Yum! 🥧✨ A Cream Pie is one of those timeless, silky-smooth desserts that always hits the spot — rich custard filling nestled in a buttery crust, topped with fluffy whipped cream. You can make it classic vanilla, or go with chocolate, banana, coconut, or even butterscotch.
Here’s a base recipe for the perfect homemade cream pie — plus how to adapt it for your favorite flavor 👇
🥧 Classic Cream Pie (Vanilla Base)
(Makes one 9-inch pie)
Ingredients
🧈 For the Crust:
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1 9-inch pie crust, baked and cooled
(Homemade or store-bought; graham cracker crust works great too!)
🍮 For the Custard Filling:
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2 cups whole milk
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½ cup heavy cream (for extra richness)
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¾ cup granulated sugar
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¼ cup cornstarch
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¼ tsp salt
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4 egg yolks
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2 tbsp unsalted butter
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2 tsp vanilla extract
🍦 For the Topping:
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1 cup heavy whipping cream
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2 tbsp powdered sugar
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½ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
1. Prebake the crust
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Bake pie crust according to package or recipe directions.
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Cool completely before adding filling.
2. Make the custard
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In a medium saucepan, whisk together sugar, cornstarch, and salt.
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In a separate bowl, whisk egg yolks, milk, and cream until smooth.
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Gradually whisk the wet ingredients into the saucepan.
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Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly until mixture thickens and starts to bubble — about 5–7 minutes.
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Remove from heat; whisk in butter and vanilla extract.
3. Assemble the pie
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Pour warm custard into the cooled pie crust.
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Press a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the surface (to prevent a skin).
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Chill for at least 4 hours or until fully set.
4. Top with whipped cream
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Beat heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla until soft peaks form.
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Spread or pipe over the chilled pie.
5. Serve & enjoy
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Garnish with chocolate curls, toasted coconut, or fruit depending on your flavor.
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Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
💡 Flavor Variations
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🍫 Chocolate Cream Pie: Add ½ cup cocoa powder to the sugar mixture and 2 oz chopped chocolate when adding butter.
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🥥 Coconut Cream Pie: Use coconut milk for half the milk and stir in 1 cup shredded coconut before chilling.
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🍌 Banana Cream Pie: Layer sliced bananas between crust and filling before chilling.
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🍮 Butterscotch Cream Pie: Replace sugar with brown sugar and add 1 tbsp molasses.
Would you like me to give you a no-bake version next (super easy, pudding-based, and done in 10 minutes)?
