Bring festive cheer to your holiday table with this Christmas Eve Cinnamon-Vanilla Creamy Custard Pie. With its silky smooth custard, warm notes of cinnamon, and buttery, flaky crust, this pie embodies the cozy flavors of the season. Perfect for holiday gatherings, family comfort food, or easy weeknight dessert ideas during the festive season, it combines simplicity with indulgence for a crowd-pleasing treat.
This custard pie delivers a creamy, melt-in-your-mouth texture that pairs beautifully with a dollop of whipped cream or a sprinkle of cinnamon on top. The delicate blend of vanilla and cinnamon makes it a standout holiday dessert recipe that’s both elegant and approachable, ideal for creating lasting memories around the table.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
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Simple Ingredients: Uses pantry staples like flour, butter, eggs, and cream.
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Holiday Favorite: Perfect for Christmas Eve, holiday parties, or family gatherings.
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Creamy & Comforting: Smooth custard with warm cinnamon flavor for a festive touch.
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Make-Ahead Friendly: Can be prepared a day in advance for stress-free hosting.
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Customizable Toppings: Pair with whipped cream, nutmeg, or caramel drizzle.
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Kid-Friendly & Crowd-Pleasing: Everyone loves a custard pie that’s creamy and lightly spiced.
Ingredient Breakdown
All-Purpose Flour: Forms the base of the flaky pie crust. Use fresh, high-quality flour for the best texture.
Cold Unsalted Butter: Key for creating a tender, buttery crust. Cut into small cubes to mix evenly with flour.
Ice Water: Helps the dough come together without melting the butter, ensuring a flaky texture.
Sugar (Optional): Adds a subtle sweetness to the crust, enhancing the holiday flavor.
Large Eggs: Provide structure and richness to the custard filling.
Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the custard without overpowering the delicate flavors.
Heavy Cream: Creates a luxuriously creamy texture essential for a silky custard.
Pure Vanilla Extract: Infuses the custard with warm, aromatic flavor.
Ground Cinnamon: Adds a festive, cozy touch perfect for Christmas desserts.
Salt: Enhances the flavor balance, ensuring the custard isn’t overly sweet.
Pro Tips
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Chill the Dough: Ensures a flaky crust by keeping butter cold.
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Don’t Overmix Custard: Gentle whisking keeps the custard smooth and silky.
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Use a Water Bath (Optional): For extra creamy custard, bake the pie in a shallow water bath.
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Check for Doneness: The custard should slightly jiggle in the center; it will set as it cools.
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Decorative Touches: Sprinkle additional cinnamon or nutmeg before serving for a festive flair.
Ingredient Swaps and Variations
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Dairy-Free Option: Use coconut cream or almond milk with a vegan butter substitute for the crust.
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Spice Twists: Add nutmeg, cardamom, or allspice for a unique holiday flavor.
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Crust Variations: Try a graham cracker crust or almond flour crust for added texture.
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Sweetener Alternatives: Use maple syrup or coconut sugar instead of granulated sugar for a subtle twist.
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Toppings: Fresh berries, caramel drizzle, or toasted nuts make for a stunning presentation.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this custard pie alongside other holiday treats like gingerbread cookies, peppermint bark, or a festive fruit platter. Pair with hot chocolate, mulled cider, or spiced coffee for a complete Christmas Eve dessert experience. Ideal for family dinners, office parties, or as a sweet ending to a festive holiday brunch.
Make Ahead + Storage Tips
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Prepare in Advance: Custard pie can be made a day ahead; store in the refrigerator.
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Storage: Keep covered in the fridge for up to 3 days.
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Avoid Freezing: Custard pies do not freeze well, as the texture may become grainy.
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Portion Control: Slice and serve individually for elegant presentation and easy portioning.
Cultural Notes
Custard pies have been a classic American holiday dessert for generations, combining simple ingredients with rich, creamy texture. The addition of cinnamon and vanilla makes this pie perfect for Christmas celebrations, evoking warmth and nostalgia in every bite. This traditional holiday dessert balances festive flavors with a delicate custard base, ideal for both family gatherings and formal holiday dinners.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I make this pie ahead of time?
Yes, prepare the custard and bake the pie a day in advance. Chill until ready to serve.
Can I use a store-bought crust?
Absolutely! A pre-made pie crust saves time and works perfectly for this recipe.
Is this recipe suitable for beginners?
Yes, this custard pie is straightforward and beginner-friendly, with simple steps and minimal ingredients.
Can I add more spices?
Yes, nutmeg, cardamom, or allspice can be added to enhance the holiday flavors.
How long will leftovers last?
Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container.
Christmas Eve Cinnamon-Vanilla Creamy Custard Pie
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and sugar (if using).
- Add the cold butter cubes and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to blend until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Gradually add ice water, mixing until dough comes together. Form into a disc, wrap, and chill for at least 30 minutes.
- Roll out the chilled dough to fit a 9-inch pie dish. Transfer to dish, trim edges, and crimp. Blind bake at 375°F (190°C) for 10–12 minutes with weights, then 5 minutes uncovered. Cool completely.
- Whisk together eggs and sugar in a large bowl until smooth.
- Mix in vanilla extract and cinnamon until evenly combined.
- Gradually whisk in the heavy cream and a pinch of salt until the custard mixture is smooth.
- Pour the custard filling into the pre-baked crust. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 45–50 minutes, until edges are set and center is slightly jiggly.
- Let the pie cool on a wire rack for at least 2 hours to set.
- Top with whipped cream or sprinkle with cinnamon before serving. Slice and enjoy with coffee or cocoa.
