Creamy Homemade Butterscotch Pie Recipe

The Coziest Creamy Homemade Butterscotch Pie Recipe Ever

Sweet dreams come alive with a homemade butterscotch pie that whispers comfort and nostalgia.

Memories of grandmother’s kitchen spark this delectable dessert’s magic.

Rich caramel notes dance through every silky bite, creating an irresistible experience.

Brown sugar and butter blend seamlessly into a luxurious filling that melts on your tongue.

Creamy textures promise a dessert beyond ordinary expectations.

Warm vanilla undertones complement the deep butterscotch flavor, making each slice feel like a cherished moment.

Dive into this simple yet extraordinary pie that will become your new favorite weekend treat.

Why Creamy Homemade Butterscotch Pie Is So Irresistible

  • Tackle Complex Flavors: Dive into a gourmet dessert that transforms simple ingredients into a sophisticated butterscotch experience, revealing layers of rich, caramel-like depth without professional cooking skills.
  • Create Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Craft a nostalgic pie that sparks conversations and brings family and friends together, delivering a classic dessert everyone will adore and remember.
  • Customize with Ease: Personalize your pie with optional garnishes like sea salt or extra butterscotch, allowing creative twists that make each version uniquely yours while maintaining the recipe's delicious core.
  • Master Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare this dessert in advance, letting it chill and set perfectly, which means less stress during meal preparation and more time enjoying delightful conversations with loved ones.

Ingredients Needed for Creamy Homemade Butterscotch Pie

Base Ingredients:
  • Brown Sugar: Provides the signature deep caramel flavor and sweetness of butterscotch.
  • Butter: Creates a rich, smooth base for the butterscotch filling.
  • Egg Yolks: Help thicken and add richness to the pie filling.
  • Milk: Forms the creamy liquid base of the butterscotch filling.
Thickening and Seasoning Ingredients:
  • Flour: Helps to stabilize and thicken the pie filling.
  • Salt: Enhances the overall flavor and balances the sweetness.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and complexity to the butterscotch flavor.
Topping Ingredients:
  • Heavy Cream, Sugar, Vanilla Extract: Combine to create a light and fluffy whipped cream topping that complements the rich butterscotch filling.
Crust Ingredient:
  • Pie Crust: Provides a crisp and buttery base for the creamy butterscotch filling.

How to Make Creamy Homemade Butterscotch Pie

Step 1: Craft the Butterscotch Base

Grab a medium saucepan and melt together:
  • Brown sugar
  • Butter

Stir constantly until the mixture becomes smooth and glossy. Sprinkle in flour and cook for a quick minute to build depth of flavor. This creates a magical foundation for your pie.

Step 2: Create Silky Liquid

Slowly pour in milk, whisking enthusiastically to prevent any lumpy surprises. Let the mixture simmer and thicken, stirring frequently. Watch as it transforms into a rich, creamy texture.

Step 3: Incorporate Egg Yolks

Whisk egg yolks in a separate bowl. Gently introduce hot liquid to the yolks, stirring constantly to prevent scrambling. Pour this golden mixture back into the saucepan and continue cooking until wonderfully thick.

Step 4: Enhance with Flavor

Pull the pan off the heat and stir in:
  • Vanilla extract
  • Salt

These ingredients will elevate your butterscotch from good to extraordinary. Pour the luscious filling into a pre-baked pie crust, smoothing the top with a spatula.

Step 5: Chill and Set

Cover the pie with plastic wrap and let it rest in the refrigerator. Give it at least 4 hours to develop its full, dreamy potential.

Step 6: Whip Up the Topping

In a large bowl, blend:
  • Heavy cream
  • Sugar
  • Vanilla extract

Whip until peaks stand tall and proud.

Step 7: Final Flourish

Spread the cloud-like whipped cream over the chilled pie. For an extra touch of indulgence, sprinkle some sea salt or drizzle additional butterscotch on top.

Pro Tips for Creamy Homemade Butterscotch Pie

  • Prevent lumps by whisking milk gradually and steadily into the roux, ensuring a smooth butterscotch base.
  • Temper egg yolks carefully by adding hot mixture slowly, preventing scrambling and maintaining a silky texture.
  • Chill the pie for minimum 4 hours to allow filling to set completely, enhancing flavor and consistency.
  • Use fresh, high-quality heavy cream for whipped topping, beating until stiff peaks form for maximum volume.
  • Experiment with garnishes like sea salt or crushed butterscotch candies to elevate the pie's visual appeal and taste complexity.

Delicious Variations of Creamy Homemade Butterscotch Pie

  • Salted Caramel Butterscotch Pie: Sprinkle flaky sea salt over the filling before chilling, creating a rich contrast between sweet butterscotch and salty notes.
  • Nutty Butterscotch Crunch Pie: Fold chopped pecans or almonds into the filling and add a crunchy nut streusel topping for extra texture.
  • Chocolate Butterscotch Fusion Pie: Drizzle melted dark chocolate over the whipped cream and swirl a chocolate ganache layer into the butterscotch filling for decadent depth.
  • Bourbon Butterscotch Indulgence: Add a splash of bourbon to the filling for a sophisticated adult version with warm, complex flavor undertones.

Best Pairings with Creamy Homemade Butterscotch Pie

  • Sip Smooth Bourbon: Pair this creamy butterscotch pie with a classic bourbon like Maker's Mark, which complements the rich caramel notes and enhances the sweet butterscotch flavor profile.
  • Drizzle Caramel Espresso: Serve alongside a shot of caramel-infused espresso that mirrors the pie's deep butterscotch undertones and provides a warm, luxurious contrast to the cool, creamy dessert.
  • Sprinkle Sea Salt Caramel Ice Cream: Top the pie slice with a scoop of sea salt caramel ice cream, creating a decadent layered experience that amplifies the butterscotch's complex sweetness and adds textural complexity.

Storage Advice for Creamy Homemade Butterscotch Pie

  • Wrap the pie tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep it away from strong-smelling foods to prevent flavor absorption.
  • Carefully wrap the entire pie or individual slices in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Place in the refrigerator overnight to thaw before serving.
  • For best texture, enjoy the pie chilled. If you prefer a slightly warmed slice, let it sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving to take the chill off.
  • Remove whipped cream topping before storing or freezing, as it doesn't hold up well during storage. Freshly whip cream just before serving for the best taste and texture.

FAQs About Creamy Homemade Butterscotch Pie

  • What is butterscotch flavor made of?

Butterscotch is traditionally created by combining brown sugar and butter, cooked together until they caramelize and develop a rich, deep flavor with subtle hints of molasses and sweetness.

  • Why do I need to temper egg yolks?

Tempering prevents eggs from scrambling when added to hot liquid by gradually raising their temperature, ensuring a smooth, creamy custard texture without any unwanted egg chunks.

  • Can I make this pie ahead of time?

Yes, this pie is perfect for preparing in advance. You can make the entire pie up to 2 days before serving, keeping it refrigerated and covered until you’re ready to enjoy it.

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Creamy Homemade Butterscotch Pie Recipe

Creamy Homemade Butterscotch Pie Recipe


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4.7 from 13 reviews

  • Total Time: 4 hours 25-27 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Butterscotch pie delights dessert enthusiasts with its silky, rich filling nestled in a flaky crust. Smooth caramel notes and luxurious textures invite you to savor each indulgent bite of this classic American comfort treat.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 2 1/2 cups whole milk
  • 4 large egg yolks
  • 1 cup packed light brown sugar

Flavoring and Seasoning:

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Binding and Texture Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour

Instructions

  1. Craft a golden-brown roux by melting butter and brown sugar in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring continuously until sugar dissolves completely and mixture becomes smooth.
  2. Integrate flour into the caramelized mixture, cooking for 1-2 minutes to eliminate raw flour taste and develop rich flavor profile.
  3. Gradually introduce milk, whisking vigorously to prevent lumps, and simmer the mixture for 5-7 minutes until it thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
  4. Carefully temper egg yolks by slowly incorporating a small portion of hot liquid, whisking constantly to prevent scrambling.
  5. Return egg-enhanced mixture to the saucepan, cooking for additional 2-3 minutes until filling reaches a pudding-like consistency.
  6. Remove from heat and infuse vanilla extract and salt, stirring until fully incorporated.
  7. Transfer silky butterscotch filling into pre-baked pie crust, smoothing the surface with a spatula for an even layer.
  8. Refrigerate pie for minimum 4 hours, allowing filling to set completely and develop deep flavor.
  9. Prepare whipped topping by beating heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla until stiff, billowy peaks form.
  10. Generously spread or elegantly pipe whipped cream over chilled pie.
  11. Optional: Enhance presentation with a delicate sprinkle of sea salt or additional butterscotch drizzle.

Notes

  • Control moisture by whisking constantly to prevent lumps forming in the butterscotch filling, ensuring a smooth silky texture.
  • Temper egg yolks carefully by gradually adding hot mixture to prevent scrambling, creating a rich and creamy consistency.
  • Use dark brown sugar for deeper caramel flavor, enhancing the butterscotch’s complexity and depth.
  • Sprinkle flaky sea salt on top before serving to balance sweetness and add a gourmet touch that elevates the entire dessert experience.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Simmering
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 277 kcal
  • Sugar: 33 g
  • Sodium: 110 mg
  • Fat: 13 g
  • Saturated Fat: 8 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 37 g
  • Fiber: 0.3 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 160 mg
Truc Tran (Kris)

Truc Tran (Kris)

Senior Food Editor

Expertise

Home Cooking, Meal Planning, Recipe Development, Baking and Pastry, Food Editor, Cooking-video Maker, Vietnamese Food Evaluation Expert

Education

  • Hospitality (Commercial Cookery) at TasTAFE
  • Culinary Arts at Kendall College (Australia Branch in Sydney)
  • Vietnamese Cuisine Head Chef at HNAAu School (Vietnam, International Joint Training Program)

Truc Tran (Kris), an experienced food writer and editor, is great at exploring and describing global cuisines, from simple street food to fancy dining. In her writing, she skillfully mixes different flavors, cooking methods, and culinary traditions, showing the unique character of various cultures through their food and drinks. On azcuisines.com, Kris highlights her knowledge, especially in Asian cuisine and worldwide traditional dishes.

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