Maple Bourbon Pecan Pie

southern_gal12000's Note:

About one of the best pecan pies I think I've ever had. Recipe is from Martha Stewart. This is the only pecan pie recipe I make now. However, I have only made it with the Pate Brisee (pie dough)pie crust recipe which I have included, also from Martha Stewart, which is OHHHHH so YUMMY. (Pate brisee is the French version of classic pie or tart pastry. Pressing the dough into a disk rather than shaping it into a ball allows it to chill faster. This will also make the dough easier to roll out, and if you freeze it, it will thaw more quickly.) It does take a while to make but I think it makes a huge difference to use the pie crust from scratch. Some of the instructions might be a little confusing so please don't HESITATE to Zmail me. Note: I have always left out the decorative touches, not sure if this makes a difference or not.

• Total Time: 2 hrs 30 mins
• Prep Time: 1 hrs
• Cook Time: 1 hrs 30 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 6

• all-purpose flour , for dusting
• 1 cup sugar
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter , melted
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup dark corn syrup
• 2 tablespoons dark corn syrup
• ½ cup pure maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons Bourbon or 2 tablespoons dark rum
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 ½ cups pecan halves
• 2 large egg yolks
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream
• whipped cream (optional)

Pate Brisee (Pie Dough use 1/2 recipe)

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 cup unsalted butter , chilled and cut into small pieces
• ¼-½ cup ice water

Directions:

1. Making the pie dough ( makes 1 double-crust "or" 2 single-crust 9 to 10-in. pies) - In the bowl of a food processor, combine flour, salt, and sugar. Add butter, and process until the mixture resembles coarse meal, 8 to 10 seconds.
2. With machine running, add ice water in a slow, steady stream through feed tube. Pulse until dough holds together without being wet or sticky; be careful not to process more than 30 seconds. To test, squeeze a small amount together: If it is crumbly, add more ice water, 1 tbsp at a time.
3. Divide dough into two equal balls. Flatten each ball into a disk, and wrap in plastic. Transfer to the refrigerator, and chill at least 1 hour. Dough may be stored, frozen, up to 1 month.
4. Now -- making the pie -- On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to 1/8 inch thick. Transfer to a 9-inch pie tin, leaving a 1/2-inch overhang. Fold overhang under evenly. Using a paring knife, carefully cut out leaves from scraps of dough. Gently score leaves with the back of the knife to create veins. Place leaves on a baking sheet. Transfer lined pie tin and leaves to refrigerator. chill for at least 30 minutes.
5. Heat oven to 400 degrees. In a medium bowl, whisk together sugar, butter, 4 whole eggs, corn syrup, maple syrup, bourbon, and vanilla. Fold in half the pecan halves. Pour filling into pie shell; arrange remaining pecan halves on top of pie.
6. Score the outer rim of pie. Beat 1 egg yolk, and brush over hatch marks. Adhere the leaves to the dough in a decorative pattern. Chill the pie for 30 minutes. Mix 2 tablespoons heavy cream with remaining egg yolk. Brush the egg glaze over the leaves, and transfer pie to the oven.
7. Bake 15 minutes, then reduce heat to 350 degrees. Bake until a knife tip comes out clean, about 1 hour 15 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.