Christmas Eve Cinnamon-Vanilla Custard Pie: 6 Easy Steps to Pure Comfort

Name: Christmas Eve Cinnamon-Vanilla Custard Pie
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 pie crust (homemade or store-bought); 4 large eggs; ¾ cup granulated sugar; 1½ cups whole milk; 1 cup heavy cream; 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon (or 1 cinnamon stick, steeped); 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract (or 1 vanilla bean, scraped); Pinch of salt; Optional: ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg; Optional: 1 teaspoon orange zest

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If there’s one dessert that can wrap your home in a warm holiday hug, it’s Christmas Eve Cinnamon-Vanilla Custard Pie. Just saying the name feels like lighting a candle and slipping into fuzzy socks. This dreamy pie is creamy, cozy, and surprisingly simple—perfect for those of us juggling last-minute shopping, class parties, office potlucks, and that one relative who always asks, “So… what’s for dessert?”

As someone who lives for comfort cooking without the chaos (hi, I’m Mounia!), this pie hits all the marks: nostalgic flavors, minimal effort, and maximum holiday magic. It’s the kind of dessert you put on the table and instantly hear, “Ooooh, what’s that?” from across the room.

Let’s dig into this festive beauty.

Why You’ll Love This Christmas Eve Cinnamon-Vanilla Custard Pie

This pie is everything we adore during the holidays—warm spice, silky texture, just-sweet-enough flavor, and that irresistible cinnamon-vanilla aroma that makes your house smell like Christmas morning arrived early.

Plus, it practically cooks itself. No complicated steps, no fancy equipment, and absolutely no pastry-degree required.

Whether you’re hosting a full house or keeping things quiet and cozy, this dessert fits right in.

Ingredients You’ll Need

1 pie crust (homemade or store-bought—no judgment here)
4 large eggs
¾ cup granulated sugar
1½ cups whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
1½ tsp ground cinnamon (or 1 cinnamon stick to steep)
2 tsp pure vanilla extract (or 1 vanilla bean, scraped)
Pinch of salt
Optional but festive: ¼ tsp ground nutmeg, 1 tsp orange zest

How to Make This Creamy Christmas Eve Cinnamon-Vanilla Custard Pie

1. Pre-Bake the Crust

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Roll out your pie crust and gently place it into a 9-inch pie dish. Line it with parchment and fill it with baking weights (or dried beans—we’ve all been there).

Bake for 15 minutes, remove the weights, and bake for 5 more minutes until lightly golden.
Let it cool slightly. The crust doesn’t have to be perfect—this pie forgives all things.

2. Prepare the Custard Base

In a medium saucepan, warm the milk and heavy cream with cinnamon and vanilla.
Heat until steaming but don’t let it boil—a gentle warmth is all you need.

If you’re using a cinnamon stick or vanilla bean, remove it after a 10-minute steep. It’s like giving your custard a spa moment.

3. Whisk Eggs & Sugar

In a mixing bowl, whisk together:

eggs
sugar
pinch of salt

Whisk until the mixture looks pale and smooth, like it’s smiling at you.

4. Temper & Combine

Slowly—and I do mean slowly—pour the warm milk mixture into the eggs while whisking. This keeps your eggs from scrambling. (Scrambled pie custard is not the Christmas memory we want.)

Strain through a fine-mesh sieve for that ultra-smooth, bakery-worthy texture.

5. Fill & Bake

Lower your oven temperature to 325°F (160°C).
Pour the custard into your pre-baked crust and bake for 35–40 minutes, until the edges are set and the center still has a little wiggle.

That wiggle? That’s the sign of greatness.

6. Cool & Chill

Let your pie cool at room temperature, then refrigerate it for at least 2 hours.
This step is what transforms your pie from “pretty good” to chef’s kiss.

Christmas Eve Cinnamon-Vanilla Custard Pie slice with whipped cream and cinnamon in a festive holiday setting — A festive slice of Christmas Eve Cinnamon-Vanilla Custard Pie served with warm holiday spices.

Tips for the Best Christmas Eve Cinnamon-Vanilla Custard Pie

If your custard looks too thin: Don’t panic—custard sets as it cools. Think of it like holiday magic happening behind the scenes.
Want more holiday flavor? Add a sprinkle of nutmeg or orange zest. Your guests will swear you spent hours crafting it.
Crust too brown? Lightly tent with foil halfway through baking.

Fun fact: This recipe saved me one Christmas Eve when everything else was chaos—gifts still unwrapped, laundry undone, and kids bouncing off the walls. But the second this pie came out of the oven, peace was temporarily restored. Dessert truly has superpowers.

FAQs About Christmas Eve Cinnamon-Vanilla Custard Pie

Can I make this pie ahead of time?

Absolutely! This pie is a dream for make-ahead prep. It actually tastes even better the next day.

Can I swap whole milk for a lighter option?

You can, but lighter milks may make the custard less creamy. Whole milk plus cream gives it that holiday-luxurious texture.

How should I store leftovers?

Cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days. It rarely lasts that long.

Can I use a premade crust?

Yes! Christmas Eve is not the time to stress. A store-bought crust works beautifully.

Bringing It All Home

The Christmas Eve Cinnamon-Vanilla Custard Pie is everything a holiday dessert should be—comforting, simple, heartwarming, and guaranteed to bring smiles to your table. Each bite tastes like cinnamon-scented nostalgia wrapped in silky vanilla cream.

And the best part? You made it without adding more stress to your already packed holiday week.

Here’s to a cozy Christmas Eve filled with good food, warm memories, and maybe a second slice of pie. You deserve it.

More Holiday Recipes You’ll Love

If you’re building a cozy Christmas Eve menu, here are a few delicious ideas that pair beautifully with this pie. Each one brings its own touch of festive magic and makes your holiday table feel extra special:

Sip something warm and comforting alongside your pie with a glass of homemade eggnog — rich, creamy, and perfect for Christmas Eve.
Add a pop of sparkle to your dessert spread with candied cranberries, a sweet-tart treat that doubles as a stunning garnish.
If you’re in the mood for another dreamy winter dessert, try the white chocolate peppermint pie — cool, minty, and wonderfully festive.
Round out your celebration with a refreshing holiday drink like Midnight Frost Christmas Punch, a true crowd-pleaser for Christmas gatherings.
And if you’re planning a full Christmas morning spread, don’t miss these soft, bakery-style overnight cinnamon rolls — the perfect make-ahead treat to enjoy after the presents are unwrapped.

These additions help create a full, joy-filled holiday menu your guests will remember long after the last slice of pie is gone.