The Sweet & Salty Joy: Salted Honey Pie Recipe

Crafting a delectable salted honey pie promises pure culinary magic that will sweep you off your feet.

Sweet notes dance with subtle salt crystals, creating a symphony of flavors.

Bakers adore this rustic dessert for its simplicity and stunning appeal.

Rich golden custard nestles into a perfectly flaky crust, inviting pure indulgence.

Honey’s natural complexity shines through each velvety bite, offering unexpected depth.

Southern kitchens have long celebrated this humble yet elegant treat.

Your taste buds will thank you for embarking on this delightful baking adventure.

Why Salted Honey Pie Is a Sweet and Savory Treat

• Craft Sweet-Savory Magic: Transform ordinary ingredients into a delightful dessert that balances sweet honey with a surprising sea salt twist.
• Beginner Baker's Triumph: Perfect for novice bakers, this recipe offers straightforward steps and minimal technical skills required to create an impressive pie.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort Dessert: Guarantee smiles around the table with a rich, creamy pie that satisfies both sweet tooths and those craving something unique.
• Simple Ingredient Elegance: Rely on basic pantry staples to create a sophisticated dessert without complicated or expensive components.

Ingredients for Salted Honey Pie Delight

• Pie Crust: A pre-made or homemade pastry shell that provides the foundation for the pie.

• Heavy Cream: A rich dairy ingredient that creates a smooth and creamy custard texture.
• Brown Sugar: Adds deep caramel-like sweetness and contributes to the pie's rich flavor profile.
• Cornstarch: A thickening agent that helps set the custard and gives the filling a silky consistency.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the pie.

• Egg Yolks: Provide richness, help bind the filling, and contribute to the custard's smooth texture.
• Honey: The star ingredient that gives the pie its signature sweet and distinctive flavor.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and aromatic sweetness to complement the honey.

• Flaky Sea Salt: Provides a contrasting salty element that elevates the pie's sweet flavor and creates a gourmet taste experience.

How to Make Salted Honey Pie Step by Step

Step 1: Prep The Pie Crust

Gently place your pie crust into an 8-inch or 9-inch pie pan. Slide the crust into the refrigerator to chill while preparing the filling.

Heat your oven to a toasty 375F (190C).

Step 2: Create Creamy Base

• Heavy cream
• Brown sugar
• Cornstarch
• Salt

Continuously stir the mixture until it bubbles and thickens beautifully.

Step 3: Warm The Egg Yolks

Carefully whisk a small splash of hot cream mixture into beaten egg yolks. This technique prevents scrambling.

Gradually incorporate remaining cream mixture until silky smooth.

Step 4: Introduce Sweet Essence

Fold in honey and vanilla extract, stirring until perfectly combined and fragrant.

Step 5: Build The Pie

Pour your luxurious custard into the chilled pie crust, creating a golden canvas.

Step 6: Bake To Perfection

Slide the pie into the oven.

Bake for 40-45 minutes until the filling transforms into a bubbling golden masterpiece. The center should have a gentle wobble.

Step 7: Cool And Set

Remove pie from oven. Allow it to cool completely at room temperature.

Transfer to refrigerator to set firmly.

Step 8: Final Flourish

Just before serving, sprinkle flaky sea salt across the top, elevating the sweet-salty experience.

Helpful Suggestions for Perfect Salted Honey Pie

• Chill the pie crust thoroughly before filling to prevent a soggy bottom and maintain a crisp texture.
• Temper egg yolks carefully by slowly adding hot cream to prevent scrambling and ensure a smooth, silky custard.
• Use high-quality honey for the most robust and complex flavor profile in the pie.
• Sprinkle flaky sea salt just before serving to create a dramatic flavor contrast and enhance the sweetness.
• Allow the pie to cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate to help the filling set perfectly and develop a rich, creamy consistency.

Variations to Try with Salted Honey Pie Recipe

• Vegan Honey Alternative: Replace honey and heavy cream with coconut cream and maple syrup for a plant-based version that maintains rich, sweet flavors.
• Gluten-Free Crust Option: Swap traditional pie crust with almond flour or gluten-free graham cracker crust to accommodate wheat-sensitive diets.
• Lavender Infused Variation: Add dried lavender during cream heating to introduce a subtle floral note that complements the honey's sweetness.
• Low-Sugar Adaptation: Use monk fruit sweetener instead of brown sugar and reduce honey quantity for a diabetic-friendly dessert with fewer calories.

Pairings That Enhance Salted Honey Pie Flavors

• Pair with Sweet White Wine: Select a Sauternes or late-harvest Riesling with honeyed notes that complement the pie's rich sweetness and enhance its delicate flavor profile.
• Combine with Creamy Vanilla Ice Cream: Serve a scoop of high-quality vanilla bean ice cream alongside the pie, creating a luxurious contrast between warm pie and cold, smooth ice cream.
• Match with Strong Coffee: Brew a robust espresso or dark roast coffee to cut through the pie's sweetness and provide a bold, complementary flavor that balances the dessert's richness.
• Garnish with Toasted Nuts: Sprinkle chopped roasted almonds or pecans on top to add a crunchy texture and nutty depth that elevates the pie's sweet and salty elements.

Proper Storage for Salted Honey Pie to Keep Fresh

Store the pie covered with plastic wrap or aluminum foil in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep the surface protected to prevent absorbing other food odors.

Wrap the cooled pie tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Place in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 1-2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.

Warm individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds on low power. Alternatively, reheat in a preheated 325F oven for 5-7 minutes until just warm.

Let refrigerated pie sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving to soften the filling and restore its creamy texture.

FAQs

• What makes the custard filling smooth and creamy?

Tempering the egg yolks prevents them from scrambling by gradually introducing hot cream, which helps create a silky, smooth custard texture without lumps.

• Why does the recipe use brown sugar instead of white sugar?

Brown sugar adds deeper caramel notes and more complex sweetness compared to white sugar, complementing the honey’s rich flavor profile and providing a more nuanced taste.

• How do I know when the pie is perfectly baked?

Look for golden bubbling edges and a center that still has a slight jiggle, which indicates the custard is set but not overdone, ensuring a creamy and smooth texture.

• Can I use different types of honey?

Different honey varieties like wildflower, clover, or orange blossom will subtly change the pie’s flavor, allowing you to experiment and find your preferred taste profile.

Salted Honey Pie Recipe

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4.6 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Sweet Southern charm meets rustic indulgence in this salted honey pie, where silky custard and golden honey create a luxurious dessert. Rich caramel notes and delicate sea salt elevate each heavenly slice, inviting you to savor pure culinary bliss.

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Ingredients

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Filling Ingredients:

• 4 large egg yolks
• 2 1/2 cups (590 milliliters) heavy whipping cream
• 2/3 cup (130 grams) packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup (170 grams) honey
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Thickening Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup (40 grams) cornstarch, sifted
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Crust Ingredients:

• 1 pie crust (store-bought or homemade)

Garnish:

• Flaky sea salt

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Instructions

1. Prepare the pie crust by gently nestling it into an 8-inch or 9-inch pie pan, then refrigerate while preparing the filling. Heat the oven to 375F (190C).
2. Create the creamy base by combining heavy cream, brown sugar, cornstarch, and salt in a medium saucepan. Continuously stir over medium heat until the mixture bubbles and thickens.
3. Carefully introduce hot cream mixture into beaten egg yolks, whisking consistently to prevent curdling. Incorporate the remaining cream mixture until achieving a smooth, uniform consistency.
4. Infuse the custard with rich honey and aromatic vanilla extract, stirring until completely integrated.
5. Transfer the silky custard into the chilled pie crust, ensuring an even distribution.
6. Slide the pie into the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes. Look for golden bubbling edges and a slightly wobbly center as indicators of perfect doneness.
7. Allow the pie to cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate to help the filling set firmly and develop its distinctive texture.
8. Before serving, elevate the pie’s flavor profile by delicately sprinkling flaky sea salt across the surface, creating a tantalizing sweet-salty contrast.

Notes

• Always use room temperature ingredients to ensure smooth, even mixing of the custard filling.
• For a perfectly flaky crust, keep all ingredients cold and handle the dough minimally to prevent tough pastry.
• Temper eggs slowly and carefully to prevent scrambling, creating a silky smooth custard texture.
• Sprinkle sea salt just before serving to maintain its crisp texture and prevent early moisture absorption.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 427
• Sugar: 35 g
• Sodium: 188 mg
• Fat: 31 g
• Saturated Fat: 19 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 0.3 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 134 mg