The Salted Honey Pie Recipe is a heavenly blend of sweet and salty flavors that comes together in a buttery, flaky crust with a luscious honey-filled center. This dessert is the perfect balance of rich, creamy, and slightly tangy, making it a unique treat that’s both comforting and sophisticated. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or simply craving something extraordinary, this pie will quickly become a beloved classic in your recipe collection.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are simple yet essential, each bringing a unique element that transforms this Salted Honey Pie Recipe into an unforgettable dessert. From the flaky crust to the silky filling, every component plays a crucial role in flavor and texture.
- All-purpose flour: The base for the crust, providing structure and flakiness.
- Salt: Enhances sweetness and balances the honey’s richness.
- Sugar: Adds a hint of sweetness to the crust and filling for depth.
- Unsalted butter: Cold for the crust for flakiness, melted for the filling’s richness.
- Ice water: Keeps the crust dough tender and easy to work with.
- Honey: Choose a flavorful variety like wildflower or orange blossom for vibrant sweetness.
- Granulated sugar: Helps caramelize the filling and add texture.
- Cornmeal: Adds subtle texture and helps set the filling perfectly.
- Eggs: Bind the filling and give it structure while keeping it silky.
- Heavy cream: Provides creaminess and smoothness to the rich filling.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances and rounds out the flavor profile.
- Apple cider vinegar: Adds a delicate tang that brightens the sweetness.
- Flaky sea salt: The final flourish that adds texture and a burst of savory contrast.
How to Make Salted Honey Pie Recipe
Step 1: Make the Crust
Start by whisking together the flour, salt, and sugar in a large bowl. Then, cut in the cold, cubed butter with a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs. Adding ice water a tablespoon at a time, mix just enough until the dough sticks together without feeling sticky. This delicate balance is what creates a flaky crust that melts in your mouth.
Step 2: Chill the Dough
Shape your dough into a flat disc, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and pop it into the fridge for at least 30 minutes. This resting time is crucial because it lets the gluten relax and the butter firm up, which ultimately prevents shrinkage when baking and ensures a crisp, tender crust.
Step 3: Roll and Shape the Crust
On a lightly floured surface, roll the chilled dough into about a 12-inch circle. Gently transfer it to a 9-inch pie dish, pressing it neatly into the bottom and sides. Trim any excess and crimp the edges for a pretty, classic look. Then, pop the crust back in the fridge to stay cold while you whip up the filling.
Step 4: Preheat the Oven
Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and let it come up to temperature fully. This ensures even baking so the crust browns beautifully and the filling sets just right.
Step 5: Make the Filling
In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, honey, granulated sugar, cornmeal, and salt until smooth and glossy. Then, add the eggs one by one, beating thoroughly after each addition. Stir in the heavy cream, vanilla extract, and apple cider vinegar until the mixture is perfectly blended and velvety.
Step 6: Assemble the Pie
Pour your luscious filling into the chilled pie crust, smoothing out the top with a spatula to ensure an even bake. The filling’s smooth texture will create the signature silky custard once baked.
Step 7: Bake
Place the pie in the oven and bake for 45 to 50 minutes. You’re aiming for a beautiful golden brown color, with the filling puffed and slightly jiggle in the center when gently shaken – an indicator that it’s perfectly set but still creamy inside.
Step 8: Cool
Remove the pie from the oven and allow it to cool completely on a wire rack. Cooling helps the filling finish setting up, resulting in the silky, sliceable texture that makes this Salted Honey Pie Recipe so irresistible.
Step 9: Finish and Serve
Just before serving, sprinkle the surface generously with flaky sea salt. This final touch brings a delightful crunch and balances the sweetness, creating an unforgettable harmony of flavors with every bite.
How to Serve Salted Honey Pie Recipe
Garnishes
Adding a sprinkle of flaky sea salt is the perfect finishing touch to this pie, but you can also try a dusting of finely chopped toasted nuts like pecans or almonds for extra crunch and nuttiness. A dollop of lightly whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream adds luscious creaminess that complements the honeyed filling beautifully.
Side Dishes
This pie stands out on its own but pairs wonderfully with fresh fruit like sliced pears or berries to add some brightness and contrast. A cup of strong coffee or a mild black tea can also perfectly balance the pie’s rich, sweet flavors, making it a splendid dessert for any occasion.
Creative Ways to Present
For a twist, serve individual portions in mini tart shells for an elegant presentation that’s perfect for dinner parties. Alternatively, drizzle a bit of warm honey and a pinch more sea salt on each slice just before serving to amplify the dish’s signature flavors and add visual appeal.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, cover your pie tightly with plastic wrap or foil and store it in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to 3 days. This way, the silky texture remains intact and every slice tastes just as delightful.
Freezing
You can freeze this pie if you want to enjoy it later. Wrap the cooled pie tightly in plastic wrap and then again in foil to prevent freezer burn. It keeps well for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving to preserve the smooth, creamy filling.
Reheating
If you prefer the pie slightly warm, gently reheat slices in a low-temperature oven (about 300°F / 150°C) for 10–15 minutes. Avoid microwaves to maintain the crust’s flakiness and the filling’s silky texture.
FAQs
Can I use a store-bought pie crust for this Salted Honey Pie Recipe?
Absolutely! While homemade crust adds extra charm and flakiness, a good-quality store-bought crust will reduce prep time and still give you a tasty result. Just be sure to chill it before adding the filling.
What type of honey works best?
Choosing a floral, flavorful honey like wildflower or orange blossom makes a big difference in the final taste. These varieties have complex notes that deepen the pie’s flavor beautifully.
Is the cornmeal necessary in the filling?
Yes, the fine cornmeal acts as a thickener and adds a subtle texture that helps the filling hold together while keeping it silky smooth. You don’t want to skip it!
Why add apple cider vinegar?
Just a tablespoon brightens the flavor by balancing the sweetness and enriching the overall taste profile, making each bite more vibrant and interesting.
How do I know when the pie is done baking?
Look for a golden brown top and a slightly jiggly center when you gently shake the pie pan. The filling will firm up completely as the pie cools, so don’t overbake or it may become dry.
Final Thoughts
Once you try this Salted Honey Pie Recipe, it’s hard not to fall in love with its perfect blend of sweet, salty, and creamy goodness. It’s a show-stopping dessert that feels both elegant and homey, sure to impress anyone lucky enough to have a slice. So grab your ingredients, dust off that rolling pin, and treat yourself to a truly unforgettable pie experience!
Print
Salted Honey Pie Recipe
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 1 9-inch pie (8-10 servings)
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Salted Honey Pie is a delightful dessert that combines a buttery, flaky crust with a rich and silky honey filling, finished with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt to balance the sweetness. Perfect for those who appreciate the complex flavors of honey enhanced by a subtle salty contrast.
Ingredients
For the Crust
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 3 to 4 tablespoons ice water
For the Filling
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
- 3/4 cup honey (wildflower or orange blossom recommended)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons fine cornmeal
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
To Finish
- Flaky sea salt (like Maldon) for topping
Instructions
- Make the Crust: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and sugar. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add ice water one tablespoon at a time, mixing just until the dough holds together without being sticky.
- Chill the Dough: Shape the dough into a flat disc, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the gluten to relax and the butter to firm up.
- Roll and Shape: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough into a 12-inch circle. Transfer to a 9-inch pie dish, press it into the bottom and sides, then trim and crimp the edges. Place the pie crust in the refrigerator while you prepare the filling.
- Preheat the Oven: Set the oven to 350°F (175°C) and allow it to fully preheat while making the filling.
- Make the Filling: In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, honey, granulated sugar, cornmeal, and salt until smooth. Add the eggs one at a time, whisking thoroughly after each. Stir in the heavy cream, vanilla extract, and apple cider vinegar until the mixture is completely blended.
- Assemble the Pie: Pour the prepared filling into the chilled pie crust, smoothing the top if needed to ensure an even surface.
- Bake: Transfer the pie to the oven and bake for 45 to 50 minutes. The filling should puff slightly and turn golden brown, with a slight jiggle in the center when gently shaken.
- Cool: Remove the pie from the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack. The filling will continue to set as it cools, resulting in a silky, sliceable texture.
- Finish and Serve: Just before serving, sprinkle the surface of the pie generously with flaky sea salt to highlight the sweetness and add texture.
Notes
- Use a flavorful honey such as wildflower or orange blossom for the best taste.
- Be careful not to overwork the dough to ensure a tender crust.
- Cooling the pie completely before serving allows the filling to set perfectly.
- Adjust the flaky sea salt amount to your taste preference for balancing sweetness.
- If the crust edges brown too quickly during baking, cover them with foil or a pie shield.
