Description
Salted Honey Pie is a delightful Southern dessert featuring a smooth honey custard filling baked in a flaky pie crust, topped with a sprinkle of sea salt for the perfect balance of sweet and salty flavors. This easy-to-make pie combines honey, butter, and a hint of vinegar for depth, creating a rich, golden-brown treat that can be enjoyed at room temperature or chilled.
Ingredients
Scale
Pie Crust
- 1 9-inch pie crust (homemade or store-bought)
Filling
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornmeal
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup honey
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
Topping
- Flaked sea salt for topping
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the pie.
- Prepare the crust: Place the pie crust into a 9-inch pie dish and crimp the edges neatly. Place the pie dish on a baking sheet to make it easier to handle when transferring in and out of the oven.
- Mix filling ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, granulated sugar, cornmeal, salt, white vinegar, vanilla extract, and honey until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Add eggs: Add the eggs one at a time to the filling mixture, whisking thoroughly after each addition to ensure a smooth and consistent custard base.
- Incorporate heavy cream: Stir in the heavy cream until the filling is fully combined and uniform in texture.
- Fill the crust: Pour the prepared filling into the pie crust, spreading it evenly.
- Bake the pie: Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the center is just set. The top should be golden brown with a slight jiggle in the center when gently shaken, but not liquid.
- Cool and garnish: Allow the pie to cool completely at room temperature. Just before serving, sprinkle the surface with flaked sea salt to enhance the flavors.
- Serving suggestion: Serve the pie at room temperature or chilled, optionally accompanied by fresh berries or whipped cream for added indulgence.
Notes
- This pie can be made a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator to enhance the flavors.
- For a deeper, more complex flavor profile, use a dark, floral honey variety.
- Pairs beautifully with fresh berries or a dollop of whipped cream to complement the sweet and salty notes.
