Upside-Down Southern Apple Pecan Pie 🍏🥧
Prepare to indulge in a dessert that’s a delightful twist on the classic apple pie—an Upside-Down Southern Apple Pecan Pie that offers a sweet and nutty twist to your dessert repertoire. This recipe brings together the buttery richness of pecan halves and the tartness of cooking apples, enveloped in a perfectly spiced, golden crust. Follow these detailed steps to create a stunning pie that is as delicious as it is beautiful.
Ingredients
For the Pie:
- Butter: 1/4 cup
- Pecan Halves: 2/3 cup
- Brown Sugar: 2/3 cup (plus 1/3 cup for the apple filling)
- Cooking Apples: 6, peeled, cored, and sliced
- Lemon: 1, juiced
- Flour: 1 cup
- Salt: 1/4 teaspoon
- Cinnamon: 1/2 teaspoon
- Nutmeg: 1/4 teaspoon
For the Crust:
- Margarine: 1/3 cup
- Brown Sugar: 1 cup (for the bottom layer)
- Pie Pastry: 1 (store-bought or homemade, enough to cover the pie)
Preparation Time
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
Instructions
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Preheat the Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 450°F (232°C). This high initial temperature will help achieve a crisp, golden crust.
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Prepare the Pan: Spoon the butter evenly over the bottom of a 9-inch pie plate. Make sure it coats the entire base to prevent sticking and to create a buttery base for the pecans.
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Arrange Pecans: Scatter the pecan halves across the bottom of the pan on top of the butter. The pecans will toast as the pie bakes, adding a delightful crunch and flavor to the pie.
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Add Brown Sugar: Sprinkle 2/3 cup of brown sugar over the pecan halves. This layer will caramelize and form a sweet, gooey topping once the pie is baked.
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Prepare the Crust: Roll out one of your pie crusts and press it into the bottom and up the sides of the prepared pie plate. Make sure the crust covers the pecans and brown sugar. Trim off any excess pastry around the edges.
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Mix Apples: In a large mixing bowl, combine the sliced apples with the lemon juice. This will prevent the apples from browning and add a zesty flavor.
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Spice It Up: In a separate bowl, combine 1/3 cup of brown sugar with flour, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Toss this mixture gently with the apples until they are evenly coated. The flour helps to thicken the filling as it cooks.
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Assemble the Pie: Spoon the apple mixture evenly over the crust in the pie pan. Distribute the apples in a mounded layer.
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Top the Pie: Roll out the remaining pie pastry and place it over the apple filling. Fold the edges of the top crust over the edges of the bottom crust and crimp to seal. This step ensures that the filling stays inside and the crust holds together.
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Add Vents: Use a fork to prick the top crust a few times. This allows steam to escape during baking and helps prevent the crust from becoming soggy.
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Bake the Pie: Place the pie in the preheated oven and bake at 450°F (232°C) for 10 minutes. This initial burst of high heat will set the crust and start the caramelization process.
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Reduce Temperature: After 10 minutes, reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (177°C) and continue baking for another 30 to 40 minutes. The pie is done when the crust is golden brown and the apple filling is bubbly.
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Cool and Serve: Allow the pie to cool for about 5 minutes after baking. Carefully invert the pie onto a serving plate, so the pecans and caramelized sugar are on top, creating a beautiful upside-down presentation.
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Enjoy: Serve warm or at room temperature, perhaps with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for extra indulgence.
This Upside-Down Southern Apple Pecan Pie is a perfect fusion of textures and flavors, with the crunchy pecans and caramelized sugar providing a sweet and nutty contrast to the tender, spiced apple filling. Whether you’re serving it for a special occasion or as a treat for yourself, this pie is sure to impress and delight. 🍎🥜
Servings: This recipe yields one 9-inch pie, perfect for sharing with family and friends or enjoying over several days.
Nutritional Information (per serving): Approximately 4038.9 calories, with 220.2 grams of fat, 64.8 grams of saturated fat, 122 milligrams of cholesterol, 2956.6 milligrams of sodium, 516.9 grams of carbohydrates, 36.6 grams of fiber, 293.2 grams of sugar, and 33.7 grams of protein.
