Description
This Christmas Eve Cinnamon-Vanilla Custard Pie offers a warm and comforting blend of creamy custard infused with fragrant cinnamon and vanilla, baked to perfection in a crisp pie crust. Ideal for holiday celebrations, this pie combines traditional festive flavors with a smooth texture that’s both indulgent and nostalgic.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Crust
- 1 pie crust (homemade or store-bought)
For the Custard Filling
- 4 large eggs
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1½ cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1½ tsp ground cinnamon (or 1 cinnamon stick, steeped)
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract (or 1 vanilla bean, scraped)
- Pinch of salt
- Optional: ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- Optional: 1 tsp orange zest
Instructions
- Prepare the crust: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the pie crust in a 9-inch pie dish and trim any excess dough. Prick the bottom lightly with a fork to prevent bubbling during baking.
- Make the custard: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs and granulated sugar until smooth and slightly frothy. In a saucepan, combine the whole milk, heavy cream, ground cinnamon (or steeped cinnamon stick), and a pinch of salt. Heat over medium until just warm and aromatic but not boiling. If using a cinnamon stick, remove it before adding to the eggs.
- Combine flavors: Slowly temper the warm milk mixture into the eggs by gradually whisking a small amount of the milk into the eggs, then gradually adding the rest while whisking continuously. This prevents curdling. Stir in the vanilla extract (or vanilla bean seeds), and add nutmeg and orange zest if using.
- Fill the pie crust: Pour the custard filling into the prepared pie crust, smoothing the top gently.
- Bake the pie: Place the pie dish in the oven and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the custard is just set but still slightly jiggly in the center. A knife inserted near the center should come out clean.
- Cool and serve: Remove the pie from the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving to allow the custard to fully set and flavors to meld. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Notes
- You can use a store-bought pie crust to save time or homemade for a more personalized touch.
- Steeping a cinnamon stick in warm milk infuses a subtle cinnamon flavor; replace this with ground cinnamon if preferred.
- Optional nutmeg and orange zest add festive notes but can be omitted if you prefer a simpler flavor.
- Ensure not to overbake the custard to keep it silky and avoid curdling.
- Allow the pie to cool and chill well to achieve the best texture and flavor.
Keywords: custard pie, cinnamon vanilla pie, holiday dessert, Christmas pie, creamy custard, festive pie