Salted Whiskey Honey Pie is a rich and indulgent dessert featuring a flaky homemade crust filled with a luscious honey and butter custard infused with a hint of bourbon and finished with flaky sea salt for a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors.
Author:Julia
Prep Time:1 hour 30 minutes
Cook Time:45 minutes
Total Time:2 hours 15 minutes
Yield:8 servings
Category:Dessert
Method:Baking
Cuisine:American
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Pie Crust
1 1/4 cups (175g) all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 ounces (8 tablespoons, 115g) unsalted butter, cubed and chilled
Mix Pie Crust Ingredients: In a bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine flour, sugar, and salt thoroughly.
Add Butter: Add cubed chilled butter and mix on medium speed until the mixture resembles corn kernels in texture.
Add Ice Water: Add 3 tablespoons of ice water and mix on low speed until the dough begins to come together; add the final tablespoon if the dough is still dry.
Shape Dough: Gather the dough by hand, shape it into a disk, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to chill and firm up.
Roll Dough: Roll the chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to a 14-inch round to fit the pie plate.
Fit Dough to Pie Plate: Transfer dough to a 9-inch pie plate, trim leaving about a 1-inch overhang; fold the overhang under the rim and crimp the edges to seal.
Chill Pie Crust: Refrigerate the prepared pie dough for 30 minutes to 1 hour until firm before filling.
Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) in preparation for baking the pie.
Mix Filling Base: In a mixing bowl, whisk together melted butter, sugar, flour, salt, and vanilla extract until evenly combined.
Add Honey: Stir in the honey until the filling mixture is smooth and uniform.
Temper Eggs: In a separate bowl, lightly beat the eggs, then gradually whisk in the butter-honey mixture to prevent curdling and combine gently.
Combine Remaining Ingredients: Stir in heavy cream, apple cider vinegar, and bourbon or whiskey if using until the filling is fully combined and smooth.
Fill Pie: Pour the prepared filling into the chilled pie crust, spreading evenly.
Bake Pie: Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes until the filling is set and the top is lightly browned.
Cool and Chill: Allow the pie to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until fully firm to enhance texture and flavor.
Serve: Sprinkle flaky sea salt over the top before serving to provide a delightful contrast to the sweet filling.
Notes
For a crispier crust, blind bake the pie crust for 10 minutes before adding the filling.
If you prefer a non-alcoholic version, omit the bourbon or whiskey without affecting the overall flavor.
The apple cider vinegar helps balance sweetness and tenderizes the filling for a smooth texture.
Use heavy cream for a richer filling or crème fraîche for a slight tangy note.
Ensure eggs are at room temperature to help with smooth mixing and prevent curdling during tempering.
Chilling the dough twice prevents shrinking and helps maintain a flaky crust.
Store leftover pie covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days for best freshness.