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Grandma’s Lemon Custard Pie with Lemon Curd Topping is a creamy lightly lemon custard pie with a nice tart lemon curd topping. And a pretty easy to make pie as well. This dessert is a keeper, just like Grandma said it would be!
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Please let me know if you have any questions about this recipe. I read all the comments myself and I try to help as soon as I can. I have readers from all levels of comfort and experience in the kitchen on my site, and I’ve tried to answer some of your questions already in the post. But if I’ve missed anything, please feel free to leave a comment and ask.
Grandmas’ recipes
Some of my friends and I got together and thought we would share some of our Grandmas’ recipes. Make sure you scroll down to see all the delicious and amazing recipes from our Grandmas!
Handwritten cookbooks
You know, this was a lot of fun for me. I went back and did a little research before working on my recipe.
Back before I wrote a blog, I use to make recipe books by hand. There was a new one every Christmas, for maybe 4 or 5 years in a row.
One of those books I dedicated to my family’s recipes.
Looking through those books inspired me to share some of those recipes. Take a look back at my Skinny Potato and Onion Bake (one of my favorites!), and my mom’s Creamy Chicken Pimento Spread and Crescent Chicken Squares.
Recipe Notes
This is a simple custard pie, with a light lemony flavor.
I like to just pour the filling into the uncooked pie crust and bake it all together. I prefer a little bit of a pie soaked crust.
But, if you prefer to pre-bake the crust, and get a crisper crust, please feel free.
The topping is a old fashioned simple lemon curd, the kind Granny used to make.
While you’re cooking it, it may develop little lumps, that’s ok, they’ll work themselves out as it cooks.
The food coloring in the lemon curd is totally optional. It makes a nice beautiful yellow color. I’ve used it in all my pictures of this pie.
More great desserts
I’m a big fan of desserts, especially lemon desserts. If you are too, be sure to check out my Lemon Tart, you could top it with some roasted strawberry topping or roasted raspberry sauce. Coconut custard pie is another old fashioned house favorite!
If you ever find yourself with leftover cream after making these desserts, here are some ideas of what to do with leftover cream.
Check out all the delicious recipes from our Grandmas:
- Grandma’s War Time Peanut Drop Cookies from Lovefoodies
- Grandma’s Light-as-a-Feather Doughnut Recipe from Blessed Beyond Crazy
- Granny Gertrude’s Blueberry Rice Pudding from Hot Eats and Cool Reads
- Grandma’s Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake from Savory Experiments
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Grandma’s Lemon Custard Pie with Lemon Curd Topping Recipe
Grandma’s Lemon Custard Pie with Lemon Curd Topping
Ingredients
Lemon Custard Pie:
- 2 cups whole milk
- 3 large eggs
- 3 large egg yolks
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon lemon extract
- 1/8 teaspoon fine grain salt
- 1 homemade or store-bought Pie Crust in a deep dish pie pan unbaked
Lemon Curd Topping:
- ½ cup + 2 tablespoons granulated sugar divided use
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup + 2 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
- 2 to 3 drops yellow food coloring optional
- ¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
Instructions
Make pie
- Preheat oven to 325° F.
- Pour the milk in a small saucepan, and over a medium heat, bring to a simmer.2 cups whole milk
- While the milk is heating, whisk the eggs, egg yolks, sugar, lemon extract, and salt together in a large bowl, and gradually add the hot milk to the egg mixture, stirring constantly. Pour the custard into the prepared pie crust.3 large eggs, 3 large egg yolks, ½ cup sugar, 1 teaspoon lemon extract, 1/8 teaspoon fine grain salt, 1 homemade or store-bought Pie Crust in a deep dish pie pan
- Bake, about 25-35 minutes, or until the center of the custard is set, but still jiggles a bit, like gelatin. Remove from oven and let cool completely on a cooling rack, then refrigerate. Once the pie is cold, begin the lemon curd topping.
For lemon curd topping
- Combine ½ cup granulated sugar, cornstarch, and salt, and water in a small saucepan, stirring until smooth. Bring mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat, and add the remaining 2 tablespoons sugar. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly, about 2 minutes.½ cup + 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, 3 tablespoons cornstarch, ¼ teaspoon salt, ½ cup + 2 tablespoons water
- Remove sugar mixture from heat, and stir in butter, lemon zest, and food coloring (if using) until butter is melted. Gently stir in lemon juice. Let lemon curd cool to room temperature, about ½ hour. Pour lemon curd topping over cooled custard pie. Refrigerate overnight.1 tablespoon butter, 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest, 2 to 3 drops yellow food coloring, ¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations, and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary based on brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes, and more.
Linda Wiseman
Lemon is always a favorite flavor and this recipe looks simply amazing!
Mary
This looks is good and grandma recipes are always the BEST! Cooked perfectly.
Jessica
I think I can taste the lemon through my computer screen! I’m keeping this one around for summertime!
Carolyn
I love lemon desserts!
Lori Vachon
Lemon is definitey one of my favorite flavors in desserts, this is amazingly delicious!
Sheena
I love custard and lemon, so this pie sounds like a match made in heaven! Delicious!
Darlene Record
What size pie pan do you use for this beautiful pie???
Debi
Darlene, thanks so much. I always use a deep dish pie pan. I just went an measured it, it’s 9-inches across.
Julie Menghini
What a beautiful pie! We love lemon curd and this is the perfect dessert for our Easter table! I love old family recipes and can’t wait to dive into the rest of them!
Sandra Shaffer
Lemon curd and lemon custard? Grandma knows how to make a delicious pie! My mom just gave me tons of fresh lemons. Yay! It’s time to bake!
Lisa
I love lemon cream pie and the homemade lemon curd makes it even better!
kylee
We loved this – my son said it was like sunshine! Thanks for a great recipe.
Jennifer Stewart
Lip smacking goodness right here! We do get the best recipes handed down to us.
michele
Our lemon tree was overabundant so I whipped this up yesterday. Three of us pretty much demolished it in 24 hours… so so good!
Brandi Burgess
This is lemon heaven right here!!!!!
Deb
Grandma’s recipes are the BEST! I can’t wait to try this with all of the lemons I have!!!
Deanna
I love anything lemon! This lemon pie is tops on my list!
Darlene Record
This is by far the most delicious lemon custard pie ever!!! Made it a few times, and it is a bomb for flavor!! I’m making it again today because it is my birthday choice for dessert!!!
Kate
My hubby made this for me for my birthday, and it was delicious!! He will definitely be making it again!
Brenda Dalton
The pie was delish and came out exactly perfect! Thank you. My first lemon custard pie!