#candied-pecans

#candied-pecans

That base is jammed full of chopped pecans, but the real secret ingredient is a dollop of sour cream. The tart dairy works twofold: first, helping to prevent crystallization, and second, keeping the pie from becoming overly sweet. A bigger dollop of sour cream goes into the whipped topping, giving it noticeable tang. This is another point of flavor balance, but it also stabilizes it, so that it doesn't weep or dissolve on your Thanksgiving buffet.

It's traditionally composed of a giant wreath made of pâte à choux (the same dough used to make eclairs and cream puffs) and a praline crème mousseline. The ring bakes and expands dramatically in the oven; once it's removed and cooled completely, the ring is sliced in half and filled with a light and fluffy cream. It's a showstopping dessert that can't help but take center stage.