Old Fashioned Walnut Streusel Buttermilk Pie
Buttermilk pie is one of those pies that makes me think about years gone by. If you don’t already have a ‘pie’ tradition in your family. Why not try this year to start one with this fantastic pie? Although it is a little different, I think you will be pleasantly surprised.
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What Is Buttermilk Pie?
One Thanksgiving dessert staple in Texas is Buttermilk Pie. It is a delicious, old-fashioned Buttermilk Pie using everyday ingredients from the pantry. Most families feel this pie is their favorite holiday pie to serve, especially for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Don’t let the thought of soured milk keep you from trying this pie. This is a sweet and full of flavor pie with a delicate custard. This pie has been seen as a fancy holiday pie to serve family and friends. The biggest attraction is the love of the creamy flavor of this pie, which has a custard-like quality. Also, you will see other variations of this pie adding flavors like lemon or chocolate.
Chess pie and Buttermilk pie are sometimes confused with one another, but there is a difference in how they are made. Only Buttermilk pie uses soured milk where chess pie does not. Chess pie uses cornmeal as one of the ingredients where the other pie does not. Regardless, they are both yummy pies to enjoy!
This pie is very popular in the Southern part of the US. Some say the flavor reminds them of creme brulee.
Where Did This Pie Originate?
This pie is believed to have started in England. The recipe was brought to the United States by people who settled in the South. It was predominately made in Texas. Settlers were very resourceful with this soured milk because it was in large quantities and inexpensive. When the fruit was out of season, you could still make this pie because most people have the ingredients right in their cupboard (sugar, flour, butter, eggs, buttermilk).
The original recipe for this pie calls for 2 cups of sugar, which, combined with the buttermilk, gives the pie a delightful and tart flavor. Making and serving this pie for dessert is a Thanksgiving tradition in Texas. Some say you will enjoy a slice of buttermilk pie with good strong coffee to cut the pie’s sweetness. You will have to see for yourself and let us know what you think.
Old Fashioned Walnut Streusel Buttermilk Pie
Ingredients
Pie Ingredients:
- 1 pie shell 9 inch deep dish
- ½ cup butter softened
- 1 ¼ cup sugar
- 3 Tbsp flour
- ¼ tsp salt
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice fresh is best
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Walnut Streusel Ingredients:
- ¼ cup light brown sugar packed
- 2 tbsp flour
- 2 tbsp unsalted sweet cream butter softened
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ cup chopped walnuts
Instructions
Pie Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Beat butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl till creamy.
- Add flour, salt, and eggs. Beat till smooth. Add buttermilk, lemon juice, and vanilla and blend well. (Mixture may appear curdled.)
- Pour filling into a 9" pie crust. I like to use a deep dish.
- Place the pie pan on a cookie sheet and place in an oven that has been preheated to 350°.
- Bake for 30 minutes
Topping Directions
- Using a medium bowl and fingers, pinch together all streusel ingredients to create a crumble.
- Remove pie from oven and top the walnut streusel on top.
- Place back into the oven and continue to back for 20 minutes.
- Allow cooling on a cooling rack for 30 minutes before serving.
