Description
A festive and creamy Christmas Eve dessert, this Cinnamon-Vanilla Custard Pie is rich, smooth, and infused with warm spices. Perfect for holiday gatherings with a nostalgic touch.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Crust:
- 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs (or crushed digestive biscuits)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
For the Custard Filling:
- 3 cups whole milk
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch (for a slightly thicker custard)
For Garnish (Optional):
- Ground cinnamon, for dusting
- Whipped cream
- Fresh berries
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Crust
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, mix graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter until the texture resembles wet sand.
- Press the mixture firmly into the bottom and sides of a 9-inch pie dish.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, then let it cool while preparing the filling.
Step 2: Make the Custard
- In a medium saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat until it is warm but not boiling.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, cinnamon, salt, and cornstarch until smooth.
- Slowly add a small amount of warm milk to the egg mixture, whisking continuously to temper the eggs.
- Pour the egg mixture back into the saucepan with the remaining milk, stirring constantly.
- Cook over low heat, stirring until the mixture thickens to a pudding-like consistency (about 5-7 minutes).
- Remove from heat and let the custard cool slightly.
Step 3: Assemble and Bake
- Pour the custard into the prepared pie crust, smoothing the top with a spatula.
- Bake at 325°F (163°C) for about 30-35 minutes, or until the center is set but still slightly jiggly.
- Let the pie cool completely before refrigerating for at least 2 hours to set.
Step 4: Serve and Enjoy
- Dust with extra cinnamon and serve with whipped cream or fresh berries for a festive touch.
Notes
- Crust Options: Swap the graham cracker crust for a traditional flaky pie crust or a chocolate cookie crust.
- Dairy-Free: Use almond milk or coconut milk in place of whole milk.
- Spice It Up: Add nutmeg or cardamom for extra warmth.
- Sweetener Alternatives: Substitute granulated sugar with maple syrup or honey for a deeper flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- chill time: 2 hours
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Christmas custard pie, holiday dessert, cinnamon vanilla pie, creamy custard recipe, festive holiday pie