Christmas Eve Custard with Cinnamon (Printable)
Velvety cinnamon-vanilla custard in a flaky crust, baked then chilled until set for festive Christmas Eve serving.
# What You'll Need:
→ Pie Crust
01 - 1 unbaked 9-inch pie crust, store-bought or homemade
→ Custard Filling
02 - 1 cup whole milk
03 - 1 cup heavy cream
04 - 3 large eggs
05 - 3/4 cup granulated sugar
06 - 2 tablespoons cornstarch
07 - 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
08 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
09 - 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
→ Topping
10 - 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
11 - Powdered sugar, to dust (optional)
# How To Cook:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Arrange unbaked pie crust in a 9-inch pie pan, forming edges as desired.
02 - In a medium saucepan, combine whole milk and heavy cream. Warm over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until steaming but not boiling. Remove from heat.
03 - In a mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, granulated sugar, cornstarch, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and fine sea salt until homogenous.
04 - Gradually pour the warm milk mixture into the egg mixture, whisking continuously to prevent curdling.
05 - Pass custard base through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean bowl to ensure smoothness.
06 - Pour strained custard filling into the prepared pie crust.
07 - Bake in preheated oven for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the center is just set but slightly wobbles. Shield crust with foil if browning too quickly.
08 - Remove from oven and cool on a wire rack. Custard will firm further as it cools.
09 - Sprinkle with ground cinnamon and, if preferred, dust with powdered sugar prior to serving.
10 - Refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours before slicing and serving.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- This custard pie is your ticket to an irresistibly cozy, festive evening—like serving warmth by the slice.
- Its simple ingredients transform into a showstopper that&aposs always the first to vanish at holiday gatherings.
02 -
- If the custard starts to bubble in the oven, it will curdle—trust the gentle wobble even if it feels underdone.
- Straining the custard truly elevates the texture and fixes tiny lumps before they become noticeable.
03 -
- Work quickly so the pie crust stays cold; it bakes flakier this way.
- A gentle jiggle at the center of the pie is actually your friend, not a flaw.