Easy pecan nut pie

Ingredients

• 2 cups (280g) all purpose flour ((or cake flour))
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)
• 4 ounce (125g) butter
• 2 large egg yolks
• 4 to 5 tablespoons ice cold water
• 8 ounce (225g)pecan nuts ((half chopped and half left whole))
• 1/2 cup (100g) demerara sugar ((or muscovado sugar or dark brown sugar))
• 1 teaspoon plain flour
• 2 ounce (60g) butter
• 3 medium eggs
• 3 ounce (90g) golden syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
• 2 ounce (60ml) single cream

Instructions

1. 1

   --- Make the pastry ---

2. 2

   Measure the flour into a mixing bowl and add the salt. Then cut the butter into cubes and add to the flour.

3. 3

   Using your fingertips, rub the butter into the flour until all the flour has been coated with butter and the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.

4. 4

   Add the egg yolks and water. Use a flat knife to cut the eggs and water through the flour mixture until it starts to come together. See notes

5. 5

   Now use your hands to gently press the pastry together into a flat disk. Do not knead. Use just enough pressure to make the dough come together.

6. 6

   Place the pastry into a plastic bag, or cover with clingfilm, and place in the refrigerator to rest for at least half an hour, while you prepare the filling.

7. 7

   --- Make the pecan pie filling ---

8. 8

   Chop half the pecan nuts into small pieces and leave the remaining nuts whole.

9. 9

   Cut the butter into cubes and allow to come to room temperature.

10. 10

    Place the brown sugar, flour and cubed butter in a mixing bowl and beat with a wooden spoon (or an electric hand mixer) until smooth and creamy.

11. 11

    Break the eggs into the mixture, one at a time, and blend well after each addition. The mixture will look as though it has curdled, but don't worry - it is supposed to look like that.

12. 12

    Mix in the golden syrup, cream and vanilla essence, then stir in the pecan nuts. You should have a runny mixture.

13. 13

    --- Assemble and bake ---

14. 14

    Pre-heat the oven to (180°C / 360°F)

15. 15

    Grease a 9" pie dish with a little extra butter, taking care to cover both the base and the sides.

16. 16

    Roll out the pastry to approximately ⅛" thickness, and use it to line the greased pie dish.

17. 17

    Pour the filling into the prepared pastry case and arrange the remaining whole pecan nuts on top.

18. 18

    Place the pie dish in the pre-heated oven and bake for 30 minutes.

19. 19

    Allow the pie to cool completely then cut into slices and serve, topped with ice cream or whipped cream.