Buttermilk Pie Recipe
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This Buttermilk Pie recipe is a Southern classic! It’s an easy old-fashioned custard pie that comes together quickly and has a light texture and a slightly tangy flavor!
This favorite, old-fashioned Buttermilk Pie recipe uses simple ingredients found in most southern kitchens. This simple pie is similar to Chess Pie in that way. It has a delicious yet sweet and tangy taste with a light and silky texture. I love to make it for special family suppers and holiday desserts. It’s an impressive yet simple-to-make pie that everyone enjoys!
Buttermilk Pie Recipe
I use buttermilk in many recipes, especially baking, but it shines so well in this delicious, easy pie. And if you aren’t a buttermilk lover, don’t worry because this pie doesn’t taste like buttermilk! Buttermilk pie has a tender, tangy texture that tastes amazing in a good, flaky pie crust.
Let me tell you how I make it.
Ingredients
Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full listing of ingredients, instructions, notes, and estimated nutritional information.
Pie Crust – You can use my homemade Pie Crust Recipe, unbaked, or a store-bought pie crust.
Buttermilk Pie Filling:
- Eggs – should be at room temperature
- Sugar – Use granulated sugar
- Flour – Use all-purpose flour
- Butter – You’ll use melted butter.
- Buttermilk – It’s easy to make homemade buttermilk substitute if you don’t have it on hand.
- Vanilla extract – I use my homemade vanilla extract, but you can also use a favorite pure vanilla extract from the store if you wish.
- Lemon Juice and Lemon Zest – These add brightness to the delicious pie’s flavor. See my lemon guide for tips about juice, zest, and more.
- Salt – I use kosher salt. I give details about the brand and amount of kosher salt used for this pie on the recipe card.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat oven as directed.
- Mix all of the pie filling ingredients until well combined.
- Pour and bake. Pour the pie filling mixture into the unbaked pie crust and bake for 45-50 minutes until the pie sets and turns golden brown.
- Serve. Once done, remove the pie from the oven and allow it to cool before slicing and serving. Keep the pie stored in the refrigerator.
Storage Tips
To Store. Allow the pie to cool completely, then cover tightly with wrap and refrigerate for three to four days after baking.
To Freeze. Allow the baked pie to cool completely. Wrap it well, place it in an airtight, freezer-safe container, and freeze for up to two months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then slice and serve.
Buttermilk Pie Serving Variations
Buttermilk pie can have many variations: add roasted pecans to the top, a dollop of homemade whipped cream, or a drizzle with a bit of blackberry syrup when serving.
This pie makes a great addition to a holiday dessert buffet or Sunday supper with its light texture and comforting taste! But it’s so easy, it is the perfect pie to serve anytime.
Can You Use Graham Cracker Crust for Buttermilk Pie?
As an option, you can make this with a pre-baked graham cracker crust. Just follow the directions for making my Simple Graham Cracker Crust Recipe. Pre-bake your crust according to the directions for Baked Graham Crust. Once the pie ingredients are mixed, pour into the pie crust and bake the pie for 45-50 minutes.
More Favorite Pie Recipes
Here’s my Buttermilk Pie recipe. I can’t wait to hear how you love it.
Buttermilk Pie Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 (9-inch) Pie Crust Recipe, unbaked
- 3 large (150 g) eggs, room temperature
- 1 1/4 cups (248 g) granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons (15 g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup (113 g) butter, melted
- 1 cup (227 g) buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon (5 g) vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon (14 g) lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon (6 g) lemon zest
- pinch (0.4 g) kosher salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350º F.
- Mix together eggs, granulated sugar, flour, butter, buttermilk, vanilla, lemon juice, lemon zest, and salt until well-combined. Pour into the unbaked pie crust and bake for 45-50 minutes until set and golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool prior to slicing.
- Store in the refrigerator.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Enjoy!
Robyn xo
From the Add a Pinch recipe archives. Originally published in 2013.
Why are my buttermilk pies cracking on top 5 minutes out of oven
Hi, Robyn!
Last night, I made your buttermilk pie recipe (found on Pinterest). It was sooooooooooooo tasty, but very, very rich.
So I was wondering – did you mean “1/2 c melted butter” or “1/2 c butter, melted”? Either way, it will remain on my “indulgence recipe list”. Thanks for sharing!
Claud
Isn’t it delicious?! We absolutely love it. Yes, it should be 1/2 cup butter, melted.
Tried it today. My second time doing a pie. I was bit nervous how it was gonna turn out. I used spiced buttermilk instead of buttermilk and organic coconut oil instead of shortening for pastry. I baked it in aluminium cake tin. It turned gorgeous! <3 Loved the result! Kind of tasted like one of my childhood memories of Portuguese tart 😛
Great recipe. I don’t think I have ever had buttermilk pie before, but this is quite tasty. I like the hint of lemon flavor in this recipe. I followed the pie crust recipe as well, but added a little sugar. I served this with homemade whipped cream and strawberries. Delicious!
Waaaay too much lemon. It tasted like a lemon custard pie, not a chess pie.
I did it without the zest, and it was perfect for me!
I made this pie last week and it was great, it doesn’t taste anything like the name. I just put another one in the oven.
I love the idea of this recipe. I have the flaky crust stuff in my freezer… is there any idea to make a puffy crust something or other instead of the pie crust? As you can tell I’m not really a baker. 🙂
I grew up in south but I have never made buttermilk pie. When I was visiting Louisville over the winter I had a wonderful chocolate buttermilk pie that I would love to recreate. I would love to try your recipe!
I made the pie and used your crust recipe, it was amazing!!!! Soooo delicious! I’m 7 months pregnant and it definitely helped fulfill my buttermilk pie craving.
I was looking for ways to use up the buttermilk I bought for another recipe and stumbled upon this. Well, naturally I had to try it seeing as I am a native Louisianan and have a wicked sweet tooth AND had never had buttermilk pie. Can I just say…I ate the entire pie myself over the course of a week and have been dreaming of making another one ever since! Thanks for this recipe. It might be the perfect dessert!
I’m so glad you loved it, Gina! It is one of my favorites!!!
Can you use cornstarch instead of flour for the pie ???
Hi Starr,
I have never made this using cornstarch but not sure it would thicken as well as it does with the flour. Sometimes dishes containing butter or an acid like the lemon juice won’t thicken as well with cornstarch. Hope this helps!