Pecan Pie

Pecan pie is a popular pie, and is often eaten in fall. Thanksgiving is known for its pumpkin pie recipes, but since pecans ripen in the fall also, pecan pie provides a great alternative. This is doubly true given that many people don't really like pumpkin pie that much, despite its popularity.

Pecan pie is a custard pie, similar to banana cream pie, except that it is baked. It's a fairly easy pie to make. You will need:

One nine inch pie crust

Six ounces pecans

Four tablespoons butter

Three large eggs

One half cup granulated sugar

One cup maple syrup

One half cup salt

Begin by preheating the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. While the oven is preheating, put the pecans in a pan in the oven to toast them. Stir them periodically to prevent burning. Allow the pecans to cool after toasting them, and then chop into small pieces. Line the crust with a layer of aluminum foil, weight it with pie weights and bake it for about ten minutes.

While the crust is toasting, make the custard. Melt the butter, and combine with the eggs, sugar, syrup and salt. Whisk together, and add the pecans. Pour this mixture into the pie crust and bake for one hour at 275 degrees. After baking, let the pie sit until it is cool, so that the center can continue to cook. Pecan pie can be served cooled with whipped cream, or can be reheated in the oven for about fifteen minutes.