The Best Pecan Pie Recipe | Gimme Some Oven (2024)

FAQs

Is there a substitute for Karo syrup in pecan pie? ›

For a nutty or earthy flavor, consider substituting maple syrup or brown rice syrup instead of corn syrup. If you want something sweeter, try out the agave nectar or cane syrup.

You will know your pecan pie is done cooking when you can gently shake the pie dish and see that the center of the pie is not overly jiggly and the outer edges are set. If the pie jiggles a lot when you gently shake the pan, continue cooking it until the center is a little more set.

Heating instructions: Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C) Place thawed pie in the oven for 30 minutes, or until the center is warm. Careful not to crisp your crust!

Never shorten the baking time or lower oven temperature to avoid over-browning your crust. Instead, when the crust is browned to your desired doneness, cover the crust edges with foil or I use this handy pie shield to avoid burning.

A pecan pie is essentially a custard pie, and a liquid center is almost always the result of underbaking. The Karo Classic Pecan Pie recipe calls for baking the pie for 60 to 70 minutes at 350 degrees. In some ovens, however, the pie can take 75 minutes or more.

Light and dark corn syrup can be used interchangeably in almost every instance, with slight flavor variances. In a pecan pie, for example, light corn syrup will contribute sweetness and a hint of vanilla, but that's about it. Dark corn syrup, in addition to sweetness, will add color and a more robust, toasty flavor.

How Long Can Pecan Pie Be Left at Room Temperature? Pecan pies can stay on the counter for up to two hours before they need to be refrigerated, according to the FDA. After two hours at room temperature, your food is at risk for harmful bacteria growth.

One way to prevent a soggy crust is to essentially seal the surface, creating a barrier between the crust and the filling. Brush the surface of the unbaked crust with a beaten egg or egg white mixed with water before adding the filling.

I agree with Jolenealaska that you probably need a longer bake time. I always needed 55-60 minutes for my pecan pies to set and I cook them several times a year. (As noted by Wayfaring Stranger, sometimes you need to cover the crust edges with foil to avoid getting them too dark).

The filling continues to cook and will fully set as the pie cools, so giving a pie plenty of time at room temperature before serving is important. "We usually let our pecan pies sit out for about an hour," says Chef Kolle, "until the filling's cool enough to touch."

Why is my pecan pie hard on top? ›

Pecan pie can become hard if it is left in the oven for too long or at a higher temperature than necessary. This could happen due to an inaccurate cooking time, temperature or failing to cover with aluminum foil for part of the baking time.

As such, you have to cook the pecan pie long enough for this liquid to develop a custard-like consistency. If your pecan pie is runny, simply bake it a bit longer, even up to 20 minutes.

A pecan pie is likely overcooked or has been in the oven too long if the top turns black or the filling starts to crack. Overbaking your pie can make it sticky or crunchy, causing the filling to become tough, hard, and difficult to eat.

But unlike pumpkin pie which has pumpkin puree to give it structure, pecan pie filling is mostly just sugar, corn syrup and eggs, so the tendency to soufflé and fall is even greater. To test for doneness, look for a filling that's puffed—it should jiggle just slightly when you gently shake it.

Maple-Flavored Syrup: Also called "pancake syrup," this is often simply corn syrup with maple flavoring. In a pinch, it can be substituted for an equal amount of dark corn syrup. Your recipe will take on a maple flavor rather than the taste of molasses, but that could prove to be just as tasty.

Each one varies in taste as well. Some will have a floral flavor while others will have a more bold taste. When substituting honey for corn syrup, using equivalent amounts is recommended. For every one cup of corn syrup, use one cup of honey instead.

The clear Karo^® Corn Syrup has been called “light” since the 1940s, before “light” became a popular description for reduced-calorie products. The term “light” in this case refers to the color, and not the number of calories. Consumers may also refer to light corn syrup as “white” corn syrup.