A Creamy Holiday Dessert Filled With Warm, Festive Magic
Christmas Eve carries a special kind of warmth — the twinkling lights, the quiet excitement in the air, and the comforting aroma of holiday spices filling the home. Among all the festive treats, the Christmas Eve Cinnamon-Vanilla Custard Pie stands out as a dessert that is both nostalgic and elegant.
This pie brings together the silky smoothness of classic custard with the cozy, aromatic warmth of cinnamon and the sweet depth of vanilla. It’s creamy, delicate, lightly spiced, and absolutely perfect for sharing with loved ones around the holiday table.
⭐ Why You Will Love This Pie
This custard pie is incredibly simple yet deeply flavorful. The creamy filling, gently baked to perfection, creates a tender, velvety texture that melts on the tongue. Cinnamon adds a subtle warmth, while vanilla enhances the richness of the custard.
What makes it even better is its versatility — it works for Christmas Eve dinner, holiday brunch, or even as a comforting dessert to enjoy by the fireplace. It’s easy enough for beginners but elegant enough to be the star of your holiday dessert table.
🎄 Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Pie Crust
- 1 unbaked 9-inch pie crust (homemade or store-bought)
For the Cinnamon-Vanilla Custard Filling
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 ½ cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract (or 1 teaspoon vanilla paste)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (or 1 cinnamon stick for infusion)
- Pinch of salt
- Optional: a dash of nutmeg or a bit of orange zest for extra holiday flavor
🎁 How to Make Christmas Eve Cinnamon-Vanilla Custard Pie
1. Pre-Bake the Crust
Roll the pie crust into a 9-inch pie pan. Line it with parchment paper and fill with pie weights or dried beans.
Bake until lightly golden. This step ensures the crust stays crisp even after the custard is added.
2. Prepare the Custard Base
In a saucepan, gently heat the milk and heavy cream until steaming, but do not boil.
Add the cinnamon and vanilla. If using a cinnamon stick or real vanilla bean, let it steep for a deeper, richer flavor.
3. Whisk Eggs and Sugar
In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, sugar, and salt until smooth and slightly pale.
This step helps give the custard its silky texture.
4. Temper the Eggs
Slowly pour the warm milk mixture into the egg mixture while whisking continuously.
This prevents the eggs from cooking too quickly.
For extra smoothness, strain the custard through a fine sieve.
5. Fill and Bake
Pour the custard into the pre-baked crust.
Bake at a lower temperature until the edges are set but the center still has a gentle jiggle.
This ensures a creamy, crack-free custard.
6. Cool and Chill
Let the pie cool completely at room temperature.
Refrigerate for several hours (or overnight) to help the custard finish setting and the flavors deepen.
✨ Serving Suggestions
- Serve chilled with a dusting of cinnamon.
- Add a dollop of whipped cream for extra holiday indulgence.
- Decorate with cinnamon sticks, sugared cranberries, or a small sprig of rosemary for a festive presentation.
- Pair with hot cocoa, peppermint tea, black coffee, or a holiday latte.
❤️ Why It’s Perfect for Christmas Eve
- Warm, nostalgic flavors of cinnamon and vanilla capture the essence of the season.
- Creamy and comforting, without being too heavy after a holiday meal.
- Make-ahead friendly — you can bake it the day before and keep it chilled until serving time.
- Beginner-friendly but elegant enough to impress guests.
This pie feels like a hug in dessert form — cozy, timeless, and full of holiday spirit.