Easy Classic Caramel Custard Pie Recipe: Creamy Homemade Delight

Classic caramel custard pie beckons with its golden, silky allure and promises a moment of pure indulgence.

Creamy layers nestled within a flaky foundation whisper tales of comfort and tradition.

Soft caramel undertones dance through each delectable bite, crafting an ordinary dessert into something extraordinary.

Sophisticated yet approachable, this pie speaks a universal language of sweet satisfaction.

Deeply nostalgic flavors meld seamlessly, creating a harmonious culinary experience that transcends generations.

Intricate textures and rich depths capture the essence of home-style baking at its finest.

Prepare to fall in love with a dessert that celebrates simplicity and elegance.

What Makes Classic Caramel Custard Pie Irresistible

• Luxurious Layered Delight: This caramel custard pie delivers a decadent experience with its smooth, silky custard nestled in a perfectly crisp crust, offering a multi-textured dessert that delights every bite.
• Quick and Simple Baking: Requiring just basic ingredients and straightforward mixing techniques, this pie is perfect for novice bakers wanting to create an impressive dessert without complicated steps or specialized skills.
• Versatile Comfort Treat: Suitable for multiple occasions from family gatherings to elegant dinner parties, this pie brings warmth and nostalgia with its classic flavor profile and comforting nutmeg-spiced finish that appeals to all ages.

Ingredients That Define the Caramel Custard Pie

• Flour: Provides the base structure and texture for the pie crust.
• Cane Sugar: Adds a subtle sweetness to the crust.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the crust.
• Oil: Helps bind the crust ingredients and creates a tender texture.
• Milk: Moistens the crust and helps with ingredient cohesion.

• Brown Sugar: Creates a rich, deep caramel flavor profile.
• Cane Sugar: Provides additional sweetness to the filling.
• Flour: Helps thicken the custard and provide structure.
• Eggs: Act as the primary binding and thickening agent for the custard.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and classic flavor to the custard.
• Caramel Extract: Intensifies the caramel notes in the pie.
• Milk: Forms the liquid base of the custard.
• Nutmeg: Offers a warm, aromatic garnish and flavor enhancement.

• Additional Sugar: Can be added to adjust the sweetness level to personal preference.
• Salt: Balances and enhances the overall flavor profile of the pie.

How to Bake a Velvety Caramel Custard Pie

Step 1: Prepare the Oven

Preheat the oven to 350°F, ensuring it’s ready for baking.

Step 2: Create the Pie Crust

• Flour
• Cane sugar
• Pinch of salt

In a separate bowl, whisk oil and milk until smoothly blended. Pour the liquid mixture into dry ingredients and mix with a fork until fully moistened.

Step 3: Shape the Crust

Press the dough firmly and evenly into an ungreased 9-inch pie plate, covering the entire surface.

Step 4: Make the Sugar Layer

• Brown sugar
• Cane sugar
• Flour

Sprinkle this sugar mixture evenly across the prepared crust.

Step 5: Craft the Custard Filling

• Eggs
• Vanilla extract
• Caramel extract
• Milk
• Sugar (optional)
• Salt

Whisk ingredients until well combined and smooth.

Step 6: Assemble the Pie

Carefully pour the custard mixture over the prepared crust, avoiding spilling over the edges.

Step 7: Add Finishing Touch

Sprinkle ground nutmeg generously across the top of the custard for enhanced flavor.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Bake for 45-60 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a knife into the center – it should come out clean.

Step 9: Cool and Serve

Let the pie cool completely on a wire rack before slicing and serving.

Tips for That Silky, Melt-in-Your-Mouth Custard

• Chill the Crust: Refrigerate the pie dough for 30 minutes before pressing into the pie plate to prevent shrinking and ensure a flaky texture.
• Prevent Soggy Bottom: Sprinkle a thin layer of graham cracker crumbs on the crust before adding filling to create a barrier against moisture.
• Smooth Custard Technique: Strain the custard mixture through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any egg lumps and achieve a silky-smooth consistency.
• Baking Water Bath Trick: Place the pie dish in a larger pan filled with hot water to create even heat distribution and prevent custard from cracking.
• Perfectly Golden Topping: Cover pie edges with aluminum foil for the first 30 minutes of baking to prevent over-browning while ensuring a beautifully caramelized top.

How to Store and Reheat Caramel Custard Pie Right

• Refrigerate your caramel custard pie within two hours of baking to maintain its delicious flavor and texture. Store the pie covered tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Prevent moisture buildup by placing a paper towel underneath the covering to absorb any condensation.
• Reheat individual slices gently in the microwave for 15-20 seconds on medium power to preserve the custard's creamy consistency. Alternatively, warm slices in a preheated oven at 325°F for about 10 minutes, which helps restore the pie's original crisp crust and maintains its smooth custard interior. Avoid overheating to prevent the eggs from becoming rubbery or the crust from becoming tough.

What to Pair with Caramel Custard Pie for a Sweet Finish

• Sip Sweet Bourbon Harmony: Pair this caramel custard pie with a smooth bourbon like Maker's Mark, which complements the rich caramel notes and enhances the dessert's warm, buttery undertones.
• Brew Creamy Coffee Companion: Match the pie with a velvety cappuccino or a dark roast espresso, allowing the coffee's robust flavor to balance the pie's sweet caramel profile and provide a delightful contrast.
• Embrace Vanilla Ice Cream Indulgence: Top a slice with a scoop of premium vanilla bean ice cream, creating a decadent combination where the cold, creamy texture melts perfectly against the warm, spiced custard pie.
• Explore Moscato Wine Delight: Select a chilled Moscato d'Asti, a light, sweet white wine that harmonizes beautifully with the pie's caramel essence and nutmeg undertones, offering a refreshing palate cleansing experience.

Delicious New Spins on Classic Custard Pie

• Chocolate Caramel Custard Pie: Enhance the classic recipe by adding 1/4 cup cocoa powder to the crust and mixing 1/2 cup melted dark chocolate into the custard filling for a rich, decadent flavor profile.
• Salted Caramel Pecan Custard Pie: Sprinkle chopped pecans over the bottom crust before adding the sugar mixture, and top the finished pie with a drizzle of salted caramel sauce for extra crunch and depth.
• Coconut Caramel Custard Pie: Incorporate 1/2 cup shredded coconut into the crust and mix coconut milk instead of regular milk in the custard for a tropical-inspired sweet treat that brings a creamy, exotic touch.
• Spiced Caramel Custard Pie: Add 1 teaspoon of cinnamon and 1/2 teaspoon of ground ginger to the custard mixture, creating a warming spice blend that complements the rich caramel notes perfectly.

Classic Caramel Custard Pie Recipe

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4.5 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Rich caramel custard pie mingles French culinary elegance with homestyle comfort. Silky layers of creamy caramel embrace a buttery crust, inviting you to savor each luxurious spoonful of this timeless dessert.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Primary Ingredients:

• 3 large eggs
• 1 ¾ cups (414 ml) whole milk
• 3 tablespoons (45 ml) cane sugar

Supporting Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon caramel extract

Seasoning and Spices:

• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon salt

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Instructions

1. Calibrate the oven temperature to 350°F (177°C), ensuring an even heating environment for the pie.
2. In a mixing vessel, amalgamate of all-purpose flour, of cane sugar, and a delicate pinch of salt until thoroughly combined.
3. Separately whisk the vegetable oil and milk until they form a homogeneous liquid emulsion.
4. Integrate the liquid mixture into the dry ingredients, using a fork to create a cohesive dough that maintains proper moisture throughout.
5. Gently but firmly distribute the pastry dough across an ungreased 9-inch (23-centimeter) pie plate, ensuring uniform coverage and smooth edges.
6. Craft a sugar layering by mixing brown sugar, cane sugar, and flour, then evenly dispersing this mixture across the crust’s surface.
7. Construct the custard filling by thoroughly blending eggs, vanilla extract, caramel extract, milk, optional additional sugar, and salt in a large mixing bowl until achieving a smooth, consistent texture.
8. Meticulously transfer the custard mixture onto the prepared crust, taking care to prevent overflow and maintain an even distribution.
9. Generously dust ground nutmeg across the surface to enhance the pie’s aromatic profile and flavor complexity.
10. Position the pie in the preheated oven and bake for 45-60 minutes, periodically testing doneness by inserting a knife into the center – a clean withdrawal indicates complete cooking.
11. Remove from oven and permit the pie to cool completely on a wire rack, allowing the custard to set and stabilize before slicing into elegant servings.

Notes

• Keep leftover pie refrigerated, covering tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to maintain freshness for up to 3-4 days.
• Customize the sweetness by adjusting sugar levels in both crust and filling according to personal taste preferences.
• Enhance flavor complexity by using dark brown sugar instead of regular brown sugar for deeper caramel undertones.
• Ensure smooth custard texture by whisking eggs thoroughly and straining mixture before pouring into pie crust to remove any potential lumps.
• Prevent soggy bottom crust by pre-baking pie shell for 10 minutes before adding custard filling, creating a crisp foundation.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 191 kcal
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 125 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 24 g
• Fiber: 0.2 g
• Protein: 5.5 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg