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Restaurant Style Egg Custard Pie Recipe
Makes one 9-inch pie
This is an old-fashioned, delicately sweet custard with a creamy center, golden surface, and a flaky pie crust. Restaurants prepare it simply but with careful control of temperature and balance—this recipe captures that style.
INGREDIENTS
For the Pie Crust (Use Your Preferred Crust or This One)
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1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
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1/2 teaspoon salt
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1 tablespoon sugar
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1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
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3–4 tablespoons ice water
(You can also use a store-bought refrigerated crust if preferred.)
For the Custard Filling
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4 large eggs
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1 cup granulated sugar
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2 cups whole milk (or 1 cup whole milk + 1 cup half-and-half for a richer “restaurant” texture)
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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1/4 teaspoon salt
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1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (plus a little extra for dusting the top)
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Optional: a pinch of cinnamon (some diners add this, some don’t)
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Optional for silkier custard: 2 tablespoons melted butter
⭐ INSTRUCTIONS
1. Prepare the Pie Crust
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In a bowl, combine flour, salt, and sugar.
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Cut in cold butter using a pastry cutter or your fingertips until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
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Add ice water 1 tablespoon at a time and mix until the dough holds together.
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Shape into a disc, wrap, and chill at least 30 minutes.
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Roll out on a lightly floured surface and fit into a 9-inch pie plate.
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Trim edges and crimp as desired.
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Chill again while preparing the custard to prevent shrinking.
Optional Restaurant Tip
Brush the crust lightly with beaten egg white before filling—this creates a moisture barrier and keeps the crust crisp.
2. Make the Custard Filling
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
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In a large bowl, whisk together eggs and sugar until smooth but not foamy.
Foamy custard can cause bubbles on top; restaurants avoid too much whisking. -
Heat milk (or milk + half-and-half) until just warm—not boiling.
Warm liquid helps dissolve sugar and creates a gentler bake. -
Slowly whisk warm milk into the eggs and sugar.
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Stir in vanilla, salt, and melted butter if using.
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Pour through a fine mesh strainer into a large measuring cup or bowl—
This is a classic restaurant technique for ultra-smooth custard.
3. Fill and Bake the Pie
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Place pie shell on a baking sheet for easy handling.
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Pour custard into crust.
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Lightly dust the top with nutmeg.
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Bake for 40–55 minutes, depending on your oven.
How to Know It’s Done
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The edges should be set.
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The center should have a gentle wobble, not liquid.
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A knife inserted 1 inch from the crust should come out clean.
Restaurant Tip
If the crust browns too fast, cover edges with foil halfway through baking.
4. Cool Properly
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Let the pie cool at room temperature for at least 2 hours.
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Refrigerate afterward for best slicing.
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Serve cool or chilled—most restaurants serve it cold so pieces cut cleanly.
⭐ TEXTURE NOTES (Restaurant Style)
A true restaurant custard pie is:
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smooth, not grainy
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mildly sweet
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silky like flan but firmer
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lightly flavored with nutmeg
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pale yellow, not overly browned
This method produces that exact finish.
⭐ SERVING SUGGESTIONS
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Sprinkle extra nutmeg or cinnamon before serving.
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Add whipped cream for a diner-style presentation.
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For a fancier restaurant feel, serve with fresh berries or a drizzle of caramel.
⭐ STORAGE
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Keeps 3–4 days refrigerated.
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Do not freeze—custard can separate.
* 4 eggs
* 1/2 cup white sugar
* 1 pinch salt
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 2 cups whole milk
* 3 tablespoons butter
* 1 (9 inch) refrigerated pie crust
EGG CUSTARD PIE RECIPE INSTRUCTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C.)
2. In a large bowl, combine eggs, sugar, salt and vanilla. Mix just enough to incorporate all the ingredients. Set aside. In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, combine milk and butter. Use a wire whisk and stir constantly until the milk begins to rise in the saucepan at a rapid boil - 5 to 8 minutes. NEVER stop stirring, or the milk will burn. Pour the hot mixture into the egg mixture, stirring as you pour.
3. Line a 9 inch pan with dough. Pour custard mixture into pie crust. Protect the edges of crust with a ring of aluminum foil.
4. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Filling will appear slightly jiggly. Allow to cool. The egg custard pie recipe is ready...nice taste ! Enjoy !
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