Easy Classic Sugar Cream Pie Recipe That’s Comforting & Sweet

Sugar cream pie whispers tales of nostalgia and sweet comfort from heartland kitchens across indiana.

Generations have cherished this simple yet luxurious dessert with its silky custard-like filling.

Midwestern bakers perfected this humble recipe during lean winters when fresh ingredients were scarce.

Remarkable for its minimal components, this pie crafts basic pantry staples into a magical culinary experience.

Rich, creamy textures meld with subtle vanilla undertones, creating an irresistible dessert that feels both rustic and elegant.

Families have passed down treasured techniques, ensuring each slice carries memories of shared moments around the table.

Every bite promises a connection to traditional home cooking that warms both heart and palate.

Tricks for That Glossy, Dreamy Top

• Prevent Crust Burning: Protect pie edges with aluminum foil if they brown too quickly during baking.
• Smooth Filling Technique: Whisk constantly while cooking to avoid lumps and ensure a silky, even texture throughout the mixture.
• Temperature Control: Use medium-low heat when preparing filling to prevent scorching and maintain a gentle, consistent thickening process.
• Cooling Crucial: Allow complete cooling and chilling time to help pie set properly and develop its signature creamy consistency.
• Serving Suggestion: Dust with freshly ground cinnamon just before serving to enhance the pie's traditional flavor profile and add a beautiful finishing touch.

Keep Cream Pie Soft and Fresh

• Refrigerate: Store the sugar cream pie in an airtight container or tightly wrapped with plastic wrap to maintain freshness. Keep the pie in the coldest part of the refrigerator, typically the back shelf, to preserve its creamy texture and prevent any flavor absorption from other foods.
• Freeze: Wrap the cooled pie securely in plastic wrap and aluminum foil before freezing. Frozen sugar cream pie can last up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator for best results, allowing the pie to gradually return to its original creamy consistency.
• Reheat: Warm individual slices briefly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds, or let the entire pie sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving. Avoid overheating, which can cause the delicate filling to separate or become watery.

What Sips Make This Pie Sing

• Brew a Creamy Coffee Companion: Pair this sweet sugar cream pie with a rich, smooth latte or cappuccino. The warm, velvety coffee balances the pie's sugary notes perfectly, creating a delightful dessert experience that warms your soul.
• Serve with Vanilla Ice Cream Delight: Top a slice of pie with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream. The cold, smooth texture contrasts beautifully with the warm, sweet pie, creating a heavenly blend of temperatures and flavors.
• Sip a Sweet Dessert Wine: Complement the pie with a glass of moscato or late-harvest riesling. These sweet wines echo the pie's sugary profile, enhancing the overall dessert enjoyment with their light, fruity undertones.
• Garnish with Fresh Berries: Add a handful of fresh raspberries or strawberries alongside the pie. The bright, tart berries cut through the pie's sweetness, providing a refreshing balance and a pop of color to the dessert plate.

Fresh Takes on the Classic Cream Filling

• Nutmeg Infusion: Replace cinnamon with freshly grated nutmeg for a warm, aromatic flavor profile that complements the creamy sweetness of the pie.
• Maple Caramel Accent: Drizzle pure maple syrup over the top before serving, creating a rich caramel-like glaze that enhances the pie's natural sweetness.
• Bourbon Vanilla Upgrade: Swap standard vanilla extract with bourbon-infused vanilla, adding depth and a subtle Kentucky whiskey undertone to the classic cream pie.
• Coconut Crunch Topping: Sprinkle toasted coconut flakes over the chilled pie for a tropical texture contrast and nutty complexity that elevates the traditional recipe.

A Pie So Smooth It Practically Glides

• Create Creamy Comfort: This pie delivers a velvety smooth texture that melts in your mouth, offering pure culinary comfort with every delightful spoonful.
• Master Simple Elegance: Home cooks can easily prepare this classic dessert using basic ingredients and straightforward cooking techniques, making it perfect for bakers of all skill levels.
• Indulge Nostalgic Sweetness: With its traditional Indiana roots and simple sugar cream filling, this pie captures a timeless dessert experience that reminds you of grandma's kitchen and cozy family gatherings.
• Flexible Make-Ahead Magic: The recipe allows for advance preparation, chilling overnight, and storing up to a week, making it an incredibly convenient dessert for busy home cooks who want delicious results without last-minute stress.

What You’ll Need for Sugar Cream Simplicity

• Refrigerated Pie Crust: Classic base for the pie, offering a convenient and flaky foundation for the creamy filling.

• Milk, Sugar, Cornstarch: Essential combination for creating a smooth, thick, and sweet custard-like filling.
• Vanilla: Provides warm, rich flavor that complements the creamy base.
• Salt: Balances and enhances the overall sweetness of the pie.

• Butter: Adds richness and helps create a silky smooth texture in the filling.
• Cinnamon: Provides a warm, aromatic garnish that adds visual appeal and classic flavor to the pie.

Stirring Up Sweetness with a Silky Finish

Step 1: Prepare Pie Crust

Preheat oven to 400°F. Grab a refrigerated pie crust and gently prick multiple spots with a fork. Bake directly on the oven rack for 10 minutes until edges turn light golden. Remove and let cool completely.

Step 2: Create Creamy Filling

• Milk
• Sugar
• Cornstarch
• Vanilla extract
• Salt

Whisk ingredients together thoroughly. Cook over medium-low heat for 10 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent bottom scorching. Watch for bubbling and thickening.

Step 3: Add Butter

Introduce butter to the mixture. Whisk until completely melted. Allow filling to boil for 1-2 minutes, continuing to stir.

Step 4: Fill Pie Crust

Pour filling into prepared pie crust. You might have extra filling (about 1 ).

Step 5: Bake Final Pie

Lower oven temperature to 350°F. Place pie on a baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes until edges bubble gently.

Step 6: Cool and Chill

Let pie cool on wire rack for 1 hour. Cover with foil and refrigerate for 8 hours until completely set.

Step 7: Serve

Sprinkle cinnamon evenly across pie surface. Slice and enjoy! Refrigerate leftovers up to 1 week in airtight container.

Classic Sugar Cream Pie Recipe

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4.8 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Midwest Indiana’s beloved sugar cream pie delivers pure comfort with its silky custard filling and delicate golden crust. Creamy, sweet, and simple, this nostalgic dessert promises a delightful slice of homespun tradition for anyone craving a taste of heartland hospitality.

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Ingredients

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Filling Ingredients:

• 3 cups whole milk
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• ¾ cup unsalted butter, diced into small cubes

Thickening Ingredients:

• ⅓ cup cornstarch
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Flavoring Ingredients:

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Crust and Topping:

• 1 (9-inch) deep-dish pie shell, thawed completely
• Ground cinnamon for sprinkling

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Instructions

1. Prepare the pie crust by piercing the refrigerated dough thoroughly with a fork, ensuring even distribution of holes to prevent bubbling. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 10 to 12 minutes directly on the oven rack until the edges turn a light golden brown.
2. In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine whole milk, granulated sugar, cornstarch, pure vanilla extract, and salt. Whisk ingredients until fully integrated and smooth.
3. Cook the mixture over medium-low heat, continuously stirring with a whisk to prevent scorching. Maintain constant movement as the filling gradually thickens and begins to bubble, approximately 8 to 10 minutes.
4. Once the mixture reaches a thick, pudding-like consistency, incorporate unsalted butter. Whisk until completely melted and allow the filling to gently boil for an additional 1 to 2 minutes.
5. Carefully transfer the hot filling into the pre-baked pie crust, leaving a small margin at the top to prevent overflow.
6. Reduce oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) and place the pie on a rimmed baking sheet for easy handling and to catch any potential drips.
7. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, watching for gentle bubbling around the pie’s edges, which indicates proper setting.
8. Remove from oven and let the pie cool completely at room temperature for approximately 1 hour.
9. Cover the pie loosely with aluminum foil and refrigerate for 6 to 8 hours, allowing the filling to set completely and develop a rich, creamy texture.
10. Before serving, dust the surface evenly with ground cinnamon for a classic finishing touch. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.

Notes

• Perfectly balance the filling’s sweetness by using a heavy-bottomed saucepan and whisking continuously to prevent scorching.
• Expect extra filling, which can be enjoyed separately as a creamy pudding or saved for another use.
• Cooling and chilling are crucial steps that help the pie set and develop its signature smooth, silky texture.
• Refrigerate the pie for at least 8 hours to achieve the ideal consistency and allow flavors to meld.
• Sprinkle cinnamon just before serving to add a warm, aromatic touch that complements the pie’s creamy sweetness.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week to maintain optimal taste and texture.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 452 kcal
• Sugar: 38 g
• Sodium: 125 mg
• Fat: 29 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 43 g
• Fiber: 0.2 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg