Description
Indiana’s beloved sugar cream pie combines simple pantry ingredients into a silky custard dessert. Midwestern bakers cherish this nostalgic pie’s creamy filling and rustic charm, inviting you to savor a slice of heartland comfort.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups whole milk
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- ¾ cup (170 g) unsalted butter, diced into small cubes
- ⅓ cup cornstarch
- ¼ tsp salt
- 2 tsps vanilla extract
- 1 (9-inch) deep-dish pie shell, thawed completely
- Ground cinnamon for sprinkling
Instructions
- Crust Preparation: Pierce refrigerated pie dough thoroughly with a fork to prevent bubbling. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 10-12 minutes on the oven rack until edges turn light golden brown.
- Filling Creation: Whisk whole milk, granulated sugar, cornstarch, pure vanilla extract, and salt in a heavy-bottomed saucepan until smooth and fully integrated.
- Cooking Process: Stir mixture continuously over medium-low heat, maintaining constant movement as filling gradually thickens and bubbles, approximately 8-10 minutes.
- Butter Incorporation: Add unsalted butter to thickened mixture, whisking until completely melted. Allow gentle boiling for 1-2 minutes to develop rich flavor and proper consistency.
- Pie Assembly: Pour hot filling into pre-baked crust, leaving a small margin to prevent overflow. Reduce oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) and place pie on a rimmed baking sheet.
- Final Baking: Bake for 10-12 minutes, watching for gentle bubbling around pie edges, which indicates proper setting.
- Cooling and Setting: Remove from oven and cool completely at room temperature for 1 hour. Cover loosely with aluminum foil and refrigerate for 6-8 hours to achieve optimal creamy texture.
- Serving Presentation: Before serving, dust surface evenly with ground cinnamon. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
Notes
- Prevent Crust Bubbling: Pierce refrigerated pie dough thoroughly and evenly with a fork to avoid unsightly air pockets during baking.
- Master Smooth Filling: Continuously whisk ingredients while cooking to create a perfectly smooth, lump-free custard-like texture.
- Watch Cooking Carefully: Maintain medium-low heat and constant stirring to prevent scorching and ensure a silky, creamy consistency.
- Cooling is Crucial: Allow pie to cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate for 6-8 hours to achieve the ideal set and rich, creamy texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 397
- Sugar: 34 g
- Sodium: 106 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 62 mg