Sugar Cream Pie

This recipe originated in eastern Indiana from an area populated by the Amish.  The ingredients were few and always on hand.  The recipe was published by Midwest Living.

• Makes: 10 servings
• Prep 25 mins
• Bake 55 mins

Ingredients

Pastry for a Single-Crust Pie* 

(Filling recipe follows)

1 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
2 cup (1 pint) half-and-half or light cream
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces
Ground nutmeg

Directions

Prepare Pastry for a Single-Crust Pie. 

On a lightly floured surface, use your hands to slightly flatten dough. Roll dough from center to edges into a 12-inch circle. Wrap pastry circle around rolling pin; unroll into a 9-inch pie plate. Ease pastry into pie plate without stretching it. Trim pastry to 1/2 inch beyond edge of pie plate. Fold under extra pastry even with edge of plate. Crimp edge as desired. Do not prick pastry.

In a small bowl, combine brown sugar and flour. In another small bowl, combine half-and-half and vanilla. Evenly spread brown sugar mixture in the bottom of the pastry-lined pie plate. Pour half-and-half mixture over brown sugar mixture. Evenly distribute butter pieces over top of pie. Lightly sprinkle with nutmeg.

To prevent overbrowning, cover edge of pie with foil. Bake in a 350 degrees F oven for 25 minutes. Remove foil. Bake about 30-35 minutes more or until top is lightly browned and pie is bubbly all over (pie will not appear set, but will set when chilled). Cool on a wire rack. Cover and chill within 2 hours. Pie will set in refrigerator. Makes 10 servings.

Tip

* To save time, use half of a 15-ounce package (1 crust) rolled refrigerated unbaked piecrust instead of the homemade pastry. Let stand according to package directions before easing into pie plate.

Pastry for a Single-Crust Pie

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup shortening
1/4 cup butter, cut up
1/4 - 1/3 cup ice water

Directions:

1. In a medium bowl, stir together flour and salt. Using a pastry blender, cut in shortening and butter until pieces are pea size. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of the ice water over part of the flour mixture; toss gently with a fork. Push moistened dough to side of bowl. Repeat with additional ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time (1/4 to 1/3 cup total), until all of the flour mixture is moistened. Gather mixture into a ball, kneading gently until it holds together.