Meringue-Topped Pecan Custard Pie

Ingredients

·         Pastry for single-crust pie (9 inches)

·         3/4 cup sugar

·         1/4 cup all-purpose flour

·         1-3/4 cups 2% milk

·         6 tablespoons butter, cubed

·         3 large egg yolks

·         1 cup chopped pecans, toasted

·         1 teaspoon vanilla extract

·         MERINGUE:

·         3 large egg whites, room temperature

·         1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

·         1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar

·         6 tablespoons sugar

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Directions

·         On a lightly floured surface, roll pastry to a 1/8-in.-thick circle; transfer to a 9-in. pie plate. Trim to 1/2 in. beyond rim of plate; flute edge. Refrigerate 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 425°.

·         Line unpricked pastry with a double thickness of foil. Fill with pie weights, dried beans or uncooked rice. Bake on a lower oven rack until edges are light golden brown, 12-15 minutes. Remove foil and weights; bake until bottom is golden brown, 3-6 minutes longer. Cool on a wire rack. Reduce oven setting to 350°.

·         In a large heavy saucepan, mix sugar and flour. Whisk in milk and butter. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly. Reduce heat to low; cook and stir 2 minutes longer. Remove from heat.

·         In a small bowl, whisk a small amount of hot mixture into egg yolks; return all to pan, whisking constantly. Bring to a gentle boil; cook and stir 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in pecans and vanilla.

·         For meringue, in a large bowl, beat egg whites, vanilla and cream of tartar on medium speed until foamy. Gradually add sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating on high after each addition until sugar is dissolved. Continue beating until soft glossy peaks form.

·         Transfer hot filling to crust. Spread meringue evenly over filling, sealing to edge of crust. Bake until meringue is golden brown, 12-15 minutes. Cool 1 hour on a wire rack. Refrigerate at least 6 hours before serving.

Pastry for single-crust pie (9 inches): Combine 1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour and 1/4 tsp. salt; cut in 1/2 cup cold butter until crumbly. Gradually add 3-5 Tbsp. ice water, tossing with a fork until dough holds together when pressed. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate 1 hour.

Editor's Note

Let pie weights cool before storing. Beans and rice may be reused for pie weights, but not for cooking.

Nutrition Facts

1 piece: 522 calories, 33g fat (15g saturated fat), 126mg cholesterol, 272mg sodium, 51g carbohydrate (32g sugars, 2g fiber), 8g protein.

source :www.tasteofhome.com