Description

This Christmas Eve Cinnamon-Vanilla Creamy Custard Pie is a festive and comforting dessert featuring a smooth cinnamon and vanilla custard filling baked to perfection in a buttery pie crust. The creamy texture combined with warming spices like cinnamon and nutmeg makes it an ideal centerpiece for holiday celebrations, served chilled and optionally topped with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon for extra indulgence.

Ingredients

Scale

Pie Crust

1 unbaked 9-inch pie crust (store-bought or homemade)

Custard Filling

1 1/2 cups whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3 large eggs
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon unsalted butter (melted)
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Pinch of salt

Topping (optional)

Whipped cream
Ground cinnamon

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Instructions

Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the custard pie evenly.
Warm the milk and cream: In a medium saucepan, heat the whole milk and heavy cream over medium heat until just warm without boiling to ensure a smooth custard texture.
Mix custard base: In a large bowl, whisk together sugar, eggs, all-purpose flour, cornstarch, melted butter, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and a pinch of salt until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
Temper the eggs: Slowly add the warmed milk and cream mixture into the egg mixture gradually, whisking constantly to temper the eggs and avoid curdling.
Assemble the pie: Pour the tempered custard filling into the unbaked 9-inch pie crust placed on a baking sheet for easier handling.
Bake: Bake the pie in the preheated oven for 45 to 50 minutes or until the custard center is just set and a knife inserted near the center comes out mostly clean. If the crust edges brown too quickly, cover them with foil to prevent burning.
Cool and chill: Let the pie cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow the custard to fully set and chill before serving.
Serve: Optionally top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of ground cinnamon for an elegant finishing touch that complements the custard’s warm flavors.

Notes

For an extra festive twist, add a splash of rum extract or bourbon to the custard mixture before baking.
This pie is best served chilled, making it perfect as a make-ahead holiday dessert.