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Vanilla Cream Caramel Pie Recipe

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4.9 from 84 reviews

This Vanilla Cream Caramel Pie recipe features a luscious bourbon caramel sauce layered over a rich vanilla custard filling, all nestled into a flaky, homemade deep-dish pie crust. Topped with a cloud of lightly sweetened whipped cream and a drizzle of caramel bourbon sauce, this indulgent dessert is perfect for special occasions or an elegant treat.

Ingredients

Scale

Pie Crust

  • 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 4 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into ½” pieces
  • 3 tablespoons cold vegetable shortening
  • 3 tablespoons ice cold water

Caramel Sauce

  • 1 cup granulated sugar (222g)
  • 3 tablespoons water
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • 1 tablespoon bourbon
  • ½ teaspoon Fleur De Sel salt

Filling

  • 1 pre-baked 9″ deep dish pie pastry (see Pie Crust section)
  • ⅔ can Nestlé Dulce de Leche
  • ⅔ cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 2 ½ tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon unbleached all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups whole milk
  • ½ vanilla bean pod, seeds scraped
  • 3 large egg yolks, lightly beaten
  • 1 tablespoon bourbon
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Topping

  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1 tablespoon confectioners’ sugar
  • Bourbon Caramel Sauce (from Caramel Sauce section) for drizzling

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Pie Crust: In a food processor, pulse the flour and salt to combine. Add the cold shortening and butter and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Add ice-cold water and pulse a few more times until the dough starts to come together. Gather the dough, form a disc, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
  2. Roll and Bake the Crust: On a floured surface, roll out the chilled dough into an 11-12 inch circle. Place it into a 9″ pie plate, trim and crimp the edges, and pierce the bottom with a fork. Chill the crust for 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line the crust with parchment and pie weights, bake on a baking sheet for 20 minutes, then remove weights and bake another 10 minutes until lightly browned. Cool the crust.
  3. Make the Caramel Sauce: In a medium saucepan, combine sugar and water and heat over medium, swirling but not scraping, until it becomes a deep amber caramel. Remove from heat and carefully whisk in heavy cream, then add bourbon and Fleur De Sel salt. Whisk until smooth, cool, and refrigerate until needed.
  4. Prepare Pie Filling: Spread about two-thirds of a can of Dulce de Leche evenly in the bottom of the cooled pie crust.
  5. Make Vanilla Custard: Mix sugar, salt, cornstarch, and flour in a heavy-bottomed saucepan. Stir in milk and vanilla bean seeds and pod. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until thick and boiling, then boil for 2 minutes stirring. Remove vanilla pod. Temper egg yolks by slowly whisking in half the hot milk mixture, then return to saucepan. Boil 1-2 minutes until very thick. Remove from heat, stir in butter, bourbon, and vanilla extract until blended.
  6. Assemble and Chill Pie: Pour the vanilla custard over the Dulce de Leche layer in the pie crust. Let cool for 15 minutes at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours to set.
  7. Prepare Whipped Cream Topping: Beat heavy whipping cream until soft peaks form, add confectioners’ sugar, and continue beating until medium-stiff peaks form.
  8. Serve: Dollop the whipped cream in mounds over the pie and drizzle with bourbon caramel sauce. Serve chilled. Refrigerate leftovers.

Notes

  • For best flavor, use high-quality vanilla bean and bourbon.
  • The pie crust can be prepared a day ahead and refrigerated.
  • Be sure to temper the egg yolks slowly to prevent curdling.
  • The caramel sauce can be made several days ahead and kept refrigerated.
  • Use whole milk for the custard for richness, no substitutions recommended.
  • Adjust bourbon amount to taste or omit for a non-alcoholic version.

Keywords: Vanilla Cream Caramel Pie, Bourbon Caramel Pie, Dulce de Leche Pie, Homemade Pie Crust, Custard Pie, Bourbon Dessert

Find it online: https://thefoodrecipe.com/vanilla-cream-caramel-pie-recipe/