There’s a certain magic that fills the kitchen during the holiday season, isn’t there? It’s the warmth of spices, the twinkling lights, and the hum of laughter mixed with the fragrant offerings wafting around. Growing up, Christmas Eve was like a sacred ceremony in our household, and at the center of it all, this Christmas Eve Cinnamon-Vanilla Custard Pie reigned supreme. It’s creamy, dreamy, and embraces all those nostalgic flavors that make winter feel like a cozy hug.
Imagine cutting into this pie, where the subtly spiced custard dances with notes of vanilla and cinnamon. Each slice is a slice of holiday cheer, and I can’t help but smile just thinking about serving it on those festive family gatherings.
Why you should be running to your kitchen right now?
Why This Recipe Is a Must-Try
Let’s get straight to it: this isn’t just a pie; it’s an experience! Creamy custard tucked inside a flaky crust, kissed by the warmth of cinnamon and the sweet embrace of vanilla, creates a harmonious blend that transports you straight to a winter wonderland. This pie is smooth enough to melt in your mouth yet has a comforting, homey feel that makes you want to curl up on your couch with a warm blanket.
Perfect for holiday parties or cozy evenings by the fireplace, this custard pie whispers Christmas cheer in every bite. And can we talk about how simple it is? If you follow the steps—trust me—you’ll feel like a pastry chef in no time! So, let’s dive into the ingredients needed for this creamy holiday magic.
Gather These Ingredients
Pie Crust: You can use a store-bought crust in a pinch, but allow me to share a little secret—the homemade crust gives this pie an edge! If you’re going for homemade, make sure it’s it chilled and ready to work wonders.
Large Eggs (4): These beauties are the binding agents, transforming our creamy mixture into that dreamy custard. They also give it that rich, golden color.
Granulated Sugar (¾ cup): This adds just the right amount of sweetness to balance the warm spices.
Whole Milk (1½ cups): For a creamy texture that’s comforting, whole milk is your best friend here. The richness makes all the difference.
Heavy Cream (1 cup): Think of this as the cherry on top! The heavy cream introduces a luxurious creaminess that elevates the custard. Halve the heavy cream with extra milk if you’re looking for a lighter version.
Ground Cinnamon (1½ tsp): Here lies the magic! If you have a cinnamon stick, steep it in the milk mixture for a deeper flavor profile.
Pure Vanilla Extract (2 tsp): Elevate your custard with some pure vanilla extract, or even better, scrape a vanilla bean to add those beautiful little specks of flavor throughout.
Pinch of Salt: Just a pinch helps bring out flavors and balances the sweetness.
Optional Goodies: Sprinkle in a tad of ground nutmeg (¼ tsp) and a teaspoon of fresh orange zest for that festive flair, if you’re feeling adventurous!
How This Recipe Comes Together
Pre-bake the Crust: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Roll out your crust and gently place it in a 9-inch pie dish. To keep it in shape, line it with parchment paper and fill it with baking weights. Bake for about 15 minutes, then carefully remove the weights and parchment. Another 5 minutes in the oven will give it a lovely golden hue. Let it cool slightly.
Prepare the Custard Base: In a saucepan, heat together the whole milk and heavy cream with the cinnamon and vanilla until it’s steamy but do avoid boiling! If you’re using a cinnamon stick or vanilla bean, steep for 10 minutes, and then remove them.
Whisk Eggs & Sugar: Grab a mixing bowl and whisk together the eggs, sugar, and a pinch of salt until you achieve a smooth, pale mixture.
Temper & Combine: Here comes the magic! While whisking constantly, slowly drizzle that hot milk mixture into the eggs. This is called tempering—it prevents the eggs from scrambling. For extra smoothness, strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve.
Fill & Bake: Lower the oven to 325°F (160°C) and pour the custard gently into the pre-baked crust. Bake for 35–40 minutes until the edges are set, but the center still has a slight jiggle—think of it as a little dance party in there!
Cool & Chill: Let the pie cool at room temperature, and then pop it in the fridge for at least two hours before slicing. Trust me, patience pays off!
Best Way to Enjoy It
Once it’s chilled and ready, slice yourself a generous piece and enjoy it plain, or get festive with a dollop of whipped cream on top. If you’re feeling fancy, a sprinkle of crushed gingersnap cookies or a light drizzle of caramel sauce wouldn’t hurt! Pair it with hot cocoa or a spiced glass of mulled wine for a truly magical experience.
Keeping Leftovers Fresh
If by some miracle there are leftovers (which I seriously doubt), simply cover the pie with plastic wrap or foil and store it in the refrigerator. It’ll stay fresh for about 3–4 days. You can enjoy it cold, or gently reheat individual slices in the microwave for about 15–20 seconds—just enough to take the chill off without cooking it further.
Pro Chef Tips for Success
- If you’re making a homemade crust, make sure it’s chilled before rolling out. This helps prevent shrinkage during baking.
- Tempering eggs is key—slow and steady wins the race. Pour that hot mixture in gradually!
- Straining the mixture is not just a fancy step; it ensures you have a silky smooth custard without any lumps.
- Want to up the spices? Add a touch of cardamom or ginger for a unique twist.
Creative Twists
Feeling adventurous? Skip the cinnamon and vanilla and try a mix of chai spices for an exotic flair. You could also infuse some espresso for a coffee custard! Consider adding your favorite citrus zest for a refreshing burst, or maybe even a hint of almond extract instead of vanilla for a different flavor profile.
This holiday season, don’t shy away from making your mark in the kitchen. This Christmas Eve Cinnamon-Vanilla Custard Pie not only brings joy to the table but creates memories; every slice tells a story. Take the plunge, try the recipe, and feel free to share your variations with your friends and family. I can’t wait to hear about your holiday adventures!
Christmas Eve Cinnamon-Vanilla Custard Pie – Creamy Holiday Dessert Magic
Description
This Christmas Eve Cinnamon-Vanilla Custard Pie is creamy and dreamy, combining rich custard with the flavors of cinnamon and vanilla, perfect for festive gatherings.Ingredients
For the Pie
Instructions
Preparation Steps
Pre-bake the Crust
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Roll out crust into a 9-inch pie dish, line with parchment and fill with weights. Bake for 15 minutes, remove weights and parchment, then bake for another 5 minutes. Let cool slightly.Prepare the Custard Base
In a saucepan, heat milk and heavy cream with cinnamon and vanilla until steamy. If using cinnamon stick or vanilla bean, steep for 10 minutes and remove.Whisk Eggs & Sugar
Whisk together eggs, sugar, and a pinch of salt until smooth and pale.Temper & Combine
While whisking constantly, slowly drizzle hot milk mixture into the eggs to temper. Strain mixture through a fine-mesh sieve for smoothness.Fill & Bake
Lower oven to 325°F (160°C), gently pour custard into pre-baked crust. Bake for 35-40 minutes until edges are set and center jiggles slightly.Cool & Chill
Let cool at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours before slicing.Patience is key!
Nutrition Facts
Servings 8
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 350kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 22g34%
- Saturated Fat 13g65%
- Trans Fat 0g
- Cholesterol 150mg50%
- Sodium 120mg5%
- Potassium 200mg6%
- Total Carbohydrate 30g10%
- Dietary Fiber 0g
- Sugars 20g
- Protein 5g10%
- Vitamin A 10 IU
- Vitamin C 0 mg
- Calcium 150 mg
- Iron 1 mg
- Vitamin D 0 IU
- Vitamin E 0 IU
- Vitamin K 0 mcg
- Thiamin 0 mg
- Riboflavin 0.5 mg
- Niacin 0.5 mg
- Vitamin B6 0 mg
- Folate 5 mcg
- Vitamin B12 1 mcg
- Biotin 0 mcg
- Pantothenic Acid 0 mg
- Phosphorus 80 mg
- Iodine 0 mcg
- Magnesium 0 mg
- Zinc 0 mg
- Selenium 10 mcg
- Copper 0 mg
- Manganese 0 mg
- Chromium 0 mcg
- Molybdenum 0 mcg
- Chloride 0 mg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
