Maple & Buttered Pecan Pie Cobbler

Let me start off by warning you: this dessert can lead to tight pants. And by “can” – I mean it probably will.

I can’t think of a better way to achieve a little tightness than with this twist on a Thanksgiving dessert tradition. At least pecan pie is a tradition at my family’s dessert table – especially since we have our very own pecan farm. Well, calling it a farm may be a slight exaggeration, but those 7 trees on that 2-acre stretch of perfect Okie earth yield the sweetest, most delectable harvest I have ever tasted. The real trick with having your personal pecan production is gathering them faster than the squirrels.

In our family, the record for most pecans gathered in one afternoon stands at whopping 1,119 pecans ((all gathered in one back-breaking afternoon)). Guess who holds that record ((wink, wink))??  I am not sure which part was harder – gathering or keeping count as I gathered. According to my dad ((the pecan expert)), 70 pecans make a pound. Now that I am thinking about it, after gathering & hauling 16 lbs of pecans around for a few hours, tight pants shouldn’t be a concern! Bring on the dessert table!

This pecan pie meets country cobbler recipe not only uses my homegrown pecans, it also uses pure maple sirup from my sis-in-law’s ((Betsy)) family maple sirup producing farm.  Although a typical pecan pie is made using dark corn syrup & white cane sugar ((at least that is the case in my neck of the woods)), the pure maple sirup & brown sugar used in this recipe sings of autumn in the most perfect way. The key is using the darkest ((PURE)) maple sirup you can find.  The darker the color, the stronger the flavor.

((Wondering why I keep spelling it “SIRUP”? Read all about my favorite pure maple sirup HERE))

With a shortlist of high quality ingredients and a few pantry staples, this dessert is going in your oven in no time. First, mix together the biscuit batter ingredients:

• self rising flour
• sugar
• milk

Be sure to reserve a few teaspoons of milk in order to adjust the thickness of the batter. ((I reached the perfect consistency with a few teaspoons remaining in the measuring cup.))

Spread the batter into the bottom of a buttered 9″ x 13″ baker. I prefer enameled cast-iron for this recipe, but glass or porcelain will make a good substitute ((these may require a few extra minutes of baking time, so keep a close eye during those last few minutes in the oven)). 

Next, combine the pecan pie ingredients:

• maple sirup
• brown sugar ((I always use pure cane))
• eggs
• vanilla
• pinch of salt

Whisk all of these ingredients together – and let’s not forget the star ingredient!

Fold in the pecan halves and pour the mixture over the biscuit batter.

After the pecan filling is poured over the batter, one last ingredient is waiting to be used: melted butter. Simply drizzle that stick of melted ((salted)) butter over the top of the filling. Place the cobbler on a parchment lined baking sheet ((this will keep your oven clean just in case the cobbler overflows — mine didn’t overflow, but better safe than scrubbing a dirty oven!!)) & into a preheated oven. 

There is a fun bit of magic that occurs while this recipe is baking – the top sinks to the bottom & the bottom rises to the top. This little switcharoo causes the pie filling to thicken slightly and also gives a whisper of that pure maple sirup flavor to the sweet and fluffy biscuit crust.

But my favorite part? Some of the pecans stay on top where they get coated in butter and lightly toasted while others sink into the maple sirup filling. It is heavenly.

Isn’t it beautiful? And with the first bite it becomes clear, pure maple sirup is the perfect partner for the pecans. Such a simple, rustic dessert — the perfect end to a wonderful Thanksgiving feast. Now if I could just have a few more hours of pecan gathering to make up for all of the extra dessert servings I plan on enjoying!