Southern Brown Sugar Pie Recipe, Must Try Dessert (2024)

ByCourtney Whitmore

JUMP TO RECIPE

If you have never tried Southern Brown Sugar Pie, you are in for a treat! It’s an easy pie that’s full of rich, brown sugar flavor!

Southern Brown Sugar Pie Recipe, Must Try Dessert (1)

Southern Brown Sugar Pie

It recently came to my attention that brown sugar pie is not a commonly known dessert. “What?!”, I thought! The world doesn’t know about BROWN SUGAR PIE?! Well I intend to change that, one Pizzazzerie reader at at time. This pie is a family tradition that my mother made for every holiday, her parents made for every holiday, and generations back.

Southern brown sugar pie is very similar to chess pie but yet, so different. The rich brown sugar flavor and caramelizingon top is just.so.good. It’s hands down my favorite pie (even over my red velvet fudge pie, which is saying a lot).

Now I’m not saying it’s a gorgeous “look at me” pie. It’s simple-looking, plain jane, ho-hum. But watch out because there is a reason it’s the first dessert gone at holidays. The crispy caramelized crust on topis my favorite part. Then the ooey gooey brown sugar inside is so delicious.

Now you can give it a little extra pizzazz with some whipped cream or butter pecan ice cream but know that it doesn’tneed it as it’s stand-alone amazing. I also love that it only has a few ingredients (ingredients I often have on hand anyway) so it’s perfect for a last-minute dessert too! I might even make it into mini pies this year to give as gifts!

I’m so thankful for ALL of the readers that have shared their photos of the brown sugar pie, emailed to tell me how much their families love this pie, and those who have tagged me on social media to share pies.

It’s clearly a little hidden gem of a recipe that doesn’t necessarily look like it would be the “winning dessert” but in my family, it absolutely is!

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING:

“Thank you so much. The pie turned out just wonderful! This is hands down a new family favorite. My kiddos said it is better than birthday cake! (Which to them is better than anything else)” – Brittney

Southern Brown Sugar Pie Recipe, Must Try Dessert (3)

Your oven may take longer to cook, so just watch it. It will still “set up” once it cools but try to be sure your brown sugar pie is slightly firm before bringing out of the oven. I hope you’ll try it this year! It’s definitely a delicious southern tradition that would be a tragedy to never taste, especially if you have brown sugar.

My husband’s grandmother says it reminds her of a pecan pie (without pecans) so if you like pecan pie, you’ll definitely love this one too! And because it’s thin, you’re totally allowed to have two pieces. Enjoy!

Southern Brown Sugar Pie

While our original family recipe yields two pies, I have adjusted this recipe to one pie in my new book, The Southern Entertainer’s Cookbook. Follow the recipe for two pies below or if you only want one, I recommend following the adjusted recipe for 1 in my new book.

If you want to make your own homemade pie crust, I recommend THIS recipe!

More Desserts to Try

  • Butterscotch Cinnamon Pie
  • Chocolate Chess Pie
  • Homemade Brownies (from Scratch)

Southern Brown Sugar Pie Recipe, Must Try Dessert (4)

Southern Brown Sugar Pie

Author: Courtney Whitmore

A delicious southern favorite, this brown sugar pie is delicious!

SERVINGS 16 slices

Print Rate Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 55 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Ingredients

  • 1 pound light brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter - melted
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 2 pie crusts

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

  • Prepare each pie pan with pie crust.

  • Lightly whisk together eggs and add in sugar, butter, and vanilla. You don't want to over-beat your pie filling.

  • Pour pie filling into each pie pan. Bake pies on middle rack of oven for 45-55+ minutes or until golden brown. Update: It might need longer based on oven temperatures. Check to see that pie is baked through (if you move it slightly, it shouldn't jiggle).

  • Note: You may need to loosely place aluminum foil around pie crust edges to prevent them from getting too brown. I often allow it to cool and then refrigerate it to set up further. Then I warm slightly before serving. Remember, this makes TWO pies.

Notes

You may need to cook your pie longer, but know that it will set up while cooling! This recipe yields TWO pies.

Nutrition

Calories: 269kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 2gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 45mgSodium: 107mgPotassium: 69mgSugar: 27gVitamin A: 220IUCalcium: 34mgIron: 0.9mg

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Southern Brown Sugar Pie Recipe, Must Try Dessert (2024)

FAQs

Does brown sugar pie have to be refrigerated? ›

Once the baked sugar pie has completely cooled, cover the pie with some aluminum foil or plastic wrap, and store it in the refrigerator. You may store the pie in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. When ready to serve the pie again, allow it to come to room temperature or slightly reheat it before enjoying it. Freezer.

What is the difference between light brown sugar and dark brown sugar in cookies? ›

Can you substitute dark brown sugar for light brown sugar? In general, yes, the sugars are interchangeable in most recipes. Especially in most standard baking recipes that call for a mix of sugars like cookies and/or when brown sugar isn't the star ingredient for flavor, you can use one versus the other.

What country is sugar pie from? ›

Sugar pie is a dessert in northern French and Belgian cuisine, where it is called tarte au sucre. It is also popular in Canada. Various type of tarte au sucre are made.

Does pie have sugar? ›

Matt: Pie has an average of 3.4 grams of sugar where as cake has an average of 15 grams of sugar according to USDA. And if you do not want a sweet pie, then make a savory one, because there are many options for the kinds of pie you can make.

Is it OK to leave pie out overnight? ›

If a pie contains eggs or dairy products, it should be stored in the refrigerator and not left out at room temperature for more than two hours. Pies that do not contain dairy products, such as fruit pies can be stored, loosely covered at room temperature for up to two days.

Why is store-bought pecan pie not refrigerated? ›

According to the USDA, any pie that is egg-rich (such as pecan, pumpkin, lemon meringue, and any custard pie) must be kept in the fridge after baking and cooling. The exception here is some store-bought pies, which may contain preservatives that will allow the pies to be left unrefrigerated.

Is brown sugar just white sugar with molasses? ›

Refined brown sugar is simply white sugar with molasses added to it. This means that brown sugar is pure, unrefined sugar and undergoes less processing than white sugar, allowing it to retain some of its molasses content and natural brown color.

Which brown sugar is best for baking? ›

The two types of brown sugar, light and dark, refer to the amount of molasses that is present. Light brown sugar is used more often in baking, while dark brown sugar, with a bolder molasses flavor, is delicious used as a rub for steaks. A lot of bakers, however, will use light and dark brown sugar interchangeably.

Is demerara sugar the same as brown sugar? ›

Demerara sugar has an amber colour and a mellow flavour, just like some soft brown sugar varieties. However, the crucial difference is that demerara sugar has a coarse and crunchy texture and a relatively large crystal size, whereas soft brown sugar has a soft texture and fine caster-size crystal.

Are pies a Southern thing? ›

Pie is a staple of Southern life, a comfort food eaten at a communal table with extended family and friends. It also helps define the region's cuisine.

What is another name for sugar pie? ›

It's also known as finger pie (you can mix it with your fingers), transparent pie, Hoosier pie and desperation pie (when fruit wasn't available or money was tight and you really wanted a piece of pie).

What country calls pizza pie? ›

The term originated in Italy and is often used to describe a large slice of Italian pizza. While many Americans have never heard the term, it is used widely in the Northeastern United States. The phrase was first used in New York City, the first American city to introduce pizza from Italy.

Which pie is the unhealthiest? ›

Marie Callender's Chocolate Satin Pie

This pie is the winner for the highest calorie, sugar, and fat content of all the pies we reviewed. While we are sure it's delicious, we're not so sure it's good for your health.

Can diabetics eat pie? ›

Sweet treats -- like candies, pies, cakes -- were once off-limits for people with diabetes. Not anymore. In fact, research has shown that starches like potatoes and white bread affect blood glucose levels much like sugar -- causing sometimes dangerous spikes in blood sugar.

Why is pie healthier than cake? ›

You weigh the pros and cons: the pie is made with fruits, so it contains more vitamins, brings you more nutriments and is less fat.

Do you have to refrigerate brown sugar? ›

The quality of brown sugar is best when consumed within six months of purchase and opening. Don't store brown sugar in the refrigerator. However, if you are in a very dry area or are going to keep it for a long time, you may want to freeze it.

Do unopened pies need to be refrigerated? ›

According to the University of Illinois Extension, pies with eggs and dairy will only last about two hours without refrigeration, while pies without eggs or dairy can last for up to two days without refrigeration. Pies with eggs and dairy products should always be stored in the refrigerator until served.

What happens if you leave sweet potato pie out overnight? ›

Such recipes typically call for milk and eggs, which require immediate refrigeration, so if your pie is left out at room temperature for longer than two hours, it needs to be thrown out, according to the USDA. However, if the temperature is at 90 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, this time decreases to one hour.

How long does meat pie last unrefrigerated? ›

Havern explains: "The maximum amount of time perishable foods can [spend] in the danger zone is two hours. At two hours, the food must be consumed, stored correctly, or thrown away. This includes all cooked leftovers, [chopped] fruits and vegetables, meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy products."

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