A Southern Grace: playing favorites

December 22, 2009

playing favorites

Yum

Fact: I prefer brown sugar over white sugar. I’ve been known to dig into a bag of brown sugar with a spoon, but I can’t even imagine doing such an act with white sugar. For this reason, I find it a great tragedy that so much of the world has never tasted brown sugar pie.


This is a creation intended for people possessing a powerful sweet tooth. Folks who utter sentences like “It’s just so cloyingly sweet!” and “Those made my teeth hurt!” need not apply. Essentially, what you’ll find with this pie is a soft, creamy, custardy filling replete with rich brown sugar flavor.


As my grandma (the source and frequent baker of this recipe) can attest, the appearance of the pie that comes out of the oven isn’t always predictable. Sometimes it can be runny, while other times it sets up just perfectly. Sometimes there are pock-marks along the surface, while other times it’s completely crater-less.

Regardless of how it looks, though, one thing remains constant—the flavor. A thin thick slice of this sweet treat is a welcome and fitting conclusion to any meal.


As this recipe has been handed down from my dearest grandmother and definitely counts as a family favorite, I'm sending it along to Lynda of Lynda's Recipe Box for the "Family Recipes: Memories of Family, Food and Fun" event.

Brown. Sugar. Pie.
(a recipe from Granny Frannie!)

3 cups brown sugar, light or dark, tightly packed
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup margarine or butter, melted and slightly cooled
3 eggs, beaten well
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup milk
2 regular 9-inch pie crusts or 1 deep-dish pie crust, unbaked

Prepare the pie crusts per package instructions, or make up your own favorite dough.
In a large bowl, combine the brown sugar, flour, and salt. Be sure to break up any clumps of brown sugar. In a smaller bowl, mix together the melted margarine, beaten eggs, vanilla, and milk; beat well. Add this wet mixture to the brown sugar mixture and blend very well with a handheld mixer. Pour into the pie crust(s) and bake at 350F for about 30 minutes for a regular crust, 60-70 minutes for a deep-dish crust, or until set (just a wee bit wobbly) in the middle. Let cool completely before slicing and serving.


HAPPY HOLIDAYS to you and yours!

104 comments:

Deborah said...

I, too, prefer brown sugar to white. And this pie sounds amazing!

Rosa's Yummy Yums said...

OMG, that looks to die for!!!

I'm keeping that fabulous recipe!

happy Holidays and all the best for the New Year!

Cheers,

Rosa

Anonymous said...

Yum it looks so sweet and good! Happy Holidays to you too Grace!

Julia said...

It *looks* delicious, but I'm one of those folks that think some things are too sweet.

BTW, you should read my post tomorrow about molasses.... given your taste for brown sugar, you might find it interesting :)

Happy Holidays!

lisa is cooking said...

I like that this is a little different each time you bake it, and you always get a little surprise! The brown sugar filling sounds amazing.

Happy Holidays to you!

DessertObsessed said...

brown sugar pie?! too awesome! brown sugar is way cooler than white sugar!

Hungry Dog said...

I'm with you on brown sugar it is superior to whie. Hey, is this similar to chess pie?

The Teacher Cooks said...

This looks fabulous! Sounds like pecan pie without the nuts. Happy Holidays!!

Julie said...

I love brown sugar! Put it in a pie and I'm sure I'd be a happy girl. Merry Christmas to you too!

emily said...

I LOVE brown sugar, and I don't even think I need to tell you I LOVE pie.

This is on my DEFINITELY need to try list!

tamilyn said...

Oh man, that looks insanely good!

La Cuisine d'Helene said...

This is a killer. Looks so good.

Lindsey@pickyeatings said...

I happen to posess an insatiable sweet tooth. And I'm also glad to know I'm not the only one who will eat brown sugar straight from the bag...

Melanie said...

I'm with you...long live brown (especially dark brown) sugar. I'm definitely giving your grannie's recipe a try. It looks fantastic and seems to suit just my tastes.

Chef Jeena said...

I am just the same Grace, I try to make every recipe possible a brown sugar recipe rather than the white.

I for sure would not complain at the sweetness because of the simple fact that it is brown sugar and not white, lovely.

This looks like such a delicious treat, lucky you having your grandma bake this for you!

oneordinaryday said...

I'm afraid I fall into that category of folks who have not only never had this pie, but have never even heard of this pie. I feel like I'm missing out.

I also hate to admit that just today I ate something and said it was so sweet it made my teeth hurt!! LOL So based on that, Grace, I have a hunch this yummy looking pie is not for me? : )

www.dhaleb.com said...

I've never had a brown sugar pie... *as I tilt my head down in shame*. I need to try this soon!

Amanda said...

Did you say brown sugar pie??? Wow. I wonder how I got through this much of my life without ever having tasted such a delightful creation!!

Blessings-
Amanda

Anonymous said...

Brown sugar pie sounds amazing! A timely recipe for me as we've been snowed in since last Saturday when I've discovered I was completely out of white sugar. But you know what I didn't really miss it and used brown sugar or agave in all the recipes instead.

vanillasugarblog said...

damn girl, a spoon into the bag of brown sugar? wow, you have me beat there. this is a cavity inducing pie. is it wrong that I would want a small slice of cheddar cheese on the side with this?

kat said...

Wow, that is one sweet treat!

Marjie said...

I say it's on my New Year's "To Try" list!

Merry Christmas, Grace and kitties!

Dolce said...

It must have the most wonderful, rich, molasses flavor ever... Seriously drooling there... Merry Christmas!

Nutmeg Nanny said...

Oh man I have never had this but I want it! I love me some sweetness!!! I bet it would be great with some unsweetened whipped cream....man now I want pie..... :)

Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella said...

I love brown sugar too! I usually use it in my tea or coffee as it has that beautiful caramelly flavour. Grace, this pie is genius! How could you not love something called Brown. Sugar. Pie.?

Anita said...

Wow - that does sound sweet. I love brown sugar too and regularly eat a spoonful while cooking. So perhaps this is the pie for me :)

Sandy said...

Oh ya, it's like PECAN with no pecans! MY FAVE!

Merry Christmas dear Grace!

Ingrid_3Bs said...

Pies are not often my first dessert choice but if I had Granny Fannie's pie to choose from it would be a whole other story!

Wishing you the Merriest of Christmases!
~ingrid

Lyndas recipe box said...

You're not going to believe this Grace, but I've NEVER had this pie! But I really am intriged and dying to try it...I too, can eat brown sugar and love every grain, so this pie sounds amazing to me!
Have a very Merry Christmas, Grace, and thanks for the submission!

Michelle N said...

This looks to die for! I'm a brown sugar person also. My 5 year old daughter loves brown sugar too! Thanks for sharing your Grandma's recipe!

La Bella Cooks said...

My hubby would find this cloyingly sweet and I would have to whole-heartedly disagree...as if such an idea even exists! This would be a wonderful treat!

Angela said...

Hi Grace, I'm so pleased to see this common affection for brown sugar coming out in everyone! As my rendition of your impossible coconut pie attests, I'm all in favour of trying out molasses rich sugars in place of white sugar. The end texture is always different than one white sugar creates, but even this is usually better, I think. Always more chewy... and who doesn't love chewy! This pie looks insanely good. I'll add it to my list of Christmas Day activities!

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

I love the flavour that brown sugar lends to baked good, it just makes them better!!We hope your Christmas is filled with joy, laughter and many kitchen successes in the New Year...you never know what 2010 will bring.

Gloria Baker said...

This look fantastic Grace, I whish you a very happy Christmas and a wonderful holidays, huggsss!!gloria

Mimi said...

Brown sugar pie, oh my!
Mimi

TKW said...

Brown sugar rules! That pie is just begging for a scoop of vanilla ice cream...mmmmm...

Rebeca said...

WOW... that looks incredible... I think that may be the perfect pie for ME... I'm running off to the kitchen NOW!

Lisa said...

Oh yes, Brown Sugar is the best!

Merry Christmas Grace!

Unknown said...

wait....what??? brown sugar pie? why have I never heard of this awesome creation!! my oversized sweet tooth is beggin for a thick slice.

Anonymous said...

same here!
brown sugar is so fragrant.
awesome on creme brulee to caramalize too!
ahh unpredictable recipes.
i know what you mean!
but if they come out good, they're AWESOMEE

Kate at Serendipity said...

Oh, Grace, this is SO SOUTHERN! I love this pie, but I've never had a recipe. A big thanks to you and to your Grandmother.

I love brown sugar too. And butter. There are recipes where I never get beyond the 'cream together the brown sugar and the butter' part...

Happy Holidays to you too. I'm glad I found your blog this year.

Sharon said...

A thick slice for me, please! I'm also a brown sugar lover. Well, I suppose sugar in general :)

Happy holidays!! I'm sure your family will be treated to some of your delicious creations.

Lori said...

Happy Holidays Grace. I hope you are enjoying some time with family.

And wow a spoon in a bag of brown sugar- girl you got it bad.

Y said...

Merry Christmas! That pie just looks ridiculously good. I love that gooeyness in the middle.

Mona said...

Umm wow that pie looks amazing. I might possibly also eat brown sugar straight from the bag :) brown sugar is seriously my favorite baking product- it makes everything better haha!
merry christmas!

Nic said...

That second shot is the money shot, absolutely gorgeous!
Merry Christmas!!

Jacque said...

Oh my goodness, I know I would LOVE this! Thanks so much to your gram for the recipe.

Donna-FFW said...

This looks phenomenal! Happy holidays to you Grace!

pigpigscorner said...

I prefer brown sugar too but I don't think I can manage this with 3 cups of brown sugar! The texture looks really good though. Happy holidays!

Anonymous said...

I think I gained three pounds just reading this... pass the pie!! :) Happy holidays to you and yours!

megan said...

oh wow, that looks great! I also love brown sugar, and I when i bake I always eat a little of it plain after measuring out what goes in the batter :)

shaz said...

Happy holidays and best wishes for a NEw Year Grace. That is one awesome looking hunk of sweetness!

Sinful Southern Sweets said...

That looks fabulous!! I, too, love brown sugar. It must be the molasses.. You know us southerners.. we do love molasses!

Stephen said...

yum!! brown sugar custad pie. What do think a pinch of fresh grated ginger would do to it? gingersnap custard pie?

Faith said...

Oooh, brown sugar...definitely so much better than white! This pie looks so incredibly decadent and almost reminds me of a pecan pie without the pecans and with yummy brown sugar in place of the corn syrup...perfection! Happy Holidays to you and yours, Grace!

fimere said...

I just discovered your blog is wonderful with beautiful recipes
I hope you visit regularly
Merry Christmas New Year

potrron said...

I was drawn in with the first viewing and I'm anxious to browse and try some of the goodies you share. Happy New Year.

nora@ffr said...

brown sugar one of my fav too :D m loving the recipe!! sure gonna give a try maybe for the new year night!! :D hope ye had a wonderful Christmas and wish ye and yers a very happy new year grace!! :D

Jessica Lee Binder said...

I'm in that, can't take too much sugar boat. I'll just admire how moist it looks. Happy Holidays!

Trish said...

Oh my...that looks unbelievable!

Steph said...

I'm drooling over my computer at work just looking at the pictures. This looks delicious!

Sophie said...

I can see why it's a family favorite :)! I LOOOVE BROWN SUGAR! It's so yummy, but I don't think I've ever inhaled it with a spoon :). THat is an intense looking pie. I'm impressed and the gooey factor is definitely going strong--lookin' good, lookin' good!

Hope you had a Merry Christmas, Grace! I've missed your fun and tasty posts--have a great New Year!

Kate Morgan Jackson said...

This looks, well, AMAZING. Yum, yum -- I will definitely give it a try!!

Robin said...

Happy Happy New Year to you Grace!!

Alicia Foodycat said...

This sounds so good! I love brown sugar. I wonder if I could make a very small one just for me? No way will my husband eat this!

Shelby said...

I too am a brown sugar fan. The pie looks awesome! Thanks for joining us in the Family Recipes Event!

Laura said...

Awesome submission! Love it. Weirdly, although I am one of those people who can find some desserts too sweet, I also can eat brown sugar with a spoon. I may have, ahem, trained my kids to do the same. I am so ashamed.

Marianne Sanders said...

I'm going to try this using DARK brown sugar - I REALLY love brown sugar - I will eat it with a spoon just like you do.... I am also going to let the filling mix sit for about an hour. Doing so allows the sugar to go into solution rather than simply be in suspension (it's chemical but it means the sugar really bonds with the other ingredients.) The advantage here is that it carmelizes more when it bakes, giving it an even more extra-special flavor!

Jeanne @ Cooksister! said...

I've also been known to attack the bag of soft brown sugar with a spoon...! And this looks indrecible - like pecan pie without all those annoying pecans ;-)

Anonymous said...

Wow. I can totally eat brown sugar by the spoonful. It's that damn good. White sugar? Not so much. I am sooooooooo making this pie as soon as possible. Thanks for the recipe.

Margaret said...

This pie is amazing. I cannot stop eating it! It's like pecan pie without the pecans but BETTER. So, so amazing. Thank you for this recipe!

Anonymous said...

This pie is very similar to mamafuko's crack pie. The crust is made like a cookie, but the pie sounds like it. I can't wait to make it.

LJC said...

Those sentences referring to too sweet shall never be uttered from my lips. I cannot wait to try this pie. I am mentally checking my stock to see if I have what I need to make it. Thanks soooo much for the recipe.

Rhea said...

1T. is the right amount of flour? Just wondering before I make thie:)

grace said...

@Rhea: that's right--one tablespoon!

Anonymous said...

My oh my, I really DID (or should I say did NOT) need to find this recipe.

Can barely wait to make it. Thanks for sharing!

Renee D said...

I've made this once already and now I'm baking two for Thanksgiving. We couldn't get over this buttery brown sugar gooey lovelyness! Thanks for sharing! :)

grace said...

@Renee D: my pleasure! this pie is definitely one of my absolute favorites, and it's perfect for holiday celebrations!

LovingMeNaturally said...

I passed this recipe to my sister, as I do all dessert recipes. One pie seemed to set up ok but was still a little runny in the center, the other is completely runny so it's in the fridge. However, the pie is delicious. We are from the south, south GA, and have never heard of a Brown Sugar Pie. We may have to tweak the recipe next time to make sure they set properly but it's definitely a keeper.

grace said...

@LovingMeNaturally: you're right--sometimes the pies don't turn out so beautifully, but they're always delicious!

DianeNC said...

Oh.My.God. I am making these for the 3rd time today since I found the recipe on Pinterest 2 weeks ago, and they are just the most delicious thing I have ever eaten! Bravo!

grace said...

@DianeNC: thank you! i concur. :)

Tracey said...

Never heard nor had this pie, will be making it soon, looks wonderful. Quick question Grace I see margarine in this can butter be used instead since I abhor margarine LOL?

grace said...

@Tracey: most definitely! grandma always used margarine for some reason, but i think butter is always better. :)

Unknown said...

add some pecans and you'll have the BEST pecan pie EVER

Anonymous said...

Do you pre-bake the pie crusts first?

grace said...

@Anonymous: nope, not necessary!

Anonymous said...

Can you make this with two eggs so it's not quite so custardly?

grace said...

@Anonymous: I don't see why not; in fact, I think that's a great idea and definitely worth a try!

ReneeD70 said...

Scrumptious. I've made these with this recipe a few times...and today is no exception. One is in the oven now. Ty for sharing this deliciousness with us!

txexperiment said...

I have a recipe for pecan pie that is very similar to this. It is my absolute favorite pie recipe as well as my family's favorite. I don't like the recipes for pecan pie using Karo but love this recipe. I am going to try to make this pie without the pecans and see how everyone likes it. Thanks!

Steph said...

Hi.. this pie looks delicious. I'm looking to make it for New Year's. Just a question.. Is it three cups packed brown sugar? Or will this recipe work with just one box of brown sugar?

grace said...

@Steph: don't tell my grandma that i said this, but a 1-pound box of brown sugar should work just fine! :)

Steph said...

Lol.. I won't say a word :-) Thanks so much. I can't wait to make!!

Mary said...

Oh wow! This looks dangerously good. And I'm with you on the brown sugar vs white! All the way!

Unknown said...

I LOVE Brown Sugar Pie! So amazing!
Kari
www.sweetteasweetie.com

Kalexa1968 said...

Do you use light or dark brown sugar and do you think a thin layer of melted chocolate in it somewhere might be good?

Rain said...

Hi Grace, I hope you're still responding to comments. I tried your recipe last night and it never set. I had a homemade regular pie crust, so I cooked it 30 minutes. Like a waterbed in there, though the top was nice and caramelized. I decided to up the oven to 375 and put foil over the top, cooked it another 40 minutes. Same deal, but it was mostly the inner circle that was still runny. We put it in the freezer for two hours after it cooled and it helped, but quickly started to "melt" and get runny again.

Any suggestions?? Thanks!

Rain said...

...forgot to mention, I followed the recipe except that I used unsalted butter instead of margarine.

Rain said...

I just wonder, why do you publish comments with questions in them if you don't answer them? I guess I'll have to try a different recipe, I was hoping for some advice on yours.

grace said...

@Rain: I'm so sorry that happened! I would suggest adding just a bit more flour, maybe another tablespoon. Ovens vary so much, as do eggs. I have used margarine before with success, so I don't think that's the problem. I think a little more thickener will help immensely, and I surely hope it does!

grace said...

@Rain: So sorry, I've been on my honeymoon and took it upon myself not to do anything except enjoy my husband and the beauty of Ireland! Your response is above.

Crystal Surber said...

I remember having this as a child. Delicious! Thanks for the recipe.

Anonymous said...

My husband's Aunt Pearlie made Brown Sugar Pie. She used cream or evaporated milk and put meringue on top. Yum, yum.