Old Fashioned Buttermilk Pie Recipe, Whats Cooking America (2024)

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Buttermilk pie is a favorite Thanksgiving dessert staple in Texas. This is a delicious, old-fashioned Buttermilk Pie using basic ingredients from the pantry. Most families consider this pie their favorite holiday pie to serve especially on Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Do not be put off by the buttermilk as this is a sweet and flavorful pie with a delicate custard. It is an elegant holiday pie to serve family and friends. People love the creamy flavor of this pie which has a custard-like quality. You will see many variations of buttermilk pie adding flavors like lemon or chocolate. This version was shared by my husband’s aunt, Lila Scheer, of Vancouver, WA, This Buttermilk Pie recipe has chopped pecans sprinkled on top and it is delicious!

Some people get Chess pie and Buttermilk pie confused with each other, but there is a difference in how they are made. Only buttermilk pie uses buttermilk where chess pie does not. Chess pie also uses corn meal as one of the ingredients where buttermilk pie does not. Either way, they are both wonderful pies to enjoy!

Check out more great Pie Recipes and also History of Pies.

History of Buttermilk Pie:

Buttermilk pie is very popular in the Southern United States and some compare the flavor to creme brulee. It has strong similarities to Chess Pie with its custard texture, but Chess Pie does not contain buttermilk and it uses cornmeal. See also similarities to the Amish Sugar Cream Pies.

Buttermilk Pie is believed to have originated in England. The recipe was brought to the United States by Southern settlers. It was predominately made in Texas where they were very resourceful with buttermilk because it was in large abundance and inexpensive. When fruit was not in season, this pie could be made all year round with ingredients from the pantry (sugar, flour, butter, eggs, buttermilk). The traditional recipe for buttermilk pie calls for 2 cups of sugar which combined with the buttermilk gives the pie a very sweet and tangy flavor. In Texas, serving buttermilk pie for dessert is a Thanksgiving tradition. Many people recommend enjoying a slice of buttermilk pie with good strong coffee to cut the sweetness of the pie.

Comments by Kate Matthews of Shreport, Louisiana, a recipe contributor to Taste of Home Magazine:

“This recipe is older than I am and I was born in 1919! My mother and grandmother made this pie with buttermilk and eggs from our farm and set it on the tables at church meetings and social gatherings.”

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Old Fashioned Buttermilk Pie Recipe:

Course:Dessert

Cuisine:American

Keyword:Old Fashioned Buttermilk Pie Recipe

Servings: 1 pie

Author: What's Cooking America

Ingredients

  • Pastry for 9-inch one crust pie
  • 1 1/2cup granulatedsugar
  • 3tablespoon all-purposeflour
  • 1cupbuttermilk,divided
  • 3eggs,slightly beaten
  • 1/4cupbutter,melted
  • 1teaspoonpure vanilla extract
  • 1/2cuppecans,chopped

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Prepare pie pastry.

  2. In a large bowl, combine sugar, flour, and 1/2 cup buttermilk. Add beaten eggs and the remaining 1/2 cup buttermilk; mix well with a whisk.

  3. Mix in the melted butter and vanilla extract.

  4. Pour into prepared pie crust. Sprinkle chopped pecans over the top.

  5. Bake for 10 minutes, then reduce heat to 350 degrees F. and bake approximately 25 to 30 minutes or until theinternal temperatureregisters at least 160 degrees F. on yourcooking thermometerand the top is lightly brown and the center is set.

  6. Remove from oven and let cool on a wire rack. Refrigerate after cooling.

  7. Makes 1 delicious pie.

I get many readers asking what cooking/meat thermometer that I prefer and use in my cooking and baking. I, personally, use the Thermapen Thermometer.Originally designed for professional use, the Super-Fast Thermapen Thermometer is used by chefs all over the world. I only endorse a few products, on my web site, that I like and use regularly.

You can learn more or buy yours at:Super-Fast Thermapen Thermometer.

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History References:

Published resource for buttermilk recipes, Southern Cooking by Mrs. S. R. Dull.

Homesick Texan, Buttermilk Pie, More interesting comments from readers giving some of their family history and memories with buttermilk pie

The Christian Science Monitor, Stir It Up -Thanksgiving recipe: Sorghum Buttermilk Pie, by Perre Coleman Magness.

KQED – Bay Area Bites – Culinary Rants and Raves, “Thanksgiving Dessert: Yeehaw and Buttermilk Pie with Fresh Cranberry Compote”, by Kim Laidlaw, Nov 26, 2013

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Categories:

Baking Fall Heirloom Recipes Pies Southwest Desserts Thanksgiving

Comments and Reviews

14 Responses to “Old Fashioned Buttermilk Pie Recipe”

  1. Loretta

    Thanks so much for this wonderful recipe. Our mom use to make this for us and we really enjoyed it. Since her passing in 1987 we have been trying to find this recipe . Can hardly believe after thirty years here it is. I will be making this for our Thanksgiving holiday dinner.

    Reply

    • Whats Cooking America

      It’s wonderful to find a recipe that brings warm family memories. Enjoy!

      Reply

  2. Clinton S. L inddsey

    Easy to make and is excellent in taste, everyone loves it !!

    Reply

  3. Wanda

    Very very good pie first time making this recipe but love it and will make from now on..

    Reply

  4. Patty

    Should I use salted or unsalted butter for buttermilk pie?
    Thanks, Patty

    Reply

    • Whats Cooking America

      Most bakers use unsalted butter in baking to reduce the sodium content. If you only have salted butter on hand, it will still be ok to use.

      Reply

      • Michele

        Are nuts absolutely necessary??

        Reply

        • Whats Cooking America

          No the nuts were used as a garnishment. Buttermilk pie is commonly served with no garnishment on top.

          Reply

  5. Shawn

    Deep dish pie shell or regular?

    Reply

    • Whats Cooking America

      We just bake a regular pie shell.

      Reply

  6. Patti Larson

    OMG!! This pie is FABULOUS!!! It’s my new go to pie when I need some southern comfort!! Thank you!!!

    Reply

    • Nancy

      Everyone loves Old Fashioned Buttermilk pie.

      Reply

  7. Dorothy

    Love this pie. I like the nuts because of the crunch. I often serve it with whipped cream and a little caramel sauce drizzled on top…with more nuts for garnish. Yummy

    Reply

  8. Sylvia

    I have been making this pie for 3 years. I never liked pecan pie filling so this has been my go-to pie for the holidays and any time we want a quick dessert. I use the mini pie crusts, filled with 2.5 tablespoons of the batter. Today, when I made it, I added coconut and pecans on the top. It was amazing so I will probably do this again.

    Reply

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Old Fashioned Buttermilk Pie Recipe, Whats Cooking America (2024)

FAQs

What are the ingredients in a buttermilk pie? ›

What Is In Buttermilk Pie?
  • Eggs: This recipe starts with three large eggs.
  • Sugar: Sweeten things up with 1 ½ cups of white sugar.
  • Butter: You'll need a stick of softened butter.
  • Flour: Three tablespoons of all-purpose flour helps thicken things up.
  • Buttermilk: Of course, you'll need buttermilk!

What's the difference between a chess pie and a buttermilk pie? ›

Chess pie is thickened with cornmeal (and sometimes a little bit of all-purpose flour!), whereas buttermilk pies uses only all-purpose flour. Many buttermilk recipes will play up the tartness, with added lemon juice and zest, giving it a pleasant citrus flavor.

What does a buttermilk pie taste like? ›

Sweet and slightly tangy, buttermilk pie is loved for its simplicity. The filling has a creamy and smooth texture, comparable to crème brûlée. The combination of flaky pie crust with rich, custardy filling is an instant winner. Lemon zest and vanilla extract make up the predominant flavors.

What is the history of buttermilk pies? ›

Buttermilk Pie is believed to have first originated in England and the recipe was brought to the United States by Southern settlers. The pie was predominately made in Texas where they were very resourceful with buttermilk because it was in large abundance and also inexpensive.

What ingredient thickens pie filling? ›

Very often flour or cornstarch is used, but in certain instances tapioca, arrowroot and potato starch can also help achieve the desired consistency.

Can I use buttermilk instead of heavy cream in pie? ›

Yes, you can swap them in a recipe, but it's not as simple as switching buttermilk for heavy cream/heavy cream for buttermilk. For example, if you're replacing buttermilk with heavy cream you'll probably need to switch out your baking soda for baking powder.

What is a patsy pie? ›

The English word "pasty" derives from Medieval French (O.Fr. paste from V. Lat pasta) for a pie, filled with venison, salmon or other meat, vegetables or cheese, baked without a dish. Pasties have been mentioned in cookbooks throughout the ages.

What is bird dog buttermilk pie? ›

Traditional buttermilk pie with a splash of Bird Dog Blackberry Whiskey. The Bird Dog gives a subtle berry undertone. If you haven't had Buttermilk Pie, it's similar to Chess Pie… very sweet!

Why is it called Shoo Fly Pie? ›

Pie lore offers two explanations for its unusual name. The simple one is that flies get stuck in the sticky-sweet molasses, so bakers must shoo them away. The second explanation is that the pie was named after the 19th-century “Shoofly” brand of molasses.

What is another name for buttermilk pie? ›

It's easy to confuse a chess pie and a buttermilk pie. Both are classic Southern desserts. Sometimes called desperation pies, these old-fashioned recipes make use of ingredients that are usually on hand and entirely practical.

Why do bakers love buttermilk? ›

Thanks to its acidity, buttermilk helps break down long strands of gluten and proteins in baked goods. That means every recipe that uses a splash of buttermilk is just a bit more tender than those that call for regular milk or water.

What is the most popular pie flavor in the world? ›

Apple pie is arguably one of the most popular pie flavors. A symbol of America, the apple pie was actually invented by the British. Apple pie is simply made with sliced apples on double-crusted pastry dough.

What is the oldest pie in the world? ›

The Ancient Egyptians were the first to invent a dish close to what we know as a pie today. They had a honey filling covered in a crusty cake made from oats, wheat, rye or barley. A recipe for chicken pie was also discovered on a tablet carved prior to 2000 BC.

Why is it no longer called crack pie? ›

The famous Milk Bar "Crack Pie" shall henceforth be known as "Milk Bar Pie," after the name of the pie was slammed in a column published by the "Boston Globe." In a letter published on the Milk Bar website Monday, pastry chef Christina Tosi announced that her company had changed the name of the pie.

What is buttermilk composed of? ›

It's made up of water, milk proteins, milk sugars (lactose) and a small amount of fat (about as much as low-fat milk). When butter was made at home, the buttermilk was left out overnight to ferment and thicken on its own. What you buy now is cultured buttermilk.

What are the four basic ingredients in baking pies? ›

There are four ingredients in a standard pie crust: flour, fat, liquid, and salt.

What's in buttermilk? ›

Buttermilk today consists mostly of water, the milk sugar lactose, and the milk protein casein. It has been pasteurized and hom*ogenized, and lactic-acid-producing bacteria cultures have been added, which may include Lactococcus lactis or Lactobacillus bulgaricus.

What is butter pie made of? ›

It is, quite simply, a pie filled with potatoes, onion and butter; it has flaky pastry on the base, sides and top, and given the simplicity of its contents, a generous amount of salt and pepper. It is traditionally eaten with braised red cabbage.

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