How To Store Pecan Pie Once Baked (Do This!)
Pecan pie is a beautiful fall treat that many people enjoy eating following a hearty meal. This nut and egg-based pie is quite famous and can be in high demand. But, many people struggle with how to store the pie after it has been made.
There are several options to store pecan pie. Cooked pecan pie can be stored on the counter at room temperature, in the refrigerator, or in the freezer. The pie will last between 1-2 days on the counter or up to three months when wrapped, frozen, and stored properly. Alternatively, uncooked pecan pie will last 1 to 2 days if the raw ingredients are left mixed in the refrigerator.
Understanding the best ways to store your pecan pie will help you enjoy this fall favorite for months to come. With just some simple plastic wrap and aluminum foil, it is possible to extend the life of your pecan pie, allowing you to share the goodness with friends and family. Freezing your pie will enable you to enjoy your pecan pie for months into the fall and winter, making this a durable and long-lasting pie option.
Should Pecan Pie Be Refrigerated?
Pecan pie is an egg-based pie that needs a cool refrigerated temperature to keep your pie lasting for an extended period. While this pie can survive on the counter at room temperature, the sugars working to help keep the pie preserved can only work for so long. Dangerous bacteria can start to form in your pie when the temperature rises about 40 degrees, so refrigeration is the best way to keep your pie stored, increasing the shelf life of your pie.
How to Refrigerate a Baked Pecan Pie
Keeping your pie in the refrigerator is the best way to keep your pie stored. The cool temperatures will work to keep the decay, bacteria, and mold at a minimum, allowing you to extend the life of your pie. Here are the steps to refrigerate your pecan pie:
Step 1: Prepare Your Pie
First, fully allow your pie to cool. You want your pie to at least reach room temperature before you store the pie away. Too much moisture can collect and condense in the pie if you put a hot pie into the refrigerator.
Step 2: Cover Your Pie
Cover the pie with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Be careful not to pull the foil too tightly because this will distort the delicate shape of a pecan pie. If you do not have plastic wrap available, it is alright to put the pie in a large air-tight container or simply put a plate over the top of the pie.
Step 3: Refrigerate
Place the pecan pie in the refrigerator. You will want to put the pie on a middle shelf where it will not be subject to extreme temperature fluctuations. As people open and close the door, interior refrigerator temperatures can change, which can upset the delicate filling in a pecan pie.
Step 4: Thaw
If properly stored and wrapped, a pecan pie will last about three to 15 days in the refrigerator. Allow the pie to reach room temperature before serving to guests. This process will usually take less than thirty minutes. Pecan pie is best eaten at room temperature.
Can I Store an Unbaked Pecan Pie?
If you want to prepare parts of your pecan pie ahead of time, it is possible to store an un-baked pecan pie. It is best to store the pie crust separate from the filling to keep the crust crisp and flakey when you are finally ready to cook the pie. The filling for the pie can be stored separately in the refrigerator.
When trying to determine how long an unbaked pie can last in the refrigerator, it is best to break the pie ingredients down into essential parts. The syrup, flour, sugar, and pecan nuts do not need to be refrigerated, so they are not your limiting factor. The eggs, however, do need to be refrigerated. Once cracked open and mixed with other ingredients, an unbaked pecan pie filling can last about 1 to 2 days in the refrigerator.
How to Freeze a Pecan Pie
Freezing your pecan pie is a great way to help keep your pie fresh and edible for up to three months. To freeze your pecan pie, be sure to follow these steps:
Step 1. Prepare Your Pie
To properly freeze your pie, you will need the pie to reach room temperature. Never try to freeze a pie that has just come out of the oven. Once your pie is at room temperature, you can choose to freeze your pie whole or sliced. Individual slices are easy to thaw and eat occasionally, but expose the pie to more air can cause it to spoil more quickly.
Step 2. Wrap Your Pie In Plastic Wrap
Thoroughly wrap your pie with plastic wrap. Because there are changing conditions and temperatures within your freezer caused by opening and closing the door, you will want to add several layers of plastic wrap, going in different directions if possible. The tighter you can get the plastic wrap to the pie, the better the pie will be preserved. Remember, pushing too hard on the plastic wrap can deform the pie.
Step 3. Add an Aluminum Foil Cover
Next, once the plastic wrap is complete, add a top layer of aluminum foil. This foil will help keep your pie protected and help prevent freezer burn, which can impact your pie’s overall taste. Your pie can last frozen in the freezer for up to three months.
Will Freezing My Pie Make It Soggy?
Refrigerating or freezing a pecan pie does run the risk of a soggy crust. Too much moisture can penetrate the crust from either the outside environment or from the pecan filling itself. To avoid your pie getting too soggy, try to wrap the pie as tightly as possible. The less air and moisture that can penetrate the crust, the less likely your pie will become soggy. Reheating your pie in the oven when you are ready to eat will also help bring some crispness back into your pie crust.
Do Store-Bought Pies Last Longer?
Pies that are made at home use flour, sugar, butter, eggs, and milk. These are all ingredients that have a relatively short shelf life. When you buy a pie from the store, your pie will most likely contain preservatives. These preservatives help to keep your pie lasting longer, even when the pie is left to sit on the counter at room temperature. You can keep your store-bought pie out at room temperature for a day or two past the “sell by” date listed on the label.
If you cut into your store-bought pie, it is best to put the pie in the refrigerator. Cutting into a pie can introduce more surface area to the air, making a pie spoil more quickly. When placed in the refrigerator, expect your store-bought pecan pie to last about two weeks or longer. Of course, if you notice any signs of mold, or if the pie smells or tastes off, discard the pie immediately.
Related Questions
What Is the Best Way To Reheat Pecan Pie?
After baking a pecan pie, it is always best to let the pie set on the counter for about two hours. This wait gives the filling time to solidify. Cutting into the pie too soon can cause the filling to spill out, ruining your pie slice. Although pecan pie is typically served at room temperature, some people prefer to eat the pie warmed.First, remove your thawed pie from the refrigerator and allow the pie to reach room temperature after about thirty minutes. The best way to reheat your pecan pie is to place the pie directly into the oven. Set the oven to 350 degrees F and allow the pie to bake for about ten minutes.It is best to reheat the pie in the original pie pan used for baking the pie (if different from how the pie was refrigerated or frozen). By placing the pie in the oven for a short amount of time, you will bring the crispness back to the pecans and the pie crust.
How Can You Tell If Your Pecan Pie Is Bad?
The best way to tell if your pie has gone bad is to smell and taste the pie. Because pecan pie is made with eggs, it can tend to go rancid more quickly than other pies. Discard the pie if you notice it has a different smell or an off-taste.If you notice any signs of mold on the pie, it should be discarded immediately. Because this pie is a moist pie mixture, mold can be a problem if it is improperly stored. Removing the pie from your refrigerator at the first signs of mold can also help prevent cross-contamination with other foods in your refrigerator.
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