Dolly Parton’s Butterscotch Pie
A Sweet Southern Icon of Comfort and Charm
🥧 Introduction
Dolly Parton isn’t just a country music legend — she’s also known for her Southern hospitality, charm, and classic home-style cooking. One of her most beloved dessert recipes is this Butterscotch Pie — a creamy, rich, and nostalgic treat that takes you straight to a front porch in Tennessee with every bite. With its velvety butterscotch filling and flaky crust, this pie embodies love, warmth, and old-fashioned comfort. It’s a dessert you serve at family reunions, holiday dinners, or to win hearts on an ordinary afternoon.
🍮 Ingredients
For the Butterscotch Filling:
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup packed brown sugar (light or dark works, depending on your preference)
- 3 large egg yolks
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
For the Crust:
- 1 pre-baked 9-inch pie crust (store-bought or homemade)
Optional Topping:
- Whipped cream or meringue
- Shaved chocolate or a drizzle of butterscotch sauce for extra flair
🥄 Instructions & Methods
Step 1: Prepare the Pie Crust
If you’re using a homemade pie crust, roll it out, press into a 9-inch pie plate, and blind bake it at 375°F (190°C) for about 12–15 minutes, until lightly golden. Let it cool completely.
Step 2: Start the Butterscotch Base
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the brown sugar and stir continuously for about 2–3 minutes, allowing the sugar to dissolve and start bubbling. This is where that rich butterscotch flavor is born.
Step 3: Thicken the Filling
In a separate bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and salt. Gradually whisk in the milk until smooth, then add the egg yolks. Temper the mixture by slowly pouring in a small amount of the hot butterscotch mix, whisking constantly to avoid curdling.
Pour this tempered mix back into the saucepan. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until it thickens — about 5–7 minutes. It should coat the back of a spoon.
Step 4: Flavor It Up
Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Let it cool slightly for 5–10 minutes before pouring it into the baked pie shell.
Step 5: Chill and Set
Place the filled pie in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, to fully set. If you’re adding meringue, do so before chilling, and give it a quick toast under a broiler or kitchen torch.
Step 6: Serve with Love
Top with fresh whipped cream or a fluffy meringue. Sprinkle shaved chocolate, crushed butterscotch candies, or a drizzle of sauce to dazzle your guests.
📜 History & Formation
Butterscotch pie has deep roots in Southern cooking and Depression-era desserts. Simple pantry ingredients like butter, sugar, milk, and eggs could be transformed into something truly decadent. Dolly Parton grew up in a large family in the Smoky Mountains, where desserts were made with love and shared among many. This pie reflects that spirit — humble ingredients elevated by care and tradition.
💖 Conclusion: A Taste of Home, A Bite of Legacy
Dolly’s Butterscotch Pie isn’t just a recipe — it’s a memory, a legacy, and a love letter to the simplicity and richness of Southern living. It’s the kind of pie that brings people together around the table, quiets conversation mid-bite, and leaves behind warm, sweet memories. Whether you’re a longtime Dolly fan or just a pie enthusiast, this dessert is a must-bake.
💕 For Lovers of Comfort and Custard
This pie is adored by old souls, butter lovers, and butterscotch fans alike. Lovers of banana cream, caramel, or chess pies will swoon at first taste. Make it for your sweetheart, your granny, or yourself — and don’t be surprised when someone asks for the recipe with a full mouth and sparkling eyes.
Would you like a printable version of this recipe or a twist like a bourbon-butterscotch variation or a cookie crust version?