Description
Classic egg custard pie whisks bakers through generations of Southern comfort baking. Creamy nutmeg-kissed filling nestled in flaky pastry promises sweet memories you will savor with each delightful slice.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 large eggs
- 2 cups (480 ml) whole milk or half-and-half
- ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
- 1 ¼ cups (156 g) all-purpose flour
- ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 3–4 tbsps ice water
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg (plus extra for topping)
Instructions
- Pie Crust Preparation: Combine flour and salt in a mixing bowl, cutting cold butter into the mixture until it resembles coarse breadcrumbs. Gradually add ice water, kneading until the dough forms a cohesive disk. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for 30 minutes to rest and firm.
- Crust Shaping and Pre-Baking: Preheat oven to 375F (190C). Roll chilled dough into a 12-inch circle and carefully transfer to a 9-inch pie pan. Trim edges and create a decorative border. Dock the bottom with a fork, line with parchment paper, and fill with pie weights. Bake for 10 minutes, then remove weights and continue baking for 5 minutes until lightly golden.
- Custard Filling: Lower oven temperature to 350F (175C). Whisk eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla, and nutmeg until completely smooth and well-incorporated. Pour the custard mixture gently into the pre-baked pie shell, taking care to avoid spillage.
- Baking and Setting: Bake the pie until the center is set but still slightly wobbly when gently shaken. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely on a wire rack, enabling the custard to fully set and develop its signature creamy consistency.
Notes
- Prevent Soggy Crust: Brush the pre-baked pie shell with beaten egg white before adding custard to create a protective barrier that keeps the crust crisp and prevents liquid absorption.
- Temperature Control for Custard: Bake the custard at a lower temperature (350F) and watch carefully, as overheating can cause curdling or cracking, resulting in a less smooth texture and potential separation of ingredients.
- Nutmeg Nuance: Freshly grated nutmeg provides a more intense, aromatic flavor compared to pre-ground spice, elevating the custard’s depth and creating a more complex taste profile.
- Chilling Technique: Allow the pie to cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours to achieve the most stable and silky custard consistency, which helps set the filling perfectly and enhances its creamy texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 270
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg