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–+ servings
Callie Brooks

Christmas Eve Cinnamon-Vanilla Custard Pie

A creamy and spiced custard pie that brings warmth and joy to your holiday gatherings.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dessert, Holiday
Cuisine: American
Calories: 320
Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Pie Crust
  • 1 pie crust 1 pie crust (homemade or store-bought) Ensure it's fitted into a 9-inch pie dish.
For the Custard Filling
  • 4 large eggs 4 large eggs
  • 0.75 cup ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 1.5 cups 1½ cups whole milk Can substitute with coconut or almond milk for dairy-free version.
  • 1 cup 1 cup heavy cream Can replace with half-and-half or nut milk.
  • 1.5 tsp 1½ tsp ground cinnamon Or use 1 cinnamon stick, steeped.
  • 2 tsp 2 tsp pure vanilla extract Or use 1 vanilla bean, scraped.
  • a pinch Pinch of salt
  • 0.25 tsp ¼ tsp ground nutmeg Optional.
  • 1 tsp 1 tsp orange zest Optional, for a festive twist.

Method
 

Pre-Bake the Crust
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Roll out your pie crust and fit it into a 9-inch pie dish. Line it with parchment paper, fill with baking weights, and bake for 15 minutes. Remove the weights and parchment, then continue baking for an additional 5 minutes until lightly golden. Allow it to cool slightly.
Prepare Custard Base
  1. In a saucepan, gently heat the milk and cream with the ground cinnamon and vanilla until steaming but do not bring to a boil. If using a cinnamon stick or vanilla bean, steep for about 10 minutes before removing.
Whisk Eggs & Sugar
  1. In a mixing bowl, whisk the eggs, granulated sugar, and a pinch of salt until you achieve a smooth, pale mixture.
Temper & Combine
  1. Slowly pour the hot milk mixture into the egg mixture while whisking continuously to temper the eggs. To ensure your custard is extra smooth, strain it through a fine-mesh sieve.
Fill & Bake
  1. Reduce the oven temperature to 325°F (160°C) and pour the custard into the pre-baked pie crust. Bake for 35-40 minutes until the edges are set, but the center still jiggles slightly.
Cool & Chill
  1. Allow the pie to cool at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours before slicing to let the flavors meld.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 320kcalCarbohydrates: 34gProtein: 5gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 10gSodium: 70mgFiber: 1gSugar: 17g

Notes

For serving, consider adding a dollop of whipped cream or a sprinkle of cinnamon on top. Slice pairs beautifully with spiced apple cider or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. To keep leftovers fresh, cover the pie and refrigerate for 3-4 days, or freeze wrapped tightly for up to a month.

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