Pecan Pie

I have never had a lot of success with pecan pie - too hard, too runny, too stiff.  Is it cooking too long? Not long enough?  Good lord.  Pecan pie is nothing more than a custard pie with corn syrup instead of cream.  How hard can this be?  If you want a sturdier quiche or a thicker crème brulée you add more eggs.  So, more eggs must be an important piece of the equation.  But which recipe to start with?  I decided to start with this one from King Arthur Flour.

I'm just trying to figure out the custard part here, so no fancy crust efforts.  Simple pre-made pie crust from Pillsbury is just fine for now. Pre-baking the shell for a pie that bakes 40+ minutes is new to me, but in the spirit of experimentation, I did it.

Lined with non-stick foil

And after the baking.  It's not actually done, but it looks pretty sturdy

 

For the custard
1/4 cup white sugar
1/2 c light corn syrup
1/2 c dark corn syrup
1 stick butter, melted
3 eggs - Using Jumbo this time, just to see
1 tsp vanilla

 

This recipe calls for half a cup of chopped pecans sprinkled with salt and toasted lightly in the oven.  

Les voila. 

 After baking for just 40 of the recommended 45 minutes, the pie looked puffed and golden.  See that little place on the side where the custard is done?  I thought that was a good sign.

Recipe says the pie will fall slightly as it cools.  Roger that.

The proof of the pudding, as they say, is in the eating.  Well, actually, for me, it's in the cutting.  Would this be a soupy mess like so many before, or would it be a triumph?   The recipe specifically said that the pie cut well when it was completely cool, so I am going to resist the temptation to cut it while it's still warm. 

And...voilà - my first ever absolutely perfect pecan pie.  The filling is soft but firm - not eggy, but not too sweet.  It's a winner.