Golden Classic Caramel Custard Pie Recipe: Sweet Simplicity

Rich, creamy caramel custard pie sits at the heart of every memorable dessert table.

Smooth layers of silky custard blend perfectly with golden caramel notes.

Each forkful promises a decadent journey through delicate textures and deep, warm flavors.

Home bakers adore this classic dessert for its elegant simplicity and crowd-pleasing charm.

The buttery crust cradles a luscious filling that melts effortlessly on the tongue.

Delicate swirls of caramel dance through the creamy custard, creating a harmonious symphony of sweetness.

Serve this irresistible pie and watch as smiles spread across the faces of everyone at the table.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Calories: 174 kcal

Servings: 9

Ingredients Behind Classic Caramel Custard Pie

• Eggs: Provide rich, silky texture and help bind the custard together, choose fresh, large eggs at room temperature for best results.
• Whole Milk: Creates smooth, luxurious consistency, opt for full-fat milk to ensure maximum creaminess and depth of flavor.

• Cane Sugar: Delivers pure, clean sweetness, select high-quality granulated sugar for even distribution and balanced taste.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, aromatic undertones, use pure vanilla extract for authentic, robust flavor profile.
• Caramel Extract: Intensifies deep, golden caramel notes, choose natural extract for genuine, rich caramel essence.

• Ground Nutmeg: Contributes warm, subtle spiciness, freshly grated nutmeg provides more vibrant and complex flavor compared to pre-ground.
• Salt: Balances and elevates overall sweetness, use fine sea salt for seamless integration into the custard mixture.

Tools Needed for Classic Caramel Custard Pie

• 9-inch pie plate: Essential for forming and baking the pie crust.
• Large mixing bowl: Perfect for blending custard ingredients smoothly.
• Small bowl: Ideal for mixing sugar and flour for the base layer.
• Fork: Great for combining crust ingredients and ensuring even moistening.
• Whisk: Necessary for blending eggs and liquid ingredients thoroughly.
• Knife: Useful for checking pie doneness by inserting into the center.
• Wire rack: Helpful for cooling the pie evenly after baking.

Making the Caramel Custard Pie Step-by-Step

• Crust Foundation

Gather flour, sugar, and a dash of salt. Mix these dry ingredients in a large bowl, creating a soft powdery base for your delectable pie.

• Liquid Magic

Whisk oil and milk together until they blend into a smooth, silky mixture that will transform your dry ingredients into a tender crust.

• Dough Transformation

Combine wet and dry ingredients, gently folding until the mixture becomes a cohesive dough. Press this delicate blend into a pie plate, ensuring every corner is lovingly covered.

• Sugary Sprinkle

Dust the crust with a delightful mix of brown and white sugar, creating a sweet landscape that will caramelize beautifully during baking.

• Custard Dream

Crack fresh eggs into a bowl, adding vanilla and caramel extracts. Blend these ingredients until they become a creamy, luxurious custard that promises rich flavor.

• Baking Alchemy

Pour the custard into the prepared crust, then dust with a whisper of nutmeg. Slide the pie into a preheated oven, allowing magic to happen for about 50 minutes.

• Cooling Moment

Remove the pie and let it rest, allowing flavors to settle and the custard to set perfectly. Slice and serve this heavenly creation when completely cool.

Pro Tips and Twists for Caramel Custard Pie

• Roll out dough between two parchment sheets to prevent sticking and ensure a smooth, even base for your pie.
• Let pie rest at room temperature for 30 minutes after baking to help custard set perfectly without cracking.
• Drizzle extra caramel sauce on top or sprinkle toasted pecans for a delightful crunch and enhanced sweetness.
• Prepare the pie crust a day before and refrigerate to save time on baking day, ensuring a stress-free dessert preparation.
• Pair with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream to elevate the creamy caramel experience.

Serving Ideas for Classic Caramel Custard Pie

• Cozy Dessert Companion: Pair this caramel custard pie with a steaming cup of rich coffee or smooth vanilla chai tea for a delightful after-dinner treat.
• Elegant Garnish Twist: Top each slice with a delicate swirl of fresh whipped cream and sprinkle crushed caramel pieces or toasted pecans for extra crunch and visual appeal.
• Temperature Magic: Serve slightly warm for a gooey texture or chilled from the refrigerator for a firmer custard experience, allowing guests to choose their preferred indulgence style.
• Seasonal Celebration: Enhance the pie during autumn months by adding a light dusting of cinnamon or serving alongside spiced apple compote for a festive seasonal touch.

How to Store and Reheat Caramel Custard Pie

• Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Store your caramel custard pie in an airtight container within the refrigerator for maximum freshness, keeping it deliciously intact for 3-4 days without compromising taste or texture.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the pie crust and custard filling up to 24 hours before baking, storing them separately in sealed containers to maintain optimal ingredient quality and reduce day-of preparation stress.
• Freezing Friendly Technique: Wrap the fully cooled pie tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, allowing it to freeze solidly for up to one month without losing its rich caramel and creamy custard characteristics.
• Serving Temperature Tip: Remove the pie from the refrigerator 15-20 minutes before serving to allow it to reach a pleasant room temperature, which enhances the smooth texture and brings out the deep caramel flavors more beautifully.

Silky Caramel Custard Pie

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• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

French pastry chefs perfected this classic caramel custard pie recipe with silky layers of rich custard and golden caramel. Sweet cream and delicate spices merge into an elegant dessert that delights discerning palates and promises pure comfort with each heavenly slice.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 3 large eggs
• 1 ¾ cups (414 ml) whole milk
• 3 tbsps (45 ml) cane sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp caramel extract
• ½ tsp ground nutmeg
• 1 tsp salt

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Instructions

1. Pie Crust Preparation: Merge flour, sugar, and salt in a mixing bowl, creating a uniform dry foundation for the pastry.
2. Liquid Integration: Whisk vegetable oil and milk until smoothly combined, then fold into dry ingredients to form a cohesive dough with consistent texture.
3. Crust Formation: Gently press dough into a 9-inch pie plate, ensuring even distribution and smooth edges across the surface.
4. Sugar Layering: Sprinkle a blend of brown sugar, cane sugar, and flour evenly over the crust, establishing a sweet preliminary base.
5. Custard Creation: Blend eggs, vanilla extract, caramel extract, milk, sugar, and salt until achieving a silky, homogeneous custard mixture with no lumps.
6. Filling and Seasoning: Pour custard into prepared crust, maintaining a level surface, and dust ground nutmeg across the top for aromatic enhancement.
7. Baking Process: Place pie in a 350°F (177°C) oven and bake for 45-60 minutes, confirming doneness by inserting a knife that emerges clean from the center.
8. Cooling and Serving: Remove pie from oven and allow to cool completely on a wire rack, enabling the custard to set firmly before slicing and presenting elegant servings.

Notes

• Precise Temperature Control: Set oven exactly at 350°F to ensure consistent, even baking without burning the delicate custard base.
• Dough Moisture Management: Mix wet and dry ingredients thoroughly but gently, avoiding overmixing to maintain a tender, flaky crust texture.
• Custard Consistency Check: Use the knife test to verify doneness – a clean blade means the custard is perfectly set and not runny.
• Cooling Technique: Allow pie to cool completely on a wire rack, giving custard time to stabilize and develop rich, smooth texture before serving.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 174
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 170 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 107 mg