Peach Pie with Candied Pecan Topping or Bust?

Luther and Laurie, a local pastoral family, were the guinea pigs for the fourth week’s pie: Peach Pie with Candied Pecan Topping from Better Homes and Gardens.  After the previous pie’s lengthy crust process I decided to keep the crust simple by using Grandma’s oil crust, a recipe that I have memorized by rote over the years.  Luther and Laurie had requested a fruit pie, so peach seemed a fitting option, particularly with the candied pecan topping to welcome the cool autumn evening. 

My hopes were high. 

The pie was very simple in its setup.  Roll out a double crust.  Mix peaches with sugar and spice.  Pour sweetened peaches into the pastry lined pie pan.  Top with the upper crust and bake.  Even the topping was uncomplicated.  Mix pecans with brown sugar and butter, pour over the baked pie, then pop it into the oven for a few minutes to firm up.

Sweetening the peaches

Grandma's oil crust

Peaches ready for the upper crust and candied pecan topping

Finished product cooling before guests arrive

Not a complex pie, yet the results were my first big disappointment of my year long adventure (keeping in mind that this was only the fourth pie of fifty-two).  So here are my two main grievances:

1. Although I used Grandma’s oil crust, a recipe I have used and trusted for many years, it did not hold up to the power of the peach.  The first night it fared decently, but the second night it was gummy mush.  Yuck.    

2.  Although divine sounding, the candied pecan topping overpowered the peaches.  The pecans also did not crisp, as I hoped they might.  Rather than a nice crunch to the top of the pie, they created a layer of chewiness that did not suit the pie. 

It is challenging to write about a pie in the negative, because after all is said and done it is still pie that we ate and enjoyed (not to mention having great with whom company to share the experience).  However, as I am onboard to make 52 pies this year, there will be others that get a negative review, as well.  Onward, ho!