Buttermilk Pie is a timeless Southern delicacy, celebrated for its simplicity and exquisite flavor. Imagine a creamy, custard-like filling, subtly tangy from the buttermilk, all encased in a perfectly flaky pie crust. This isn’t just a pie; it’s a taste of Southern comfort. And if you’re looking for a truly reliable and beloved version, look no further than a Buttermilk Pie Recipe Pioneer Woman style.
This buttermilk pie recipe is more than just delicious; it’s incredibly easy to make. The creamy, rich filling boasts a hint of lemon that perfectly complements the buttermilk’s tang. Baked in a store-bought pie crust, this recipe is both approachable and quick, ideal for busy bakers.
This pie recipe, reminiscent of old-fashioned Southern desserts, is perfect for any occasion. It shares similarities with chess pie and sugar cream pie, but the buttermilk gives it a unique, tangy edge. This dessert recipe truly stands out for its uncomplicated nature and unforgettable taste.
What makes this pie even more appealing is its ease of preparation. You don’t need to be a seasoned baker to create this masterpiece. The recipe is straightforward, using readily available ingredients and simple techniques, making it a go-to for any home baker.
Buttermilk pie is also incredibly versatile, fitting for any season. While it’s a cherished holiday dessert, especially for Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings, it’s equally delightful in the summer when served chilled. Add a dollop of fresh whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream to elevate this treat to another level of deliciousness.
Speaking of renowned recipes, have you tried Ree Drummond – the Pioneer Woman’s – Chocolate Pie? It’s another fantastic dessert with rave reviews, definitely worth exploring if you’re a pie enthusiast!
A single serving of buttermilk pie on a small white serving plate.
Ingredients for the Best Buttermilk Pie Recipe
Let’s gather the simple yet essential ingredients for this delightful buttermilk pie recipe Pioneer Woman enthusiasts will love:
- Granulated Sugar: For that perfect sweetness that balances the tangy buttermilk.
- Unsalted Butter: Adds a rich, creamy flavor and contributes to the pie’s luxurious texture. Using unsalted butter allows you to control the salt level precisely.
- Eggs: These are crucial for binding the filling, creating that signature custard-like consistency. Whisking them in one at a time ensures smooth incorporation.
- All-Purpose Flour: Thickens the filling, preventing it from being too runny, and helps the pie slice beautifully.
- Buttermilk: The star ingredient! It provides a unique tangy flavor and a creamy texture that is simply irresistible.
- Lemon Zest and Lemon Juice: Fresh lemon zest and juice introduce a subtle citrus note that brightens the overall flavor profile and complements the richness.
- Pure Vanilla Extract: Enhances all the other flavors, adding a warm, aromatic depth to the pie.
- Fine Sea Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all the flavors, a secret weapon in dessert making.
- Ground Nutmeg (Optional): A pinch of nutmeg adds a warm, slightly spicy note, enhancing the pie’s comforting flavor. It’s optional but highly recommended for an extra layer of flavor.
- Premade Pie Crust: Simplifies the process and guarantees a flaky, buttery crust every time. For those who enjoy from-scratch baking, a homemade crust works wonderfully too.
- Powdered Sugar (Optional): For a beautiful finishing touch, a dusting of powdered sugar adds a delicate sweetness and bakery-style appeal.
The labeled ingredients for buttermilk pie including sugar, butter, eggs, flour, buttermilk, lemon, vanilla, salt, nutmeg, pie crust, and powdered sugar.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Buttermilk Pie – Pioneer Woman Style (Inspired)
Follow these easy steps to create a buttermilk pie recipe Pioneer Woman would be proud of:
- Combine Sugar and Butter: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar and melted butter until well combined, forming a thick paste.
Adding sugar and melted butter to a glass mixing bowl and whisking until a thick paste is formed for buttermilk pie recipe.
- Incorporate the Eggs: Whisk in the eggs, one at a time, ensuring each egg is fully incorporated into the sugar and butter mixture before adding the next. This ensures a smooth batter.
Adding eggs one at a time to the sugar and butter mixture until fully incorporated for buttermilk pie recipe.
- Add Flour: Whisk in the all-purpose flour until the mixture is smooth and no clumps remain. This step is crucial for the pie’s texture.
Adding flour to the egg mixture and stirring it in for buttermilk pie recipe.
- Whisk in Buttermilk and Flavorings: Gradually pour in the buttermilk while whisking continuously. Add the lemon zest, lemon juice, vanilla extract, salt, and ground nutmeg (if using). Whisk until all ingredients are thoroughly combined into a smooth batter.
Stirring in buttermilk, lemon zest, lemon juice, vanilla, salt, and nutmeg into the batter for buttermilk pie recipe.
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Pour into Pie Crust: Carefully pour the prepared buttermilk pie filling into the premade pie crust. Ensure it’s evenly distributed.
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Bake to Perfection: Transfer the pie to the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the edges are set and the center has a slight jiggle.
Pouring the buttermilk pie filling into a premade pie crust and baking in the oven until golden brown.
- Cool and Garnish: Once baked, remove the pie from the oven and let it cool completely to room temperature before serving. This cooling process is essential for the pie to set properly. If desired, dust with powdered sugar and garnish with lemon wedges for an elegant finish.
Garnishing the cooled buttermilk pie with thin lemon wedges for serving.
Pro Baking Tips for Your Buttermilk Pie
To ensure your buttermilk pie recipe Pioneer Woman inspired turns out perfect every time, consider these pro tips:
- Incorporate Eggs Gradually: Whisk eggs into the sugar and butter mixture one at a time for a smooth, well-emulsified batter.
- Handle with Care: Be cautious when transferring the filled pie crust to the oven, as it will be quite full. Baking it on a rimmed baking sheet can prevent spills.
- Prevent Crust Browning: If the crust starts browning too quickly, use a pie shield or loosely cover the edges with aluminum foil to prevent burning while the filling cooks.
- Cool Completely: Allow the pie to cool fully to room temperature before slicing. This is crucial for the filling to set correctly, making slicing and serving easier and cleaner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Buttermilk Pie
Let’s address some common questions about this classic dessert:
What Does a Buttermilk Pie Taste Like?
A buttermilk pie offers a unique flavor profile: sweet, tangy, and creamy, with a subtle hint of citrus from the lemon. The flaky crust provides a delightful textural contrast to the smooth filling. It’s a comforting and flavorful dessert that’s both simple and sophisticated.
Buttermilk Pie vs. Chess Pie: What’s the Difference?
While both are Southern dessert staples, buttermilk pie and chess pie have distinct differences. Buttermilk pie prominently features buttermilk, lending a signature tangy flavor enhanced by lemon juice and zest. It’s known for its creamy, custard-like texture.
Chess pie, on the other hand, typically uses cornmeal as a thickener, resulting in a slightly different texture. It’s often sweeter and richer compared to buttermilk pie. Both are delicious, but the tangy buttermilk and lemon notes make buttermilk pie uniquely refreshing.
An overhead image of a partially cut buttermilk pie with multiple slices missing showcasing the texture.
What are the Basic Ingredients of a Buttermilk Pie?
A classic buttermilk pie is made from simple, wholesome ingredients: buttermilk, sugar, eggs, and butter, often flavored with vanilla and lemon zest. This mixture, baked in a pie crust, transforms into a creamy, tangy, and utterly delicious dessert. It’s the simplicity of ingredients that lets the buttermilk flavor shine.
Why Is My Buttermilk Pie Watery?
A watery buttermilk pie can be due to underbaking or an oven temperature that’s too low. Ensure the filling is set around the edges and only slightly jiggly in the center before removing it from the oven.
Another factor could be the buttermilk itself. If it’s too thin, it may result in a watery filling. Using high-quality, thick buttermilk is recommended. Baking the pie on the lower oven rack can also help the bottom crust cook thoroughly, preventing a soggy base.
A slice of buttermilk pie on a plate with a bite missing next to a fork, showing the creamy texture.
Can You Freeze Buttermilk Pies?
Yes, buttermilk pies freeze well. Once completely cooled, wrap the pie tightly in plastic wrap followed by aluminum foil. Freeze for up to two months. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and bring to room temperature before serving for the best texture.
How Long Does Buttermilk Pie Last?
Buttermilk pie will last for up to 3 days when stored in the refrigerator. Keep it covered to maintain its freshness and prevent it from absorbing other refrigerator odors.
An overhead image of a partially cut buttermilk pie garnished with lemon wedges and powdered sugar, ready to serve.
Should Buttermilk Pie Jiggle?
Yes, a perfectly baked buttermilk pie should have a slight jiggle in the center when you take it out of the oven. It will continue to set as it cools. If the entire pie is very jiggly, it may need a few more minutes in the oven.
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A Pinterest pin image for buttermilk pie recipe, with a picture of buttermilk pie and recipe title text.More Delicious Pie Recipes
If you enjoyed this recipe, explore our other delightful pie recipes. Here are a few reader favorites:
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Buttermilk Pie Recipe Card
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 3 large eggs + 1 egg yolk
- 3 Tablespoons all purpose flour
- 3/4 cup buttermilk, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated lemon zest
- 1 Tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
- 9 inch premade pie crust
- Powdered sugar for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine granulated sugar and melted butter. Whisk until combined. Whisk in eggs one at a time, then whisk in flour. Gradually add buttermilk, lemon zest, lemon juice, vanilla, salt, and nutmeg (if using). Whisk until smooth.
- Pour filling into pie crust. Bake for 45-50 minutes, until edges are set and center has a slight jiggle. Cover crust edges if browning too quickly.
- Remove from oven and cool completely at room temperature (about 2 hours). Garnish with powdered sugar before serving.
Recipe Notes
*Pioneer Woman’s recipe sometimes includes a blind bake at 375°F for 10-12 minutes, but this version doesn’t typically require it. Feel free to add that step if preferred.
The pie crust will be very full, handle carefully when transferring to the oven. Baking on a rimmed sheet prevents spillage. Despite being full, it shouldn’t spill during baking.
Nutrition Information:
Serving Size: 1/8
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 398, Total Fat: 19.7g, Carbohydrates: 52.2g, Fiber: 0.6g, Sugar: 38.8g, Protein: 3.8g
Nutrition information is an estimate.
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Buttermilk pie is truly a delightful dessert for any occasion. Its creamy, tangy filling and flaky crust are guaranteed to impress anyone who tries it. Enjoy baking this classic Southern treat!
