Brandy Pecan Pie

by Cindi Sutter, Founder & Editor Spirited Table® — All content by Lisa Ludwinksi — Food & Wine —

November 2021

A blend of turbinado sugar, maple syrup, and honey makes for a pecan pie with a well-rounded sweetness. A dash of apple brandy adds a faint caramel apple flavor and brightens the nutty toasted pecans.

CREDIT: GERARD + BELEVENDER

Active: 20 mins

Cool: 4 hrs

Total: 1 hr 10 mins

Yield: 6 to 8 servings

Ingredients

Filling

  • 2/3 cup turbinado sugar

  • ¼ cup unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

  • ½ cup dark maple syrup

  • ¼ cup honey

  • 2 tablespoons fine yellow cornmeal

  • 3 large eggs

  • 2 tablespoons apple brandy

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt

Additional Ingredients

  • ½ recipe Sister Pie All-Butter Pie Dough, rolled, crimped, and blind-baked (see Toasted Pecan Pie Dough variation)

  • 1 teaspoon all-purpose flour

  • 1 teaspoon turbinado sugar

  • 1 ½ cups pecan halves (about 6 1/4 ounces), toasted

  • 1 large egg, beaten

  • Unsweetened whipped cream, for serving (optional)

Instructions

Make the filling:

  • Step 1

    Preheat oven to 325°F. Combine turbinado sugar and butter in a heatproof bowl. Combine maple syrup and honey in a small, heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium, and cook, swirling pan occasionally, until mixture registers 225°F on a candy thermometer, 4 to 5 minutes. Immediately pour maple syrup mixture over turbinado sugar and butter; stir until butter has completely melted. Whisk in cornmeal. Set aside to cool 10 minutes.

  • Step 2

    In a separate medium bowl, whisk together eggs, brandy, vanilla, and salt. Gradually pour cooled butter mixture into egg mixture, whisking constantly. Set aside.

Assemble the pie:

  • Step 3

    Place blind-baked crust on a parchment paper–lined baking sheet. Stir together flour and turbinado sugar in a small bowl. Sprinkle bottom of crust evenly with flour mixture; spread toasted pecans evenly on top. Brush crimped edges lightly with beaten egg. Carefully pour filling over pecans. Press down any pecans that aren't submerged. Transfer baking sheet with pie to preheated oven; bake until puffed around edges and slightly jiggly in center, 40 to 50 minutes.

  • Step 4

    Remove pie from oven; transfer to a wire rack to let cool completely, 4 to 6 hours. Serve with whipped cream, if desired.

Make Ahead

Store leftover pie, covered, at room temperature up to 2 days.

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