Wetter year makes for bountiful Texas pecan crop

RECIPES: 15 ways to use pecans, besides pecan pie ...

Think outside the pie crust with these delicious recipies RECIPES: 15 ways to use pecans, besides pecan pie ...

Think outside the pie crust with these delicious recipies Photo: KirbyIng, Getty Images Photo: KirbyIng, Getty Images Image 1 of / 24 Caption Close Wetter year makes for bountiful Texas pecan crop 1 / 24 Back to Gallery

If you haven't had a piece of good pecan pie yet this holiday season, you can't blame it on scarcity.

Nuts from the official state tree are in good supply thanks to the return of decent rainfall to many Texas counties.

This year's pecan crop, although well short of record-breaking, is predicted to produce an estimated 60 million pounds in the shell, according to the Texas Pecan Growers Association.

Before the recent drought years, 60 million to 65 million was average, with a record crop of 91 million pounds recorded in 1979, said Cindy Wise, executive vice president for the Bryan-based growers association.

Sixty million pounds is more than double last year's 28 million and also surpasses the 2012 crop of 55 million, she said. The official tally for 2014 won't be known until spring, when the U.S. Department of Agriculture issues its report, she said.

Known as an "alternate-bearing crop," Texas pecans have historically had good years followed by bad years, but improvements in management practices over the years have helped growers even out the disparities, Wise said.

Asked for some recommended recipes, Wise offered three that she says are "favorites with me, my staff and everyone who tastes them:"

First, of course, is "Simply superb pecan pie," which Wise said she made over the holiday weekend. "This is a traditional pecan pie, and this recipe never fails," she said.

Simply Superb Pecan Pie 3 eggs, beaten

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup dark corn syrup

1 teaspoon vanilla

6 tablespoons melted butter or margarine

1 1/2 cups pecans, pieces or halves

1 unbaked 9-inch pie crust Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Beat eggs thoroughly with sugar, corn syrup, vanilla and melted butter. Add pecans. Pour into unbaked 9-inch pie shell. Bake for 45-50 minutes, until middle of pie seems set. You may want to cover outer rim of crust with foil after 30 minutes to prevent burning. (Source: Cindy Wise, Texas Pecan Growers Association)

Wise also shared recipes for "praline pecans and cranberries" and "chocolate chip pecan pie bars."