Pecan Pie with Graham Cracker Crust
# Pecan Pie with Graham Cracker Crust: The Ultimate Sweet Experience
Have you ever wondered why pecan pie is so darn good? ๐ค That perfect mix of sweetness, nuttiness, and that amazing crunch? Well, today, Iโm going to show you how to take that classic pecan pie to the next level by using a graham cracker crust. Trust me, your taste buds are going to send you a thank-you card.
I remember the first time I tried pecan pie โ it was during Thanksgiving, and let's just say I was one slice away from making *cough cough* questionable life choices. Fast forward to today: I'm making it at home, and GUESS WHAT? You can, too! So letโs get down to business, shall we?
## Why Graham Cracker Crust?
### The Crunch Factor
Ever bitten into a slice of pecan pie and found yourself overwhelmed by the traditional crust? ๐ฉ If you're like me, you might appreciate a lighter touch. Enter the graham cracker crust! Hereโs why itโs a total game-changer:
- **Light and Flaky**: A graham cracker crust is much lighter than a traditional pie crust. It wonโt weigh you down (I mean, who wants to feel like theyโve eaten a brick?).
- **Sweetness Boost**: The natural sweetness of graham crackers enhances the pie, perfectly balancing the sticky sweetness of the filling.
- **Easy Peasy**: Making a graham cracker crust is a breeze! Seriously, you donโt have to be a master baker to pull this off.
### Perfect Pairing
Letโs talk about texture. The **crunchiness** of the graham cracker crust contrasts beautifully with the **smooth and gooey filling** of pecan pie. That combo is basically a hug for your taste buds โ who doesnโt want that?
## Ingredients: What Youโll Need
So, ready to whip this up? Hereโs a quick breakdown of the ingredients you'll need. Iโve thrown in some personal tips along the way, FYI!
### For the Graham Cracker Crust
- **2 cups of graham cracker crumbs** (trust me, store-bought is a friend here)
- **ยฝ cup unsweetened cocoa powder** (for a chocolate twist, if you're feeling frisky ๐)
- **ยฝ cup granulated sugar**
- **ยฝ cup melted butter** (because butter makes everything better, duh)
- **1 teaspoon vanilla extract** (this pairs well โ think of it as the sidekick to your crust)
### For the Pecan Pie Filling
- **3 eggs** (or 2 tablespoons of flaxseed meal mixed with 6 tablespoons of water for vegan)
- **1 cup corn syrup** (the glue that holds it all together!)
- **ยพ cup packed brown sugar** (sweet goodness in every bite)
- **1 teaspoon vanilla extract** (yeah, again! A little more never hurt anyone)
- **2 cups chopped pecans** (the star of the show!)
## Directions: Putting it All Together
Now that we've got our ingredients, letโs get cooking!
### Step 1: Make the Graham Cracker Crust
1. **Preheat your oven** to 350ยฐF (or 175ยฐC, but letโs keep it simple here).
2. **In a bowl**, mix the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, cocoa powder (if using), and melted butter until it resembles wet sand.
3. **Press** this mixture into the bottom and sides of a pie pan. Make sure it's even!
4. **Bake for 8-10 minutes** until slightly golden. Let it cool while you prep the filling.
### Step 2: Prepare the Pecan Pie Filling
1. **In a large mixing bowl**, whisk together the eggs, corn syrup, brown sugar, and vanilla extract. (Yup, whisk your little heart out)
2. **Stir in** the chopped pecans.
3. **Pour** the filling into the cooled graham cracker crust.
### Step 3: Bake It!
1. **Pop that bad boy in the oven** for about 50-60 minutes or until the filling is set and slightly jiggles in the center (a little jiggle is good, too much means overbaked!).
2. **Cool at room temperature** for at least 2 hours before slicing. I know, waiting is hard, but patience is key to that perfect slice.
### Step 4: Serve and Enjoy
Top it off with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream โ because who doesnโt love dessert a la mode?
## Tips for Making the Best Pecan Pie
### Spice it Up
Want to add a kick? ๐ Throw in:
- **A dash of cinnamon** or **nutmeg** for a subtle warmth.
- **A splash of bourbon** if youโre feeling fancy. Just remember: a splash is not a cup!
### Use Fresh Pecans
Do yourself a favor and use *FRESH* pecans. Theyโll give you richer flavor and that nutty crunch you crave. Old pecans have this sad, stale vibe. ๐
### Storage
Got leftovers (who are you)? Store your pie in the fridge for up to **4 days**. Just cover it tightly with plastic wrap or foil. FYI, reheat slices in the microwave for a few seconds if you prefer it warm!
## Conclusion: Time to Indulge
Once you get through this delightful journey of **pecan pie with a graham cracker crust**, you might find yourself making it for every occasion! (I mean, birthdays, Tuesday, Mondaysโฆ why not?!).
To sum it up:
- **Graham cracker crust** makes it lighter and adds a unique flavor.
- **Pecan pie filling** remains the star with a crunch thatโs out of this world.
- **Customize** it to make it your own!
So, what are you waiting for? Stop reading about it and start baking! May your kitchens be filled with the delicious, sweet aroma of pecan pie, and may your friends think youโre basically a pastry wizard. ๐ฐ Happy baking, folks!
Print
Pecan Pie with Graham Cracker Crust
- Total Time: 80 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A delightful pecan pie featuring a light and crunchy graham cracker crust, perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- ยฝ cup unsweetened cocoa powder (optional)
- ยฝ cup granulated sugar
- ยฝ cup melted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 eggs (or 2 tablespoons flaxseed meal mixed with 6 tablespoons water for vegan option)
- 1 cup corn syrup
- ยพ cup packed brown sugar
- 2 cups chopped pecans
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350ยฐF (175ยฐC).
- In a bowl, mix the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, cocoa powder (if using), and melted butter until it resembles wet sand.
- Press this mixture into the bottom and sides of a pie pan.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes until slightly golden. Let it cool while you prepare the filling.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, corn syrup, brown sugar, and vanilla extract.
- Stir in the chopped pecans.
- Pour the filling into the cooled graham cracker crust.
- Bake for 50-60 minutes or until the filling is set and slightly jiggles in the center.
- Cool at room temperature for at least 2 hours before slicing.
- Top with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream if desired and serve.
Notes
Add a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg for extra flavor. Use fresh pecans for the best taste.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 35g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 150mg
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