Blueberry Custard Pie (Recipe) (2024)

FAQs

How do you keep a custard pie from getting watery? ›

This is particularly problematic with both fruit pie and custard fillings because they have high moisture content. To prevent it, you need to either create a barrier between the wet filling and raw pie dough, or ensure the pie dough browns and sets before the filling has a chance to soak it.

In North America, "custard pie" commonly refers to a plain mixture of milk, eggs, sugar, salt, vanilla extract and sometimes nutmeg combined with a pie crust. It is distinctly different from a cream pie, which contains cooked custard poured into a cooled, precooked crust.

If the custard is undercooked it might never set, while if you add the eggs without tempering them or while the mixture is too hot, you might end up with scrambled eggs. If you find yourself with a runny custard, you do have options. One way to combat a custard that will not set is to reboil it.

But cornstarch has still other contributions to make. For one, it causes the heat to be transmitted more evenly throughout the custard; this helps to take care of the overcooked outer ring. It also, of course, thickens things.

If you use a recipe for the wrong type of custard, you might be unhappy with the results. Then, there are all the ways that you can curdle, split, or burn your custard, such as adding the eggs too quickly, failing to mix starches through properly, and not stirring custards constantly.

Egg custard pie is dairy-based, and should be refrigerated and served chilled for the best flavor. Why does my egg custard pie taste like scrambled eggs? Overbaked custard can lead to an eggy flavor and rubbery consistency. Make sure to bake the custard pie until slightly jiggly in the center.

Wet pie fillings + raw dough are a tricky combination. If the bottom crust doesn't set before the filling soaks in, it's going to be gummy. A metal pie pan placed on a preheated surface will set the bottom crust quickest; once cooked, the liquids from the filling above won't soak in, and as a result: no soggy bottom.

Using a Thickening Agent

For 1 cup (240 mL) of custard, use 2 tablespoons (17 g) of flour mixed with 4 tablespoons (59 mL) of cold water. Add the mixture into your custard ingredients as they cook on the stove. Use cornstarch as an alternative to flour. Cornstarch, like flour, requires cold water as a mixing agent.

When the pie is ready, the custard will just have begun to turn golden. The edge of the custard will be set, but the middle will still wobble. You may think it's underbaked, but the custard continues to thicken as it cools.

Points to remember

Strain into a clean, heavy-bottomed pan and heat over a medium heat (be careful not to have the heat too high), stirring constantly until the mixture begins to steam and thicken. The custard is ready when you can draw a clean line through it on the back of a spoon, using your finger.

How to thicken up custard? ›

The first option is to mix two tablespoons of flour with four tablespoons of cold water for every cup of custard you've made. Mix the flour into the water well, then whisk it into your custard mixture as it cooks on the stove. You can follow the same steps with cornstarch instead of flour if you prefer as well.

Watery Custard

Create a slurry by mixing a small amount of cornstarch or all-purpose flour with cold milk or water. Whisk the slurry into the custard and continue cooking until it thickens. You can also beat additional egg yolks and slowly whisk them into the custard. This can help thicken it.

Using a Thickening Agent

For 1 cup (240 mL) of custard, use 2 tablespoons (17 g) of flour mixed with 4 tablespoons (59 mL) of cold water. Add the mixture into your custard ingredients as they cook on the stove. Use cornstarch as an alternative to flour. Cornstarch, like flour, requires cold water as a mixing agent.

Use Superfine Sugar

Many meringue recipes call for granulated sugar, which has larger granules and takes more time to dissolve. If you don't mix your meringue well, undissolved sugar will make it gritty and can cause weeping to boot.

Sprinkle dried breadcrumbs or crushed cornflakes, or other types of cereal, on the bottom crust before filling and baking in the oven. The layer will absorb moisture and prevent the filling from turning the crust soggy.