The Ranch Kitchen's Granny's Pecan Pie

My Granny's Pecan Pie is one of those recipes that I would probably grab first after my family if my house burned!  We love it and think it's the perfect consistency for a pecan pie. As pecan pies go, there are several variations.  You have your thick ones, more fluid ones, and then you have more of a tart variety.

I made this pie for my staff at school the other day and got a honest compliment from a friend telling me, "I love this pecan pie because it's not too runny!"  People like different things in their desserts, and I can safely say not a crumb was left of this pecan pie that I made two of for that day at school, AND it wasn't runny!

This recipe comes from my Granny Louise Wilson Young's collection of recipes from probably back in the early 1950's.  On my green smudged recipe note I keep on my refrigerator (because this recipe stays out at all times), it says that this was from an old Ford Magazine circular and was called a New England Pecan Pie.  If you've never looked through an antique stores recipes books or old recipe circulars you are missing out.  It gives a you a taste of Americana that you can't get anywhere else! On of my plans is to organize these one day as I have a small fortune of them.

I do have to say that wherever this pecan pie recipe came from it's our family favorite.  There's something about an old recipe and where it came from.  We want to make sure to always give credit to the creator, but after almost sixty years  in your family it becomes your own and is now solidly what I call my Granny's recipe!

Today, on my first day off for spring break I actually got up to fix this pie at 7 a.m.  What is it about a day off and you can't sleep?  However, with a visit to see my mother-in-law, haircut, bull sale and husband sweetly asking with a smile for this pecan pie for our big luncheon at the sale today, I had a lot to do! 

It's glorious being off as an educator for a full week!  My little Audrey and I plan on taking full advantage of it; see the sisters and cousins hopefully, spend time with Nanny, work cattle and then show and do a speaking contest a little at the Houston Livestock Show!  Whew!  We will be ready for school to start back for a break!

This recipe is pretty much a two bowl wonder.  You'll notice I didn't make my own pie crust!  As someone said, "Ain't nobody got time for that!"

Give it a try and I hope you'll love it like we do.


Granny's Pecan Pie

1 cup pecan pieces, halved four times or kept whole
2 tbsp. corn starch
1/2 cup sugar (white)
3 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup soft unsalted butter (leave it out to get to room temperature or microwave until just softened, but not hot or boiling - I've done that...don't do that & if you do cool it before adding it!)
dash of salt (about 1/8 teaspoon)
1 cup light corn syrup (Karo Syrup)
1 tsp. vanilla (I use the good Mexican variety)

Mix cornstarch and sugar together.  Beat eggs in a separate bowl.  In a large mixing bowl place eggs, adding butter, salt, corn syrup and blending on a medium speed.  Add cornstarch and sugar gradually to the wet mixture and continue to mix on a medium speed. Add vanilla at the end and mix until blended well. 

Place 1 cup pecans face up (pretty side up) in your pie crust shell.  Pour filling over pecans gently scraping the sides of you bowl to get it all of the wet mixture out and into your crust. 

Now this is the kicker!  Make sure you do this! ***Bake your pie on a baking sheet for 10 minutes on 375 degrees.  I use my timer to do this. Beepers work great for my absent mind.  Then immediately turn your oven down to 350 degrees and continue cooking for 50 minutes and no more using your timer!  Take you piesout of the oven and allow to cool.  Once your pie is completely cool or warm enough handle it is ready to eat and enjoy.  Make sure you keep leftover pie in the refrigerator. 

***I made doubled this recipe. 

I especially love my Granny's Pecan Pie with a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream!  It really brings back memories every time I cook and eat it. 

There is not usually a day that goes by that I don't miss my Granny.  She was every one's cheerleader, wonderful mother, grandmother, great grandmother, daughter, sister, friend, aunt, fabulous cook, and as my husband says the perfect Granny.  She loved her community that she grew up in and her family like no other. 

Love you and miss you Granny and I know you are smiling down on all of us proudly. 



With love,

Alise @ The Ranch Kitchen