Easiest Salted Honey Pie Recipe | Simple & Delicious

Posted on June 12, 2024 by Sophie

Desserts and Sweets

Introduction

Remember those cozy afternoons spent in the kitchen, the air filled with the sweet aroma of something delicious baking? This Salted Honey Pie brings all those warm, fuzzy feelings right back! It’s one of those recipes that feels incredibly special but is surprisingly simple to whip up. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, you’re going to fall head over heels for this sweet and salty delight. It’s the kind of pie that makes everyone ask for the recipe!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Fast: Most of the magic happens on the stovetop and then a quick bake.
  • Easy: No complicated techniques here, just simple stirring and baking.
  • Giftable: This pie looks beautiful and tastes even better, making it a perfect homemade gift.
  • Crowd-pleasing: The balance of sweet honey and flaky salt is a universally loved combination.

Ingredients

Gathering your ingredients is half the fun, right? Here’s what you’ll need for this dreamy pie:

  • 4 large egg yolks: These create that beautiful, custard-like filling.
  • 1/2 cup honey: The star of the show! Choose a good quality honey for the best flavor.
  • 2/3 cup packed light brown sugar: Adds a lovely caramel note and sweetness.
  • 1/3 cup cornstarch: Our thickening agent, ensuring a perfect, set filling.
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt: Just a touch to balance the sweetness in the filling itself.
  • 1 teaspoon flaky sea salt: This is what elevates the pie! It’s for the whipped cream topping and adds those delightful little salty pops.
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract: A classic for a reason, it rounds out all the flavors.
  • 1 refrigerated or homemade pie crust: Use your favorite! Store-bought is totally fine if you’re in a hurry.
  • 2 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream: For that cloud-like, decadent topping.

How to Make It

Alright, let’s get baking! This process is so straightforward, you’ll be amazed at how quickly this gorgeous pie comes together.

  1. Preheat your oven: First things first, get that oven warming up to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Mix the base: In a medium saucepan, whisk together your egg yolks, honey, packed light brown sugar, cornstarch, and the 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Give it a good whisk until everything is nicely combined and there are no lumps.
  3. Cook until thick: Place the saucepan over medium heat. Now, the key here is constant whisking! You’ll want to keep stirring and stirring, and in about 5 to 7 minutes, you’ll notice the mixture starting to thicken beautifully. It should coat the back of a spoon.
  4. Add the vanilla: Once it’s thickened, take the saucepan off the heat. Stir in the vanilla extract. That lovely aroma is just starting to bloom!
  5. Fill the crust: Carefully pour this luscious filling into your prepared pie crust.
  6. Bake it up: Pop the pie into your preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the filling looks set – it shouldn’t jiggle too much in the center.
  7. Cool it down: This is important! Let the pie cool completely on a wire rack. Patience is a virtue here, but it’s essential for the filling to set properly.
  8. Whip the cream: While your pie is cooling, grab another bowl. Pour in your heavy whipping cream and add the 1 teaspoon of flaky sea salt. Whip it up until you get lovely stiff peaks. I like to use an electric mixer for this, but a whisk and some arm power works too!
  9. Top it off: Once your pie is totally cool, spread that fluffy, salted whipped cream generously over the top.
  10. Chill out: For the best texture and flavor, cover the pie and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours. This allows everything to meld together perfectly.

Substitutions & Additions

Want to put your own spin on this already amazing pie? I love getting creative in the kitchen! Here are a few ideas:

  • Different Honey: If you have a specific favorite honey, like wildflower or buckwheat, give it a try! It will add a unique flavor profile.
  • Citrus Zest: A little bit of lemon or orange zest stirred into the filling after cooking can add a bright, fresh note.
  • Nutty Crust: If you’re feeling fancy, try a graham cracker crust or even a pecan pie crust.
  • Caramel Drizzle: For an extra touch of indulgence, drizzle some salted caramel over the whipped cream before serving.
  • Spices: A tiny pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg in the filling can add a lovely warmth.

Tips for Success

A few little tricks can make this recipe foolproof!

  • Don’t overcook the filling: Keep a close eye on the saucepan when thickening the filling. Overcooking can make it tough.
  • Ensure the pie is fully cooled: Trying to top a warm pie with whipped cream is a recipe for a melty mess. Let it cool completely!
  • Prep Ahead: You can make the pie crust (if homemade) a day in advance and store it in the fridge. The filling can also be made a day ahead and stored in the fridge; you’ll just need to reheat it gently to pour into the crust.
  • Flaky Salt Matters: For the topping, stick with flaky sea salt like Maldon. It dissolves better and gives those delightful bursts of saltiness. Regular table salt will be too fine and can make the cream taste overly salty.

How to Store It

This pie is best enjoyed fresh, but if you have any leftovers (which is rare in my house!), here’s how to store them:

Keep the pie covered tightly with plastic wrap or in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It should stay delicious for about 3 to 4 days. The whipped cream might soften slightly over time, but it will still be wonderfully tasty!

FAQs

Can I make this pie ahead of time?

Yes! You can bake the pie a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Whip the cream and add it just before serving for the freshest topping. The filling itself can also be made a day ahead, stored in the fridge, and then gently reheated before pouring into the baked crust.

What kind of honey is best for this pie?

Any good quality honey will work! A milder honey like clover or wildflower will let the other flavors shine, while a darker, more robust honey like buckwheat will add a deeper, more complex flavor to your pie.

Why is my pie filling not setting?

This usually happens if the filling wasn’t cooked long enough on the stovetop, or if the pie wasn’t baked long enough. Ensure you cook the filling until it coats the back of a spoon and bake the pie until the center is just set and doesn’t jiggle much.

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Salted Honey Pie

A surprisingly simple yet special sweet and salty honey pie with a custard-like filling and a decadent whipped cream topping.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 8 slices

Ingredients

Scale

Pie Filling

  • 4 large egg yolks (These create that beautiful, custard-like filling.)
  • 0.5 cup honey (The star of the show! Choose a good quality honey for the best flavor.)
  • 0.67 cup packed light brown sugar (Adds a lovely caramel note and sweetness.)
  • 0.33 cup cornstarch (Our thickening agent, ensuring a perfect, set filling.)
  • 0.5 teaspoon salt (Just a touch to balance the sweetness in the filling itself.)
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (A classic for a reason, it rounds out all the flavors.)

Crust & Topping

  • 1 refrigerated or homemade pie crust (Use your favorite! Store-bought is totally fine if you’re in a hurry.)
  • 2.5 cups heavy whipping cream (For that cloud-like, decadent topping.)
  • 1 teaspoon flaky sea salt (This is what elevates the pie! It’s for the whipped cream topping and adds those delightful little salty pops.)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. In a medium saucepan, whisk together your egg yolks, honey, packed light brown sugar, cornstarch, and the 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Give it a good whisk until everything is nicely combined and there are no lumps.
  3. Place the saucepan over medium heat. You’ll want to keep stirring and stirring, and in about 5 to 7 minutes, you’ll notice the mixture starting to thicken beautifully. It should coat the back of a spoon.
  4. Once it’s thickened, take the saucepan off the heat. Stir in the vanilla extract.
  5. Carefully pour this luscious filling into your prepared pie crust.
  6. Pop the pie into your preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the filling looks set – it shouldn’t jiggle too much in the center.
  7. Let the pie cool completely on a wire rack. Patience is a virtue here, but it’s essential for the filling to set properly.
  8. While your pie is cooling, grab another bowl. Pour in your heavy whipping cream and add the 1 teaspoon of flaky sea salt. Whip it up until you get lovely stiff peaks. I like to use an electric mixer for this, but a whisk and some arm power works too!
  9. Once your pie is totally cool, spread that fluffy, salted whipped cream generously over the top.
  10. For the best texture and flavor, cover the pie and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours. This allows everything to meld together perfectly.

Notes

Store covered tightly with plastic wrap or in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The whipped cream may soften slightly.

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