Dreamy Butterscotch Pie Recipe for Sweet Comfort

Sweet memories dance through my kitchen whenever I whip up this classic butterscotch pie that captures childhood comfort.

Rich caramel notes weave magic into every silky slice.

Warm brown sugar creates deep, complex flavors that surprise and delight.

My grandmother’s cherished recipe whispers secrets of generations past.

Delicate custard nestles perfectly in a flaky, golden crust that melts on your tongue.

Each forkful promises pure nostalgia and creamy indulgence.

This dessert will transport you to moments of pure, unapologetic joy.

Butterscotch Pie That’s Smooth and Sweet

• Transform ordinary ingredients into a show-stopping butterscotch pie with minimal kitchen skills required.
• Whip up this delightful dessert in under an hour, making it perfect for unexpected gatherings or weekend family treats.
• Enjoy a classic homestyle pie that brings back memories of grandma's kitchen with its rich, butterscotch warmth and silky meringue topping.
• Equally stunning for casual family dinners, potlucks, holiday celebrations, or as a special weekend indulgence that impresses everyone.

Ingredients Required for Butterscotch Pie

• Pie Crust: Base for the delicious butterscotch pie, provides a crisp and flaky foundation.

• Milk: Creates smooth, creamy texture and helps develop rich butterscotch flavor.
• Brown Sugar: Provides deep caramel-like sweetness and characteristic butterscotch taste.
• Cornstarch: Helps thicken the filling and gives smooth, pudding-like consistency.
• Egg Yolks: Adds richness, helps set the filling, and creates silky texture.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.

• Butter: Adds richness and smooth, luxurious mouthfeel to the butterscotch filling.
• Vanilla Extract: Provides warm, classic flavor and complements butterscotch notes.

• Egg Whites, Cream of Tartar: Create light, fluffy meringue with stable peaks.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and stabilizes the meringue, provides glossy finish.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds subtle flavor to the meringue topping.

How to Make a Homemade Butterscotch Pie

Step 1: Create Silky Filling

Whisk together milk, brown sugar, cornstarch, and salt in a medium saucepan. Heat over medium flame, stirring continuously until mixture transforms into a thick, glossy consistency. Watch for bubbling action, then continue cooking for two minutes. Remove from heat.

Carefully temper egg yolks by slowly incorporating hot mixture, whisking vigorously. Return egg mixture to saucepan, stirring constantly over low heat for additional two minutes.

• Butter
• Vanilla extract

Stir until smooth and creamy. Transfer filling into pre-baked pie shell.

Step 2: Whip Fluffy Meringue

Select a spotless, dry mixing bowl. Beat egg whites with cream of tartar until soft peaks emerge. Gradually introduce granulated sugar while continuing to beat. Continue mixing until meringue forms stiff, glossy peaks. Fold in vanilla extract.

Step 3: Bake and Brown

Spread meringue across pie filling, ensuring complete coverage that touches crust edges. This prevents shrinkage during baking. Place pie in preheated oven at 350 Fahrenheit. Bake until meringue develops a gorgeous golden-brown color, approximately ten minutes.

Step 4: Serve and Enjoy

Allow pie to cool completely at room temperature. Slice and serve for a delectable dessert experience.

Tips for a Velvety Butterscotch Filling

• Measure Ingredients Precisely: Use exact measurements for cornstarch and sugar to ensure the perfect butterscotch filling consistency and avoid runny or overly thick texture.
• Temper Eggs Carefully: Slowly add hot mixture to egg yolks while whisking constantly to prevent scrambling and create a smooth, silky filling.
• Prevent Meringue Weeping: Spread meringue immediately after preparing, making sure it touches the pie crust edges to create a seal and prevent liquid separation.
• Achieve Perfect Meringue Peak: Beat egg whites at room temperature and add sugar gradually to create stable, glossy peaks that hold their shape during baking.
• Cool Completely Before Serving: Let the pie cool at room temperature for at least 2-3 hours to allow filling to set and meringue to stabilize, ensuring clean and beautiful slices.

Store and Slice Butterscotch Pie Like a Pro

• Store leftover butterscotch pie in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cover the pie loosely with plastic wrap to prevent moisture buildup.
• Wrap the pie tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 2 months. Keep in mind that the meringue texture might slightly change after freezing.
• Gently warm individual slices in the oven at 250F for 10-15 minutes to restore the meringue's texture. Avoid microwaving, which can make the meringue soggy and tough.
• This pie tastes delicious when served chilled straight from the refrigerator, maintaining its creamy butterscotch filling and crisp meringue top.

Coffee and Whipped Cream Pairings for This Pie

• Dark roast coffee cuts through the sweet butterscotch, balancing the pie's rich caramel notes with its robust, slightly bitter profile.
• Smooth vanilla milkshake enhances the butterscotch's sweet complexity, creating a complementary dessert experience with cool, velvety textures.
• Aged bourbon's warm, oak-infused character beautifully amplifies the butterscotch's deep caramel undertones, elevating the pie's indulgent flavor profile.
• Aromatic chai tea's warm spices like cardamom and cinnamon provide a delightful contrast to the pie's sweet, creamy essence, creating a harmonious taste journey.

Creative Takes on Traditional Butterscotch Pie

• Low-Sugar Butterscotch Pie: Replace brown sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia for a diabetic-friendly version with reduced calories and lower glycemic impact.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Use a gluten-free pie crust made from almond flour or store-bought gluten-free pastry shell to accommodate wheat sensitivities.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Substitute dairy milk with coconut milk or almond milk, and use vegan butter or coconut oil instead of regular butter for lactose-intolerant individuals.
• Nutty Enhancement: Sprinkle toasted chopped pecans or sliced almonds over the meringue before baking to add extra crunch and nutty flavor profile.

Butterscotch Pie Recipe

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4.8 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Comforting butterscotch pie brings nostalgic Southern charm to dessert tables with its silky custard and buttery graham cracker crust. Sweet memories dance on palates, inviting home cooks to savor each delectable slice of this classic American treat.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pie Base:

• 1 pre-baked 9-inch (23 cm) pie crust

Filling Ingredients:

• 2 cups (480 ml) whole milk
• 1 cup (200 g) packed dark brown sugar
• 2 large egg yolks, lightly beaten
• ¼ cup (30 g) cornstarch
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) salt
• 1 tablespoon (15 g) unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) pure vanilla extract

Meringue Topping:

• 4 large egg whites
• 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
• ¼ teaspoon (1.25 ml) cream of tartar
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) pure vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Craft a silky butterscotch base by blending milk, brown sugar, cornstarch, and salt in a saucepan, stirring diligently until the mixture transforms into a thick, bubbling concoction.
2. After two minutes of boiling, remove from heat and gently incorporate hot liquid into beaten egg yolks, creating a smooth tempering process.
3. Return the enriched mixture to the saucepan, simmering on low heat while continuously stirring to prevent scorching.
4. Infuse the filling with rich depth by melting butter and stirring in vanilla extract until the mixture achieves a luxurious, glossy consistency.
5. Transfer the warm butterscotch filling into a pre-baked pie shell, ensuring an even distribution.
6. Prepare a cloud-like meringue by whipping egg whites with cream of tartar until soft, pillowy peaks emerge.
7. Gradually introduce granulated sugar while continuing to beat, transforming the whites into stiff, glossy peaks.
8. Enhance the meringue with a whisper of vanilla extract for added complexity.
9. Carefully drape the meringue over the butterscotch filling, creating a seal that touches the crust’s edges to prevent shrinkage.
10. Bake in a preheated oven until the meringue develops a delicate, golden-brown hue.
11. Allow the pie to cool completely, letting the flavors meld and settle before serving.

Notes

• Tempering eggs is crucial to prevent scrambling, so whisk hot mixture slowly and steadily into egg yolks.
• Use fresh brown sugar for deeper, richer butterscotch flavor and ensure no hardened lumps are present.
• Control meringue texture by beating egg whites at room temperature and adding sugar gradually for stable, glossy peaks.
• Prevent meringue weeping by sealing edges completely against pie crust and avoiding over-beating egg whites.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 340
• Sugar: 29 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 52 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg