How to Serve Pecan Pie: Hot Or Cold?
Pecan pie is one of the most wanted and enjoyed pies worldwide, primarily because of its rich and creamy taste and texture. However, to achieve the taste everyone is crazy about, you need to know how to serve this pie properly. So, should you serve pecan pie hot or cold?
Pecan pie should be served cold or at room temperature. This is because the filling needs to be quite firm in pecan pie, like a pudding, and it needs to be refrigerated because of the eggs in its content. Serving hot pecan pie can cause the pie to fall apart. The best toppings are whipped cream, vanilla ice cream or dark chocolate chips.
Since pecan pie is a delicate type of pie, you need to know the proper ways in which you can serve it. Firstly, you need to know the right temperature, and secondly, you need to know which ingredients can be served along with this pie.
Therefore, I have included some tips that might help you serve pecan pie in the right manner, so you can enjoy its taste and flavors as they are supposed to taste.
Should Pecan Pie Be Served Warm Or Cold?
When you hear the word pie, you probably instantly imagine something warm and sweet that melts in your mouth. However, that is not the case with pecan pie. It is recommended that you cool off your pecan pie completely before serving, and you can actually serve it right from the fridge.
Therefore, if your pecan pie is freshly taken out from the oven, make sure that you cool it down to room temperature. This is the best way for it to set up, so the filling would not start spilling out. This process is necessary for this kind of pie because the filling needs to become firm as pudding.
In addition, some people tend to store pecan pie in the fridge and then serve it right out of it. This is not strange, and it may give you the best results. Pecan pie is a custard-like pie, so it needs to be firm when served.
Otherwise, its texture will start to crumble and spill out, so you will not be able to eat it. And you know that there is nothing worse than eating a dessert, especially a pie that is ruining the process of eating. That is why you have to give it time to set up successfully and cool off completely.
The flavors will blend together when you give your pie enough time to set. At the same time, the crust will absorb the needed moisture. Therefore, it will not be crumbly, but firm yet soft.
The way pecan pie is served is the main reason this pie can be served with toppings, such as ice cream. If the pie is hot or even warm, toppings like ice cream or cream will just melt on top of your pie, and you will end up with a ruined dessert. That is something you would like to avoid.
How To Serve Pecan Pie? 6 Topping Ideas
To enjoy pecan pie in the right way, you know how to serve it properly. Namely, you have to know whether you should serve it hot and cold and whether you need something else on the plate.
Pecan pie is usually served during holidays, and it is already sweet and delicious on its own. However, you can always add something else to intensify its flavors. For instance, some people do not want to add anything to the recipe while making the pie, but they still want to make the pie more delicious while serving it.
If you want to try something like this, I am here to give you some ideas. For example, you can serve your pecan pie with an orange slice and zest. The orange flavors will give your pie an interesting taste and a specific flavor that will take this dessert to the next level.
If you do not want citrusy flavors on top of your pecan pie, then you can go with some cranberries. Cranberries will not change the taste of the pie but will help balance its sweetness.
If you are up to something more chocolatey, you can add some dark chocolate chips on top of your pie. This is the perfect idea for serving pecan pie to a larger group of people since most people enjoy chocolate flavors. In other words, you will not go wrong if you opt for chocolate as your serving topping because most people never say no to chocolate desserts.
Furthermore, if you want some simple solutions for serving pecan pie, you can always opt for some kind of syrup on top of your pie. Corn syrup is the traditional topping for pecan pie, but you can also try using honey or instead. Some people do not enjoy corn syrup as much, so honey might be a good substitute.
Now that we have discussed the usual serving toppings, let’s mention some more interesting things that can be added to pecan pie when serving it. Since this pie can be easily eaten cold, have you ever thought of topping it with ice cream? Believe it or not, you can easily pair your pecan pie with vanilla ice cream, and expect some tasty and magnificent flavors.
Lastly, if you want to keep it simple, you can go for the usual combination of cream and maple syrup. Just top your slice of pecan pie with some cream, and pour maple syrup all over it. You will not make a mistake and regret this combo since it is one of the proven combinations that really work.
How Long Does It Take For Pecan Pie To Cool?
I have already explained that pecan pie requires cooling off in order for the texture could set perfectly. Therefore, you are completely aware that eating it right from the oven would not be a possibility. So, make sure that you give your pecan pie time to set in the right way before you proceed to enjoy it.
But, how do you know how much time is enough for pecan pie to cool off? The process of cooling down usually takes about two hours. However, always do a little test before deciding to slice it.
To be on the safe side, you can do a little check without having to slice your pie in the first place. Therefore, you can take your pie from one edge and gently shake it back and forth. If you notice that the pie’s filling is still moving, i.e. it is a little wobbly from the center to the edge, that means that it needs a little bit more time to cool off.
What you need to look for is a filling that is a little bit wiggly, but still firm. That is your sign that your pecan pie is done and ready to be served.
Sometimes, the room temperatures are hotter than you expect, so your pecan pie will need some time to get its filling firm enough. Otherwise, your pie will start to crumble, i.e. the filling might start to fall off.
Another method for checking whether your pecan pie is done or not is by checking the edges of the crust. When the pie is completely done, you will be able to notice a little puffiness at the edges of it, and they will slightly change into a brownish color. Then, once cooled off, you will be able to see that this puffiness has completely set, meaning that your pie is ready to be eaten.
How To Warm Up Pecan Pie?
If you store your pecan pie in the fridge, you need to remember that you can not reheat it immediately after you take it out. Namely, putting a cold pie in the oven would be a mistake since the texture will be completely ruined.
To avoid that, place the pecan pie at room temperature first, so it adjusts a little bit.
After some time, you may place it in the oven for about 15 minutes. Make sure that you preheat the oven before placing the pie inside for the best results. However, if you only want a slice of your pecan pie, then it would be wisest for you to warm only that slice rather than the whole pie.
If you warm your whole pie, then put it back in the fridge, you might just lose the original flavors and texture. So, make sure that you plan ahead before warming up the whole thing.
What Goes With Pecan Pie?
Pecan pie is usually served during Thanksgiving. Since the ingredients are harvested in autumn, the best time to eat pie is in October and November. That is why this pie is considered a holiday dessert.
Since it is served on Thanksgiving, the best combination of meals is meat. Namely, after eating the main Thanksgiving meal, i.e. turkey meat, pecan pie would be the best dessert to follow.
As you can see, pecan pie differs from other types of pie due to its different texture. That is why this pie can be, and it is recommended to be eaten cold. However, some people still like to warm it up before enjoying this delicious dessert.
