Sugar Cream Pie Recipe

Introduction

Sugar Cream Pie is a classic, creamy dessert with a tender, flaky crust and a sweet, custard-like filling. This simple yet comforting pie features a rich vanilla and cinnamon flavor that makes it a favorite for any occasion.

A close-up view of a white pie crust lined inside a white pie dish sitting on a wire rack over a white marbled surface. The pie crust is light beige with a textured edge pressed down with fork marks all around the rim. A smooth, thick cream-colored liquid filling is being poured into the crust, creating soft swirls on the surface as it fills the bottom layer of the pie. The background is softly blurred to keep focus on the pouring action and the pie itself. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • Dough for single-crust pie
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 2 cups 2% milk
  • 1/2 cup butter, cubed
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 450°F. On a lightly floured surface, roll the pie dough to a 1/8-inch-thick circle and transfer it to a 9-inch pie plate. Trim the crust to extend 1/2 inch beyond the rim, then flute the edges. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Line the unpricked crust with a double layer of foil. Fill with pie weights, dried beans, or uncooked rice. Bake on the lower oven rack until the edges turn light golden brown, about 15 to 20 minutes. Remove the foil and weights, then bake for an additional 3 to 6 minutes until the bottom is golden brown. Cool on a wire rack. Reduce oven temperature to 375°F.
  3. Step 3: In a large saucepan, mix the sugar and cornstarch. Gradually stir in the milk until smooth. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, then reduce the heat and cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes or until thickened and bubbly.
  4. Step 4: Remove from heat and stir in the cubed butter and vanilla extract until fully combined. Pour the filling into the baked pie crust and sprinkle the top evenly with ground cinnamon.
  5. Step 5: Bake at 375°F until the filling is golden brown, about 15 to 20 minutes. Let the pie cool on a wire rack, then refrigerate until chilled before serving.

Tips & Variations

  • Use a store-bought pie crust to save time while still achieving delicious results.
  • For a richer flavor, substitute whole milk or add a tablespoon of heavy cream to the filling.
  • Sprinkle a little nutmeg along with the cinnamon for a warm spice twist.
  • To prevent a soggy crust, make sure to fully blind bake the crust using pie weights before adding the filling.

Storage

Store any leftover Sugar Cream Pie covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The pie is best served chilled. Reheat slices gently in a microwave for about 10 to 15 seconds if you prefer it warm, but the pie is traditionally enjoyed cold.

How to Serve

A close-up view of a pie crust in a round white pie dish, with edges pressed and crimped neatly all around. The pie crust is light beige with a smooth and slightly textured surface. The white pie dish sits on two cloths stacked on a white marbled surface; the bottom cloth is white with blue dots, and the top cloth is solid blue with frayed edges. Two woman's hands are holding the pie dish gently, one on each side, with pale skin tones and clean, neat fingernails. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make Sugar Cream Pie ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the pie a day in advance and keep it refrigerated. This allows the flavors to meld and the filling to set perfectly.

What can I use if I don’t have pie weights?

If you don’t have pie weights, dried beans or uncooked rice work well to keep the crust from puffing up during blind baking.

Print

Sugar Cream Pie Recipe

Sugar Cream Pie is a classic American dessert known for its rich, creamy filling made from sugar, cornstarch, and milk, baked in a flaky single-crust pie shell. This luscious custard-like pie is topped with a hint of ground cinnamon, making it a comforting and timeless sweet treat perfect for any occasion.

  • Author: mia
  • Prep Time: 40 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Dough for single-crust pie

  • 1 single pie crust dough (enough for a 9-inch pie)

Filling

  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 2 cups 2% milk
  • 1/2 cup butter, cubed
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

  1. Prepare the crust: Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C). On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to a 1/8-inch thick circle and transfer it carefully into a 9-inch pie plate. Trim the excess dough to leave a 1/2-inch overhang beyond the rim and flute the edges for a decorative finish. Place the crust in the refrigerator to chill for 30 minutes, which helps prevent shrinking during baking.
  2. Bake the crust blind: Line the chilled crust with a double layer of foil, ensuring it covers the edges, and fill it with pie weights, dried beans, or uncooked rice to keep the crust from bubbling up. Place the pie on a lower rack in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the edges turn a light golden brown. Remove the foil and weights, then bake for an additional 3-6 minutes until the bottom of the crust is golden and firm. Remove from oven and cool on a wire rack.
  3. Reduce oven temperature: Lower the oven heat to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the filling.
  4. Make the filling: In a large saucepan, mix together the sugar and cornstarch. Gradually stir in the 2% milk until the mixture is smooth and free of lumps. Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly to prevent scorching. Once boiling, reduce the heat and continue to cook, stirring, for 2 minutes or until the filling thickens and becomes bubbly.
  5. Finish the filling: Remove the saucepan from heat. Stir in the cubed butter until melted and fully incorporated, then add the vanilla extract. Stir well to combine all flavors smoothly.
  6. Assemble and bake: Pour the warm filling into the pre-baked pie crust. Evenly sprinkle the surface with ground cinnamon. Bake the pie in the preheated 375°F oven for 15-20 minutes or until the top becomes golden brown.
  7. Cool and chill: Remove the pie from the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack. Once cooled, refrigerate the pie until thoroughly chilled before serving to allow the filling to set perfectly.

Notes

  • Blind baking the crust is essential to prevent a soggy bottom and ensure a crisp texture.
  • Pie weights are reusable and ideal for blind baking; if unavailable, dried beans or uncooked rice are good alternatives.
  • Use a whisk when mixing sugar and cornstarch with milk to avoid lumps in the filling.
  • For a richer flavor, you may substitute whole milk for 2% milk, but 2% strikes a good balance of creaminess and lightness.
  • Letting the pie chill overnight intensifies the flavors and improves texture.

Keywords: Sugar Cream Pie, Cream Pie, Classic Pie, Custard Pie, American Dessert, Pie Recipe, Comfort Food

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