Homestyle Pioneer Woman Butterscotch Pie Recipe

Butterscotch pie stands as a golden treasure of comfort and nostalgia, promising sweet memories in every delectable slice.

Rich caramel notes dance through this classic dessert, transforming simple ingredients into a culinary masterpiece.

Smooth, creamy textures meld with deep, complex flavors that whisper of home-style baking traditions.

Its lustrous golden surface hints at the decadent experience waiting beneath the flaky crust.

Sweet enthusiasts will find themselves captivated by the harmonious blend of carefully balanced ingredients.

Each forkful delivers a symphony of warmth and indulgence that transcends ordinary dessert expectations.

Why Butterscotch Pie Feels So Nostalgic

• Create Luxurious Layers: This butterscotch pie delivers an incredible multi-textured experience with silky smooth butterscotch filling and cloud-like meringue topping that melts beautifully in your mouth.
• Master Complex Cooking Techniques: The recipe teaches advanced culinary skills like tempering eggs, achieving precise temperatures, and creating perfect meringue peaks, making it an exciting challenge for home cooks wanting to elevate their baking game.
• Nostalgic Comfort Dessert: Reminiscent of classic diner-style pies, this butterscotch creation offers a warm, indulgent flavor profile that transports you back to grandma's kitchen with its rich brown sugar undertones and creamy consistency.
• Impressive Yet Approachable: Despite requiring multiple steps, the recipe breaks down complex processes into manageable instructions, allowing both novice and experienced bakers to successfully create a restaurant-quality dessert that looks and tastes professionally made.

What You’ll Need for a Sweet Slice of Pie

• Graham Cracker Crust: Classic base for butterscotch pie with a sweet, crumbly texture.
• Butter: Helps bind the crust and adds rich flavor.

• Brown Sugar: Provides deep caramel-like sweetness characteristic of butterscotch.
• Cornstarch: Essential thickening agent for smooth, firm pie filling.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.
• Whole Milk: Creates creamy, rich base for the butterscotch filling.
• Butter: Adds richness and smooth texture to the filling.
• Egg Yolks: Helps thicken and enrich the filling with a silky consistency.
• Heavy Whipping Cream: Adds luxurious creaminess to the filling.

• Egg Whites: Provides light, fluffy structure for the meringue.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and stabilizes the meringue, creating glossy peaks.

Steps to a Silky Butterscotch Pie Filling

Step 1: Prepare Egg Base

In a medium heat-resistant bowl, whisk egg yolks and heavy whipping cream until smooth and creamy. Set mixture aside for later use.

Step 2: Create Dry Mixture

• Brown sugar
• Cornstarch
• Salt

Step 3: Add Liquid Ingredients

Gradually stir whole milk into dry ingredients until well blended. Add cubed butter to the mixture.

Step 4: Cook Initial Mixture

Place pot over medium-high heat, stirring frequently. Cook until mixture boils and thickens, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low and continue cooking for 2 more minutes, stirring constantly.

Step 5: Temper Egg Mixture

Slowly whisk small amounts of hot mixture into egg yolk mixture to gradually raise temperature without scrambling eggs.

Step 6: Combine Mixtures

Pour tempered egg mixture back into pot with remaining sugar mixture. Stir thoroughly to blend completely.

Step 7: Final Cooking Process

Return pot to medium heat. Stir constantly until mixture bubbles and thickens, reaching 190°F to 200°F (88° to 93°C) on a kitchen thermometer.

Step 8: Fill Pie Crust

Pour thickened filling into pre-baked pie crust. Allow to cool for 10 minutes at room temperature.

Step 9: Create Meringue Topping

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large mixing bowl, beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar, at a time, beating continuously until stiff, glossy peaks develop.

Step 10: Finish and Bake

Spoon meringue over cooled filling, spreading to cover completely. Bake for 10 minutes until lightly browned. Cool pie on wire rack for 3 hours before serving.

Tips That Help You Nail Butterscotch Pie

• Spice Up Your Pie: Experiment with a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to add a warm, subtle depth to the classic butterscotch flavor profile.
• Set It Right: Give your pie ample time to chill in the refrigerator, allowing the filling to firm up and create clean, picture-perfect slices.
• Whisk with Purpose: Stir continuously while cooking the filling to eliminate lumps and guarantee a silky-smooth texture that melts in your mouth.
• Control the Heat: Maintain a steady medium temperature on the stovetop to prevent scorching and preserve the delicate butterscotch essence.
• Choose Quality Ingredients: Grab the freshest dairy products available to elevate the rich, creamy flavor of your homemade butterscotch pie.

How to Store Pie Without Losing Texture

• Refrigerate Wisely: Shield your delicate butterscotch pie by tightly wrapping it in plastic wrap or storing it in a sealed container. This protective barrier locks in flavor and prevents unwanted refrigerator odors from seeping into your dessert.
• Cool Placement Matters: Position the pie in the main refrigerator compartment, away from strong-smelling foods like onions or garlic. Keeping it on a middle shelf ensures consistent temperature and prevents accidental crushing.
• Consume Quickly: Enjoy your butterscotch pie within 3-4 days for the best taste and texture. The creamy custard filling maintains its silky smoothness during this window, delivering maximum deliciousness with every single bite.

Delicious Variations for Your Pie Craving

• Caramel Crunch Butterscotch Pie: Add crushed toffee bits or caramel-coated pecans on top of the meringue for extra texture and rich flavor complexity.
• Chocolate Swirl Butterscotch Pie: Drizzle melted dark chocolate over the meringue before baking, creating beautiful marbled patterns and a decadent chocolate undertone.
• Salted Butterscotch Whiskey Pie: Incorporate a tablespoon of whiskey into the filling and sprinkle flaky sea salt on the meringue for a sophisticated adult version with deeper, more complex notes.
• Maple Butterscotch Pie: Replace half the brown sugar with pure maple syrup and add a touch of ground cinnamon to enhance the warm, woodsy flavor profile of the classic butterscotch pie.

A Final Slice of Butterscotch Pie Bliss

Butterscotch pie emerges as delectable nostalgia from American kitchens, blending rich caramel notes with silky meringue perfection.

Pioneer Woman’s recipe honors classic dessert traditions with its luxurious layers of flavor complexity.

Creamy butterscotch filling nestles between buttery crust and cloudlike meringue peaks, creating sensory magic for passionate bakers.

Home cooks can master this charming pie with careful technique and patient preparation.

Regional baking techniques shine through each carefully crafted slice of this comforting classic.

With such irresistible charm, you’ll spark conversation, inspire kitchen adventures, and delight taste buds.

Pioneer Woman Butterscotch Pie Recipe

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4.6 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Butterscotch pie brings Southern comfort with creamy, caramel-kissed perfection. Silky filling nestled in a flaky crust promises pure dessert bliss that melts hearts and satisfies sweet cravings in one delightful slice.

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Ingredients

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Primary Ingredients:

• 2 cups whole milk (480 ml)
• 1⅓ cups packed light brown sugar (293 g)
• 1 9-inch baked pie crust store-bought or homemade

Eggs:

• 4 large egg yolks
• 3 large egg whites

Thickening and Flavoring Ingredients:

• 6 tablespoons cornstarch (42 g)
• ¼ cup heavy whipping cream (60 ml)
• ¼ cup unsalted butter cubed
• ¼ cup granulated sugar (50 g)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt

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Instructions

1. Prepare the custard base by whisking egg yolks and heavy cream in a heat-resistant bowl until silky and uniform, then set aside for later use.
2. In a sturdy pot, thoroughly combine brown sugar, cornstarch, and salt using a whisk to eliminate any potential lumps.
3. Slowly introduce whole milk into the dry ingredient mixture, stirring continuously to create a smooth liquid. Add cubed butter and integrate fully.
4. Position the pot over medium-high heat, stirring vigilantly to prevent scorching. Allow the mixture to reach a boiling point and thicken substantially, approximately 5 minutes.
5. Reduce heat to medium-low and continue cooking for an additional 2 minutes, maintaining constant movement with your whisk.
6. Carefully introduce small quantities of the hot mixture into the egg yolk blend, gently raising the temperature of the eggs without curdling.
7. Transfer the tempered egg mixture back into the original pot, mixing thoroughly to create a cohesive filling.
8. Return the pot to medium heat, stirring persistently until the mixture reaches 190° to 200°F (88° to 93°C), ensuring a rich, smooth consistency.
9. Gently pour the thickened filling into the pre-baked pie crust, allowing it to settle for 10 minutes at room temperature.
10. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) while preparing the meringue topping.
11. Using a stand mixer or electric hand mixer, whip egg whites until soft, cloud-like peaks emerge.
12. Gradually incorporate granulated sugar, one tablespoon at a time, continuing to beat until the meringue forms stiff, glossy peaks with a luxurious texture.
13. Delicately spread the meringue across the cooled filling, creating decorative swirls and peaks.
14. Bake for approximately 10 minutes, watching carefully to achieve a golden-brown surface without burning.
15. Remove from the oven and allow the pie to cool completely on a wire rack for three hours, enabling the filling to set and flavors to meld.

Notes

• Savor the lingering butterscotch essence that deepens overnight in the refrigerator.
• Crisp meringue peaks signal perfectly whipped egg whites ready for topping.
• Refrigeration helps stabilize filling and allows flavors to meld beautifully.
• Ceramic dishes ensure even heat distribution for consistent baking results.
• Gradual sugar addition creates silky, glossy meringue without graininess.
• Cornstarch works magic, transforming liquid ingredients into luxurious, thick filling.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 480 kcal
• Sugar: 51 g
• Sodium: 130 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 65 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 185 mg