You may not know, but Texas is famous for its pecan pies. Not to mention, Texas has officially adopted the pecan tree as their state tree. In fact, 20% of all the pecans in the United States grow in Texas. That makes it an obvious reason why pecan pie is the official dessert of Texas.
Although there are multiple ways to enjoy the earthy flavors of pecan, Texans believe that pecan belongs to pies.
There is so much more that you need to know about Texas and pecan pies. So, read the article further to find out.
Who Created the First Pecan Pie Recipe?
Native Americans, especially Southern, have been using pecans for centuries. But it was not until the late 19th century that pecan recipes appeared in print. You can trace the origin of pecan pie in Texas. Pecan stories also started getting popular in Texas cookbooks in the 1870s, but pie hadn’t got the fame yet.
No one knows who created pecan pie, though this dessert recipe was first published in a St. Louis cookbook in 1898. Over time, pecan pie became popular in Texas and other parts of the United States.
The Official Dessert of Texas
Not only Texas has the honor of having pecan as the official state tree and is the largest producer of pecan, but Texans also love pecan pie more than any state. In 2013, Rep. Marsha Farney, a freshman representative, passed a resolution in the Texas House of Representatives to make pecan pie their official state dessert.
There were also debates that pecan pies should not contain any chocolate, and pecans need to be from Texas to make it the state’s official pie. Later, it was announced as the official dessert.
How to Make Traditional Texas Pecan Pie?
Take a par-baked crust and sprinkle some pecans on it. Don’t forget the secret to make the perfect Texas pecan pie is Texas-grown pecan, so better use them. Take a bowl and beat eggs, vanilla, corn syrup, salt, and sugar. After blending, pour it on pecans. Need a recipe for pecan pie?
Now, it’s time for baking. The best approach is to preheat your oven at 350 degrees for a few minutes. Once it’s done, keep your pie plate in the oven for 45 to 50 minutes at the same temperature. Insert a knife in the center of the pie; if it comes clean, then your pie is ready. If not, bake it for a few more minutes.
Let it cool at room temperature, and then keep it in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving. Well, some people also serve it hot, so it totally depends on your choice.
Bottom Line
So, now you know why Texans love pecan pies more than any other pies. If you are planning to bake one for yourself according to Texas tradition, make sure to avoid chocolate and use pecans sourced from Texas.
Sources
https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/texas-pecan-pie/
https://matadornetwork.com/read/signature-pie-every-state/
https://texashillcountry.com/pecan-pie-history-texas/
https://statesymbolsusa.org/symbol-official-item/texas/state-food-agriculture-symbol/pecan-pie
