Description
Butterscotch Pie is a classic American dessert featuring a rich, creamy custard filling made from brown sugar, butter, and eggs, set in a flaky pie crust. Topped with a light meringue or whipped cream, it’s a comforting treat that’s perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
For the Filling:
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1 cup packed light brown sugar
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4 tablespoons unsalted butter
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2 cups whole milk
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3 tablespoons cornstarch
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3 large egg yolks
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½ teaspoon vanilla extract
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Pinch of salt
For the Meringue:
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3 large egg whites
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¼ cup granulated sugar
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¼ teaspoon cream of tartar
For the Crust:
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1 (9-inch) pie crust, prebaked
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
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In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the brown sugar and cook, stirring constantly, until the sugar dissolves.
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Whisk in the cornstarch, salt, and milk. Cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and comes to a boil.
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In a separate bowl, lightly beat the egg yolks. Gradually add about 1 cup of the hot sugar mixture to the egg yolks, whisking constantly to temper them.
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Return the egg yolk mixture to the saucepan with the remaining sugar mixture. Cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens further.
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Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Pour the filling into the prebaked pie crust.
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To prepare the meringue, beat the egg whites and cream of tartar in a clean bowl until soft peaks form. Gradually add the granulated sugar, continuing to beat until stiff peaks form.
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Spread the meringue over the pie, ensuring it covers the entire surface and touches the crust edges to prevent shrinking.
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Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the meringue is golden brown.
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Cool the pie on a wire rack for at least 2 hours before serving
Notes
Ensure the meringue is spread all the way to the crust edges to prevent it from shrinking during baking.
For a smoother filling, strain the custard through a fine-mesh sieve before pouring it into the crust.
If you prefer a no-bake version, consider using a graham cracker crust and topping with whipped cream instead of meringue.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Pie
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Butterscotch Pie, Classic Pie, Custard Pie, Meringue Topped Pie