But sometimes, pie baking can be a little bit tricky, especially when you are trying to work out if the pie is done cooking.
As tasty as pecan pie is, it can definitely be a bit difficult to work out when it’s done if you don’t know what to look for. But you are in luck!
We’ll be telling you everything you need to know about how to tell if your pecan pie is done, so you can avoid it spoiling. So let’s get started!
What Is Pecan Pie?
If you have never had pecan pie before, here’s a brief rundown of what it actually is. Pecan pie is a type of pie that is primarily made out of pecan nuts, but the other main ingredients in the filling include eggs, butter, and sugar.
There are lots of variations of pecan pie, which can include white or brown sugar, as well as corn syrup, maple syrup, and honey.
Pecan Pie is especially popular in the United States and is considered to be of Southern U.S origin. It is mainly served around the holidays, such as Thanksgiving and Christmas, alongside lots of other traditional American holiday cuisines.
How To Tell When Pecan Pie Is Done
If you have never made a pecan pie before, knowing what to look for when it’s done can be a bit of a challenge. Because the whole pie has a full layer of pecan nuts on top, this can really obstruct your view of the actual filling.
Luckily though, there are two telltale signs that will give away if the pecan pie is done or not. The two signs involve the puffiness of the pie and if it wobbles or jiggles. Let’s go over both of these now so you know exactly what to look out for.
Check The Puffiness
First, let’s talk about puffiness. When it comes to your pecan pie, you need to check the crust once it is golden brown. On the crust, there should be a little puffiness on the edges. This is how you will know that the pie is done.
On top of this, the nuts and custard should be a rich, medium-dark brown color and the crust will be a deep golden color. If your pecan pie has these characteristics, then it is done and you can take it out of the oven.
Wobble Vs. Jiggle
Next, let’s talk about the wobble and the jiggle. To check this way, you need to gently hold the pie by one of the edges and give it a careful shake.
If the filling is still quite liquidy and wavy in movement, that means that your pecan pie isn’t quite ready to come out of the oven yet. Put it back in the oven and keep an eye on it when you put it back in though so you don’t burn it.
Your pecan pie will be done when you give it a careful shake and it has a little jiggle that is similar to Jell-O. The edges will stay still, stable, and set though. This is how you know that the pie is ready and you can take it out of the oven.
Can You Overcook Pecan Pie?
If you are worried that you might overcook your pecan pie, unfortunately, if you leave it in the oven for too long this is what will happen. This is why it’s important to keep an eye on it and check it regularly, especially as the recommended cooking time draws to a close.
You can tell if your pecan pie is overcooked because the filling and the crust will turn rock hard and it will be quite difficult to eat. Other telltale signs that your pecan pie is overcooked include:
Small bubbles in the filling around the edges of the pie
The filling separating from the crust
It can be quite disheartening when this happens, but as long as you stick to the required cooking time and do not leave it unattended, you should be able to avoid overcooking it.
What Temperature Should Pecan Pie Be When It’s Done?
If you still don’t trust your eyes, and you are still concerned that you’re going to overcook your pecan pie, you can use a thermometer to measure the temperature of the pie by sticking it into the filling.
When the pie is completely cooked, the filling should be at a temperature of 185 degrees.
How Long Does Pecan Pie Last Before It Spoils?
Once your pecan pie has come out of the oven, it will last for about three or four days before it spoils. The best place to store it to ensure it lasts for these 3 or 4 days is in the fridge, do not store it at room temperature.
To store it in the refrigerator properly, make sure that you wrap it up in aluminum foil so none of the pie is exposed to the air.
However, you can also freeze your pecan pie if you want to. It will last a lot longer in the freezer, but it is advised that you do not store it for longer than 1 to 2 months if you want it to retain its flavor and texture.
You can store it for longer than 1 to 2 months, but it won’t taste as good.
Conclusion
Once you know the telltale signs for when a pecan pie is done, you will find the whole process to be a lot easier.
All you need to do when the cooking time is coming to an end is keep an eye on the puffiness of the crust and see if the filling is wobbly or jiggly.
You may need to do some trial runs the first couple of times, but once you fall into a rhythm, it will become second nature to you!
Have you ever made something so delicious that you wished you could savor it forever?
Only to find that the recipe has now mysteriously vanished from your phone and the entirety of the internet. Yep, there’s not much more painful than that.
Hi, my name is Mark Williams and I have been infatuated with cooking since I was young. I would beg my mother to pull a chair up to the counter so I could watch what she was doing.
