Buttermilk Sky Pie is a classic southern dessert loved by family and friends. It is a sweet muscadine and buttermilk layered pie with a buttery, flaky crust. The top is usually sprinkled with a bit of raw sugar which adds a nice crunch. The sweet and tangy flavors of the muscadines along with the richness of the buttermilk really make this pie stand out. This signature recipe can be served plain or with a scoop of ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream on top.
Ingredients
Crust:
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 cup cold unsalted butter, diced
6-8 tablespoons ice water
Filling:
6 large egg yolks
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
2 cups buttermilk
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 425˚F.
2. To make the crust: Whisk together the flour, salt, and sugar in a medium bowl. Cut in the butter with a pastry blender or two knives until it resembles small peas. Add 4 tablespoons of the water and mix just until the dough comes together. Add 2 more tablespoons water if the dough seems dry and crumbly.
3. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead 2 or 3 times until just combined. Form the dough into a disc, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
4. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to an 11-inch round. Transfer to a 9-inch pie plate and crimp edges to your desired shape. Refrigerate for 15 minutes.
5. To make the filling: Beat together the egg yolks, sugar, cornstarch, and salt in a medium bowl until smooth. Set aside.
6. Heat the butter, lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla and almond extracts in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat until the butter is melted. Add the egg mixture and whisk until thickened, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from heat and add the buttermilk, whisking until smooth.
7. Pour the filling into the prepared pie crust and bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 375˚F and continue baking until the filling is set and the crust is golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes.
8.Let cool completely on a wire rack before serving.