Creamy Caramel Custard Pie

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Creamy Caramel Custard Pie: A Silky, Melt-in-Your-Mouth Dessert

There’s something timeless and comforting about a perfectly made caramel custard pie. With its buttery crust, velvety custard filling, and rich caramel layer, this dessert strikes a beautiful balance between sweetness and creaminess. It’s elegant enough for special occasions, yet simple enough to make at home with patience and care.

Below is a detailed, step-by-step guide to help you create this irresistible dessert from scratch.

🧾 Ingredients

For the pie crust:

1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
½ cup cold unsalted butter (cut into small cubes)
2–3 tablespoons ice water
1 tablespoon sugar
A pinch of salt

For the caramel:

¾ cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons water

For the custard filling:

2 cups whole milk
3 large eggs
½ cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
A pinch of salt

🥧 Step 1: Prepare the Pie Crust

Start by making a flaky, buttery base:

In a bowl, mix flour, sugar, and salt.
Add the cold butter cubes and rub them into the flour using your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Gradually add ice water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing until the dough just comes together.
Shape into a disc, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

Once chilled:

Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface.
Transfer it to a pie dish, pressing it gently into the edges.
Trim excess dough and prick the base with a fork.
Chill again for 15 minutes, then pre-bake at 180°C (350°F) for about 15 minutes until lightly golden.

Set aside to cool.

🍯 Step 2: Make the Caramel

This is where the magic begins:

In a saucepan, combine sugar and water over medium heat.
Let it cook without stirring until it turns a deep amber color. Swirl the pan gently if needed.
Quickly pour the caramel into the bottom of the pre-baked crust, tilting the pan to spread evenly.

Be careful—caramel is extremely hot!

Let it set while you prepare the custard.