DECADENT TEXAS PECAN PIE

Everyone has a favorite food. Did you know that when an individual thinks of a favorite food their brain actually lights up on a PET Scan? It is the same reaction a drug addict gets when they begin to crave their drug of choice. Their brain lights up too. What does that say about us as relatively normal human beings? When I think about Cherry Pie does my brain go haywire if it's been longer than 24 hours since I've had a slice? I don't think so. But the fact still remains, we have strong urges when it comes to our favorite food or favorite type of food. Can you believe some brainiac scientist spent tax payer's money on such a stupid test? I could have told them all they needed to know about craving your favorite food! I see it. I smell it. I WANT it! Uh, let's see, that will be $250,000.00 Uncle Sam.

Dean Fearing

Yes Cherry Pie is at the top of my "favorite desserts" list, cake is not my thing. But that's a Summer pie. My favorite Winter pie is hands down my mother's Raisin Pie. And a close second is my 'Dean Fearing' Texas Pecan Pie! Well it's not his pie, he was one of three judges that taste tested my Pecan Pie 15 or so years ago at The Texas State Fair. I didn't come home with a blue ribbon that day but I came in second. When I met Dean, he just gushed over my pie. It was a very surreal moment for sure! I was tickled just to stand next to him and have a conversation! Now he is a REAL cook. A legend in this part of the country. This is one fantastic pie. It's done when it looks slightly burnt...no joke. This pecan pie is on our Thanksgiving and Christmas dessert table every year, without fail. Enjoy y'all!

TEXAS PECAN PIE

This is no ordinary pie. It is a Texas pecan pie, which means it is bigger and gooier and richer than any other pecan pie out there. Chock full of fresh Texas pecans, this pie is a decadent balance of sweet and savory. Perfected over the years, when the ingredients are fresh and simple, the results are perfect. I hope your family enjoys as much as mine. Happy Holidays!

MAKES 1 (9-inch) PIE

INGREDIENTS

• 1 9" unbaked pie crust
• 1 1/4 cup dark corn syrup
• 1 cup light brown sugar
• 4 tbsp. unsalted butter
• 4 eggs, room temperature
• 2 cups Texas Pecans, 1 cup chopped and 1 cup whole
• 1 tsp. Real McCormick Vanilla
• 1/2 tsp Almond extract, (I only use quite 1/4 tsp)

WHAT TO DO

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Combine corn syrup and light brown sugar in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil. Cook stirring until brown sugar has dissolved. Once sugar has dissolved remove from heat. 
• Add butter, stir until melted. 
• Slightly beat eggs in a medium size bowl. While beating your eggs, SLOWLY pour corn syrup mixture into your eggs. Pour about 3/4 cup into your eggs, stop and stir, bringing the temperature of the eggs closer to that of your syrup mixture. Pour another cupful in and stir, now it's safe to pour your eggs into the hot liquid mixture. 
• Add vanilla and almond extracts and 1 cup chopped nuts, stir until blended well. 
• Brush the edge of pie crust with 1 egg white, beaten until frothy. This will ensure a pretty shiny crust.
• Pour the pecan mixture into prepared pie crust. Using the whole pecans, arrange them around the outer edge of the pie and a few in the middle. 
• Place pie in preheated oven and bake for 1 hour. 
• Check to see if it's set, if not turn the pie around and bake another 5 - 10 minutes. The top should look almost burnt and slightly cracked on top. 

McCormick, vanilla, pecan, Texas, Pie, fresh, decadent, rich, goodness, family, holidays, Christmas, recipe, winner