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

What country is sugar pie from? ›

Tarte au sucre: The tarte au sucre dessert found in Northern France and Belgium resembles a tartlet made from brioche dough, baked with a top layer of sugar, cream, and butter. The French-Canadian brown sugar pie from Quebec resembles a traditional pie and features maple syrup and white or brown sugar in the filling.

How long does homemade brown sugar last? ›

It's especially important to keep brown sugar in an airtight container to retain its moisture and keep it from clumping. While it won't spoil, brown sugar is best used within 6 months since it tends to harden so easily.

How to make brown sugar with honey? ›

Stir about 2 tablespoons of honey, maple syrup, or agave into 1 cup of granulated sugar. NOTE: These substitutes (honey, syrup, agave) will not produce a result as close to brown sugar. The sugar will not be as dark and the flavor will not be as deep and rich.

What ingredient makes brown sugar brown? ›

The Difference Between Light and Dark Brown Sugar

Dark brown sugar has more molasses, and therefore has a stronger flavor and a darker color.

What ingredient makes brown sugar? ›

Brown sugar is often made by mixing white sugar with a small amount of molasses, giving it a tanned hue and wet-sand-like consistency. The sweet stuff comes in two shades: light brown sugar (3%–4% molasses) and dark brown sugar (6%–10% molasses).

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 is the history of brown sugar pie? ›

The famous dessert reportedly originated in the 1850s in resourceful Amish communities in Indiana. According to What's Cooking America, the pie consisted of only four simple ingredients: brown sugar, flour, heavy cream, and an 8-inch pie crust at 325 degrees Fahrenheit.

Should I 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. Thaw frozen sugar and use a fork to separate clumps before using.

What is molasses made of? ›

It is a byproduct of the sugar-making process, and it comes from crushed sugar cane or sugar beets. First, manufacturers crush sugar cane or sugar beets to extract the juice. They then boil down the juice to form sugar crystals. Molasses is the thick, brown syrup left over after they remove the crystals from the juice.

Is there a diabetic substitute for brown sugar? ›

By combining erythritol with the natural sweetness of monk fruit extract, BochaSweet Brown provides a balanced and satisfying sweet flavor that can be used just like traditional brown sugar, but with the benefits of being low-glycemic and suitable for a wider range of dietary preferences.

Can I use molasses instead of brown sugar? ›

A combination of white sugar and molasses is your best bet for a brown sugar substitute, as that's exactly what brown sugar is made of (1). To make your own light brown sugar, mix 1 cup, or 200 grams (g), of granulated white sugar with 1 tablespoon (tbsp.), or 15 milliliters (mL), of molasses.

How do you make brown sugar if you don't have any? ›

A combination of white sugar and molasses is your best bet for a brown sugar substitute, as that's exactly what brown sugar is made of (1). To make your own light brown sugar, mix 1 cup, or 200 grams (g), of granulated white sugar with 1 tablespoon (tbsp.), or 15 milliliters (mL), of molasses.

Can you turn sugar into brown sugar? ›

The Best Way to Make Brown Sugar

It's as easy as adding molasses to sugar. Here are a few ways to combine the sugar and molasses together: Large bowl and fork. This is low-tech and easy — simply mix together molasses and granulated sugar in a bowl.

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.

References

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