Best Alligator Pecan Pie Recipes

PECAN PIE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar, corn syrup, butter, water, and cornstarch. Bring to a full boil, and remove from heat.
• In a large bowl, beat eggs until frothy. Gradually beat in cooked syrup mixture. Stir in salt, vanilla, and pecans. Pour into pie shell.
• Bake in preheated oven for 45 to 50 minutes, or until filling is set.

ALLIGATOR PIE

Steps:

• Pour milk and pudding mix into a large bowl. Whisk for 2 minutes. Stir in a few drops of green food coloring and a large spoonful of Cool Whip.
• Pour into a graham cracker crust (homemade or store bought). Chill or freeze, depending on what kind of pie you feel like.
• When you are ready to serve, gather your decorations and remove pie from fridge/freezer. (If frozen, you will need to let it thaw a few minutes before the decorations will stick.) Slice and decorate with chocolate chip eyes, peanut butter chip nostrils, and white chocolate chip teeth.
• Eat the alligator before he eats you!

GELSON'S ALLIGATOR PASTRY

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven to 375*. Make the frosting and set aside. Heat the maple syrup and 1/4 cup butter until butter melts. Stir in the confectioners' sugar until smooth. TO MAKE THE DOUGH: Dissolve the yeast in about half the milk; let stand 5 minutes. In the large bowl of an electric mixer, combine the 3 tablespoons sugar, salt, 3 tablespoons melted butter, remaining milk and the yeast mixture. Gradually beat in the 2 1/2 cups flour. Knead to make a smooth dough, about 6 to 8 minutes. Let dough rest for 30 minutes, covered with a clean towel. Roll out on a floured surface into a large rectangle, about 16 by 20 inches. Spread 1/4 cup of the softened butter on top. Fold the dough into thirds. Repeat 2 more times, rolling and then spreading with the remaining butter. Allow dough to rest 30 minutes.
• 2. TO MAKE THE FILLING (makes about 2 cups): Blend the 1 cup sugar, almond paste, 3/4 cup butter and honey into a paste. Toss the ground pecans with the 1 tablespoon flour and fold into the paste.
• 3. TO SHAPE AND BAKE: Divide dough into 2 equal portions. Using 1 portion at a time, roll dough as thinly as possible into an 18x12-inch rectangle. Spread the half of the filling on entire surface of each dough rectangle, then fold each lengthwise in thirds. Place on lightly greased baking sheet and brush with beaten egg. Decorate tops with pecan halves to resemble an alligator's skin. Let rest 15 minutes.
• 4. Bake alligators for 20 to 30 minutes, until golden brown. While still hot, drizzle tops with the Maple Icing.
• 5. Makes 2 Alligators. Note: I like to roast my pecans sighlty.

THE BEST PECAN PIE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to a 1/8-in.-thick circle; transfer to a 9-in. pie plate. Trim crust to 1/2 in. beyond rim of plate; flute edge. Refrigerate while preparing filling., In a Dutch oven or large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add pecans; cook, stirring constantly, until very fragrant and pecans start to brown, 4-5 minutes. Remove pecans with a slotted spoon, reserving butter in pan. Stir in brown sugar, maple syrup, and salt; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer 2 minutes. Remove from the heat. In a bowl, whisk a small amount of the hot mixture into eggs; return all to the pan, whisking constantly. Stir whiskey, optional, and vanilla into brown sugar mixture; stir in pecans. Pour into crust. , Bake until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean, 55-60 minutes. Cover edges with foil during the last 30 minutes to prevent overbrowning if necessary. Cool on a wire rack. If desired, top with whipped cream and cinnamon. Refrigerate leftovers.