Last week my son took a quick spring break trip to visit college friends who live in San Antonio. Between seeing a Spurs game, rooftop golfing, and river walking, he found time to track down some Mexican vanilla for his mom. It came home in his suitcase very carefully wrapped in plastic and newspaper and I think it’s one of the best souvenirs I’ve ever gotten!
Last night I wanted to do something special with that delicious vanilla that would highlight the flavor so I made a Vanilla Pie. Richard helped me line up all the ingredients and was horrified when I put a one-cup measure beside the bottle of vanilla. He had to be reassured that the cup measure was for buttermilk and I wasn’t using a whole cup of his precious vanilla – in fact just one tablespoon in our recipe. Before you say – well darn – I can’t make this delicious pie because my vanilla is from the Nashville Kroger –take heart! Real vanilla is very good and you can definitely make this pie – just don’t use imitation vanilla. It’s also true that you can order Mexican Vanilla online and I haven’t really checked around but it may be here locally in one of our stores that stocks more international products. That doesn’t make the vanilla Richard lugged home any less valuable. Now about the pie – it is wonderful – the texture is silky and creamy at the same time. It’s fabulous served warm, but I think I may like it even better cold. This recipe is so easy that anyone could whip it up and have it in the oven in just a few minutes. Plus, it’s likely you have all ingredients on hand. You can serve Vanilla Pie plain – my favorite way – or dress it up with fresh fruit. It’s a simple pie to make, but it always feels like a treat. Perfect for spring! Enjoy!
Ingredients
1 unbaked pie shell from the grocery store or recipe page 63 You’re Grown – Now You Can Cook.
1 stick (1/2 cup) melted butter
1½ cups sugar
3 eggs
1 cup buttermilk
3 Tbsp flour
¼ tsp salt
1 Tbsp vanilla (I added a few drops extra for a very intense vanilla taste.)
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Mix melted butter and sugar in a large bowl until thoroughly combined.
Add in eggs one at a time.
Stir in buttermilk and add flour, mixing to thoroughly combined.
Mix in salt and vanilla.
Pour mixture into unbaked pie shell and bake for 50 to 60 minutes until filling is firm and top is lightly browned. (If the top starts to brown too quickly, just lay a piece of aluminum foil over it and finish baking.)
Cool at least one our before serving.
Enjoy and hope for leftovers!
