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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!