Christmas Eve Custard Pie (Print Version)

Silky cinnamon‑vanilla custard set in a flaky 9-inch crust, chilled and dusted with cinnamon for holiday serving.

# What You Need:

→ Pie Crust

01 - 1 (9-inch) unbaked pie crust

→ Custard Filling

02 - 1 cup whole milk
03 - 1 cup heavy cream
04 - 3 large eggs
05 - 3/4 cup granulated sugar
06 - 2 tablespoons cornstarch
07 - 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
08 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
09 - 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt

→ Topping

10 - 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
11 - Powdered sugar, for dusting (optional)

# Preparation Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Place the unbaked pie crust into a 9-inch pie pan and crimp or trim the edges as preferred.
02 - Combine whole milk and heavy cream in a medium saucepan. Warm gently over medium heat until steaming, without boiling. Remove from heat.
03 - In a mixing bowl, whisk eggs, granulated sugar, cornstarch, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and salt until smooth.
04 - Gradually pour the warm milk mixture into the egg mixture, whisking constantly to temper and blend.
05 - Strain the custard through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean bowl for an ultra-smooth texture.
06 - Pour the prepared custard filling into the pie crust.
07 - Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the center is set but retains a slight wobble. Tent crust edges with foil if browning too quickly.
08 - Remove the pie and allow to cool completely on a wire rack; the custard will continue setting as it cools.
09 - Sprinkle the cooled pie with ground cinnamon and dust with powdered sugar before serving, if desired.
10 - Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before slicing for clean portions.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • There's something mischievously satisfying about how simple ingredients turn into a slice of holiday luxury.
  • Each bite delivers the kind of creamy, melt-in-your-mouth smoothness that gets even the quietest family member talking.
02 -
  • If you rush and skip straining, you might end up with lumpy custard—I learned that the hard way one hectic December night.
  • Tenting foil over the crust edges really saves your pie from burning before the center is done.
03 -
  • Use eggs at room temperature for a smoother custard.
  • Sifting a little cinnamon between layers of powdered sugar creates a snowdrift effect on top—small details bring holiday magic.

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