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Vanilla Cream Pie: A Beginner-Friendly Dessert for Every Occasion

Vanilla Cream Pie


  • Author: Alisha Potter
  • Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
  • Yield: Approximately 8 servings 1x

Description

Indulge in the delightful experience of Vanilla Cream Pie, a classic dessert that marries simplicity with elegance. With its silky custard filling infused with real vanilla, a buttery flaky crust, and a cloud-like whipped cream topping, this pie is destined to be the centerpiece of any gathering. Perfect for holidays, birthdays, or casual brunches, it comes together effortlessly and tastes as though it has been crafted by a seasoned pastry chef. This beginner-friendly recipe allows you to impress family and friends without spending hours in the kitchen. Whether served plain or garnished with fresh berries or chocolate drizzle, Vanilla Cream Pie is a comforting treat that evokes the warmth of homemade goodness.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter
  • 34 tablespoons ice water
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream (for filling)
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 4 large egg yolks
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (for filling)
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Prepare the crust by combining flour and salt in a food processor. Add cold butter until crumbly. Gradually mix in ice water until dough forms. Chill for at least 30 minutes.
  2. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Roll out the chilled dough and fit it into a pie plate. Bake for about 30 minutes until golden, letting it cool completely.
  3. For the custard filling, whisk together milk, cream, sugar, cornstarch, and salt in a saucepan over medium heat until thickened. Temporarily set aside.
  4. Whisk egg yolks in a separate bowl and slowly add hot milk mixture to temper them before returning everything to heat for further thickening.
  5. Stir in additional butter and vanilla extract before pouring into the cooled crust. Refrigerate for at least four hours or overnight.
  6. Just before serving, whip remaining heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla until stiff peaks form; spread over the pie.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 50 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice (about 120g)
  • Calories: 360
  • Sugar: 24g
  • Sodium: 200mg
  • Fat: 24g
  • Saturated Fat: 14g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 34g
  • Fiber: <1g
  • Protein: 5g
  • Cholesterol: 105mg

Keywords: Use cold ingredients for best results. Allow sufficient chill time for custard to set properly. Feel free to customize with flavors like chocolate or almond extract.