Sugar Pie Recipe: Authentic Canadian Dessert

A Sweet Canadian Heritage

Sugar Pie, known as Tarte au Sucre in French, is a beloved dessert from Quebec, Canada, with roots tracing back to early French settlers. This humble yet decadent pie features a silky, caramel-like filling made from simple pantry staples: brown sugar, butter, eggs, and milk. Unlike complex desserts, its charm lies in purity, rich, sweet, and velancholy comforting. The golden, slightly crusty top gives way to a creamy custard beneath, making every bite pure bliss. Traditionally served during holidays like Christmas or Thanksgiving, it’s now enjoyed year-round as a symbol of Canadian comfort food.

Why This Sugar Pie Stands Out

This Sugar Pie recipe delivers the perfect balance of sweetness and texture. Brown sugar gives a deep, molasses-like flavor, while butter, eggs, and milk bake into a velvety custard with a golden crusty top. Pure Canadian comfort in every slice.

Baking in two stages cooks the center without over-browning the edges. It’s surprisingly easy, needing only a bowl, mixer, and pie dish. Whether you’re exploring Canadian cuisine or want a crowd-pleasing dessert, this Tarte au Sucre becomes a family favorite.

Ready to bake authentic Canadian Sugar Pie? Scroll down for the full Sugar Pie recipe, with a simple brown sugar custard and a golden, crusty top. Make this classic, creamy Quebec Tarte au Sucre today!

Sugar Pie Recipe: Authentic Canadian Dessert

Recipe by Next Delicious

5.0 from 2 votes

Course: DessertCuisine: CanadianDifficulty: Medium

Servings

8

servings

Prep time

15

minutes

Cooking time

50

minutes

Calories

380

kcal

Ingredients

• 2 cups brown sugar (packed)

• ¼ cup unsalted butter (softened)

• 2 large eggs

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 tsp salt

• ½ cup all-purpose flour

• 1 ½ cups whole milk

• 1 (9-inch) unbaked pie crust (homemade or store-bought)

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Grease a 9-inch pie dish and fit the unbaked pie crust into it; set aside.
• In a large mixing bowl, beat brown sugar and butter with an electric mixer until creamy and lump-free.
• Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
• Mix in vanilla extract and salt.
• Gradually beat in flour, a little at a time, until smooth.
• Slowly add milk, beating until a creamy batter forms.
• Pour batter into the prepared pie crust.
• Bake for 35 minutes. Remove from oven and cover the rim with aluminum foil to prevent burning.
• Return to oven and bake for 15 more minutes, until the center is set and the top is crusty.
• Cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.

Notes

• Use dark brown sugar for a richer, more molasses-like flavor.
• Do not skip the foil step—sugar pies burn easily on the edges.
• For cleaner slices, chill overnight before cutting.
• Serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream to balance the sweetness.

Nutrition & Serving Notes for for Sugar Pie Recipe

Each slice of this Sugar Pie recipe contains about 380 calories, making it a rich, indulgent dessert best enjoyed in moderation. Made with brown sugar, butter, eggs, and milk, it delivers deep caramel flavor and a creamy custard texture. Its nostalgic simplicity makes it ideal for holidays and special occasions.

For the best serving experience, chill the pie for at least one full hour so the filling sets and slices cleanly. Pair each piece with coffee, tea, or whipped cream to balance the sweetness. For a lighter Sugar Pie, reduce the brown sugar by ¼ cup and serve smaller portions.

Storing Tips for Sugar Pie Recipe

• Refrigerate: Cover tightly with plastic wrap and store in the fridge for up to 4 days.
• Freeze: Wrap cooled pie in plastic wrap and foil; freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in fridge overnight.
• Reheat: Warm slices in a 300°F oven for 10 minutes to restore texture.
• Avoid Room Temperature: Due to milk and eggs, do not leave out longer than 2 hours.

This Canadian Sugar Pie recipe brings a taste of Quebec tradition to your kitchen. With simple pantry staples like brown sugar, butter, eggs, and milk, you’ll bake a creamy, caramel-rich tarte au sucre with just 15 minutes of prep. Chill it for clean slices, serve with whipped cream at holiday gatherings or whenever a sweet craving strikes, then save it to your dessert recipe collection.

FAQs