She Strengthens

Elevate Your Pie Game with Toasty, Nutty Goodness

Transforming a classic butterscotch pie into an extraordinary dessert is as simple as browning butter instead of just melting it. This subtle adjustment yields a toasty, nutty flavor that perfectly balances the sweetness of the caramel.

Preparation Essentials

Before you begin, make sure you have the following essentials:

• Parchment paper or aluminum foil
• Pie weights (or dried beans as a substitute)
• Flaky Pie Dough (recipe provided below)

Flaky Pie Dough Recipe

To make the Flaky Pie Dough, follow the instructions below:

[Insert Flaky Pie Dough recipe]

The Pie-Making Process

To create this mouthwatering pie, follow these steps:

Step 1: Prepare the Crust

Heat your oven to 350°F and arrange a rack in the middle. Lightly flour a work surface and roll out the dough into a round, approximately 12 inches in diameter and 1/4 inch thick. Line a 9-inch pie plate with the dough, trim off the excess, and pierce the bottom with a fork. Line it with parchment paper or aluminum foil and fill it with pie weights or dried beans. Bake until the crust starts to set, about 15 minutes. Remove the pie weights and parchment paper and continue to bake until the crust is dry and slightly brown, about 10 to 15 minutes more. Remove to a wire rack and set aside.

Step 2: Create the Filling

Combine vanilla seeds and pod (or vanilla extract), milk, and cream in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Remove from the heat. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add 1/2 cup of brown sugar, stir to combine, and cook, stirring often, until the mixture bubbles and there is a toasted smell (the butter should be brown but not burnt), about 5 minutes. Carefully whisk in the hot milk mixture and remove the saucepan from the heat to cool slightly, about 5 minutes. Remove and discard the vanilla pod.

Step 3: Combine the Filling Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together the remaining 1/4 cup of brown sugar, egg yolks, and cornstarch until well blended and the whisk leaves a trail when lifted out of the mixture, about 3 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula. While whisking constantly, slowly pour a third of the milk mixture into the egg yolk mixture and whisk until well combined. Add the egg mixture back to the remaining milk mixture and place the saucepan over medium-low heat. Cook, constantly scraping the bottom of the saucepan with a rubber spatula, until the mixture coats the back of a spoon, about 7 to 10 minutes; set aside.

Step 4: Assemble and Bake the Pie

Pour the mixture into the pie crust and bake until the edges are set but the middle still jiggles slightly, about 25 to 30 minutes. Place the pie on a wire rack and let it cool completely, about 2 hours. Serve at room temperature or cold.

Beverage Pairing Suggestion

To elevate your pie-eating experience, try pairing it with Hétszölö Tokaji Aszú 3 Puttonyos, a rich sweet wine from Hungary. Its flavors of dried fruit, nuts, honey, and brown sugar will complement the pie perfectly, creating an intense, rich combination.