Salted Honey Pie: 5-Star Decadent Twist on a Southern Classic Recipe
Salted Honey Pie is a decadent Southern classic with a unique twist, blending the natural sweetness of honey with a touch of flaky sea salt. This rich custard-like pie features a tender cornmeal-infused filling nestled in a buttery, flaky crust, perfect for dessert lovers seeking a sophisticated and delicious treat.
- Author: Sana
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American
- Diet: Vegetarian
For the crust
- 1 9-inch pie crust, homemade or store-bought (blind baked)
For the filling
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup cornmeal (fine grind)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar or lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup honey (preferably wildflower or clover)
- 3 large eggs
- ½ cup heavy cream
For topping
- Flaky sea salt (such as Maldon), to finish
- Blind Bake the Crust: Chill the pie crust, then line it with foil or parchment paper and fill with pie weights or dried beans. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 12–15 minutes. Remove the weights and bake for another 5 minutes until the crust is set. Let it cool slightly before adding the filling.
- Mix the Filling: In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, granulated sugar, fine cornmeal, salt, vinegar or lemon juice, vanilla extract, and honey until fully combined and smooth.
- Add Eggs and Cream: Add the eggs one at a time to the mixture, whisking well after each addition to incorporate fully. Stir in the heavy cream until the filling is smooth and uniform.
- Fill and Bake the Pie: Pour the prepared filling into the pre-baked pie crust, then place the pie on a baking sheet to catch any spills. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 40–50 minutes or until the filling is just set and slightly jiggly in the center. If the crust starts browning too quickly, tent it with foil to prevent burning.
- Cool and Finish: Remove the pie from the oven and cool completely on a wire rack for at least 2 hours to allow the filling to set fully. Just before serving, sprinkle the top with flaky sea salt to enhance the flavors.
Notes
- Blind baking the crust ensures a crisp base that won’t become soggy from the filling.
- Use wildflower or clover honey for the best flavor complexity.
- Tent the crust with foil if it browns too quickly during baking.
- Let the pie cool completely to firm up the custard filling before slicing.
- Flaky sea salt adds a perfect crunchy contrast and enhances the sweet honey flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 of pie)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0.2g
- Carbohydrates: 37g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: Salted Honey Pie, Southern Dessert, Honey Pie, Cornmeal Pie, Flaky Sea Salt Pie, Decadent Pie, Traditional Southern Pie