If you’re eager for a nostalgic crowd-pleaser that’s as breezy and sun-kissed as the Southern shore, you have to try Southern Pineapple Pie. This beloved dessert combines the bright, tropical essence of pineapple with a custardy filling and a flaky crust, creating a flavor experience that’s both comforting and unique. The best part? It’s quick to assemble and uses familiar pantry staples, so you get all the charm of a classic homemade treat without any fuss. Southern Pineapple Pie truly tastes like a warm, sunny afternoon—perfect for family gatherings, potlucks, or whenever you’re craving something special.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredients for Southern Pineapple Pie are so beautifully simple, but each one plays a crucial role in making this pie a true standout. From the buttery crust to the tangy pineapple, you’ll have everything you need for an irresistible dessert straight from the heart of the South.
- Pie crust: A 9-inch unbaked pie crust forms the base—use your favorite homemade or store-bought pie crust for a buttery, flaky foundation.
- Granulated sugar: One cup of sugar brings just the right touch of sweetness, perfectly balancing the tartness of the pineapple.
- All-purpose flour: Two tablespoons help thicken the filling so you get that lovely, sliceable custard texture.
- Salt: A quarter teaspoon to enhance all the other flavors and keep the sweetness in check.
- Eggs: Two large eggs bind everything together and contribute to a rich, creamy filling.
- Vanilla extract: One teaspoon adds aromatic warmth and depth, making the pie especially inviting.
- Unsalted butter: Melted, a half cup (that’s one stick) gives the pie a luxurious, buttery mouthfeel.
- Crushed pineapple: One 20-ounce can, well drained, is the soul of the pie—its sunny tang and juicy bursts make every bite sing.
How to Make Southern Pineapple Pie
Step 1: Prep the Oven and Crust
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F. Place your unbaked 9-inch pie crust into your pie dish and crimp the edges or leave them rustic—whichever style you love. This gives you a solid, buttery base for all that delicious filling.
Step 2: Make the Custard Mixture
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, all-purpose flour, and salt. This step ensures your filling will be smooth and lump-free, and the flour will distribute evenly so the custard sets perfectly. Taking this extra minute is absolutely worth it.
Step 3: Add Eggs, Vanilla, and Butter
Add the eggs, vanilla extract, and melted butter to the dry mixture. Whisk thoroughly until you have a creamy, cohesive custard base. Your kitchen will already start smelling amazing—that hint of vanilla and butter floats up, promising good things to come.
Step 4: Stir in the Pineapple
Now, fold in the well-drained crushed pineapple, making sure it’s evenly distributed throughout the custard. This is the moment when Southern Pineapple Pie really takes shape—juicy pineapple melds with the smooth, sweet filling, giving you those sunny Southern flavors in every bite.
Step 5: Assemble and Bake
Pour the mixture into your prepared pie shell, spreading it out so it’s level. Slide the pie into the preheated oven and bake for 50 to 55 minutes, until the filling is set and the top is a beautiful golden brown. It’s a good idea to start checking around the 45-minute mark, as oven times may vary.
Step 6: Cool Completely
Resist the urge to dive in right away! Let your Southern Pineapple Pie cool completely before slicing; this ensures the filling sets up nicely and makes for picture-perfect slices. Serve at room temperature, or refrigerate to serve it chilled—either way, it’s pure bliss.
How to Serve Southern Pineapple Pie
Garnishes
The crowning glory for Southern Pineapple Pie is a billowy cloud of fresh whipped cream or, for the ultimate summertime treat, a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Sprinkling a little toasted coconut or a few mint leaves on top adds extra color and flair, making each slice look as irresistible as it tastes.
Side Dishes
If you’re serving this pie at a get-together, think fresh and light—maybe a simple fruit salad or a citrusy iced tea to go alongside. The pie itself is rich yet refreshing, so sides that are crisp or a bit tart complement it beautifully without stealing the show.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties or showers, try cutting Southern Pineapple Pie into small squares or wedges and serving them as part of a dessert platter with other classic Southern sweets. Or go all out and make “pie parfaits” in jars: layer cubes of pie with whipped cream and chopped pineapple for a playful, portable option.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Cover any leftover Southern Pineapple Pie with plastic wrap or foil and store it in the refrigerator. It’ll keep beautifully for up to three days, and many folks even say it tastes better the next day as the flavors settle and meld together!
Freezing
If you’d like to freeze your pie (either the whole pie or individual slices), first let it cool completely. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil for best results. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving; the filling’s texture might be slightly softer, but the taste will stay bright and delicious.
Reheating
To enjoy Southern Pineapple Pie warm, place a slice on a baking sheet and heat in a 300°F oven for about 10 minutes. This brings back a just-baked taste and is especially lovely if you want to top it with ice cream or cream. Avoid microwaving, as it can make the crust soggy.
FAQs
Can I use fresh pineapple instead of canned?
Absolutely! If using fresh pineapple, make sure to chop it very finely and drain it thoroughly. Fresh pineapple adds even more vibrant flavor, but you’ll want to avoid excess juice to prevent a runny filling.
Is this pie very sweet?
Southern Pineapple Pie is perfectly sweet, but not overwhelming. The tang of the pineapple and the hint of salt balance out the sugar beautifully—if you prefer your desserts on the less-sweet side, you can always reduce the sugar by a few tablespoons.
Can this be made gluten-free?
Yes! Use your favorite gluten-free pie crust and substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend that’s meant for baking. The filling should set up nicely with those swaps.
My pie turned out a bit watery. What went wrong?
The most common culprit for a runny pie is pineapple that’s not properly drained. Be sure to really squeeze out excess juice from the crushed pineapple—sometimes letting it sit in a sieve for several minutes helps. If you want extra assurance, you can dab it with paper towels too.
Can I make Southern Pineapple Pie ahead for a party?
Definitely! In fact, the pie slices even better after a night in the fridge. Bake it the day before, let it cool, and store it covered in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve.
Final Thoughts
There’s something so inviting about the sweet, sunny flavors of Southern Pineapple Pie—each bite is like a cheerful memory. Whether you’re new to this pie or it reminds you of home, I hope you’ll give it a try. You just might find a new favorite to share with the people you love.
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Southern Pineapple Pie Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A delightful Southern Pineapple Pie recipe that brings together the tropical sweetness of pineapple with a buttery, flaky pie crust, creating a perfect dessert for any occasion.
Ingredients
Pie Crust:
- 1 (9-inch) unbaked pie crust
Filling:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 (20 oz) can crushed pineapple, well-drained
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together sugar, flour, and salt.
- Add wet ingredients: Mix in eggs, vanilla extract, and melted butter until smooth.
- Combine with pineapple: Stir in drained crushed pineapple until well mixed.
- Pour into crust: Spread the mixture into the unbaked pie crust evenly.
- Bake: Bake for 50–55 minutes until set and golden brown.
- Cool and serve: Let the pie cool completely before slicing. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Notes
- Thoroughly drain pineapple to avoid a soggy pie.
- Enhance with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 35g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 46g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
