Irresistible Honey Pie Recipe

Golden Sweet Success: Classic Honey Pie Recipe From Scratch

Sweet and silky, this classic honey pie recipe captures the essence of simple, comforting desserts that warm the soul.

Golden honey weaves its magic through a rich, creamy filling that promises pure indulgence.

Bakers have cherished this traditional treat for generations, passing down its delectable secrets from one kitchen to another.

Each slice delivers a smooth, luxurious experience that balances sweetness with subtle depth.

The flaky, buttery crust provides the perfect complement to the luscious honey interior.

Drizzle a touch of extra honey on top for a final flourish that will make everyone at the table swoon.

Let’s find out this irresistible pie and let its sweet charm sweep you off your feet.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 5 hours

Total Time: 5 hours 20 minutes

Calories: 312 kcal

Servings: 9

What You’ll Need for Classic Honey Pie

For Pie Base:
  • Homemade Pie Crust or Store-Bought Pie Dough: Provides the foundation for the pie, choose a flaky, buttery crust that complements the honey filling.
For Creamy Filling:
  • Milk, Heavy Cream: Creates a luxurious, smooth base that adds richness and depth to the pie's texture.
  • Eggs: Acts as a binding agent, helping to set the custard-like filling and provide structure.
For Sweetening and Flavoring:
  • Pure Honey: The star ingredient that brings a golden, complex sweetness and distinctive floral notes to the pie.
  • Light Brown Sugar, Granulated Sugar: Enhances the overall sweetness and adds caramel undertones to complement the honey.
  • Vanilla Extract: Introduces a warm, aromatic flavor that rounds out the pie's sweetness.
For Thickening and Balancing:
  • Cornstarch: Ensures the filling sets properly and maintains a smooth, creamy consistency.
  • Salt: Balances and highlights the sweet flavors, bringing depth to the overall taste.
For Topping:
  • Whipped Cream: Provides a light, airy contrast to the rich, sweet filling.
  • Extra Honey: Offers a beautiful drizzle and intensifies the honey flavor when serving.

Tools to Nail a Custard-Style Honey Pie

  • Pie Dish: 9-inch round ceramic or glass dish for baking the pie.
  • Rolling Pin: Essential for rolling out pie crust evenly and smoothly.
  • Fork: Used to prick the pie crust before blind baking.
  • Parchment Paper: Prevents sticking during blind baking.
  • Pie Weights: Keeps crust flat during initial baking.
  • Medium Saucepan: For heating milk and cream, and cooking custard.
  • Mixing Bowl: Combines eggs, honey, and other filling ingredients.
  • Whisk: Blends custard ingredients and prevents lumps.
  • Fine-Mesh Sieve: Strains custard for silky smooth texture.
  • Wire Rack: Allows pie to cool evenly without condensation.
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient quantities.

Baking Instructions for Silky Smooth Honey Pie

  • Crust Preparation

Roll out the pie dough on a lightly dusted surface, gently pressing it into a cozy 9-inch pie dish. Create pretty edges by pinching and twirling. Poke tiny holes across the bottom to prevent bubbling.

  • Crust Warmup

Place the crust in a 350°F oven and bake until it turns a soft golden color. This helps create a crispy foundation that won’t get soggy from the creamy filling.

  • Honey Custard Creation

Whisk together eggs, silky honey, and a splash of cream in a smooth, velvety mixture. Slowly blend in warm milk, stirring constantly to create a luxurious custard that will make taste buds dance.

  • Pie Assembly

Pour the golden custard into the pre-baked crust. Slide the pie into a 375°F oven, watching it transform into a glorious, wobbling masterpiece with perfectly set edges.

  • Cooling and Serving

Let the pie rest and cool completely, allowing the custard to set into a dreamy, luscious texture. When ready, slice and garnish with a drizzle of honey or a cloud of whipped cream for the ultimate sweet experience.

More Tips for Honey-Based Pies

  • Choose high-quality, local honey for deeper flavor complexity. Different honey varieties like wildflower, clover, or orange blossom will create unique taste profiles in your pie.
  • Brush pie crust edges with egg wash before baking to achieve a gorgeous golden-brown shine and extra crispness. Cold butter and minimal handling ensure a flakier, tender crust.
  • Always monitor custard temperature carefully to prevent egg curdling. Use a digital thermometer if possible, aiming for smooth, silky consistency without scrambling eggs.
  • Enhance serving with creative garnishes like toasted sliced almonds, fresh berries, lavender sprigs, or a delicate drizzle of additional honey for extra visual and flavor excitement.
  • This pie tastes even better after chilling overnight, allowing flavors to meld beautifully. Store covered in refrigerator for up to three days, maintaining its delightful texture and taste.

Serving Ideas for Old-Fashioned Honey Pie

  • Sweet Honey Drizzle Delight: Add an extra layer of sweetness by drizzling warm honey over each slice, creating a beautiful golden cascade that enhances the pie's rich flavors.
  • Creamy Whipped Cloud Topping: Crown your honey pie with a generous dollop of freshly whipped cream, softly peaked and sprinkled with a light dusting of ground cinnamon for warmth and spice.
  • Nutty Crunch Garnish: Sprinkle toasted chopped almonds or pecans around the pie's edges, adding a delightful crunch that complements the smooth, silky custard texture and provides a delicious contrast.
  • Elegant Serving Style: Present the pie on a beautiful ceramic plate, cut into precise wedges, and serve at room temperature to maximize the honey's delicate flavor profile and custard's velvety smoothness.

Storing Honey Pie So It Stays Sliceable

  • Smart Storage Solutions: Keep the honey pie covered with plastic wrap or aluminum foil in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Chilled temperatures help maintain its delicate custard texture and prevent bacterial growth.
  • Freezing Friendly: Wrap the entire pie or individual slices tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Frozen honey pie stays delicious for 1-2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the pie crust and custard filling a day ahead. Store the crust and filling separately in airtight containers. Assemble and bake just before serving to ensure maximum freshness and crisp crust.
  • Temperature Tips: Always serve honey pie chilled or at cool room temperature. Avoid leaving the pie out for more than 2 hours to prevent potential food safety issues. Enjoy within the recommended storage timeframe for the best flavor and texture.
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Irresistible Honey Pie Recipe

Irresistible Honey Pie Recipe


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4.9 from 13 reviews

  • Total Time: 5 hours 20 minutes
  • Yield: 9 1x

Description

Spiced honey pie delights palates with its rich, golden filling nestled in a buttery crust. Each slice promises a sweet journey through French culinary traditions that will leave you craving another indulgent bite.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 large eggs
  • 2 cups (480 ml / 16 fl oz) milk
  • 1 cup (240 ml / 8 fl oz) heavy cream
  • ½ cup (170 g / 6 oz) pure honey
  • ⅓ cup (73 g / 2.6 oz) light brown sugar, packed
  • ⅓ cup (79 g / 2.8 oz) granulated sugar
  • 1 homemade pie crust or store-bought refrigerated pie dough
  • 3 tbsps cornstarch
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/8 tsp salt
  • Whipped cream
  • Extra honey

Instructions

  1. Crust Preparation: Roll out pie dough on a flour-dusted surface, fitting it into a 9-inch pie dish. Trim edges and create an elegant crimped border, then dock with a fork to prevent air bubbles.
  2. Initial Baking: Line crust with parchment paper and fill with ceramic weights. Bake at 350°F for 20 minutes, then remove weights and continue baking for 8 minutes until light golden and crisp.
  3. Custard Base Creation: Warm milk and cream in a saucepan while simultaneously whisking eggs, honey, sugars, cornstarch, vanilla, and salt in a separate bowl until thoroughly combined.
  4. Custard Blending: Gradually incorporate hot dairy into egg mixture, whisking constantly to prevent curdling. Return to saucepan and cook over medium-low heat, stirring until custard thickens and coats the utensil, about 8 minutes.
  5. Pie Assembly: Strain custard through a fine-mesh sieve into the pre-baked crust, ensuring a smooth filling.
  6. Final Baking: Increase oven temperature to 375°F and bake for 12-15 minutes, watching for set edges with a slight center jiggle.
  7. Cooling and Serving: Allow pie to cool completely on a wire rack for 2 hours. Optionally garnish with whipped cream and a honey drizzle before serving. Store in refrigerator and consume within 2-3 days.

Notes

  • Prevent Crust Collapse: Dock and blind bake the pie crust to maintain its structure and prevent soggy bottoms during filling.
  • Temper Eggs Carefully: Stream hot dairy slowly into egg mixture while whisking constantly to avoid scrambling and create a smooth, silky custard.
  • Monitor Custard Consistency: Cook custard until it thickens and coats the back of a spoon, which ensures proper texture and prevents runny filling.
  • Cooling is Crucial: Allow pie to cool completely at room temperature for 2 hours to help the custard set firmly and develop optimal flavor and texture.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 hours
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 9
  • Calories: 312
  • Sugar: 27 g
  • Sodium: 80 mg
  • Fat: 19 g
  • Saturated Fat: 11 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 33 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 6 g
  • Cholesterol: 109 mg
Sophie Reynolds

Sophie Reynolds

Co-Founder, Recipe Curator & Culinary Educator

Expertise

  • Home Cooking Innovation & Comfort Recipes
  • Flavor Development & Ingredient Pairing
  • Seasonal Produce Integration
  • Recipe Testing & Instructional Clarity
  • Culinary Education & Community Workshops

Education

Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, Boulder, CO

  • Degree: Diploma in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Hands-on training in classic and modern culinary techniques, emphasizing sustainable cooking practices, kitchen professionalism, and real-world restaurant experience through externships.

Oregon State University

  • Degree: B.S. in Nutrition and Food Management
  • Focus: In-depth study of human nutrition, food safety, meal planning, and food-service operations, with a strong foundation in public health, dietetics, and community-based nutrition programs.

Sophie Reynolds is the recipe developer and culinary voice behind many of the approachable, flavor-focused creations at The Dream Café. 

Sophie’s style leans into comfort food made simple: wholesome, satisfying meals anyone can make with confidence. Her passion lies in helping home cooks feel at ease in the kitchen while finding joy in the everyday act of cooking.

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