Classic Southern Buttermilk Pie Recipe

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I’ve been dying to make this pie forever, and it did not disappoint! Creamy custard-y center baked into an all-butter homemade pie crust.

I've been dying to make this pie forever, and it did not disappoint! Creamy custard-y center baked into an all-butter homemade pie crust.

Over the Christmas holidays, I had the most delicious pie I’ve ever eaten in my entire life. We bought it from this little pie shack on the side of the road (of course, because where else would you get the best pie you’ve ever eaten in your entire life??), and they simply called it “Vanilla Bean Pie.”

It was unbelievably thick and custard-like, with an almost crispy sugary top, and a perfect crust (as any such pie must have, right?), and bursting with vanilla bean flavor. It was the best.

I have been searching high and low for a comparable recipe since that first bite.

I've been dying to make this pie forever, and it did not disappoint! Creamy custard-y center baked into an all-butter homemade pie crust.

My search led me to a classic buttermilk pie. Or, rather, I should say led me back to a classic buttermilk pie. This is actually a recipe I had seen online years ago and wanted to try but never quite got around to it.

The look of it is similar to that of the vanilla bean pie I ate at Christmas, and I thought it could very well be a match if I ratcheted up the vanilla bean flavor.

Sadly, it wasn’t exactly the same. So I’m still on the hunt.

I've been dying to make this pie forever, and it did not disappoint! Creamy custard-y center baked into an all-butter homemade pie crust.

However… it is definitely good enough to warrant sharing the recipe with everyone I know!!

I think I’d have to compare the texture of this pie to that of a french silk pie. But with less chocolate. Clearly.

As it bakes, the filling forms two barely distinguishable layers. The top is thicker, almost like a cheesecake. The bottom layer is slightly thinner, like a thick pudding. The very top of the pie turns into a beautiful, golden, sugary skin. It’s not crunchy, but reminiscent of the skin that forms on top of a warm pudding. I wish there was a word that sounds more appealing that “skin” to describe it ????, but there’s really just not.

You’ll have to take my word for it though– so good!

I've been dying to make this pie forever, and it did not disappoint! Creamy custard-y center baked into an all-butter homemade pie crust.

And you want to know what the best part is? Even better than that gooey center??

It’s so easy!!! I’m all about any dessert that I can mix up in one bowl in under 5 minutes.

You can, of course, use the from-scratch pie crust recipe I’m linking to below (also SO GOOD and SO EASY!). But you could make this even easier on yourself and take a little help from the store. You all know how I feel about a good Pillsbury pie crust– no shame here!

No matter which way you go on the crust, rest assured you will not be disappointed. From the mixing bowl to the very last bite, this pie is a total 5-star staple recipe you will bake again and again. Enjoy!

I've been dying to make this pie forever, and it did not disappoint! Creamy custard-y center baked into an all-butter homemade pie crust.

Southern Buttermilk Pie

Yield: 8 slices

I've been dying to make this pie forever, and it did not disappoint! Creamy custard-y center baked into an all-butter homemade pie crust.

Ingredients

  • 3 eggs
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 1/2 cup butter, melted
  • 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • pinch of nutmeg
  • 1 unbaked pie crust

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350ºF.

Beat eggs until foamy. Whisk in the sugar, followed by the butter and flour.

Add the buttermilk, vanilla, lemon juice and nutmeg. Mix well.

Pour mixture into unbaked pie crust. Bake for 50-55 minutes until brown on top and just slightly jiggly in the center.

Let cool to room temperature and then chill until ready to serve.

I've been dying to make this pie forever, and it did not disappoint! Creamy custard-y center baked into an all-butter homemade pie crust.
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