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Delicious Butterscotch Recipes for Every Dessert Lover

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Richoven

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April 2, 2025

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Dolly Parton’s Butterscotch Pie – A Sweet Southern Delight You’ll Love

Part 1: A Classic Southern Dessert with a Creamy, Sweet Twist

If you’re looking for a dessert that’s both indulgent and full of classic Southern charm, look no further than Dolly Parton’s Butterscotch Pie. This pie has all the rich, creamy goodness you could want, with a golden, buttery filling and a delicious graham cracker crust. It’s a dessert that’s sure to satisfy your sweet tooth and leave everyone at the table asking for seconds.

Inspired by Dolly Parton’s famous Southern roots, this pie combines smooth butterscotch filling with a light whipped topping for the perfect balance of sweetness and texture. The graham cracker crust provides the ideal base, offering a bit of crunch to contrast with the creamy filling. This pie is a showstopper at any gathering, whether you’re celebrating a holiday or just want to enjoy a special treat.

What I love most about this recipe is how easy it is to make. While it might seem like a special-occasion dessert, you can whip it up in no time. With just a few basic ingredients, you can have a pie that tastes like it’s straight from a Southern kitchen. The best part? The pie needs a little time to set in the fridge, making it the perfect dessert to prepare ahead of time.

Let’s dive into the ingredients you’ll need to create this sweet Southern delight.

Ingredients for Dolly Parton’s Butterscotch Pie

This pie has three main components: the graham cracker crust, the butterscotch filling, and the whipped topping. Each part adds a distinct layer of flavor and texture, coming together to create a pie that’s both creamy and irresistible.

For the crust:

1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
¼ cup granulated sugar
½ cup unsalted butter, melted

For the butterscotch filling:

1 cup light brown sugar, packed
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
¼ teaspoon salt
2 cups whole milk
3 large egg yolks, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons unsalted butter

For the topping:

1 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Step 1: Prepare the Crust

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). The oven needs to be nice and hot to bake the graham cracker crust and set it up just right for the creamy butterscotch filling that will follow.

In a medium bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter. Stir everything together until the mixture is fully combined and has a slightly wet texture. This mixture will form the base of your pie, and the butter helps to bind everything together.

Next, press the graham cracker mixture into the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie pan, forming a nice, even crust. You can use the back of a spoon or your fingers to help shape the crust. Once it’s shaped, bake for 10 minutes to allow the crust to set and firm up. After baking, remove the crust from the oven and set it aside to cool.

Part 2: Making the Butterscotch Filling and Assembling the Pie

Now that the crust is baked and cooling, it’s time to move on to the star of the show—the rich, velvety butterscotch filling. This filling is the perfect balance of sweet and buttery, with just the right amount of thickness to hold up in the pie. Let’s walk through how to prepare this delicious filling and finish assembling the pie.

Step 2: Make the Butterscotch Filling

The butterscotch filling is the heart of this dessert, and it comes together in just a few easy steps:

Combine the dry ingredients: In a medium saucepan, combine the light brown sugar, all-purpose flour, and salt. Stir them together to mix evenly. The flour will help thicken the filling as it cooks, giving it that rich, pudding-like texture.
Add the milk: Gradually whisk in the whole milk, ensuring there are no lumps. Continue to stir the mixture as you add the milk, keeping the consistency smooth. This is where the butterscotch flavor starts to come together.
Cook the filling: Set the saucepan over medium heat and cook the mixture, stirring constantly. As it heats up, the mixture will begin to thicken. You’ll know it’s ready when it comes to a gentle simmer and coats the back of a spoon—this usually takes about 5-7 minutes.
Temper the egg yolks: In a separate bowl, beat the egg yolks. Now, we need to slowly introduce the hot milk mixture into the yolks without cooking them. Slowly pour a small amount of the hot milk mixture into the beaten yolks while whisking constantly. This process, called tempering, ensures that the eggs don’t scramble when added back to the saucepan.
Combine the egg yolks with the milk mixture: Once you’ve tempered the egg yolks, gradually whisk the egg yolk mixture back into the saucepan with the rest of the milk mixture. Stir well to combine.
Finish cooking the filling: Continue to cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly, for another 2-3 minutes until it thickens further. Once it’s thickened to a pudding-like consistency, remove the pan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract and unsalted butter. The butter adds extra richness and helps create a smooth, velvety filling.

Step 3: Assemble the Pie

Now that the filling is done, it’s time to assemble the pie!

Pour the filling into the crust: Take your cooled graham cracker crust and pour the butterscotch filling into the crust, spreading it evenly with a spatula. The filling should be nice and smooth, filling every inch of the crust.
Chill the pie: Once the filling is in place, refrigerate the pie for at least 4 hours, or until it is fully set. The cooling time is essential to let the filling firm up and reach the perfect texture. If you have time, overnight chilling works even better for the flavors to meld.

Part 3: Whipped Topping, Final Touches, and Serving Suggestions

Now that your butterscotch filling has set and your pie is chilling, it’s time to make the whipped topping and add the final touches. Once the whipped cream is spread on top, this pie will be ready to serve as a delicious, creamy dessert that’s bound to impress everyone at your table.

Step 4: Make the Whipped Topping

To complete this sweet Southern treat, the whipped topping is essential. Here’s how to make it:

Chill your mixing bowl and beaters: For the best results, it helps to chill both the mixing bowl and the beaters of your mixer in the freezer for about 10-15 minutes before whipping the cream. This ensures that the cream will whip up nice and fluffy.
Whip the cream: In the chilled bowl, add 1 cup heavy cream, 2 tablespoons powdered sugar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Using an electric mixer, beat the mixture on medium-high speed until soft peaks form. You want the whipped cream to hold its shape but not be too stiff.
Spread the whipped cream: Once the pie has fully chilled, take it out of the fridge and gently spread the whipped cream over the top of the butterscotch filling. Use a spatula to smooth it evenly. If you’d like to add some decorative swirls, you can pipe the whipped cream using a piping bag with a decorative tip.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Once the whipped topping is on, your pie is ready to serve! Here are a few serving suggestions to make this pie even more delightful:

Garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon or shaved chocolate to add an extra pop of flavor and visual appeal.
You can also crumble some extra graham crackers and sprinkle them on top for a bit more texture.
For a fun twist, consider adding a drizzle of caramel sauce or chocolate syrup over the whipped cream.

Serve chilled and enjoy every creamy, sweet bite of this classic Dolly Parton’s Butterscotch Pie. It’s the perfect dessert to wrap up a meal, whether it’s a family dinner or a special occasion.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I make this pie in advance?
Yes, this pie is perfect for making ahead of time! The pie needs at least 4 hours to chill and set, but you can easily prepare it the day before and refrigerate it overnight. This actually helps the flavors develop even more, making it an excellent dessert to prepare in advance.

2. Can I use a different crust instead of graham cracker?
Absolutely! While the graham cracker crust provides a delicious, slightly sweet base, you can use a traditional pie crust, an Oreo crust, or even a cookie crumb crust for a different twist. Just make sure to pre-bake the crust if it’s a traditional one.

3. Can I make the filling dairy-free?
Yes, you can substitute the cream cheese, butter, and heavy cream with dairy-free alternatives. Use dairy-free cream cheese and coconut cream in place of the heavy cream, and plant-based butter for the butter. The taste will still be delicious and creamy, with a slightly different texture.

4. Can I add extra flavor to the butterscotch filling?
Absolutely! If you want to experiment with different flavors, consider adding a teaspoon of bourbon or rum for a fun twist, or mix in a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to spice it up. Just be sure to adjust the sweetness to your taste.

5. How do I store leftovers?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If you have a lot left, it’s best to keep the whipped topping separate to maintain its fluffy texture.

Final Thoughts

Dolly Parton’s Butterscotch Pie is a delightful, creamy dessert that brings all the flavors of Southern comfort to your table. From the sweet, buttery filling to the fluffy whipped topping, it’s a dessert that’s bound to become a favorite in your household. Whether you’re serving it at a family gathering or enjoying it as a treat after a weeknight meal, this pie will satisfy your sweet tooth and impress anyone who tries it.

What I love most about this pie is how simple it is to make, yet it looks and tastes like something you’d find in a Southern bakery. The combination of graham cracker crust, butterscotch filling, and whipped topping is unbeatable, and the fact that you can prepare it ahead of time makes it the perfect dessert for any occasion.

So go ahead, bake this sweet Southern delight, and enjoy every bite of Dolly Parton’s Butterscotch Pie—a dessert that’s as comforting as it is delicious!

Happy baking, and enjoy every creamy slice!

Delicious Butterscotch Recipes for Every Dessert Lover

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Author: Richoven
Total Time: 4 hours 35 min (includes chilling time)
Yield: 8 servings 1x

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Description

This rich and creamy Butterscotch Pie, inspired by Dolly Parton’s recipe, is the perfect dessert to satisfy your sweet tooth. With a buttery graham cracker crust, a silky butterscotch filling, and a fluffy whipped cream topping, it’s a true Southern favorite!

Instructions

1️⃣ Prepare the crust:

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
In a medium bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter. Stir until well combined.
Press the mixture into the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie pan.
Bake for 10 minutes, then remove from the oven and set aside to cool.

2️⃣ Make the filling:

In a medium saucepan, combine the brown sugar, flour, and salt.
Gradually whisk in the milk, ensuring there are no lumps.
Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it comes to a simmer and thickens, about 5-7 minutes.

3️⃣ Temper the egg yolks:

In a separate bowl, beat the egg yolks.
Slowly pour a small amount of the hot milk mixture into the yolks while whisking constantly to prevent curdling.
Gradually whisk the egg yolk mixture back into the saucepan with the rest of the milk mixture.

4️⃣ Finish the filling:

Continue to cook the mixture for another 2-3 minutes until it thickens further.
Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract and butter until smooth.

5️⃣ Assemble the pie:

Pour the butterscotch filling into the prepared graham cracker crust.
Smooth the top with a spatula and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or until fully set.

6️⃣ Make the whipped topping:

In a chilled mixing bowl, beat the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until soft peaks form.
Spread the whipped cream on top of the chilled pie.

7️⃣ Serve:

Slice and serve chilled for a delicious treat!

Notes

Make Ahead: This pie is perfect for making ahead of time. It can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days before serving.

Customization: For an extra twist, try adding a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg to the whipped cream topping, or garnish with a few extra crumbled graham crackers for texture.

Storage: Keep the pie covered in the refrigerator. The graham cracker crust and butterscotch filling set beautifully, making this a great dessert to prepare the day before serving!

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes

Delicious Butterscotch Recipes for Every Dessert Lover