I originally made this pie to celebrate the premiere or the finale (I forgot) of Top Chef Desserts. It's called Pineapple Sour Cream Pie. Like Top Chef, it was a hit! Since then I've played with the recipe a bit and it is SO good. It's different from Millionaire Pie, but it's not the same as cooked pineapple pie either.
Pineapple Sour Cream does have a cooked filling, but it calls for sour cream. The sour cream gives it a special tartness and very smooth creaminess.
Pineapple Cream Pie Filling
For the filling, you stir pineapple, sugar, sour cream and egg yolks over the stove to make a creamy custard. You then use the leftover egg whites to cover it with a meringue (like in the older pictures) or save the whites for something else and just top it with whipped cream (which in my opinion is better).
For the crust, you can use a traditional pastry crust or a graham cracker crust. Both have their merits. I like the graham crust better (here, at least).
The original meringue version of Pineapple Sour Cream Pie is adapted from a 1997 Better Homes and Gardens. If you like meringue or want a lighter topping, that one is very good. however, I recommend using the graham crust and the sweetened whipped cream. This pie is relatively inexpensive, easy and may become your new favorite. Just don't try it with light or low fat sour cream or it will not thicken.
Recipe
Pineapple Sour Cream Pie
Ingredients
- 1 9-inch baked pastry crust or graham cracker crust
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 cup sour cream, not low fat
- 20 oz can of crushed pineapple in juice, undrained
- 3 large eggs, separated
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
Meringue (Option 1)
- ½ teaspoon cream of tartar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 6 tablespoons granulated sugar
Whipped Cream Topping (Option 2)
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- ⅓ cup confectioners' sugar
- caramel topping (optional)
Instructions
- In a heavy saucepan, combine the ½ cup sugar, flour, undrained pineapple and sour cream. Turn on the heat and cook and stir over medium heat until bubbly and hot.
- Meanwhile, whisk the egg yolks together in a separate bowl. Reserve the whites for meringue or another use.
- Whisk about half of the sour cream mixture into the egg yolks, then whisk egg yolk mixture into the saucepan still set over medium. Cook and stir until you hit a gentle boil, then continue cooking and stirring until mixture is thick and creamy. Its should be about the consistency of pastry cream, but will seem thinner than pudding. As it cools and sets it will thicken.
- Transfer hot filling to a baked 9-inch pie crust and immediately cover with meringue (if using). Alternatively, cover with a sheet of waxed paper, let cool, then chill overnight. The next day, cover the whole pie with whipped cream. Garnish with caramel ice cream topping before serving.
Meringue Version
- If making it as a meringue pie, beat the egg whites until soft peaks start to form and gradually add sugar, cream of tartar and vanilla. Spread over the pie filling while warm.
- Set the meringue covered pie on a cookie sheet and bake at 350 F. for 15 minutes or until meringue is lightly browned. Let cool at room temperature for an hour, then chill for 6 hours or until ready to cut.
Whipped Cream Version
- Whip the cream, gradually adding sugar, until stiff peaks form. You can flavor with a little vanilla if you like. Spread over the chilled pie.
Ashley says
I've never seen a pie like this before!! It looks so good.
hiyamamama says
I am salivating over your gorgeous pie, and can't wait to try the recipe! I am a pina-colada addict, so I think I will improvise a coconut cream topping instead of the meringue...I'll let you know how it turns out... I am a new follower of your blog, a fb friend highly recommended your 'best oatmeal cookies' recipe to me 🙂
Jennifer says
I made this yesterday and everyone really liked it. I think it'd be great with an addition of coconut, but then I love coconut!
Nicole says
Sounds delicious, Anna. I actually made a sort of similar pineapple pie nearly two years ago from an old Bake-Off cookbook! Seeing this post reminds me of how good that pie was, and I'm sure this one is equally tasty. I think I see another pineapple pie in my future - I'm feeling inspired now!
The previous pie: http://bakingbites.com/2008/05/pineapple-buttermilk-meringue-pie/
Betty @ scrambled hen fruit says
Ooohhhh...I love the idea of that filling between the layers of a cake. It sounds scrumptious!
Rhonda in OK says
I am relieved to know that people younger than me fall asleep during TV.
I don't comment often but I really enjoy your blog.
Debbie says
It looks delicious. I will have to try this. The filling sound wonderful!
Barbara says
That is so funny...I forgot about Top Chef desserts entirely until I saw that it was to be repeated last night. So I caught up with it.
You don't see too many recipes for pineapple pie! I love yours.
Tawny says
I loove pineapple! I need to wait until the next family gathering for something like this though, or else it'll all end up in My tummy
Debbi Does Dinner Healthy says
I haven't watched it either. I usually watch it online on Hulu.
This pie looks amazing. Do you mind if I link to it tomorrow night on my blog? I don't make too many pies but I can certainly drool over them!
Stacie @ Imperfectly Healthy says
I missed Top Chef Just Desserts last night too! I don't have Tivo but Bravo reruns episodes all the time, so I'll have to seek out if it's on again this weekend!
vanillasugar says
i just wasn't expecting all the divaness on TC Deesserts. Not like the original TC at all. Good creations thou, i must make those fried choco mini hand pies.
Camille says
Oooooh my goodness. I am dying to eat this right now.
Carrie Z says
Yum! That makes me so hungry...I may skip dinner and go straight to dessert.
KAnn says
And I stayed up until 2am becuase I read your blog after getting home at 11 and had to watch!
Katrina says
I just finished emailing you and asked if you'd seen Just Desserts yet and if you made the pineapple pie. Then I headed over here and got both my answers.
I haven't watch it yet either, so we can be in the dark together.
Fun pie! (I'd probably go with the whipped cream, but you sure have making nice meringue down!)
CindyD says
Or how about using the pineapple mixture as a filling for angel food cake? - similar to the Pineapple Lush cake in Dole advertisements some time ago, which I cut out but haven't gotten around to trying!
Christy says
This sounds very interesting! Anything with pineapple is good, right??