Description
Southern charm meets sweet indulgence in this classic Paula Deen pecan pie. Buttery, caramelized pecans nestled in a flaky crust promise a rich dessert experience that transports you straight to a warm kitchen in Georgia.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 3 eggs
- 1 (10 inch) pre-baked pie crust
- 1 ¼ cups pecan pieces
- 2 ½ cups brown sugar
- 1 cup light corn syrup
Butter and Cream:
- 10 tablespoons (6 + 4) unsalted butter, melted
- ½ cup heavy cream
Flavoring and Caramel Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 cup chopped pecans for caramel
Instructions
- Initiate oven preparation by setting the temperature to 190°C / 375°F, ensuring a consistent heating environment for the pie.
- Create a foundational layer by evenly distributing pecan pieces across the base of the pre-baked pie crust, covering the entire surface.
- Craft the custard mixture by thoroughly whisking light corn syrup, brown sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and melted butter in a spacious mixing bowl until the consistency becomes uniformly smooth and well-integrated.
- Gently cascade the custard mixture over the strategically placed pecans, ensuring complete coverage of the pie shell’s interior.
- Position the pie in the preheated oven and bake approximately 30 minutes, monitoring until the filling rises and solidifies around its perimeter.
- Extract the pie from the oven and allow complete cooling, which promotes structural stability and optimal flavor development.
- Prepare the cinnamon pecan caramel sauce by combining brown sugar, butter, heavy cream, ground cinnamon, and chopped pecans in a medium saucepan.
- Cook the caramel mixture over medium heat, stirring consistently to prevent scorching and achieve a velvety, homogeneous texture.
- Once the pie has reached room temperature, generously drizzle the warm cinnamon pecan caramel sauce across the surface, creating an enticing visual and flavor finale.
- Serve and enjoy the decadent dessert, showcasing layers of nutty, sweet, and aromatic elements.
Notes
- Pecans make or break this dessert, so scout for fresh, high-quality nuts that promise rich, buttery flavor without any bitter undertones.
- Cooling the pie completely prevents caramel from turning runny, allowing it to form a luscious, glossy layer that clings perfectly to the surface.
- Monitoring baking time closely ensures a custard filling that’s just set – puffy and firm, without becoming dry or overdone.
- Whisking eggs thoroughly eliminates any streaky egg whites, creating a silky-smooth custard that bakes into a perfectly creamy texture.
- Pre-baking the crust for a brief 10 minutes creates a golden, crisp base that stands up beautifully against the rich, gooey filling.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 507
- Sugar: 31g
- Sodium: 197mg
- Fat: 27g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Carbohydrates: 54g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 89mg