Velvety Pistachio Custard Pie Recipe

Dreamy Pistachio Custard Pie Recipe: A Nutty Sweet Sensation

Silky smooth and utterly decadent, this pistachio custard pie recipe delivers a luxurious dessert that melts in your mouth.

Nutty pistachios blend seamlessly with rich, creamy custard to create a truly extraordinary treat.

Green-hued and elegant, the pie captures attention with its stunning color and sophisticated flavor profile.

Each slice promises a delightful balance of sweet and nutty notes that dance across your palate.

The velvety custard filling nestles perfectly in a buttery, crisp crust that provides an irresistible textural contrast.

Bakers of all skill levels can master this impressive dessert with a few simple techniques.

Dive into this luxurious pie and savor a slice of pure culinary bliss that will leave everyone craving more.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Calories: 404 kcal

Servings: 9

Inside the Pistachio Custard Pie Ingredients

For The Crust:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and foundation for the flaky, tender pie base.
  • Salt: Enhances and balances the overall flavor profile of the crust.
  • Granulated Sugar: Adds a subtle sweetness and helps with browning.
  • Unsalted Butter: Creates rich, buttery layers and ensures a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
  • Pistachios: Introduces nutty crunch and depth to the traditional pie crust.
  • Ice Water: Helps bind ingredients and creates a cohesive, workable dough.
For The Filling:
  • Pistachios: Delivers intense nutty flavor and stunning green hue to the custard.
  • Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the custard and balances the nutty undertones.
  • Cream Cheese: Provides creamy richness and smooth, luxurious texture.
  • Eggs: Act as a binding agent and create a silky, stable custard structure.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, comforting aromatic notes.
  • Almond Extract: Amplifies the nutty essence and deepens flavor complexity.
  • Milk: Ensures a light, creamy consistency in the custard.
For Garnish:
  • Whipped Cream: Adds light, airy contrast to the dense custard.
  • Chopped Pistachios: Provides textural crunch and visual appeal.

Tools to Assemble a Pistachio Custard Pie

  • Food processor or mixing bowl: Essential for creating the perfect pie crust with flour, butter, and pistachios.
  • Rolling pin: Key for rolling out the chilled pie dough evenly and smoothly.
  • 9-inch pie dish: Perfect vessel for shaping and baking the custard pie.
  • Blender or food processor: Crucial for grinding pistachios and creating a smooth filling.
  • Whisk: Helps blend the filling ingredients into a silky, creamy texture.
  • Measuring cups and spoons: Precise tools for accurate ingredient proportions.
  • Electric mixer or hand whisk: Useful for mixing cream cheese and creating a smooth base.
  • Sharp knife: Helps with chopping extra pistachios for garnish.

Baking the Silkiest Pistachio Custard Pie

  • Dough Foundation

Mix flour, salt, and sugar in a bowl. Crumble cold butter into tiny pieces until the mixture looks like coarse sand. Fold in crushed pistachios and slowly add icy water until the dough feels cohesive. Shape into a smooth disc, wrap tightly, and let rest in the refrigerator.

  • Creamy Filling Prep

Grind pistachios with sugar until powdery. Whip cream cheese until silky smooth. Gradually blend in eggs, creating a velvety texture. Splash in vanilla and almond extracts with a hint of milk. Swirl in the pistachio powder until the mixture looks luxuriously uniform.

  • Crust Shaping

Roll out the chilled dough on a floured surface. Gently transfer to a pie dish, creating elegant crimped edges. Pour the luscious filling into the waiting crust.

  • Baking Magic

Place the pie in a preheated 350°F oven. Bake until the edges look firm but the center maintains a gentle wobble, about 45-50 minutes. Allow the pie to cool completely, then chill in the refrigerator.

  • Serving Flourish

Garnish with fluffy whipped cream and a sprinkle of chopped pistachios. Slice and enjoy the creamy, nutty delight.

Notes and Adjustments for Pistachio Custard Pie

  • Add a unique twist by swirling melted dark chocolate through the filling for a decadent marbled effect.
  • Pulse extra pistachios into the crust for a more intense nutty crunch and deeper green color.
  • Prepare the pie up to 2 days in advance, keeping it covered in the refrigerator to enhance flavor development and save time on serving day.
  • Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature before mixing to create a smoother, more consistent custard filling that bakes evenly.
  • Experiment with toppings like caramel drizzle, toasted coconut flakes, or a light dusting of ground cardamom to complement the pistachio flavor profile.

Serving Pistachio Custard Pie

  • Garnish with Green Elegance: Top the chilled pie with a delicate sprinkle of finely chopped pistachios, adding a beautiful green crunch that complements the creamy custard.
  • Pair with Creamy Cloud: Dollop freshly whipped cream alongside each slice, creating a light and airy contrast to the rich, nutty pie filling.
  • Drizzle with Sweet Accent: Enhance the dessert with a light drizzle of honey or caramel sauce, which brings out the subtle nutty flavors of the pistachios and adds a luxurious touch to each bite.
  • Chill for Maximum Flavor: Serve straight from the refrigerator to maintain the custard's silky texture and allow the flavors to fully develop, making each slice a cool, refreshing treat.

Best Way to Keep Pistachio Custard Pie Fresh

  • Refrigerate Wisely: Store the pistachio custard pie in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, keeping its creamy texture and delicate flavor intact.
  • Freeze for Later: Wrap the completely cooled pie tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, storing it in the freezer for maximum 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
  • Prevent Soggy Crust: Place a paper towel between the pie and the container lid to absorb excess moisture, maintaining the crust's delightful crispness.
  • Slice Before Freezing: Cut individual portions before freezing for easier serving and quicker thawing, allowing you to enjoy a slice whenever a sweet craving hits.
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Velvety Pistachio Custard Pie Recipe

Velvety Pistachio Custard Pie Recipe


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4.5 from 32 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Yield: 9 1x

Description

Silky pistachio custard pie blends Mediterranean flavors with classic dessert techniques. Green nutty richness melts elegantly, inviting passionate bakers to savor each delightful slice.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (240 ml) lightly salted roasted pistachios
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk
  • 8 oz (226 g) cream cheese, softened
  • 1 ¼ cups (156 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ tbsps white granulated sugar
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 8 tbsps (113 g) cold salted butter, cubed
  • ¼ cup (30 g) finely chopped pistachios
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp almond extract
  • 68 tbsps ice water
  • Whipped cream (to top)

Instructions

  1. Dough Preparation: Blend flour, salt, sugar, and cold butter in a food processor until mixture resembles coarse crumbs, then fold in finely chopped pistachios and add ice-cold water until dough forms a cohesive ball.
  2. Dough Resting: Shape dough into a disc, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for 30 minutes to enhance texture and flavor.
  3. Filling Creation: Pulverize pistachios with sugar in a blender, then whip cream cheese and remaining sugar until smooth, gradually incorporating eggs, vanilla extract, almond essence, and milk to form a silky custard base.
  4. Pistachio Integration: Gently fold pistachio-sugar blend into custard, whisking until completely homogeneous.
  5. Crust Formation: Roll out chilled dough on a floured surface, carefully transfer to a 9-inch pie dish, and crimp edges decoratively.
  6. Baking Process: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C), pour custard filling into prepared crust, and bake for 45-50 minutes until edges are set but center remains slightly jiggly.
  7. Cooling and Setting: Remove from oven, cool at room temperature for 1-2 hours, then refrigerate for 2-3 hours to achieve optimal consistency.
  8. Serving Presentation: Garnish with whipped cream and chopped pistachios before serving chilled.

Notes

  • Chill Dough Thoroughly: Refrigerating the pastry for 30 minutes helps prevent shrinkage and ensures a flaky, tender crust during baking.
  • Monitor Baking Carefully: Watch the pie closely in the final 10-15 minutes to prevent over-browning, as custard can quickly transition from perfectly set to overcooked.
  • Rest and Set Completely: Allowing the pie to cool at room temperature and then chill in the refrigerator helps the custard set properly and develop rich, full flavors.
  • Customize Texture: For a smoother custard, strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve before pouring into the crust, removing any potential lumps or uneven particles.
  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Cook Time: 50 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 9
  • Calories: 404
  • Sugar: 28 g
  • Sodium: 250 mg
  • Fat: 26 g
  • Saturated Fat: 15 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 36 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 7 g
  • Cholesterol: 113 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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