5 from 20 votes

Buttermilk Pie

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53 Comments

Servings: 10 slices

55 mins

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How to make an old fashioned Buttermilk Pie! This simple custard-based pie is made in my easy homemade pie crust and requires only a handful of ingredients.

Buttermilk pie slice

Have you ever had Buttermilk Pie?

Most of my siblings had never even heard of it, and I’ll be totally honest it received mixed reviews with my family members. I’m strongly in the love camp, but my little sister informed me that while the flavor was good, it was a texture thing (which is also how she feels about my coconut macaroons), and she refused a second slice.

Personally, I love the light custardy texture, the golden, slightly crisped top, and the hint of nutmeg. Zach thought it was like biting into a warm sugar cookie, but I thought it was more tart than that. Perhaps if he’d had the patience to wait until it cooled entirely as I’d suggested, he would’ve gotten a different flavor profile, but patience isn’t his strength (I forgive him for that, because washing dishes is).

Keep in mind that if you don’t have actual buttermilk on hand, you can always use my easy buttermilk substitute instead (you only need milk and vinegar or lemon juice!).

Whisking buttermilk pie filling

Pouring buttermilk pie filling into pie shell

Can I use Store-bought Pie Crust to Make Buttermilk Pie?

Honestly I really recommend that you use my homemade pie crust (it’s the same easy one I used for my Pecan Pie and Chocolate Pie). However, in a pinch you can certainly use a store-bought pie crust to make Buttermilk Pie.

If you’re opting for store-bought, I recommend buying the kind that’s rolled up into itself and not one that’s already in a foil tin. If you do opt to buy a pre-made pie crust that’s already in a tin, I’ve found that those often tend to be smaller/more shallow than your average pie pan. Take care that you do not overfill your pie crust and instead discard of any extra batter, I usually like to have 1/2″ of space between the surface of my buttermilk pie and the top of the pie crust.

freshly baked buttermilk pie with golden surface

I served my buttermilk pie without topping, though in retrospect I bet it would taste incredible with some homemade whipped cream (but really, what doesn’t).

Enjoy!

More Easy Pie Recipes You May Enjoy:

Buttermilk Pie slice
5 from 20 votes

Buttermilk Pie

A simple old-fashioned Buttermilk Pie!
Recipe adapted from Better Homes & Gardens New Cook Book
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 40 minutes
Total: 55 minutes
Servings: 10 slices
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Ingredients

  • 1 homemade pie crust, click link for recipe
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 ½ cups (300 g) sugar
  • ½ cup butter, melted and cooled
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup (237 ml) buttermilk
  • 1 ½ Tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • ½ tsp salt
  • tsp ground nutmeg, optional

Instructions 

  • Prepare homemade pie crust according to recipe instructions. As per instructions, prepare, chill, roll out, and arrange into a 9 ½" pie plate (do not bake). Return to refrigerator to chill while you prepare buttermilk pie filling.
    1 homemade pie crust
  • Preheat oven to 400F.
  • Crack eggs into a large bowl and whisk until pale yellow and foamy (about 15 seconds).
    1 ½ cups (300 g) sugar
  • Add sugar and stir until combined.
    3 large eggs
  • Add remaining ingredients and stir until mixture is smooth (I like to use a whisk to make sure I break up any flour clump).
    ½ cup butter, 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour, 1 cup (237 ml) buttermilk, 1 ½ Tablespoons lemon juice, 1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract, ½ tsp salt, ⅛ tsp ground nutmeg
  • Pour ingredients into prepared pie crust* and transfer to 400F (205C) and bake for 10 minutes. Then, without opening the oven door, reduce the heat to 350F (175C) and continue to bake another 40-45 minutes or until pie is set (the center may still be a bit jiggly but should not be liquidy. The top of the pie will be golden brown and may have puffed some, this will settle as it cools.
  • Allow to cool completely before serving.

Notes

*If you opted to use a storebought pie crust that's already in a foil tin, there's a good chance you'll have too much filling. Don't overfill your pie crust, discard any extra liquid.

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice | Calories: 355kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 103mg | Sodium: 182mg | Potassium: 46mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 32g | Vitamin A: 650IU | Vitamin C: 5.8mg | Calcium: 50mg | Iron: 0.4mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Slice of buttermilk pie on white plate

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53 Comments

  1. Emma Dever says:

    I love the butter milk pie But I have a question it taste like I overcooked it Do I remove from oven when golden brown on top Do he pie settle to finish getting done How do I know when done

    1. Emily @ Sugar Spun Run says:

      Hi Emma! When the pie is done, the center will be a bit jiggly and the top will be golden brown. Some puffing is normal as well, but this will settle as it cools. Hope that helps!

  2. Moneek says:

    Do you think it would be ok to use part or all brown sugar in this recipe? I like the flavor so much better than white. But maybe it would change the intended pie flavor too much??

    1. Sam says:

      Hmmm I haven’t tried it. I think it could be worth a shot but I would start by just substituting part of the regular sugar for brown sugar. Let me know how it goes! 🙂

      1. Sylvia Mills says:

        I use half light brown and have granulated when I make buttermilk pie. Wonderful rich taste. And I use some grated lemon rind.

  3. Dorothy Lin says:

    I have a tip if you have too much pie or quiche batter… instead of throwing it out, I just put it in a ramekin and place it in the oven along with what I am baking. It won’t have crust, but you still get an extra serving of the tasty filling.

    1. Sam says:

      Thanks, Dorothy! That’s a great idea! 🙂

  4. Ray says:

    5 stars
    Amazing! This was my first pie I’ve ever baked and it was amazing! BTW I know this is kinda random but do you have a recipe for Leche Flan? This pie reminded me of it for some reason. Thanks!

    1. Sam says:

      I’m so glad you enjoyed it so much, Ray! Unfortunately I do not have a leche flan recipe. 🙁

  5. Laurie says:

    5 stars
    Hi Sam,

    I’ve never had buttermilk pie before and decided to try it. My husband loves it, but I think I may have overcooked it. It came out with a kind of cookie top crust and the a small custard like layer. The flavor was wonderful. It didn’t look like your picture though. Is this the way it should be or was it overbaked?

    Thank you for the recipe and any feedback so it will be even better next time.
    Laurie

    1. Sam says:

      I’m so glad everyone enjoyed it, Laurie! If the top came out like a cookie it may have been slightly over-baked. 🙁

  6. Rachel Smalley says:

    5 stars
    Loved it! I had this at a Thanksgiving years ago and just came across your recipe. As good as I remember!

    1. Sam says:

      I’m so glad you enjoyed it so much, Rachel! 🙂

  7. Joyce says:

    5 stars
    Love buttermilk pie my auntie made it for me when I was expecting my first child not much on sweets but that pie was the best and this recipe so easy and so good but I didn’t have all purpose flour self risen was ok that for the recipe

  8. Kayla says:

    5 stars
    Awesome recipe, Sam! I followed the recipe exactly and my pie came out perfect. I am from Texas and my husband is from Louisiana, we both grew up eating buttermilk pies.

    1. Sam says:

      I am so glad everyone enjoyed it so much, Kayla! 🙂

    2. Cathy says:

      5 stars
      This is absolutely the very best Buttermilk pie recipe. I made this pie for the very first time for my husband for Father’s Day. He told me to throw my old recipe in the trash, he absolutely loves your buttermilk pie recipe. This will be my go to recipe for buttermilk pie. Sam your recipes always are a crowd pleaser.

      1. Sam says:

        I am so glad everyone enjoyed it so much, Cathy! 🙂