Buttermilk Pie Recipe: Easy Classic Southern Dessert

Introduction

If you’ve never tasted buttermilk pie, you’re missing out on one of the South’s best-kept secrets. This buttermilk pie recipe creates a dessert that’s creamy, tangy, and absolutely delicious. Making easy buttermilk pie is surprisingly simple—you probably have all the ingredients in your kitchen right now!

What Makes Buttermilk Pie Special?

This traditional buttermilk pie represents resourceful Southern baking at its finest. Many families would serve this at Sunday dinners after church, transforming leftover buttermilk into an elegant dessert. The pie has a unique texture—somewhere between a custard and a chess pie—with a subtle tang from the buttermilk balanced by sweet sugar. The top often forms a thin, delicate crust while the inside stays creamy and smooth. This comforting buttermilk pie tastes like a sweet memory of simpler times.

Recipe Quick Stats

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Pie:

• 1 unbaked 9-inch pie crust (homemade or store-bought)
• ½ cup butter, softened
• 1½ cups sugar
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg

How to Make Buttermilk Pie Recipe

This quick buttermilk pie recipe comes together easily with just one bowl and simple mixing!

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Make sure your pie crust is ready—either place a store-bought crust in a 9-inch pie pan or prepare your own homemade crust.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This takes about 2-3 minutes with an electric mixer or 5 minutes by hand. The mixture should look pale and airy.

Step 3: Add Flour and Eggs

Mix in the flour until combined. Then add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Make sure each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next one. The mixture should be smooth and thick.

Step 4: Add Liquid Ingredients

Stir in the buttermilk, vanilla extract, and lemon juice until everything is well combined. The mixture will be thin—don’t worry, that’s exactly right! The lemon juice brightens the flavor and complements the tangy buttermilk perfectly.

Step 5: Pour into Crust

Pour the buttermilk mixture into your unbaked pie crust. The filling will come close to the top of the crust—be careful not to overfill. Gently sprinkle the nutmeg evenly over the top. The nutmeg adds a warm, subtle spice that’s traditional in this old fashioned buttermilk pie.

Step 6: Bake

Place the pie on the center rack of your preheated oven. Bake for 45-50 minutes. The pie is done when the center is almost set but still has a slight jiggle when you gently shake it. It will firm up as it cools. A toothpick inserted near (but not in) the center should come out mostly clean.

Step 7: Protect the Crust

If the edges of your crust start to brown too quickly (usually after about 30 minutes), cover them with strips of aluminum foil or a pie crust shield to prevent burning.

Step 8: Cool Completely

Remove the pie from the oven and place it on a wire rack. Let it cool completely at room temperature—this takes at least 2 hours. The pie needs this time to set properly. Once cooled, refrigerate until ready to serve.

Pro Tips for the Best Buttermilk Pie Ever

1: If the crust begins to brown too quickly, cover the edges with aluminum foil about halfway through baking. This protects the crust while allowing the filling to finish cooking.

2: Make sure your butter is softened but not melted. Room temperature butter creams properly with the sugar and creates the right texture.

3: Don’t overbake! The center should still jiggle slightly when you remove it from the oven. It will continue to set as it cools and will be perfect once chilled.

Classic Buttermilk Pie From Scratch

Making this classic buttermilk pie from scratch means preparing your own crust too. For a homemade buttermilk pie with flaky crust, use your favorite pie crust recipe or the simple one from the Classic Apple Pie recipe. A homemade crust takes this pie from good to absolutely incredible, though a quality store-bought crust works well too when you’re short on time.

Southern Style Buttermilk Pie

This southern style buttermilk pie is authentic and traditional. In the South, buttermilk pie is as common as pecan pie or sweet potato pie. Every grandmother had her own version, with small variations in spices or sweetness levels. Some add extra lemon, others prefer more nutmeg, and some add a pinch of cinnamon. The basic recipe remains the same, passed down through generations of Southern bakers.

Creamy Buttermilk Pie

The texture of this creamy buttermilk pie is what makes it special. It’s not quite a custard and not quite a chess pie—it’s something uniquely its own. The filling is smooth and silky, almost like a cheesecake but lighter. The buttermilk gives it a subtle tang that prevents it from being too sweet, making it the perfect ending to a rich meal.

Simple Buttermilk Pie for Beginners

This simple buttermilk pie for beginners requires no special equipment or advanced baking skills. If you can mix ingredients in a bowl and pour them into a pie crust, you can make this pie! It’s actually quite forgiving—even if it’s not perfect, it will still taste delicious. This is a great first pie for new bakers because the techniques are straightforward and the results are impressive.

Sweet Buttermilk Pie Dessert

This sweet buttermilk pie dessert is perfect for any occasion. Serve it at Sunday dinner, holiday meals, potlucks, or just because you want something special. The pie is sweet but not overly so, with that characteristic buttermilk tang providing balance. It pairs wonderfully with coffee or tea and makes any meal feel a bit more special.

Serving Suggestions

Serve your traditional buttermilk pie:

• Chilled or at room temperature (both are delicious!)
• With a dollop of whipped cream on top
• With fresh berries on the side
• Drizzled with a little caramel sauce
• Simply on its own to appreciate its unique flavor

Storage and Leftover Advice

Refrigerate leftover pie covered with plastic wrap or in an airtight container for up to 3 days. This pie is delicious served cold straight from the refrigerator or at room temperature. Many people actually prefer it cold, when the filling is at its firmest and creamiest. The flavors also deepen and improve after a day in the refrigerator, so don’t hesitate to make it ahead!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What does buttermilk pie taste like?

It’s sweet with a subtle tang, similar to a custard or chess pie but with a unique buttermilk flavor—creamy and delicious!

2. Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?

Buttermilk is essential for the authentic flavor, but in a pinch, add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice to regular milk.

3. Why is my pie filling runny?

Make sure you bake it long enough—the center should be almost set, and it will firm up as it cools completely.

4. Can I freeze buttermilk pie?

Yes, wrap it well and freeze for up to 2 months—thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.

5. Do I need to refrigerate this pie?

Yes, once it’s completely cooled, store it in the refrigerator since it contains eggs and dairy.

A Note from Muhammad Author

This buttermilk pie recipe represents the ingenuity and resourcefulness of Southern cooks. During times when ingredients were scarce and expensive, our grandmothers knew how to make something extraordinary from what they had on hand. Buttermilk, often left over from making butter, was too valuable to waste, so it became the star of this humble yet elegant pie.

I imagine Sunday afternoons after church, families gathering around tables with slices of this creamy pie, sharing stories and laughter. The pie wasn’t fancy or complicated, but it was made with care and love. That’s what makes these old recipes so special—they remind us that the best food comes from making the most of simple ingredients. At NostalgicEats.com, we preserve these recipes because they connect us to a time when resourcefulness was a virtue and every ingredient mattered.

Conclusion

This easy buttermilk pie proves that homemade buttermilk pie is simple and delicious. This classic buttermilk pie from scratch delivers authentic southern style buttermilk pie flavor that makes it the best buttermilk pie ever. Whether you need a simple buttermilk pie for beginners or want to make this creamy buttermilk pie for a special occasion, this old fashioned buttermilk pie is perfect. The quick buttermilk pie recipe creates a beautiful buttermilk pie with flaky crust, and this traditional buttermilk pie makes a wonderful sweet buttermilk pie dessert that’s truly comforting buttermilk pie at its finest!

Ready to try this Southern treasure? Make this buttermilk pie recipe today and discover why generations have loved this simple, elegant dessert! Visit NostalgicEats.com for more classic recipes!