Simple & Sweet: Old Fashioned Buttermilk Pie Recipe for Cozy Baking

Sweet memories of my grandmother’s kitchen always come flooding back when I think about this old fashioned buttermilk pie that carries generations of comfort.

Creamy and delicate, the dessert whispers stories of Southern hospitality and simple pleasures.

Soft custard nestles into a flaky crust, promising a delightful journey through traditional baking.

Butter and tangy buttermilk create a magical harmony that melts on your tongue.

Rustic yet elegant, this pie represents more than just a dessert, it’s a celebration of heritage and home-cooked warmth.

Minimal ingredients blend into something extraordinary, proving that culinary magic often emerges from simplicity.

Let’s uncover the secrets of this classic pie that will surely become your new favorite comfort treat.

Old Fashioned Buttermilk Pie That Charms

• Simplify Baking Magic: Dive into a recipe that transforms basic ingredients into a delightful dessert with minimal kitchen skills required.
• Comfort Food Champion: Indulge in a classic Southern-style pie that brings warm, nostalgic flavors perfect for family gatherings and sweet cravings.
• Versatile Dessert Wonder: Enjoy a treat that adapts to different serving temperatures and works beautifully as a crowd-pleasing dessert for potlucks, holidays, or casual weeknight treats.
• Quick Ingredient Assembly: Create a delicious pie using pantry staples that come together faster than most complicated dessert recipes, making it a go-to option for spontaneous baking adventures.

Ingredients for Classic Buttermilk Pie

• Buttermilk: A tangy liquid that provides moisture and richness to the pie.
• Eggs: Essential for binding and creating a smooth, custard-like texture.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps create a tender, flavorful filling.

• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the pie and helps create a golden brown surface.
• Cornstarch: Acts as a thickening agent to help set the pie filling.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the pie.

• Vanilla Extract: Provides a warm, sweet undertone to the pie's flavor profile.

• Pie Crust: Serves as the base and container for the delicious buttermilk filling.

How to Make Buttermilk Pie

Step 1: Preheat The Oven

Set the oven temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and let it warm up completely.

Step 2: Create Egg Mixture

Whisk together eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla extract in a large mixing bowl until smooth and well combined.

Step 3: Blend Dry Ingredients

• Granulated sugar
• Melted butter
• Cornstarch
• Salt

Stir until ingredients are evenly distributed.

Step 4: Combine Mixtures

Pour the egg mixture into the sugar mixture, whisking constantly to create a uniform batter.

Step 5: Prepare Pie Crust

Transfer the blended mixture into an unbaked pie crust, spreading it evenly across the surface.

Step 6: Bake The Pie

Place the pie in the preheated oven and bake for about 55 minutes.

Watch closely as baking times can vary depending on individual ovens.

Step 7: Cool Down

Remove the pie from the oven and let it cool to room temperature.

Step 8: Serve And Enjoy

Slice and serve the pie either at room temperature or chilled, depending on your preference.

Tips to Nail Old Fashioned Buttermilk Pie

• Check buttermilk's freshness for the best tangy flavor and smooth texture in your pie.
• Avoid overmixing the ingredients to prevent a tough, dense pie filling.
• Use room-temperature eggs and butter to ensure even blending and consistent baking results.
• Tent the pie with aluminum foil halfway through baking to prevent excessive browning on top.
• Test the pie's doneness by gently shaking the pan – the center should have a slight wobble but not be liquid.

Variations to Refresh Buttermilk Pie

• Gluten-Free Buttermilk Pie: Replace traditional pie crust with an almond flour or gluten-free graham cracker crust for a celiac-friendly version.
• Vegan Buttermilk Alternative: Substitute dairy buttermilk with coconut milk and apple cider vinegar, using plant-based butter and egg replacer for a completely vegan adaptation.
• Maple Pecan Variation: Add chopped pecans to the filling and replace some granulated sugar with pure maple syrup for a rich, nutty flavor profile.
• Citrus Zest Upgrade: Incorporate lemon or orange zest into the mixture to create a bright, tangy undertone that complements the creamy base.

Pairing Ideas for Buttermilk Pie

• A classic bourbon like Maker's Mark complements the pie's rich, custard-like texture, enhancing its subtle vanilla undertones and creating a harmonious dessert experience.
• Lightly sweetened whipped cream adds a cool, airy element that cuts through the pie's dense richness, providing a delightful textural balance and palate-cleansing effect.
• A robust, freshly brewed black coffee balances the pie's sweetness, bringing out its nuanced flavors and offering a bold counterpoint to the dessert's creamy profile.

Storage Advice for Buttermilk Pie

• Refrigerate: Store leftover buttermilk pie in an airtight container or tightly wrapped with plastic wrap for up to 4 days in the refrigerator, keeping its delicate texture and flavor intact.
• Freeze: Carefully wrap the pie in multiple layers of plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for maximum 2 months. Place in freezer-safe container to prevent freezer burn and maintain quality.
• Thaw Gradually: Remove frozen pie from freezer and transfer to refrigerator, allowing slow thawing overnight. This method preserves the pie's original consistency and prevents moisture loss.
• Reheat Gently: Warm individual slices in microwave for 15-20 seconds on low power, or warm entire pie in oven at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-15 minutes, covering with aluminum foil to prevent excessive browning.

FAQs

• What makes buttermilk pie different from other custard pies?

Buttermilk pie has a uniquely tangy flavor from buttermilk, creating a lighter and more subtle taste compared to traditional custard pies, with a slightly softer texture that melts in your mouth.

• Is buttermilk pie considered a Southern dessert?

Yes, buttermilk pie originated in the Southern United States, specifically in Texas and Kentucky, where it was a popular dessert during times when fresh ingredients were limited and bakers needed to use pantry staples.

• Can I substitute ingredients in this buttermilk pie recipe?

You can replace buttermilk with regular milk and add a tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to create a similar tangy flavor, but the authentic taste might slightly change. For cornstarch, you can use all-purpose flour as an alternative thickening agent.

Old Fashioned Buttermilk Pie Recipe

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4.7 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Classic buttermilk pie celebrates Southern baking traditions with creamy custard and flaky crust. Grandmothers across Texas and Louisiana cherish this simple, comforting dessert you can easily master at home.

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Ingredients

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• 1 standard 9-inch pie crust (unbaked)
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (melted and brought to room temperature)
• 1 cup refined granulated white sugar
• 3 farm-fresh eggs (thoroughly beaten)
• 1/2 cup premium low-fat buttermilk
• 1 tablespoon (1 Tbs) high-grade cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon (1 tsp) pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon (1/2 tsp) fine salt

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F, ensuring the rack is positioned in the center.
2. Whisk eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla extract in a large bowl until thoroughly combined and smooth.
3. In a separate bowl, blend granulated sugar, melted butter, cornstarch, and salt until the mixture appears uniform.
4. Gently fold the two mixtures together, stirring until completely integrated with no visible streaks.
5. Transfer the silky mixture into the unbaked pie crust, spreading evenly to the edges.
6. Carefully slide the pie into the preheated oven and bake for 50-60 minutes, watching for a golden, slightly firm center that jiggles minimally when gently shaken.
7. Remove the pie from the oven and allow it to rest at room temperature for 2-3 hours, enabling the filling to set completely.
8. Slice and serve the pie either chilled or at ambient temperature, garnishing with a light dusting of powdered sugar or a dollop of whipped cream if desired.

Notes

• Ensure buttermilk is at room temperature to create a smoother, more consistent mixture without lumps or uneven texture.
• Prevent crust burning by covering edges with aluminum foil during the last 15-20 minutes of baking if they start browning too quickly.
• For a gluten-free version, swap traditional pie crust with almond flour or gluten-free graham cracker crust to accommodate dietary restrictions.
• Add subtle flavor variations by incorporating lemon zest, nutmeg, or cinnamon into the filling for a personalized twist on the classic recipe.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 60 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Southern American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 305
• Sugar: 32 g
• Sodium: 162 mg
• Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0.3 g
• Carbohydrates: 39 g
• Fiber: 0.2 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 77 mg