Warm Indiana Sugar Cream Pie with Vanilla Custard
A classic Hoosier sugar cream pie served warm, featuring a velvety vanilla custard filling with a sweet, buttery crust. This american-inspired desserts ready in about 50 minutes layers all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, packed brown sugar into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 8, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup (1 stick), cold and cubed unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup, packed brown sugar
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 large egg yolks
- for dusting powdered sugar
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. In a medium bowl, combine 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour and a pinch of salt. Add 1/2 cup cold cubed unsalted butter and use a pastry cutter or fingers to mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press dough evenly into a 9-inch pie pan, forming a 1/2-inch rim. Chill in fridge for 15 minutes.
- Step 2: Bake the chilled crust for 15-18 minutes until lightly golden. Remove and cool slightly.
- Step 3: In a medium saucepan, whisk together 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1/4 cup packed brown sugar, 2 tbsp cornstarch, and 1/4 tsp salt. Gradually whisk in 1 1/2 cups whole milk and 1/2 cup heavy cream until smooth.
- Step 4: Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly until it thickens and starts to bubble, about 5-7 minutes.
- Step 5: In a separate bowl, whisk 3 large egg yolks. Temper the yolks by slowly adding 1/2 cup of the hot milk mixture while whisking continuously.
- Step 6: Pour the tempered yolks back into the saucepan and cook for 2 more minutes, stirring constantly until thick and custard-like.
- Step 7: Remove from heat, stir in 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract. Pour the custard into the baked pie crust.
- Step 8: Allow to cool slightly and serve warm or refrigerate for 2 hours to serve chilled. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Warm Indiana Sugar Cream Pie with Vanilla Custard take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (25 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Warm Indiana Sugar Cream Pie with Vanilla Custard?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Warm Indiana Sugar Cream Pie with Vanilla Custard?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Warm Indiana Sugar Cream Pie with Vanilla Custard for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Warm Indiana Sugar Cream Pie with Vanilla Custard?
American desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
