Lemon Pecan Pie

I know what you are thinking - lemon pecan pie? Why is she messing with a good thing. Can't she just leave it alone? Well, I know what you are saying, but you know me. I can't just do plain. Well, sometimes I can, but sometimes I can't. Remember last year when I tried a bourbon pecan pie? Let me just say, when I brought it to a holiday party last year, it was the first pie to go. That's saying something. Don't you think. I do. While I love a good traditional pecan pie, sometimes it's fun to switch things up. People will least expect it and there's nothing like a little something something to spice up the holidays.

I first saw this lemon pecan pie recipe the other weekend when I was watching some of my recorded Food Network programs. I am too busy during the week to catch up on my favorites, so I usually dedicate an hour or so to catch up on the ones I can. While I was cleaning up the kitchen, I turned on Trisha Yearwood's show. She makes some simple, yet great dishes that everyone can make. I wasn't really paying attention to the show while I was cleaning, but when she said "lemon pecan pie", I did a double take. At first I thought I would be part lemon bar and part pecan pie, but boy was I wrong. She doesn't do too much to change up the original and delicious pecan pie. But she does add a bit of lemon zest and juice. Not too much. Just enough to make you go, "hmm, what is that?" But in a good way of course.

This pie could not be easier to throw together. In five minutes, you can throw everything together and have it ready to pop in the oven. Seriously! Plus, if you are anti corn syrup, this pie is for you. No corn syrup here. Just butter, brown sugar, eggs, vanilla, a bit of flour to thicken things up, lemon zest, lemon juice, a splash of milk and of course, pecans. First, you'll melt down the butter and then add in everything else. Just make sure the eggs are mixed in really well. I noticed some of the egg whites took a but more arm muscle to mix in. You don't want strands of egg whites through your pie, do you? I don't think so. That's kinda gross. Once everything is mixed really well, throw in the chopped pecans and pour everything into an unbaked pie crust. Then, before you pop the pie into the oven (at this point, try your hardest to not eat the filling by the spoonful), you'll want to add some halved pecans on the top making a pretty design. This part makes your pie look like you spent hours on it when you only spent 5 to 10 minutes prepping everything.

Bake the pie for about 55 minutes or so until everything is set and the center of the pie is no longer wiggly jiggly. I am clearly using technical terms here. You'll know when it's done. Just give the pie a little shimmy shake (another technical term) and if the middle doesn't wiggle, it's done. When the pie is ready to come out, let it cool to room temperature and then enjoy! I am almost willing to bet that your friends and family will love this subtle and new twist to pecan pie.

Lemon pecan pie. Enough said!

Lemon Pecan Pie (Trisha Yearwood)

1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
2 large eggs
1 stick (1/2 cup) melted butter (salted or unsalted)
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
3 tablespoons lemon juice, freshly squeezed
2 tablespoons milk
2 tablespoons all purpose flour
1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup pecan halves
1 9inch pie shell, unbaked

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. 

In a large bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, granulated sugar and eggs. Mix well. Then stir in butter, vanilla, lemon zest and juice, milk, flour and 1 cup of the chopped pecans. Mix until combined. Pour the mixture into the unbaked pie crust and then arrange the pecan halves on top in a circular pattern.

Bake the pie until the crust is golden brown and the filling is set and firm, about 55 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature. Enjoy!

Lemon pecan pie never sounded so good!