margarine instead of butter.

Original Pecan Pie: Recipe of The Classic American Walnut Cake