Description
This Christmas Eve Custard Pie with Cinnamon & Vanilla is a classic holiday dessert that brings warmth, nostalgia, and elegance to your table. Its silky custard filling, delicately spiced with cinnamon and infused with real vanilla, sits in a flaky, golden pie crust and is topped with fluffy whipped cream. This easy recipe is perfect for a cozy family gathering or an impressive finish to your Christmas dinner. It’s a must-have for holiday menus, quick dessert ideas, and festive baking. Whether you need a quick breakfast treat, easy dinner dessert, or holiday food idea, this custard pie covers it all.
Ingredients
1 9-inch pre-baked pie crust
2 cups whole milk
3 large eggs
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
1 cup whipped cream (for topping)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and ensure your pie crust is blind-baked and cooled.
2. In a saucepan, gently heat the milk over medium-low heat until hot but not boiling.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt until smooth and slightly frothy.
4. Slowly add a small amount of warm milk into the egg mixture while whisking constantly to temper, then gradually add the remaining milk.
5. (Optional) Strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve into a clean bowl for extra smooth custard.
6. Pour the custard into the prepared pie crust and place the pie on a baking sheet.
7. Bake for 40–50 minutes until edges are set and center has a slight jiggle.
8. Cool pie at room temperature for 1 hour, then refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight.
9. Top with whipped cream and a light sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg before serving.
10. Slice with a sharp knife and serve chilled or at room temperature.
Notes
Straining the custard ensures a smoother texture by removing any cooked egg bits.
For best flavor, let the pie chill overnight before serving.
Use room temperature eggs and warm milk to avoid curdling during mixing.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: custard pie, Christmas dessert, vanilla pie, cinnamon pie, holiday dessert, easy recipe, festive pie