Martin Luther King Jr. Is famous for his contributions to the civil rights movement. This year we’re honoring MLK day by making his favorite dessert! Dr. King was rumored to love all southern food, but his top choice was always a classic Southern Pecan Pie. Watch as the pie bakes and you’ll notice the sugars caramelizing to create the crunchy top layer the pecan pies are known for.

INGREDIENTS:

Use premade pie crust or

Make the Crust from scratch:

• 3 tablespoons very cold water
• 1/2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 cup ice
• 1/2 cup very cold unsalted butter
• 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

For the Filling:

• 5 cups dark brown sugar
• ¼ cup unsalted butter melted
• ¼ cup molasses
• 3 large eggs
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp coarse sea salt
• 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 2 cups pecan halves coarsely chopped

Instructions:

For the Crust:

1. In a large liquid measuring cup, whisk together the water and vinegar. Add the ice and whisk. Refrigerate while you prep the rest of the ingredients.
2. Cut the butter into 1-inch cubes and place them in a small bowl. Freeze while you prep the rest of the ingredients.
3. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Beat on low until just combined, about 15 seconds. Add the butter all at once and beat on low until the mixture has the texture of coarse meal, with pea-sized pieces of butter throughout, about 3 minutes.
4. Remove the ice water mixture from the refrigerator. With the mixer on low, add 3 tablespoons of liquid from the ice water mixture. Beat on low for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the dough clumps around the paddle and/or the sides of the bowl. If the dough seems too dry, add more liquid from the ice water mixture 1 teaspoon at a time.
5. Tip the dough out onto a lightly floured counter with the spatula. Quickly knead the dough into a rough ball. Wrap dough tightly in plastic wrap and flatten into a small disc. Refrigerate overnight.
6. Remove the dough disc from the refrigerator and place on a lightly floured surface. Use a rolling pin to roll it into a 10- to 11-inch circle. If the dough is too hard to roll out, give it a few whacks with your rolling pin, rotating the disc after every whack to ensure that it’s flattening evenly.
7. Transfer the dough circle onto your pie plate to make the bottom crust and keep cold while you prepare the filling.

For the Filling:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Add the sugars, butter, molasses, eggs, cinnamon, salt, and flour to a large mixing bowl, and whisk until well combined.
3. Add the pecans and stir until well mixed.
4. Pour filling into crust and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the top is lightly browned.
5. Allow pie to cool for at least 1 hour before eating.

[Recipe adapted from @Humingbirdhigh and @MikeBakesNYC]