What you need:
FILLING:
1 1/2 - 2 cups of pecans (whole, chopped, pieces, any work)*
1 cup of clear Karo syrup
1 cup of brown sugar
3 eggs
2 tbsp vanilla
pinch of salt
1/3 cup melted (cooled) butter
*You can use any type of nuts really, walnuts or hazelnuts should also be nice.
CRUST:
1 3/4 cup Butter Flavored Crisco + 2 tbsp*
2 cups Flour
1 tsp salt
2 tbsp ice water
*you can substitute half and half butter and Crisco if you like.
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F
First you make the crust.
Mix the flour and salt then start mixing in the Crisco and ice water until well mixed and resembling dough. Sometimes I add a little extra flour if needed. When everything is well mixed roll it up into a ball and wrap in plastic and put it in the fridge while you make the pie filling.
While you crust is getting cold melt your butter in the microwave or on the stove and let it sit until luke warm or cool. Mix the sugar, syrup, salt and vanilla with your melted butter in a bowl. In a separate bowl beat your eggs and then add them to the sugar mix. Set this aside and take your pie crust dough out of the fridge.
You need a big clean, clear counter space to roll out your dough. I usually put down cutting mats or wax paper. Use a lot of flour on your surface and on your rolling pin, you do not want your crust to stick to either. Place your ball of dough on your floured surface and pat it down a bit. Then use your rolling pin to roll it out to about 1/8 of an inch thinkness (about 1/3 cm). The easiest way to get your dough from the table to the pie pan in one piece is to wrap it around your rolling pin and roll it gently off onto your pan. Gently press it down into the pan and remove the excess crust leaving about an inch around the edge. Make sure any holes or perforations are covered well! The press this outer edge into a scallop pattern. (I'm not so great at that. :) )
Pour in your filling mix and add your nuts on top. OR mix your nuts into the filling and pour into the crust. Don't worry, either way the nuts will float to the top of the pie while it cooks. Place your pie in the oven for an hour. If you check your pie and see that the crust is becoming brown you can cover it (just the edge of the pie) with foil for the last portion of your cooking time. (Mine was fine w/o this step) Don't worry if your pie raises some in the middle, it will settle as it cools!
Serve cool. And this is what your pie should look like:
Lots of love and Happy Holidays. Весела Коледа! ~ Samantha
