Sugar cream pie
{{Short description|Dessert}}
{{Infobox food
| name = Sugar cream pie
| image = File:Sugar Cream Pie in Indiana - Stierch.jpg
| caption = A slice of sugar cream pie
| alternate_name = Sugar pie, Hoosier pie
| country = United States
| region = Indiana
| creator =
| course =
| type = Pie
| served =
| main_ingredient = Sugar, cream, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg
| variations =
| calories =
| other =
}}
Sugar cream pie (also known as sugar pie or Hoosier pie) is a custard pie made with a simple filling of cream, sugar and cornstarch. The consensus is that "a true sugar cream pie doesn't include eggs".{{Cite web| last = Mitchell| first = Dawn| title = Things you didn't know about Indiana sugar cream pie (and a cherished recipe)| work = The Indianapolis Star| access-date = 2024-09-11| url = https://www.indystar.com/story/news/history/retroindy/2018/01/23/things-you-didnt-know-sugar-cream-pie-and-cherished-recipe/1057180001/}} The pie has been made in Indiana since the state's founding in 1816.{{Cite web |title=Sugar cream pie a Hoosier tradition |url=https://indianapublicradio.org/news/2017/11/sugar-cream-pie-a-hoosier-tradition/}} It is sometimes called a desperation pie because it is one of the easiest pies to make with ingredients that most people already have in their pantries.{{Cite web| last = Swiercz| first = Greg| title = Indiana's sweet treat for November is sugar cream pie. Here's a classic recipe.| work = South Bend Tribune| url = https://www.southbendtribune.com/story/news/2021/11/12/indiana-sugar-cream-pie-and-old-fashioned-recipe-thanksgiving/6347314001/}}
History
File:Caplinger's Fresh Catch - November 2023 - Sarah Stierch 07.jpg
Sugar cream pie is unofficially recognized as the state pie of Indiana,{{cite web |title=State Emblems and Symbols |url=https://visitindiana.com/about-indiana/emblems-symbols/ |website=visitindiana.com |access-date=24 April 2021 |language=en}} where it is believed to have originated with Quaker settlers who came from North Carolina in the early 19th century, and thereafter settled in East Central Indiana, particularly around the cities of New Castle, Portland, Richmond, and Winchester. As the Shakers had to abandon their community of West Union (Busro) (near modern-day Vincennes, Indiana) in 1827, their only presence in Indiana ever (1810–1827), it is unlikely that they made the dessert popular in the state.Stuttgen p. 277
Preparation
The only agreed upon aspect of this recipe is that it contains sugar. The filling is made with milk or cream, sugar and starch or flour. The most reliable method starts by cooking the filling on the stovetop.{{cite book |title=The Best of America's Test Kitchen |date=2018 |publisher=America's Test Kitchen |page=244}}
One technique to produce a filling that sets reliably is to begin by whisking butter and flour until smooth. This takes much longer than a roux, about twenty minutes of uninterrupted whisking over low heat. When the flour mixture is silky and smooth sugar and cream are added, and the filling is heated to a light boil. It is poured into a pie shell and baked at a high temperature for a short time, just until it sets or starts to darken. The pie is served chilled with cinnamon and nutmeg. The texture is both chewy and creamy.https://whatscookingamerica.net/desserts/sugarcreampie.htm
= Substitutions =
There are other methods of making the filling without butter. Sometimes cornstarch is used instead of flour. Eggs may be used instead of starch, but it is a contentious substitution.{{Cite web| title = Desperate for Pie| work = Indiana Historical Society| date = 2017| url = https://indianahistory.org/blog/desperate-for-pie/}} Most connoisseurs agree that a true sugar cream pie does not include eggs.{{Cite web| last = Brosher| first = Barbara| title = Why Is Sugar Cream Pie So Popular In Indiana?| work = Indiana Public Media | url = https://indianapublicmedia.org/news/sugar-cream-pie-popular-indiana-1319321.php}}{{cite book |last=Sax |first=Richard |title=Classic Home Desserts: A Treasury of Heirloom and Contemporary Recipes from Around the World |date=1999 |page=524}}
Notes
{{Reflist}}
References
- {{cite book|last=Stuttgen|first=Joanne Raetz|title=Cafe Indiana: A Guide to Indiana's Down-Home Cafes|publisher=Terrace Books|year=2007|isbn=978-0-299-22494-3|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/cafeindianaguide0000stut}}
- {{cite book|last=Slater|first=Shirley|title=Frommer's Exploring America by RV|publisher=Frommer's|year=2008|isbn=978-0-470-18404-2}}
See also
{{Portal|Food|Indiana}}
External links
- [http://bitsnbites.wordpress.com/2007/10/19/retro-recipe-challenge-9-quebecs-traditional-sugar-pie-recipe/ Retro Recipe Challenge #9: Québec's traditional sugar pie recipe]
- [http://www.recipelink.com/cookbooks/2005/1893062740_2.html Maysville's Historic Transparent Pie]
{{American pies}}