This buttermilk pie is based on the classic Southern recipe, but it’s made without dairy or eggs, which means everyone can enjoy it! It’s creamy, rich, and a little bit tangy—and it’s a guaranteed hit.
Have you heard of “desperation pies”? It’s a term used for pies made with staple ingredients that most people have on hand at all times. I have to admit, I love this concept because who hasn’t had the experience of rooting around the pantry when you’re desperate to find the ingredients you need to make a dessert? Been there, done that!
Some of the most famous desperation pies are chess pie, shoofly pie, sugar cream pie, and the subject of today’s post, buttermilk pie.
What Is Buttermilk Pie?
Buttermilk pie is a classic Southern recipe that’s usually made with eggs, butter, and buttermilk. It has a rich, creamy texture, and a sweet flavor with just a bit of tang thanks to the buttermilk.
This vegan buttermilk pie has the same irresistible flavour and texture as its traditional counterpart, but it’s made with plant-based ingredients. If you’re a vegan, you probably have most of them on hand in your kitchen already, so I think this veganized version still counts as a desperation pie!
Why You’ll Love This Buttermilk Pie Recipe
Here’s what makes this buttermilk pie a hit:
- Vegan . While it’s easy to make apple pie and pumpkin pie vegan, buttermilk pie is a lot trickier, which is why you don’t see vegan versions of it! But now you can finally enjoy this creamy, rich pie without the dairy and eggs.
- Cozy . The combination of nutmeg, vanilla, and buttermilk gives this pie a cozy flavor that’s hard to resist. Total comfort food right here!
- Easy to make . Mix together the filling, then bake your buttermilk pie for an hour. That’s all there is to it!
Notes on Ingredients
Scroll down to the recipe card to find the ingredient quantities and recipe instructions.
- Pie crust – Use my vegan pie crust , my gluten-free vegan pie crust , or your own favourite recipe.
- Vegan egg batter – An amount equivalent to 3 eggs.
- Sugar
- Vegan butter – Use store-bought or homemade vegan butter .
- Vegan buttermilk – Here’s how to make vegan buttermilk .
- All-purpose flour
- Vanilla extract
- Lemon zest – This brightens up the flavour.
- Nutmeg – Freshly grated is best, but you can use the jarred kind too.
- Salt
- Coconut whipped cream – Here’s how to make coconut whipped cream .
What Is Vegan Egg?
Vegan egg is a store-bought plant-based substitute for chicken eggs. It’s usually made from a combination of natural ingredients that look and perform like eggs in recipes. This is not the same as flax eggs and other homemade egg substitutes, which will not work in this recipe.
How to Make Buttermilk Pie
Here’s how easy it is to make vegan buttermilk pie at home!
Prepare . Preheat your oven to 350°F and place the pie crust in a pie dish. Crimp the edges if desired.
Cream the vegan egg and sugar . In a large mixing bowl, use a hand mixer to combine the vegan egg replacer with sugar.
Add the vegan butter . Beat the vegan butter into the egg and sugar mixture.
Beat in the remaining filling ingredients . Add the vegan buttermilk, flour, vanilla extract, lemon zest, nutmeg, and salt and mix until the filling is smooth.
Bake . Pour the filling into the pie crust and set the pie plate on a baking sheet. Bake for about 60 minutes, or until the center of the pie is set and the top is golden brown.
Cool and serve . Let the pie cool to room temperature, then decorate with coconut whipped cream before serving.
Tips for Success
Follow these hints and tips for a perfect vegan buttermilk pie:
- Keep the crust from over-baking . If the edges of the pie crust start to get too dark during baking, cover them with foil or a pie shield.
- Be patient . Allow the pie to cool completely before slicing, as it needs time to set. If you cut it too soon, the slices won’t hold together. (This isn’t a pie that tastes good warm either!)
- Take a shortcut if you need to . There are some fabulous store-bought vegan pie crusts on the market these days! If you want a dessert with minimal effort, start with a store-bought crust—then you just have to mix the filling.
Serving Suggestions
In addition to (or instead of) adding coconut whipped cream, buttermilk pie is ideal for pairing with fresh fruit. Strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries work especially well, as do slices of fresh peaches.
How to Store
Store vegan buttermilk pie covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or transfer individual slices to an airtight container.
Can This Recipe Be Frozen?
Buttermilk pie can be frozen for up to 3 months. To freeze the pie, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap followed by a layer of foil, or store slices in an airtight container or freezer bag. Thaw the pie overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
More Vegan Pie Recipes
- Strawberry Cream Pie
- Vegan Sweet Potato Pie
- Vegan Pecan Pie Recipe
- King’s Shepherd’s Pie
Ingredients
- 1 9-inch pie crust
- 6 ounces vegan egg batter , equivalent to 3 eggs, 170 ml
- 1 cup sugar , 4.2 oz, 200 grams
- ½ cup vegan butter , at room temperature (110 grams)
- 1 cup vegan buttermilk , 236 grams
- 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour , 32 grams
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract , 8 grams
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest , 2 grams
- dash of nutmeg
- pinch of salt
- coconut whipped cream , for topping
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Place the pie crust in a 9-inch pie dish and crimp the edges if desired. Set it aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, using a hand mixer, combine the vegan egg replacer with sugar until well mixed.
- Add the vegan butter to the mixture and continue mixing until well incorporated.
- Add the vegan buttermilk, flour, vanilla extract, lemon zest, nutmeg, and salt. Mix until all the ingredients are thoroughly combined.
- Pour the filling into the prepared pie crust.
- Place the pie dish on a baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for about 60 minutes, or until the center is set and the top is golden brown.
- Once baked, remove the pie from the oven and let it cool completely. Decorate with coconut whipped cream, if desired.
Notes
Buttermilk Pie
Ingredients
- 1 9-inch pie crust
- 6 ounces vegan egg batter equivalent to 3 eggs, 170 ml
- 1 cup sugar 4.2 oz, 200 grams
- ½ cup vegan butter at room temperature (110 grams)
- 1 cup vegan buttermilk 236 grams
- 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour 32 grams
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 8 grams
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest 2 grams
- dash of nutmeg
- pinch of salt
- coconut whipped cream for topping
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Place the pie crust in a 9-inch pie dish and crimp the edges if desired. Set it aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, using a hand mixer, combine the vegan egg replacer with sugar until well mixed.
- Add the vegan butter to the mixture and continue mixing until well incorporated.
- Add the vegan buttermilk, flour, vanilla extract, lemon zest, nutmeg, and salt. Mix until all the ingredients are thoroughly combined.
- Pour the filling into the prepared pie crust.
- Place the pie dish on a baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for about 60 minutes, or until the center is set and the top is golden brown.
- Once baked, remove the pie from the oven and let it cool completely. Decorate with coconut whipped cream, if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Buttermilk Pie https://jessicainthekitchen.com/buttermilk-pie/ August 21, 2023
Before you buy that bag of marshmallows at the grocery store, you might be wondering, “Are marshmallows vegan?” Here’s what you need to know!
Whether it’s s’mores by the campfire or a mug of hot chocolate , marshmallows are an essential part of the equation. But can vegans enjoy these fluffy, sweet treats?
Why Marshmallows Aren’t Vegan or Vegetarian
The short answer is: no. (Sorry, friends.)
Trigger warning—I discuss what gelatin is in the paragraph below. Skip to the next section for store-bought vegan marshmallow brands.
While it’s true that most marshmallows are dairy-free, traditional marshmallows contain gelatin, a substance derived from animal collagen. Gelatin is made by boiling the skin, cartilage, and bones of animals—usually cows or pigs. (Many surprising foods aren’t vegan because of the addition of gelatin.)
In short, unless you buy specifically vegan marshmallows, it’s unlikely that they’re vegan or even vegetarian.
What about homemade marshmallows? Most DIY recipes also contain gelatin, and another non-vegan ingredient: egg whites.
Store-Bought Vegan Marshmallow Options
All is not lost, though! These days, there are plenty of vegan marshmallows on the market and they’re so similar to the traditional version, you probably won’t even be able to tell the difference! Here are some of the most popular brands:
- Dandies . These popular, widely-available vegan marshmallows are made with all-natural ingredients, and they’re free of corn syrup, artificial colors, and artificial flavors. The vanilla variety comes in large (perfect for s’mores!) and mini (hello, hot chocolate!), and they’ve also introduced maple, pumpkin, and peppermint flavored marshmallows.
- Trader Joe’s . Believe it or not, Trader Joe’s carries a line of plant-based marshmallows! You can find them in the baking aisle.
- Smucker’s Marshmallow Topping . This grocery store brand is sneakily vegan! You might not be able to use it for s’mores, but it’s delicious in desserts and hot chocolate.
- Yummallo . This brand is available at Walmart, making vegan marshmallows accessible to everyone! They’re gluten-free, fat-free, and of course, free of gelatin too.
The Best Vegan Marshmallows
If you’re feeling adventurous and want to try making your own marshmallows, check out my vegan marshmallow recipe ! It uses a few simple swaps to transform the traditional marshmallow into a plant-based treat:
- Agar agar . This is a type of seaweed that comes in powder, flakes, or bars. When boiled in water, it becomes a jelly-like substance that can be used as a gelatin substitute.
- Aquafaba . As mentioned above, homemade marshmallow recipes often contain egg whites. Aquafaba, or the liquid from cooked or canned chickpeas, is a heavy-hitter in vegan cooking and baking because it acts just like egg whites, and it can be beaten into a fluffy, foamy mixture.
- Cream of tartar . Cream of tartar stabilizes the beaten aquafaba so it holds its light texture.
Grab my vegan marshmallow recipe !
More Vegan Resources
- How to Make Vegan Parmesan Cheese
- Is Honey Vegan?
- Health Benefits of a Plant-Based Diet
- Is Yeast Vegan?
- How to Make Vegetable Broth with Veggie Scraps
