Sugar Cream Pie

Deliciously smooth Sugar Cream Pie is filled with an egg-free custard filling that is easy to make. This is an old-fashioned favorite!

Try a cream pie for your next dessert! The simplicity of this Sugar Cream Pie, as well as our Chocolate Cream Pie and Coconut Cream Pie, make them favorites when it comes to quick and easy treats!

A slice of sugar cream pie served on a plate with a fork.

Eggless cream pie

My family loves all pies, especially cream pies like our favorite Banana Cream Pie. Pies are a favorite dessert, especially around the holidays.

The biggest difference between Sugar Cream Pie and other cream pies is that there are no eggs in the filling.

The filling is still cooked on the stovetop, but cornstarch is the thickener. This pie sets up perfectly and is so easy to slice.

The exact origin of this pie varies, but most believe the classic Hoosier Sugar Cream Pie came from Indiana’s Amish/Quaker community in the mid-1800s. The state is so proud of its contribution that Hoosier Pie is the official pie of Indiana!

Old Fashioned SUGAR CREAM PIE

PREP. Preheat oven to 450°. Place rolled pie crust disk into a 9-inch pie pan. Line the crust with foil or parchment paper and fill it with pie weights or dry beans.

BLIND BAKE. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove pie weights and foil and bake for another 5-7 minutes. Turn oven temperature down to 375°F.

FILLING. While the crust is baking, prepare custard filling. Whisk together sugar and cornstarch in a heavy saucepan. Gradually whisk in the milk till the cornstarch is dissolved.

Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly, till the mixture comes to a boil. Whisk and stir for another minute or two, until thick.

Remove from heat and add vanilla and butter. Stir till butter is melted; pour into partially baked pie shell. Sprinkle with the cinnamon sugar mixture.

BAKE. Bake at 375°F for another 15-20 minutes, or until the filling starts to bubble.

CHILL. Remove to a cooling rack to cool. Chill for 3-4 hours.

Give this Indiana Sugar Cream Pie plenty of time to set up. It will be very jiggly when removed from the oven but will thicken as it cools. Mine was ready in about 3½ hours.

Recipe Tips

Easy cleanup. Place a cookie sheet underneath your pie as it bakes in case the filling boils over. This will make cleanup easier.

Runny pie. The cornstarch in this recipe should make this Cream Pie set up perfectly, but sometimes if the filling is cooked on too high of heat, or stirred too much, it will become runny as it cools.

It takes time for the cream to thicken. If it is runny when poured into the pie shell, it will remain runny so be patient. It will also need time to cool and set, so again be patient. 

Cinnamon sugar. Use store-bought cinnamon sugar (McCormick makes it), or make your own! The perfect ratio of cinnamon to sugar is kind of up to you, but start with ¼ cup of sugar to 1 tablespoon of cinnamon, and add more cinnamon according to your taste preference.

  • Nutmeg could also be added to the mixture for extra flavor.

Pie crust. Blind baking is fully cooking the pie dough before adding the filling. This recipe calls for partially baking a pie crust. It uses the same method with pie weights/dried beans but is only baked halfway. Add the filling and then finish baking the entire pie. Click the link for more Pie Crust tips

Milk. For best results use whole milk or 2%, anything less and the pie won’t set well.

Sugar cream pie with slice cut out of it.

Storing Info

This Sugar Cream Pie needs to be stored in the refrigerator. It is also best served chilled, so keep it in the fridge whenever it isn’t being served. That goes for leftovers as well!

STORE. Keep Custard Pie in the fridge, covered, for 3-5 days.

FREEZE. Wrap the pie with plastic wrap and again with foil, then store it in the freezer for up to 6 months. Note that the crust will be softer once thawed.

Piece of sugar cream pie on white plate with fork.

For more tasty pies:

Sugar Cream Pie Recipe

5 from 13 votes
Deliciously smooth Sugar Cream Pie is filled with an egg-free custard filling that is easy to make. This is an old-fashioned favorite!
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Chill Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 40 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 234 kcal
Author Lil’ Luna

Ingredients

  • 1 9″ unbaked pastry crust
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1/2 cup butter, cubed
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 Tbsp cinnamon sugar

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 450°.
  • Line the pie crust with foil or parchment paper and fill it with pie weights or dry beans.
    Bake for 10 minutes. Remove pie weights and foil and bake for another 5-7 minutes. Turn oven temperature down to 375°F.
  • While the crust is baking, prepare custard filling. Whisk together sugar and cornstarch in a heavy saucepan. Gradually whisk in the milk till the cornstarch is dissolved.
  • Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly, till the mixture comes to a boil. Whisk and stir for another minute or two, until thick.
  • Remove from heat and add vanilla and butter. Stir till butter is melted; pour into partially baked pie shell. Sprinkle with the cinnamon sugar mixture.
  • Bake at 375°F for another 15-20 minutes, or until the filling starts to bubble. Remove to a cooling rack to cool. Chill for 3-4 hours.

Notes

-A deep dish pie crust works best for this recipe. You can use a refrigerated pie crust or make your own.

Like this recipe?

Pin it now to remember it later! Share it with your Facebook friends (you know they’ll love it). Or tweet it to the world. Maybe even email it to your favorite cousin!

Related Posts

Buttermilk Pie

Scrumptious buttermilk pie has a flaky pastry crust and creamy, custard-like filling that comes together in 5 minutes! There is nothing more homey than a fresh-baked pie. For more old-fashioned…

1 hour

4.98 from 196 votes

Mud Pie Recipe

This Mud Pie Recipe only takes minutes to make, but it is simply divine. It’s cool and creamy – a perfect summer dessert! There are two things I love about…

20 minutes

5 from 12 votes

Oatmeal Pie

Oatmeal Pie is an old-fashioned favorite with a delicious brown sugar flavor, a chewy layer of oatmeal, and flaky pastry!  While we love pie classics like Chocolate Cream Pie or…

5 hours

5 from 4 votes

Sweet Potato Pie

Silky smooth Sweet Potato Pie has the perfect hint of spice and a deliciously crisp crust. Topped whipped cream, it’s irresistible! There are a few classic pie recipes that we…

1 hour 30 minutes

5 from 22 votes

About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and I’m the mom of SIX stinkin’ cute kids and the wife to my smokin’ hot hubby, Lo. My mom’s maiden name is Luna, and I’m one of the many crafty “Lil’ Lunas” in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

Join the Conversation

Rate and Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Comments:

  1. 5 stars
    INCREDIBLE! This set up perfectly, even though I didn’t have pie weights and my dough shrunk! Was soo yum.

      1. I haven’t ever used a graham cracker crust for this recipe, so I’m not sure how it would turn out. But it might be tasty! The crust bakes in the oven with the filling, so you may have a crunchier crust. But it might taste great. I’m not sure. If you give it a try, you’ll have to let us know!

  2. 5 stars
    Absolutely delicious and easy!! I made it in a thin tart dish and it was incredible. My picky partner loved it too! You should absolutely make this to try it for yourself! I’m making it again tonight, it’s that tasty.

  3. 5 stars
    WOW!! This is my first time making it and I am so shocked how easy it is. I will definitely make it again!

  4. 5 stars
    i’ve never had sugar cream pie and this is amazing! I like that it is an egg-less recipe, so thank you so much for sharing this dessert!

  5. 5 stars
    I recommend her pie crust recipe to use. It was the flakiest crust I’ve ever made. You do need to made sure that you leave time for the dough to chill.