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The Recipe · No.551 · Custard Pie

Custard Pie, and where to source it

Custard Pie — 5best2buy.com 5BEST2BUY.COM Custard Pie American 5best2buy.com

With this few ingredients, the eggs and dairy have to be good, because there's nothing to hide behind. Bake it to 170F in the center and no further; carryover heat finishes the set, and going past it curdles the custard.

By Vince Gonzalez · Published July 2026 · Sourcing verified 5 Jul 2026

Prep20 min
Cook50 min
Makesone 9-inch pie
CuisineAmerican
Cost$
Vegetarian
Contains  dairy · eggs · gluten
Make it vegan: use plant milk, oil, or a vegan cheese for the dairy, and a flax or aquafaba egg for the egg.
Make it gluten-free: swap in a gluten-free flour blend (check the other labels too).
The Ingredients — and where to get them
Cook for 9 servings
Eggs
The whole structure; fresh eggs set the custard smooth.
4
Milk
Whole milk or a milk-cream blend gives the custard body without heaviness.
2 1/2 cups
Unrefined sugar
Sweetens gently; this pie is meant to be mild.
1/2 cup
Spices
Vanilla in the custard and nutmeg grated over the top are the whole seasoning.
1 tsp
Baking flour
Low-protein flour for a tender single crust.
1 1/4 cups
Butter
Cold butter cut into the flour for a flaky shell.
1/2 cup
The Rundown
Greedometer ●●●●● A fair little treat
A reasonable little indulgence.
EffortA project
Cook it with
Sheet pan
The Method
  1. Par-bake the shellBlind-bake the crust with weights at 375F for 15 minutes, then remove the weights.
  2. Warm the milkHeat the milk just to steaming to help the custard set evenly.
  3. Make the custardWhisk eggs and sugar, then temper in the warm milk and the vanilla.
  4. Fill and dustPour into the shell through a strainer and grate nutmeg over the top.
  5. Bake to tempBake at 325F for 40-50 minutes until the center reads 170F and jiggles as one set piece.
  6. CoolCool completely; the custard finishes setting off the heat.
The Toolkit

Pie dish 9-inch · Pie weights · Fine strainer · Instant thermometer · Whisk · Microplane

Straight Answers
Can you make Custard Pie in an air fryer? — Sometimes

You can, but a custard needs gentle, even heat and usually a water bath the basket can’t give, so the top tends to set before the middle. Bake it in ramekins that fit and watch closely, or use the oven for a foolproof set.

Can you freeze Custard Pie? — Not ideal

Not really — the cream, custard, or emulsion turns grainy or splits once thawed. This one is best kept fresh in the fridge.

Can you make Custard Pie ahead of time? — Yes

Yes — bake it a day or two ahead; it keeps well-wrapped at room temperature and freezes cleanly. Add any frosting or glaze close to serving.

Is Custard Pie gluten-free? — Not as written

Not as written — it contains gluten. Make it gluten-free: swap in a gluten-free flour blend (check the other labels too).

Is Custard Pie vegan? — Vegetarian, not vegan

It’s vegetarian but not vegan as written — it has dairy and egg. Make it vegan: use plant milk, oil, or a vegan cheese for the dairy, and a flax or aquafaba egg for the egg.

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