Pecan Pie

Step 1

Place flour, salt and sugar in a food processor. Pulse twice.

Step 2

Scatter over butter. Pulse 5 times or until the largest pieces are the size of peas.

Step 3

Turn food processor on low and add 2.5 tbsp water, keep blitzing for 7 to 10 seconds until it forms crumbly clumps (see video). Pinch with your fingers - it should come together - if not, add 1/2 tbsp water until it does. Don't blitz longer than 20 seconds.

Step 4

Turn out crumbs onto work surface, use hands to bring together into a ball then pat into a 1.5cm / 1/2" thick disc. Wrap in cling wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Step 5

Preheat oven to 180C/350F (standard) / 160C / 320F (fan / convection).

Step 6

Scatter 1 1/4 cups pecans on baking tray and bake for 3 to 5 minutes or until you smell them.

Step 7

Remove from oven and roughly chop. Set aside.

Step 8

Remaining 1 1/4 cups don't need toasting - they are for the top.

Step 9

Dust work surface with flour.

Step 10

Place dough on work surface, dust top with flour. Roll out into 25cm/12" circle, patching up cracks as required. Remember: the crumblier the dough, the more flaky your pastry which is GOOD!

Step 11

Roll the pastry onto your rolling pin, then roll it out onto a 22cm / 9" pie tin. Press in, then trim edges with scissors with a 1cm / 0.3" overhang.

Step 12

Turn the edges under and press down neatly. Crimp if desired (see video).

Step 13

Place 2 large pieces of baking paper over the pie crust then fill with pie weights or dried beans or rice. Weight is essential to avoid shrinking pastry.

Step 14

Bake 20 minutes, then remove pie weights and let the pastry cool for 5 minutes before filling.

Step 15

Whisk eggs in a large bowl. Add remaining Filling ingredients and whisk until smooth.

Step 16

Stir through chopped pecans.

Step 17

Pour into crust - it should fill it about 1 cm / 2/5" from the top (you may have excess if your pastry shrank).

Step 18

Top with whole pecans in desired pattern.

Step 19

Place pie in oven. Bake for 50 minutes, checking at 40 minutes, until it doesn't jiggle much when you shake it but the centre is still soft when you touch it (see video).

Step 20

It will be puffed and cracks will look extreme, but it will deflate as it cools. If your pastry / pecans are browning too quickly, cover with foil.

Step 21

Cool completely before serving, to allow the custard to set - 2 - 4 hours.

Step 22

Slice, and serve with ice cream or cream if desired - I don't need either!

Step 23

Store in an airtight container - great for 2 days, but I'm perfectly happy with mine even after 4.