Dolly Parton’s Butterscotch Pie Recipe – A Southern Classic

🎉 Introduction
Some desserts just taste like home, and Dolly Parton’s Butterscotch Pie is one of them. Known for her warm Southern charm, Dolly has always been associated with recipes that bring people together around the table. Her butterscotch pie is a perfect example of comfort food that feels both indulgent and nostalgic.

Butterscotch pie is a rich, custardy dessert made with brown sugar, butter, and milk, cooked into a silky filling, then poured into a flaky crust and topped with golden meringue. Unlike other pies that can feel overly heavy, this one is sweet but balanced, with the meringue providing lightness to the deep butterscotch flavor.

Whether you’re baking this pie for Thanksgiving, Sunday dinner, or just to try something new, Dolly Parton’s Butterscotch Pie is a recipe that deserves a place in your kitchen. Once you take that first bite of creamy filling, you’ll understand why this recipe has stood the test of time.

🧰 Equipment Needed
To make this pie successfully, gather the following:

• Medium saucepan
• Whisk
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Mixing bowls (separate for yolks, whites, and custard)
• Hand mixer or stand mixer (for meringue)
• Rubber spatula
• 9-inch pre-baked pie crust
• Cooling rack
• Oven

Optional:

• Fine mesh strainer (for extra smooth custard)
• Kitchen torch (for finishing meringue if desired)

🛒 Ingredients

Here’s everything you’ll need to make Dolly Parton’s famous butterscotch pie:

For the Butterscotch Custard Filling

• ½ cup unsalted butter
• 1 ½ cups brown sugar (packed)
• ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 4 large egg yolks (beaten)
• 1 ½ cups whole milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Meringue Topping

• 4 large egg whites
• ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar
• 5 tablespoons granulated sugar
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

For Assembly

• 1 pre-baked 9-inch pie crust (homemade or store-bought)

👩‍🍳 Directions

Step 1: Prepare the Butterscotch Custard

1. In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
2. Add brown sugar and whisk until smooth and bubbling.
3. Stir in flour and salt, whisking until combined.
4. Gradually add milk, whisking constantly to avoid lumps.
5. In a separate bowl, lightly beat egg yolks. Slowly add a few spoonfuls of hot mixture into yolks (to temper), then whisk yolks back into saucepan.
6. Continue whisking until custard thickens to pudding-like consistency (about 6–8 minutes).
7. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.

Step 2: Assemble the Pie

1. Pour hot custard into pre-baked pie crust.
2. Smooth top with a spatula.

Step 3: Make the Meringue

1. In a clean bowl, beat egg whites with cream of tartar until foamy.
2. Gradually add sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, and continue beating until stiff glossy peaks form.
3. Beat in vanilla extract.

Step 4: Top and Bake

1. Spread meringue over custard while filling is still warm, sealing edges to crust to prevent shrinking.
2. Bake in preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 12–15 minutes, or until meringue is golden brown.

Step 5: Cool and Serve

• Cool pie on a wire rack for 1 hour, then refrigerate at least 2–3 hours before slicing.
• Serve chilled or at room temperature.

🍽️ Servings & Timing

• Servings: 8 slices
• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cooking Time: 30 minutes
• Cooling/Chilling Time: 3–4 hours
• Total Time: About 4 ½ hours

🧊 Storage & Reheating

• Refrigerator: Store covered pie in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• Freezer: Not recommended (custard and meringue don’t freeze well).
• Reheating: Best served chilled, but if you want warm slices, heat gently in the oven at 275°F (135°C) for 10 minutes.

🥄 Variations

• Whipped Cream Topping: Replace meringue with whipped cream for a simpler finish.
• Nutty Butterscotch Pie: Add a sprinkle of toasted pecans or walnuts on top.
• Butterscotch Banana Pie: Add sliced bananas under the custard layer.
• Chocolate Drizzle: Garnish with melted chocolate for a richer twist.
• Mini Pies: Make individual servings using tart shells instead of a full pie crust.

❓ 10 FAQs

1. Can I make this pie without meringue?
   Yes, simply skip the meringue and top with whipped cream or leave it plain.
2. What makes butterscotch different from caramel?
   Butterscotch is made with brown sugar and butter, while caramel uses white sugar.
3. Can I make the filling ahead of time?
   Yes, but store custard covered with plastic wrap directly on the surface to prevent a skin forming.
4. Why do I need to temper the eggs?
   To prevent them from scrambling when added to the hot mixture.
5. How do I know my meringue is ready?
   It should form stiff glossy peaks that don’t droop.
6. What if my custard is too thin?
   Cook a little longer on low heat, whisking until it thickens.
7. Can I use 2% milk instead of whole milk?
   Yes, but whole milk creates a creamier texture.
8. Can I use a graham cracker crust instead?
   Absolutely! It will add a sweet, crumbly base.
9. How do I prevent weeping meringue?
   Spread meringue over hot filling and seal edges well.
10. Is this pie very sweet?
    It is sweet, but the meringue lightens it, and the brown sugar adds depth instead of just sugariness.

🏁 Conclusion
Dolly Parton’s Butterscotch Pie is more than just a dessert—it’s a taste of Southern heritage. With its rich, custardy filling, buttery crust, and light meringue topping, it strikes the perfect balance between indulgence and comfort. Whether you’re a lifelong fan of butterscotch or discovering it for the first time, this pie delivers flavor that will make you come back for seconds.

If you’re looking for a dessert that feels homemade, heartwarming, and timeless, Dolly’s butterscotch pie is the perfect choice. Bake it for family gatherings, holiday tables, or just when you want to channel a little bit of Southern sweetness in your kitchen.

Adam

Dolly Parton’s Butterscotch Pie Recipe – A Southern Classic

Some desserts just taste like home, and Dolly Parton’s Butterscotch Pie is one of them. Known for her warm Southern charm, Dolly has always been associated with recipes that bring people together around the table. Her butterscotch pie is a perfect example of comfort food that feels both indulgent and nostalgic. Butterscotch pie is a rich, custardy dessert made with brown sugar, butter, and milk, cooked into a silky filling, then poured into a flaky crust and topped with golden meringue. Unlike other pies that can feel overly heavy, this one is sweet but balanced, with the meringue providing lightness to the deep butterscotch flavor. Whether you’re baking this pie for Thanksgiving, Sunday dinner, or just to try something new, Dolly Parton’s Butterscotch Pie is a recipe that deserves a place in your kitchen. Once you take that first bite of creamy filling, you’ll understand why this recipe has stood the test of time.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Cooling/Chill Time 4 hours hrs

Total Time 4 hours hrs 55 minutes mins

Servings: 8 slices

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• Here’s everything you’ll need to make Dolly Parton’s famous butterscotch pie:

For the Butterscotch Custard Filling

• ½ cup unsalted butter
• 1 ½ cups brown sugar packed
• ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 4 large egg yolks beaten
• 1 ½ cups whole milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Meringue Topping

• 4 large egg whites
• ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar
• 5 tablespoons granulated sugar
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

For Assembly

• 1 pre-baked 9-inch pie crust homemade or store-bought

Equipment

• To make this pie successfully, gather the following:
• Medium saucepan
• Whisk
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Mixing bowls (separate for yolks, whites, and custard)
• Hand mixer or stand mixer (for meringue)
• Rubber spatula
• 9-inch pre-baked pie crust
• Cooling rack
• Oven
• Optional:
• Fine mesh strainer (for extra smooth custard)
• Kitchen torch (for finishing meringue if desired)

Method

 

Step 1: Prepare the Butterscotch Custard

1. In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
2. Add brown sugar and whisk until smooth and bubbling.
3. Stir in flour and salt, whisking until combined.
4. Gradually add milk, whisking constantly to avoid lumps.
5. In a separate bowl, lightly beat egg yolks. Slowly add a few spoonfuls of hot mixture into yolks (to temper), then whisk yolks back into saucepan.
6. Continue whisking until custard thickens to pudding-like consistency (about 6–8 minutes).
7. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.

Step 2: Assemble the Pie

1. Pour hot custard into pre-baked pie crust.
2. Smooth top with a spatula.

Step 3: Make the Meringue

1. In a clean bowl, beat egg whites with cream of tartar until foamy.
2. Gradually add sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, and continue beating until stiff glossy peaks form.
3. Beat in vanilla extract.

Step 4: Top and Bake

1. Spread meringue over custard while filling is still warm, sealing edges to crust to prevent shrinking.
2. Bake in preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 12–15 minutes, or until meringue is golden brown.

Step 5: Cool and Serve

1. Cool pie on a wire rack for 1 hour, then refrigerate at least 2–3 hours before slicing.
2. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Notes

🧊 Storage & Reheating

Refrigerator: Store covered pie in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Freezer: Not recommended (custard and meringue don’t freeze well).

Reheating: Best served chilled, but if you want warm slices, heat gently in the oven at 275°F (135°C) for 10 minutes.

🥄 Variations

Whipped Cream Topping: Replace meringue with whipped cream for a simpler finish.

Nutty Butterscotch Pie: Add a sprinkle of toasted pecans or walnuts on top.

Butterscotch Banana Pie: Add sliced bananas under the custard layer.

Chocolate Drizzle: Garnish with melted chocolate for a richer twist.

Mini Pies: Make individual servings using tart shells instead of a full pie crust.

❓ 10 FAQs

Can I make this pie without meringue?
Yes, simply skip the meringue and top with whipped cream or leave it plain.

What makes butterscotch different from caramel?
Butterscotch is made with brown sugar and butter, while caramel uses white sugar.

Can I make the filling ahead of time?
Yes, but store custard covered with plastic wrap directly on the surface to prevent a skin forming.

Why do I need to temper the eggs?
To prevent them from scrambling when added to the hot mixture.

How do I know my meringue is ready?
It should form stiff glossy peaks that don’t droop.

What if my custard is too thin?
Cook a little longer on low heat, whisking until it thickens.

Can I use 2% milk instead of whole milk?
Yes, but whole milk creates a creamier texture.

Can I use a graham cracker crust instead?
Absolutely! It will add a sweet, crumbly base.

How do I prevent weeping meringue?
Spread meringue over hot filling and seal edges well.

Is this pie very sweet?
It is sweet, but the meringue lightens it, and the brown sugar adds depth instead of just sugariness.

🏁 Conclusion
Dolly Parton’s Butterscotch Pie is more than just a dessert—it’s a taste of Southern heritage. With its rich, custardy filling, buttery crust, and light meringue topping, it strikes the perfect balance between indulgence and comfort. Whether you’re a lifelong fan of butterscotch or discovering it for the first time, this pie delivers flavor that will make you come back for seconds.

If you’re looking for a dessert that feels homemade, heartwarming, and timeless, Dolly’s butterscotch pie is the perfect choice. Bake it for family gatherings, holiday tables, or just when you want to channel a little bit of Southern sweetness in your kitchen.