Description
This Salted Honey Pie combines a buttery, flaky crust with a luscious, sweet honey filling balanced by a touch of sea salt. Perfectly baked to achieve a delicate set custard with a hint of cornmeal texture, this dessert offers a harmonious blend of sweet and savory flavors in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Pie Crust
- 1 9-inch pie crust, homemade or store-bought (blind baked)
Filling
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup cornmeal (fine grind)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar or lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup honey (preferably wildflower or clover)
- 3 large eggs
- ½ cup heavy cream
Topping
- Flaky sea salt (such as Maldon), to finish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the pie.
- Blind Bake Pie Crust: Prepare your 9-inch pie crust and blind bake it following the instructions until it becomes lightly golden, ensuring it is cooked through and prevents sogginess.
- Mix Butter and Sugar: In a medium-sized bowl, combine the melted and slightly cooled unsalted butter with the granulated sugar, stirring until well blended.
- Add Dry and Liquid Ingredients: Add the fine grind cornmeal, salt, white vinegar or lemon juice, vanilla extract, and honey to the butter-sugar mixture. Mix until the batter is smooth and uniform in texture.
- Incorporate Eggs: Add the eggs to the mixture one at a time, beating well after each addition to fully incorporate and achieve a smooth filling base.
- Stir in Cream: Pour in the heavy cream and mix until completely combined, ensuring a rich and creamy filling consistency.
- Fill the Crust: Pour the prepared filling into the pre-baked pie crust, spreading it evenly with a spatula if needed.
- Bake the Pie: Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the filling is set and slightly golden on top. The center should be firm but with a gentle wobble.
- Cool Completely: Remove the pie from the oven and allow it to cool fully to room temperature, which will help the filling to finish setting.
- Add Topping and Serve: Just before serving, sprinkle flaky sea salt over the surface of the pie to enhance the flavor contrast and add a delightful crunch.
Notes
- The pie crust can be homemade or store-bought; blind baking prevents soggy bottoms.
- Using a fine grind cornmeal helps create a smooth texture in the filling without grittiness.
- White vinegar or lemon juice adds a subtle tang that balances the sweetness.
- Letting the pie cool completely ensures the filling sets properly for cleaner slices.
- Flaky sea salt on top creates a perfect sweet-salty contrast enhancing the honey flavor.
