Buttermilk Pie: a beloved Southern pie recipe for your holidays

Love the rich, caramelized flavor of creme brulée? You'll adore buttermilk pie! This easy-to-make dessert is a classic recipe from the American South, and it's a much-loved comfort dish. If you're familiar with the old-fashioned chess pie, buttermilk pies are pretty similar, but with a much tangier taste thanks to the buttermilk. It also usually has vanilla and lemon in it, which aren't used in chess pies.

Buttermilk pie is a timeless dessert that's ideal for any occasion. Thick, creamy, rich, and perfectly sweet, this decadent treat is made with buttermilk, eggs, flour, vanilla, butter, and lemon juice, which are combined and poured into a buttery pie crust. Try it once, and you'll definitely make buttermilk pie again!

Buttermilk Pie vs. Chess Pie

Chess pie is another traditional Southern dessert that looks very similar to buttermilk pie. However, the two taste quite different. While buttermilk pie is tangy and lightly sweet, chess pie is rich and indulgent. Its filling is made from eggs, sugar, butter, and cornmeal, which gives chess pie its distinctive color and helps thicken up the filling. On the other hand, the splash of lemon juice and the natural sour flavor of buttermilk give the buttermilk pie a brighter, tangier taste.

What does Buttermilk Pie taste like?

If you are wondering what a buttermilk pie tastes like, we have the answer for you. This old-fashioned pie combines sweet and sour flavors to perfection. On the other hand, the flaky, buttery crust balances well the delicious, creamy filling that almost resembles a crème brulée.

Top Tips for Making the Best Buttermilk Pie

Use room-temperature ingredients to make your buttermilk pie.

Homemade or store-bought pie crust works in this recipe. You can also change things up and use a graham cracker or cookie crumb crust for your buttermilk pie.

For a zestier flavor, zest your lemon and stir one tablespoon into the filling.

You can serve your buttermilk pie chilled or gently warmed up.

How to Store Buttermilk Pie

Cover and keep your buttermilk pie in the fridge. It'll last up to one week. For extended storage, you can freeze your buttermilk pie for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight before serving.

How to Make Buttermilk Pie

Preheat your oven to 350F. Roll out the pastry and place it in a pie tin. Set aside.

Cream the butter in a bowl until smooth.

Add the sugar and beat again.

Beat in the eggs.

Add the flour, and salt.

Whisk in the buttermilk.

Add the vanilla.

Pour in the lemon juice and mix until smooth.

Pour the filling into the pie crust. Place the pie dish on a baking tray.

Bake for 50 to 55 minutes until the filling has lightly browned and has set. Remove from the oven and set on a wire rack to cool to room temperature.

Once cooled, slice and serve.