Custard Pie

Custard Pie is a classic dessert that combines a smooth, creamy custard filling with a flaky pastry crust, often finished with a sprinkle of nutmeg on top for added flavor. Here’s a simple recipe for making a traditional Custard Pie at home.

Ingredients:

For the Pastry Crust:

• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, chilled and diced
• 1/4 cup ice water

For the Custard Filling:

• 3 large eggs
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (plus more for sprinkling on top)
• 2 cups milk, heated until warm

Instructions:

Preparing the Crust:

1. Combine Flour and Salt: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt.
2. Cut in Butter: Add the chilled, diced butter and cut in using a pastry blender or two knives until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
3. Add Ice Water: Gradually stir in ice water until the mixture forms a ball. Handle the dough as little as possible to keep it flaky.
4. Chill Dough: Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
5. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
6. Roll Out Dough: On a floured surface, roll the dough out to fit a 9-inch pie plate. Place dough in pie plate, trim the excess, and crimp the edges.

Preparing the Custard Filling:

1. Beat Eggs: In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs slightly.
2. Add Sugar and Flavoring: Mix in the sugar, salt, vanilla extract, and ground nutmeg.
3. Add Milk: Gradually stir in the warm milk until well combined.

Assembling and Baking:

1. Pour Filling into Crust: Pour the custard mixture into the unbaked pie crust.
2. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean.
3. Cool: Remove the pie from the oven and allow it to cool on a wire rack.
4. Garnish: Once cooled, sprinkle the top lightly with additional ground nutmeg for flavor and decoration.
5. Serve: Custard Pie can be served at room temperature or chilled, based on personal preference.

Enjoy your homemade Custard Pie! This classic dessert is perfect for any occasion, offering a rich and comforting taste that’s hard to resist.