This butterscotch cinnamon pie recipe combines the rich flavor of butterscotch and the earthy, spicy flavor of cinnamon into a pie that is pure decadence. Dive into a slice, and you'll revel in the flavor with every bite.
I love butterscotch. Whether it's in candy or a dessert, I'm always up for that delicious flavor. I combined it with another love of mine, cinnamon, to create a pie that is absolutely perfect any time of year.
Did you know this yummy pie recipe is part of a popular video game? Yup, it's true! It's featured in the game Undertale as one of the consumable items the protagonist can eat for healing!
I think they're on to something with giving this butterscotch pie healing powers! Make this into an Undertale butterscotch cinnamon pie for a themed or kids' birthday party.
Butterscotch Cinnamon Pie Recipe
This was fall pie recipe with its butterscotch cinnamon filling is inspired by another butterscotch recipe on this site. The butterscotch flavor worked so well in my haystack cookies, I knew it would be a winner in this pie, and I was right!
This custard pie recipe with its fall flavors is a nice change from the traditional pumpkin pie or pecan pie. And if you are really a fan of the flavors, you can enjoy it any time of the year.
Especially if you're a brown sugar fan like me. Did you know that we have a list of other brown sugar dessert recipes that you may enjoy. Take a looksie and I'm sure that something will jump out to you!
I love to serve it up for dessert with a hot coffee drink or a Kahlua hot coffee!
Ingredients For Cinnamon Butterscotch Pie
It only takes a few simple ingredients to make this delicious pie. Almost every ingredient on this list is a kitchen staple! The only thing you'll have to buy is a pie crust.
- Dark brown sugar
- Heavy cream
- Unsalted butter
- Whole milk
- Cornstarch
- Egg yolks
- Fine sea salt
- Cinnamon
- Vanilla extract
- Prebaked pie crust
See the recipe card further down on the page for the exact quantities of each ingredient.
How to Make Butterscotch Cinnamon Pie Recipe
While there are a few steps to this recipe, don't let them scare you away. When you break it down, it's all very manageable. This is a recipe that anyone can make, so don't be afraid to dive right in.
Step 1: Prep the Pie Crust
Prebake the pie crust per package directions and set aside. Measure out all of your ingredients.
Step 2: Make the Custard Base
Add the brown sugar, heavy cream, and butter to a medium-sized saucepan and place it over medium-low heat.
Whisk immediately to keep the sugar from burning. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally, then reduce the heat to a simmer.
Add the cinnamon and simmer for 2 minutes until slightly thickened and take the mixture off of the heat.
Step 3: Add Milk
Reserve two tablespoons of milk to use later and whisk the remaining milk into the pot. Set the custard aside while you mix the eggs.
Step 4: Add Egg Mixture
In a bowl, whisk the egg yolks, cornstarch, salt and reserved 2 tablespoons of milk together until smooth.
Step 5: Cook and Strain
Stream the mixture into the pot while whisking constantly.
Place the pot back on the stove over medium-low heat, whisking constantly to prevent scorching on the bottom.
When the mixture has thickened to a thick, pudding-like consistency, immediately pour it into a strainer over a large bowl.
Pour a little at a time into the strainer, using a spatula to press the custard through the strainer. Remember to scrape the custard off of the bottom of the strainer when you're done.
Step 6: Add Vanilla and Chill
Whisk the vanilla into the custard and pour the mixture into the prebaked pie crust.
Smooth out the top and let the pie cool to room temperature.
Cover with plastic wrap and chill for at least 6 hours, however overnight is better.
Serve with whipped cream and enjoy.
Hint: Don't skip the straining step, as this ensures the custard is super smooth.
Substitutions
Don't have the correct ingredients on hand or want to change something up? Here are some helpful tips for you to change this butterscotch cinnamon pie recipe.
- Pie Crust: If you're feeling fancy, you can make your own pie crust for this recipe or you can also swap it out with a graham cracker or chocolate cookie crust!
- Cornstarch: Swap it out with tapioca flour! They both work almost exactly the same.
- Unsalted butter: The unsalted is best because you have a bit more control over the salt flavor in the recipe but if you use salted butter, taste and add a smaller amount of salt for flavor or eliminate the additional salt completely.
- Dark brown sugar: The dark brown sugar has a more robust flavor and darker color but light brown sugar will work in a pinch. It will come out lighter in color and maybe not quite as deep of a molasses flavor.
Variations
Want to personalize this butterscotch cinnamon recipe? Here are some of my tried and true tips for changing up this recipe.
- Nutmeg: For an extra kick of flavor, add a little nutmeg.
- Skip the pie crust: Serve this custard warm in a small bowl or glass for a completely different dessert experience!
- More butterscotch flavor: Add in ½ cup of butterscotch chips right at the end while the custard is still hot.
If you love recipes like this, you may also enjoy these butterscotch caramel cashew bars.
Storage
Refrigerator: Store leftovers or a fully baked pie in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Be sure it is wrapped well in plastic or in an airtight container.
Freezer: I'm not a fan of freezing custard pies as sometimes they break. However, you can give a try and place an entire pie or slices in the freezer for up to three months. Wrap in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil before freezing. Allow the pie to thaw on the counter before eating it.
Tips
If you're feeling a bit daunted by the process of making this butterscotch custard pie, don't worry. I have some tips here that will help you do it swimmingly.
- Don't skip the straining process. This helps get rid of any little pieces of egg that might have scrambled due to being poured into the hot custard.
- To ensure that the eggs don't scramble, you can also temper the eggs by adding a bit of the custard to the eggs to warm them up before whisking them into the custard.
- Refrigerate before serving. This pie really tastes best fully cooled and refrigerated. Refrigeration also helps the custard to be fully set so it stays firm when cut.
- Serve it up with whipped cream and add a drizzle of chocolate sauce for even more flavor.
- Measure brown sugar correctly. To get the correct amount of sugar, be sure to pack the brown sugar down into the cup measure.
FAQ
Do you have questions about butterscotch cinnamon pie? Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about this butterscotch cinnamon pie recipe.
Butterscotch is a mixture of brown sugar and butter that's melted down and cooked to a caramel consistency.
Butterscotch and caramel are almost the same things. Butterscotch is made with brown sugar, while caramel is made with granulated sugar.
Some people say yes, but I say no. When you defrost custard, it can break, causing your delicious pie to become an awful mess.
This custard pie is made by cooking sugar, butter, and cream together until creamy. Then eggs are added which help thicken the custard. The pie is also flavored with a bit of cinnamon.
Video
More Easy Pie Recipes
Do you like pie? Here are some more I think you will love!
Butterscotch Cinnamon Pie Recipe
Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.
Butterscotch Cinnamon Pie
Equipment
- Pot
- Pie tin or plate
Ingredients
- 1 cup dark brown sugar packed
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 cups whole milk
- 5 tablespoons cornstarch
- 3 egg yolks
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt or kosher salt
- 1-2 teaspoons cinnamon I prefer adding 2 teaspoons but I LOVE cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 9- inch pie crust prebaked
Instructions
- Get out and measure your ingredients.
- Place the brown sugar, heavy cream, and butter into a medium-sized saucepot.
- Place the pot over medium-low heat, start whisking immediately so the sugar doesn’t burn. Once the butter melts it will become smooth, stirring occasionally, bring it to a boil, reduce to a simmer, add cinnamon and simmer for 2 minutes until slightly thickened. Take off the heat.
- Reserve 2 tablespoons of the milk. Whisk the remaining milk into the pot, set aside.
- Place a fine-mesh strainer over a large bowl, set aside.
- In a bowl, add cornstarch, egg yolks, salt and remaining 2 tablespoons of milk.
- Whisk until smooth.
- Stream the egg mixture into the pot while whisking. Place the pot back on the stove over medium-low heat, whisking constantly so it doesn’t scorch on the bottom. The mixture will thicken to a thick pudding-like consistency.
- Immediately pour the custard over the strainer and bowl, you will need to do this a little at a time, you will need to use a spatula to press the custard through the strainer.
- The step with the strainer is to make sure the custard is completely smooth. There is a chance the egg may cook slightly and leave a few small chunks, this is why we strain. If you don’t mind that you can skip this step entirely.
- Don’t forget to scrape the custard off the bottom of the strainer when you are done.
- Stir custard until blended. Whisk the vanilla into the custard.
- Pour this mixture into the baked pie crust and smooth out the top. Allow to cool to room temperature. Cover with plastic wrap and place inside your fridge for at least 6 hours, if not overnight, and set.
- Slice. Serve with whipped cream, butterscotch chips, and butterscotch sauce.
Notes
- Don't skip the straining process. This helps get rid of any little pieces of egg that might have scrambled due to being poured into the hot custard.
- To ensure that the eggs don't scramble, you can also temper the eggs by adding a bit of the custard to the eggs to warm them up before whisking them into the custard.
- Refrigerate before serving. This pie really tastes best fully cooled and refrigerated. Refrigeration also helps the custard to be fully set so it stays firm when cut.
- Serve it up with whipped cream and add a drizzle of chocolate sauce for even more flavor.
- Measure brown sugar correctly. To get the correct amount of sugar, be sure to pack the brown sugar down into the cup measure.
Nutrition
Katina says
In the photos above, it looks like the bowl with the eggs and cornstarch also has milk in it. Is that where the extra 2 T were supposed to go? Because when I tried to mix the yolks and cornstarch together, I got something more like clay. It was quite a disaster. I finally managed to get one more whole egg mixed in there and that made it look closer to the consistency of yours. The pie is cooling on the counter and everything seems ok so I guess that worked.
Karin and Ken says
I can’t apologize enough for the error in my recipe. I have corrected it and I’m so grateful you let me know there was a problem. I hope you were able to enjoy some of this incredible recipe. I just feel so awful. Take care and I hope you have a great day. Karin
Amy says
Hi there! This is now my favorite pie. We love this recipe. Thank you so much for sharing!!!
Karin and Ken says
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! We love this pie. Thank you for letting me know. Enjoy your day. Karin