Should you refrigerate pecan pie?
Maybe you ordered some pecan pies for an upcoming event, or maybe you enjoyed some delicious pecan pie and had some leftovers, what should you do with it?
Why Is It Important to Store Pecan Pie Correctly?
In general, food should only be left sitting at room temperature for no more than two hours (USDA). This is because bacteria grow rapidly in the presence of food, moisture, and warm temperatures. According to the USDA, bacteria can double as quickly as 20 minutes in the Danger Zone (40°F - 140°F). Eating contaminated food is dangerous and can lead to food poisoning especially in high risk populations such as young children, older adults, pregnant women, and people with weak immune systems. Furthermore, pecan pies should be eaten as soon as possible because they contain perishable ingredients such as eggs.
How Can You Store Pecan Pie?
Pecan pie can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4-6 hours. If you plan to serve it later, storing it in the freezer is a good way to maintain the freshness and quality of your pie. Unbaked frozen pies are best eaten within two months while baked frozen pies are good for up to four months. Make sure to place your pie in an air-tight freezer bag or cover it with plastic or aluminum wrap before freezing it to prevent freezer burn from taking place. Freezer burn is when food is damaged by dehydration and oxidation, which may affect the flavor and texture of the pie.
Serving Refrigerated or Frozen Pecan Pie
To serve refrigerated or frozen pecan pie (Instructions taken and adapted from Millican Pecan Company):
- Thaw pecan pie at room temperature or in the refrigerator
- Once pie is thawed, lightly brush pie crust with melted butter
- Sprinkle pecan pie with brown sugar (this step is optional if you prefer less sugar in your diet)
- Bake pecan pie in a 300°F preheated oven for 10-15 minutes
- Remove from oven and wait for 10 minutes to slice and serve
- Serve pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream (optional step)
- Eat and enjoy your pecan pie!
Pecan Nuts are NUTritious!
Not only does pecan pies taste great but research has also found that pecans are heart healthy and may help lower your bad and total cholesterol (Food Network). They contain a rich source of magnesium which provides anti-inflammatory benefits to the body such as reducing risk of arthritis. Pecans are high-fiber and nutrient-dense foods that can also help improve digestion and prevent skin problems (https://food.ndtv.com/food-drinks/why-pecan-nuts-are-good-for-you-and-how-to-eat-them-1262183). Now that you have read about the benefits of pecan pie and why and how you should store it, head to Millican Pecans to get some of our delicious pecan pie!
