Flapper pie
Graham-crumb custard pie under meringue, from the Prairies
CanadianFlapper pie is the "Prairie pie" of Saskatchewan and Manitoba, served in small-town cafés and at fall suppers from Moose Jaw to Brandon since the 1920s, when graham crumbs, milk and eggs were what the farm pantry always had. A crunchy cinnamon graham base holds a soft vanilla custard topped with meringue and more crumbs. It is best eaten the day it is made, slightly chilled. A common mistake is pouring a lumpy custard; whisk without stopping and strain it if needed. Chef's tip: save a few spoonfuls of the crumb mix to scatter on the meringue, which is the pie's signature look.
- Total time
- 60 min
- Difficulty
- medium
- Serves
- 8
Ingredients
For the crust
- 7 oz digestive biscuit crumbsor crushed graham crackers
- 1 ¾ oz brown sugar
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- 3 ⅛ oz buttermelted
For the custard
- 2 ½ cups whole milk
- 4 oz caster sugar
- 1 ⅜ oz cornflour
- 1 pinch salt
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ oz butter
For the meringue
- ¼ tsp cream of tartar
- 2 ½ oz caster sugar
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Method
0/6 doneStep 1: Heat the oven to 350°F (325°F fan). Mix 7 oz digestive biscuit crumbs, 1 ¾ oz brown sugar, ½ tsp ground cinnamon and 3 ⅛ oz butter and set 4 tbsp aside. Press the rest firmly into a 23 cm pie dish and bake for 10 minutes. Cool.
15 minStep 2: Whisk 4 oz caster sugar, 1 ⅜ oz cornflour and 1 pinch salt in a pan, then gradually whisk in 2 ½ cups whole milk and 3 egg yolks. Cook over a medium heat, whisking constantly, for 7–9 minutes until it boils and thickens to a thick pudding. Take off the heat and stir in 2 tsp vanilla extract and ½ oz butter.
10 minStep 3: Pour the hot custard into the crust and smooth it.
2 minStep 4: Whisk 3 egg whites and ¼ tsp cream of tartar to soft peaks, then add 2 ½ oz caster sugar gradually and whisk to stiff, glossy peaks.
5 minStep 5: Spread the meringue over the hot custard, sealing to the edges, and sprinkle with the reserved crumbs. Bake for 12–15 minutes until golden.
15 minStep 6: Cool, then chill for about 2 hours until set. Slice with a knife dipped in hot water.
120 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 360 kcal
- Protein
- 8 g
- Carbs
- 46 g
- Fat
- 16 g
- Fibre
- 1 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does flapper pie take?
- About 60 minutes in total: 30 minutes to prepare and 30 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 8 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- What can I use instead of brown sugar?
- White sugar + 1 tbsp molasses or treacle per 200g.
- What can I use instead of ground cinnamon?
- A cinnamon stick, ground: about ½ tsp per stick.
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