WHITE HOUSE PECAN PIE

Pecan Pie

Pecan pie is a Thanksgiving tradition, even in the White House. This recipe is said to be the recipe Lady Bird Johnson served.

White House Pecan Pie
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup dark corn syrup
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
3 eggs
2 cups coarsely chopped pecans

Fluted unbaked pastry shell in a 9-inch pie pan or plate
Allow the butter to stand in a covered medium mixing bowl at room temperature until it is extremely soft. Add sugar, corn syrup, salt and vanilla; with a sturdy hand rotary beater or mixing spoon, beat until thoroughly blended. Add eggs and beat gently just until blended. Fold in the pecans. Pour into pastry shell. Bake in a moderate (375 degrees) oven on the rack directly below the center rack until top is toasted brown and filling is set in center when pie is gently shaken - about 40 to 50 minutes.
Pastry edge should be browned and the bottom pastry a pale gold. If top of pie gets very dark toward end of baking time, place a tent of foil over it. Cool on wire rack. If desired, serve with unsweetened whipped cream.