Description
Hillbilly Pie is a comforting Southern dessert featuring a rich, creamy custard filling baked inside a flaky pre-made pie crust. With a sweet blend of brown and white sugars, enhanced by vanilla and butter, this pie offers a perfect balance of sweetness and smooth texture, finished with a golden crust.
Ingredients
Scale
Pie Crust
- 1 pre-made pie crust
Filling
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup white sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 3 large egg yolks
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon butter
Instructions
- Preheat and Bake Crust: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the pre-made pie crust into a pie dish and bake it for 10 minutes or until it turns golden brown. This pre-baking step ensures a crisp bottom crust that won’t get soggy once the filling is added.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a saucepan, combine the brown sugar, white sugar, and cornstarch. Stir them together to distribute the cornstarch evenly, which will help thicken the custard filling.
- Add Milk Gradually: Gradually whisk in the whole milk to the sugar and cornstarch mixture until it becomes smooth and free of lumps. This will become the base of the custard.
- Cook Custard Mixture: Place the saucepan over medium heat and cook the mixture while stirring constantly. Continue cooking until the mixture thickens to a custard-like consistency, ensuring it does not burn or stick to the bottom of the pan.
- Add Egg Yolks and Flavor: Remove the saucepan from heat. Whisk in the egg yolks, vanilla extract, and butter thoroughly until the filling is smooth and glossy. The egg yolks enrich the custard and help it set during baking.
- Fill and Bake Pie: Pour the custard filling into the pre-baked pie crust. Return the pie to the oven and bake for an additional 25-30 minutes, or until the pie is set and the custard no longer jiggles in the center.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the pie from the oven and allow it to cool completely to finish setting the custard before serving. This cooling step helps enhance the texture and flavor.
Notes
- Using a pre-made pie crust reduces preparation time without compromising taste.
- Whisk the milk in gradually to prevent lumps in the custard base.
- Constant stirring during cooking prevents the custard from sticking and ensures even thickening.
- Allowing the pie to cool fully before serving ensures the custard sets properly and slices cleanly.
- For a richer flavor, use whole milk, but 2% milk can be substituted for a lighter version.
