Description

This Cinnamon Vanilla Custard Pie is a creamy, silky dessert perfect for Christmas Eve or any holiday gathering. Infused with warm cinnamon and sweet vanilla, it features a flaky pre-baked pie crust filled with a smooth custard that is gently baked to set. The pie is cozy and comforting, making it an ideal festive treat to end your meal on a delicious note.

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 for holiday flair

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Instructions

Pre-bake the Crust: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Roll out the pie crust and place it into a 9-inch pie dish. Line the crust with parchment paper and fill it with baking weights or dried beans to prevent shrinking. Bake for 15 minutes. Remove the weights and parchment, then bake for another 5 minutes or until the crust is lightly golden. Let it cool slightly.
Prepare Custard Base: In a saucepan, combine the whole milk and heavy cream with the cinnamon and vanilla. Heat until steaming, but do not allow it to boil. If using a cinnamon stick or vanilla bean, steep them in the hot milk mixture for 10 minutes before removing.
Whisk Eggs & Sugar: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, granulated sugar, and a pinch of salt until the mixture is smooth and pale in color.
Temper & Combine: Slowly pour the hot milk and cream mixture into the eggs while whisking constantly to temper the eggs and prevent curdling. For an ultra-smooth custard, strain the combined mixture through a fine-mesh sieve.
Fill & Bake: Lower the oven temperature to 325°F (160°C). Pour the tempered custard filling into the pre-baked pie crust. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the edges are set but the center still jiggles slightly when shaken gently.
Cool & Chill: Allow the pie to cool at room temperature. Then refrigerate it for at least 2 hours to fully set before slicing and serving.

Notes

Use a fine-mesh strainer to achieve an ultra-smooth custard texture.
If using cinnamon sticks and vanilla beans, steep them properly to infuse maximum flavor.
Do not overbake the custard; slight jiggle in the center is perfect.
Optional spices like nutmeg and orange zest enhance the holiday flavor.
Allow enough chilling time for best slicing and serving experience.