A popular pie, this Old Fashioned Sugar Pie Recipe has a caramel custard filling and flaky crust.
Additionally, Old Fashioned Sugar Pie Recipe is simple and economical to make…. and it makes me want to sing ‘Sugar Pie, honey bunch, you know that I love you…’ Apologies, I couldn’t help myself!
I had a reader ask about a Old Fashioned Sugar Pie Recipe after I posted this Buttermilk Pie. I had not heard of an Old Fashioned Sugar Pie Recipe before but did a little research.
A Sugar Pie has a single crust and is filled with a mixture of butter, flour, milk, eggs and brown sugar. When it bakes the filling turns into a caramel-like mixture. It’s originally from western European countries and popularized in the U.S. by the Amish. Sometimes the Old Fashioned Sugar Pie Recipe is referred to as ‘desperation pie’ because it could be made with ingredients that would always be on hand ‘on the farm’ much like the Buttermilk Pie, Vinegar Pie or Chess Pie.
I found a simple version of the recipe in one of my Grandmother’s old recipe books. Basically, there were just measurements and no good instructions. After a couple of tries it turned out great and ready to share with you. Turns out this recipe is crazy simple to make. Most recipes that have been around a long time are simple. But, they stand the test of time because they’re also good and usually economical to make.
Old Fashioned Sugar Pie Recipe has a custard-like consistency. It’s like flan or creme brulee without the caramelized sugar on top. You could totally top this pie with meringue, if you’re not meringue opposed like me.
Old Fashioned Sugar Pie Recipe Tips
Be patient when making the milk mixture for this pie. Heat it on a medium to medium-low heat and stir constantly until it reaches a low boil. Otherwise you’ll risk scorching the milk.
Likewise, be patient when baking the pie. It takes a long time to bake, especially when you’re dying to taste it. This pie will still be slightly jiggly in the center when it’s done. But the edges will be set and the top will be lightly browned. And, hey, if you take it out of the oven before it’s set, serve over ice cream as a sauce and it’s still good. #becauseIknow
For convenience, I used a store-bought pie crust this time. You can use this Never Fail Pie Crust as well
Old Fashioned Sugar Pie Recipe
Prep
Cook
Total
Butter, sugar and brown sugar cook in a flaky crust to form a caramel-like pie. This Old FAshioned Sugar Pie Recipe is simple yet decadent.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 2 cup whole milk
- 1 and 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 whole eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- Pie crust, I used a store bought crust
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Carefully roll out pie crust and fit in pie pan.
- Place pie pan on a cookie sheet in case it boils over.
- Melt butter in a saucepan. Sitr in flour and whisk until smooth.
- Gradually add milk, whisking constantly.
- Cook until mixture thickens and just begins to boil.
- Remove from heat and add brown sugar.
- Whisk until dissolved.
- In a small bowl, whisk eggs. Stir in vanilla.
- Temper eggs with hot milk mixture.
- Add tempered eggs to milk mixture and whisk.
- Pour into unbaked pie crust.
- Bake at 350 degrees F for 60 minutes or until firm on the outside of pie and slightly 'jiggly' on in the center.
If you like this Old Fashioned Sugar Pie Recipe, you may also like
No Bake Peanut Butter Pretzel Pie
Apple Chess Pie with Streusel Topping
I love pies. This type of pie doesn’t get appropriate attention. It’s delish. I will say I’d forgotten about it. So thank you for both the reminder and a handy recipe.
I don’t normally talk about ME, but please make note of the slight name change from Wild Goose Tea. New web design too—whoopee and adding some new features along the way.
Thank you for the nice recipe.
You’re welcome, I hope you enjoy!
Thanks for the recipes. FYI Sugar Pie is a very popular pie from Quebec, Canada. There it is generally made with maple syrup and it is amazing!
My grandmother from Quebec used to make sugar pie, which was my FAVOURITE dessert when I was little. She would serve it with a dollop of fresh whipped cream and then maple syrup was drizzled over the whole thing. Needless to say, very small pieces were cut which made a deliciously decadent dessert! Now that I’m a Grandma, it’s high time I introduced this bit of my heritage to our wee fiends!
Let me know how it turns out! I think it’s so important o preserve these old recipes!
I cannot wait to make your Old Fashioned Sugar Pie, Thank you for sharing all your great Recipes with the rest of us.
This pie looks and sounds wonderful, Paula! Thank you so much for linking this and so many other great recipes to Weekend Potluck each Friday! We love your shares!
I’m dying to try this! this is probably a silly question but do you serve it warm or chilled?
I don’t like it hot, but some people do. I prefer it slightly warm to room temperature. When I make it for guests I serve it this way. I also like it chilled but not quite as much as room temperature.
Hello Paula,
I want to make this pie but I don’t have whole milk just 2%, do you think that will work or should I use evaporated milk?
Thank you for your time.
T