Southern caramel pie is a classic dessert that hails from the Southern United States. It features a rich, creamy caramel filling nestled in a flaky pie crust. Here’s a simple recipe to make this delicious treat:
Ingredients:
For the pie crust:
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 3-4 tablespoons ice water
For the caramel filling:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup water
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions:
For the pie crust:
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
- Add the cold, cubed butter to the flour mixture. Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, work the butter into the flour until it resembles coarse crumbs.
- Gradually add the ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, mixing until the dough just comes together.
- Shape the dough into a disk, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
For the caramel filling:
- In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the granulated sugar and water over medium heat. Stir until the sugar is dissolved.
- Once the sugar is dissolved, stop stirring and allow the mixture to come to a boil. Cook, without stirring, until the mixture turns a deep amber color, swirling the pan occasionally to ensure even cooking. This should take about 10-12 minutes.
- Remove the pan from the heat and carefully pour in the heavy cream. Be cautious as the mixture will bubble up.
- Stir in the butter, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt until smooth. Let the caramel cool slightly.
Assembling the pie:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Roll out the chilled pie dough on a floured surface into a 12-inch circle. Carefully transfer it to a 9-inch pie dish, pressing it gently into the bottom and sides.
- Trim any excess dough and crimp the edges as desired.
- Pour the slightly cooled caramel filling into the prepared pie crust.
- Place the pie on a baking sheet to catch any drips and bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the filling is set and the crust is golden brown.
- Once baked, remove the pie from the oven and let it cool completely before serving.
- Optionally, serve slices of the pie with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Enjoy your delicious Southern caramel pie!