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Salted Honey Pie Recipe

4.7 from 123 reviews

Salted Honey Pie is a luscious custard dessert with a flaky pie crust filled with a smooth mixture of honey-sweetened custard, lightly browned with a hint of sea salt. The recipe combines the rich flavors of brown sugar, honey, and vanilla to create a creamy, indulgent pie with a perfect balance of sweet and salty notes, ideal for any dessert occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Pie Crust

  • 1 refrigerated or homemade pie crust (8-inch deep dish or 9-inch pie pan)

Custard Filling

  • 4 large egg yolks, lightly beaten
  • 2 1/2 cups (600 ml) heavy whipping cream
  • 2/3 cup (150 g) packed light brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup (45 g) cornstarch, sifted
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) honey
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling on top

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Pie Crust: Place the pie crust in an 8-inch deep dish or 9-inch pie pan. Chill it in the refrigerator without pre-baking to ensure it holds the custard filling well and bakes evenly. Optionally, sprinkle sugar on top for added crunch and sweetness after baking.
  2. Heat the Cream Mixture: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine heavy cream, brown sugar, cornstarch, and salt. Stir constantly until the mixture comes to a rolling boil and thickens slightly, releasing a caramelized aroma.
  3. Temper the Eggs: Remove the cream mixture from heat. Slowly ladle small amounts of the hot cream into the lightly beaten egg yolks while whisking constantly to avoid scrambling. Gradually add more cream until the eggs are smoothly combined and warmed.
  4. Combine the Mixture: Pour the tempered egg yolk mixture back into the saucepan with the remaining cream mixture. Stir thoroughly until smooth. Add honey and vanilla extract, and mix well to blend flavors into the custard.
  5. Fill the Pie Crust: Pour the warm custard mixture evenly into the chilled pie crust, spreading to avoid air pockets. The filling should have a smooth, thick consistency with a pale golden color.
  6. Bake the Pie: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the pie for 40-45 minutes until the custard bubbles and the top turns golden brown. The filling may appear slightly jiggly upon removal but will set while cooling.
  7. Cool and Set: Let the pie cool to room temperature on the counter, then refrigerate until fully chilled and firm. This step is essential for the custard to set properly and flavors to fully develop.
  8. Finish with Sea Salt: Just before serving, sprinkle flaky sea salt generously over the pie’s surface to enhance the sweet and creamy honey custard with a salty crunch.
  9. Serve and Enjoy: Slice the chilled pie into 8-10 portions. Each slice offers a creamy custard bursting with honey flavor and a satisfying balance from the flaky salted crust, perfect for any occasion.

Notes

  • If using homemade pie crust, chill it thoroughly before filling to prevent shrinking and to maintain flakiness.
  • Constant stirring during heating prevents lumps and ensures a smooth custard.
  • Tempering the eggs is crucial to avoid scrambling and achieve a silky texture.
  • Do not overbake to prevent the custard from becoming grainy; some jiggle is normal when removed from oven.
  • Flaky sea salt crystals add texture and enhance the flavor contrast wonderfully.
  • The pie is best served chilled after refrigeration to set the filling fully.

Keywords: Salted Honey Pie, custard pie, honey dessert, flaky pie crust, creamy dessert, homemade pie, sweet and salty pie