Preparing a pecan pie is easy, but it might be a little tricky to know when it is done so you can take it out of the oven. This is especially the case when it is your first time making pecan pie. It is important to know when your pecan pie is ready. If you turn off the oven too soon, you will have a runny pecan pie. On the other hand, turning it off a little too late means getting a hardened filling and crust. Either way, you will not be able to enjoy the crunchy pecans on top and the sweet gooey filling underneath.
When the pie crust becomes puffy, it is time to check your pecan pie. There are two ways to find out whether your pecan pie is perfectly baked or not:
1. Shake the pie pan
2. Insert the knife
Shake the pie pan
Take out the pie out of the oven and give the pan or tart tray a little shake. Shake the pie gently and, it should give a little jiggle in the center. The center should jiggle a little, but it should have some stability. If the pie filling shows horizontal movement on shaking, then it is not done yet.
Insert a Knife
The simplest way to check your pie is by inserting a clean knife in the center of the pie. Make sure to insert the knife between the pecans so as not to disturb their presentation. See if the knife comes out clean. If it does, your pie is ready to take out of the oven.
The baking time and temperature are two of the most important factors for getting your pecan pie just right. For baking pies in general, the oven should be preheated at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (180 degrees C). The baking time varies from 20-35 minutes, depending upon which recipe you are following. The internal temperature of the pie should be 200 degrees F when it is done.
FAQs
To check your pie for doneness, gently and carefully hold it by one edge, and then give it a little shake back and forth. If the filling is flowing in a wavy movement from the center to the edge, your pie isn't set quite yet.
Can you overcook pecan pie? ›
Don't overbake the pie because it will continue to cook as it cools. If you overbake the pie, it can become rock hard. Use an instant read thermometer to test for doneness!
Will pecan pie still be jiggly after baking? ›
You will know your pecan pie is done cooking when you can gently shake the pie dish and see that the center of the pie is not overly jiggly and the outer edges are set. If the pie jiggles a lot when you gently shake the pan, continue cooking it until the center is a little more set.
Is pecan pie runny when it comes out of the oven? ›
As such, you have to cook the pecan pie long enough for this liquid to develop a custard-like consistency. If your pecan pie is runny, simply bake it a bit longer, even up to 20 minutes.
Why is my pecan pie not cooked in the middle? ›
If the oven was too cool, this could result in the filling and bottom crust failing to bake through. Follow the recipe directions for the oven temperature, only decreasing it slightly. For example, if the recipe required 350 degrees Fahrenheit, you can go as low as 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
How to tell when pie is done? ›
Tip: What's the best way to tell if your pie is done? For fruit pie, the top crust will be golden brown, and you'll be able to see filling bubbling around the edges and/or through the vents. For best results, let the filling bubble for at least 5 minutes before removing the pie from the oven.
How long should a pecan pie sit before eating? ›
Can pecan pie sit out overnight? Nope! It has eggs which means pecan pie needs to be refrigerated. It can sit out for about two hours though, so if you like it at room temperature, pull it out of the fridge half an hour or so before you serve it.
Can I leave pecan pie out overnight to cool? ›
But if you want to leave it overnight at room temperature after taking it out from the fridge, it will get spoiled. You can only keep it at room temperature for two hours. Since pecan pies contain eggs, they have more chances to get bad and make you sick.
Can you rebake undercooked pecan pie? ›
Yes, you can re-bake an undercooked pecan pie to ensure that it is cooked through properly.
Why is my pecan pie crust soggy? ›
Wet pie fillings + raw dough are a tricky combination. If the bottom crust doesn't set before the filling soaks in, it's going to be gummy. A metal pie pan placed on a preheated surface will set the bottom crust quickest; once cooked, the liquids from the filling above won't soak in, and as a result: no soggy bottom.
Bake the pie fully.
If you don't leave the pie in the oven long enough your thickener doesn't get to the necessary temperature and time to thicken your filling. You want to see thick bubbling! The bubbling of the filling is activating the natural gelatin of your fruit as well as your thickeners.
How to tell if pecan pie is done? ›
Shake the pie pan
Take out the pie out of the oven and give the pan or tart tray a little shake. Shake the pie gently and, it should give a little jiggle in the center. The center should jiggle a little, but it should have some stability. If the pie filling shows horizontal movement on shaking, then it is not done yet.
Did I overcook my pecan pie? ›
A pecan pie is likely overcooked or has been in the oven too long if the top turns black or the filling starts to crack. Overbaking your pie can make it sticky or crunchy, causing the filling to become tough, hard, and difficult to eat.
Can you eat pecan pie right out of the oven? ›
The filling continues to cook and will fully set as the pie cools, so giving a pie plenty of time at room temperature before serving is important. "We usually let our pecan pies sit out for about an hour," says Chef Kolle, "until the filling's cool enough to touch."
How long do you have to wait to eat pecan pie after baking? ›
A cooled and lightly wrapped pecan pie can be refrigerated for up to four days, which means you can bake your pie well in advance of when you plan to serve it. You can use this same approach for a purchased pie or refrigerate it in its original packaging.
How do I make sure my pie is done? ›
To be safe, the rule is to bake the pie at 425 degrees for 15 minutes at first, then lower the temperature to 375 degrees and bake until the pie is done. Leave the pie in the oven while you change the temperature. “Done” is usually an hour to an hour and fifteen minutes total time.
Why does my pecan pie look foamy? ›
Tips for The Best Pecan Pie:
Over beating the filling will cause it to become foamy and will make the filling look cloudy. Keep an eye on the crust as it bakes. Typically it will need to be covered within about 20 minutes of baking. You can make pecan pie ahead of time and freeze them easily.
