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 that you know how to tell when a pecan pie is done. 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.
