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Christmas Eve Cinnamon-Vanilla Custard Pie

Experience the creamy delight of this Cinnamon-Vanilla Custard Pie, a perfect festive dessert for your holiday celebrations.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dessert, Holiday
Cuisine: American, Holiday
Calories: 350
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the pie crust
  • 1 9-inch Pie crust Use homemade or store-bought.
For the custard
  • 4 large Eggs Essential for the custard foundation.
  • ¾ cup Granulated sugar Adds sweetness to the custard.
  • 1½ cups Whole milk Provides creaminess in the filling.
  • 1 cup Heavy cream Enhances the custard’s rich texture.
  • 1½ tsp Ground cinnamon Adds holiday warmth (for steeping, use 1 cinnamon stick).
  • 2 tsp Pure vanilla extract Infuses a delightful flavor (or use 1 scraped vanilla bean).
  • 1 pinch Salt Balances the sweetness.
  • ¼ tsp Ground nutmeg Optional: adds a spicy kick.
  • 1 tsp Orange zest Optional: brings a festive citrus note.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Roll out the pie crust and place it in a 9-inch pie dish.
  3. Line with parchment paper and fill with baking weights.
  4. Bake for 15 minutes.
  5. Remove the weights and parchment, then bake for another 5 minutes until lightly golden.
  6. Cool the crust slightly.
Cooking the Custard
  1. In a saucepan, heat milk and cream with cinnamon and vanilla until steaming (but do not boil).
  2. If using a cinnamon stick or vanilla bean, steep for 10 minutes, then remove.
  3. In a mixing bowl, whisk eggs, sugar, and a pinch of salt until smooth and pale.
  4. Slowly pour the hot milk mixture into the eggs while whisking constantly to temper.
  5. Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve for extra smoothness.
  6. Lower the oven temperature to 325°F (160°C).
  7. Pour the custard into the pre-baked pie crust.
  8. Bake for 35–40 minutes until the edges are set but the center still jiggles slightly.
Cooling and Serving
  1. Cool at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours before slicing.
  2. To serve, slice into generous portions and enjoy chilled or at room temperature.
  3. Pair with freshly whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for a delightful treat.

Notes

This pie can be customized with nutmeg or orange zest. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.