The rich flavors of the pecan are only extenuated by the sweet ingredients of a pecan pie recipe. For a clearer idea of what a pecan pie tastes like, we must understand how the pecan nut tastes on its’ own. Pecans tend to have a buttery, light flavor with a soft crunch. This buttery flavor is only enhanced when you toast them. Because pecans are so rich in natural oils, toasting them only helps bring the oils to the surface, increasing that natural buttery nut flavor.
Slightly Sweet vs Extra Rich
The taste of your pecan pie depends on the recipe you choose to follow. The pie crust helps serve as a contrast to the pie’s ultra-sweet filling. The pecans do the same while providing a nice soft crunch. The consensus when it comes to the taste of the crust and the pecans is that they are buttery. This complements the sweet filling and completes the gooey, delicious dessert. Pecan pies are known for their ultra-sweet taste, however, that might not be what some pie lovers are looking for. Just remember, the taste is subjective, which means everyone has a different idea of how sweet and rich their pecan pie should be. The best route one can take is homemade baking to give you control over how much sweetener and pecans you can put in.
For something slightly sweet, some recipes ax the corn syrup altogether. Some recipes call for toasting the pecans first to bring out the nutty oils, thus enhancing the flavor. If you decide to go with these options, you will likely create a pecan pie that will not have such an overpowering sweetness to it.
An extra rich pecan pie usually means all the fixings of traditional pecan pie, such as corn syrup, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Once it’s baked, adding a dollop of whipped cream or ice cream on top will add a whole new level to this baked dessert. You can’t go wrong with pecan pie `a la mode.
Put simply, pecan pie tastes like a mix of sweet, buttery crunch with a savory nutty aftertaste that will make you want just one more slice.
