With eggs and milk being the main ingredient to make a custard pie and nutmeg garnished on top to finish everything up, this pie is smooth, silky, and ridiculously rich in texture. It’s always a big hit with friends and loved ones! However, how would you deal with leftover pies? Is it okay to freeze this popular crème? To answer this question, we’ve researched countless journals and food magazines so that the answer will satisfy you.
The answer to that is yes, one can freeze a custard pie. However, according to reliable sources, it is essential to determine what types of pies freeze well and which pies should be enjoyed within a few days and stored in the refrigerator. Always make sure to follow accompanying guides in the preparation before freezing this delectable pastry.
Hold on to your seats as we discuss with you what goes through during freezing a custard pie. We’ll also include the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about custard pie freezing.
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What happens if you freeze custard?
Custard is the main filling for custard pies and is usually made blending eggs with milk or cream. However, custard does not freeze well for a longer amount of time because the ingredients tend to separate. Moreover, if you do freeze it, freeze it right away, leave it frozen for as little time as possible, and defrost it in the refrigerator. It is not advisable to leave it in the freezer for more than a month.
One of the most effective ways to freeze custard is to make ice cream. It would be much better if you have an ice cream maker but if you do not have one it would still be doable. Ice cream-based custard is less icy than other types of ice cream when made without churning. Just thoroughly stir every half an hour while freezing for at least three hours.
Do you serve custard pie hot or cold?
Custard pie could be consumed either warm or cold. The majority of custard pie enthusiasts prefer the cold variation rather than the warm one. Just remember to let it cool completely before slicing or the filling will become viscous. If you want to eat it warm, just pre-heat it by the slice for a minute or so in the microwave. There are two methods of thawing this delectable dessert.
First Option
This first option takes a bit of planning ahead of time because you will be allowing your pie to full thaw on its own rather than the quick process. However, make your plan at least 24 hours in advance to allow the process to work properly as you go:
- Remove pie from the freezer.
- Defrost the wrapped custard pie in the fridge overnight for 6–8 hours or on the counter for about 3–5 hours.
- Unwrap pie from plastic wrap or remove it from the freezer bag.
- No preparation is required for pies that do not need heating.
- If it does, proceed to preheating your oven for up to 300 degrees and bake the pie on the baking sheet for about 30 minutes or until the crust of the pie turns into golden brown.
This first method can be used with any size of the pie. Saving time, these pies will not need to be baked in the oven. One can simply follow the thawing instructions and proceed with serving. Keep in mind to store your pie in the refrigerator if there is any pie remaining after serving. Your pie will remain fresh in the fridge for 5–6 days if covered properly.
Second Option
The second method is used if you forgot to plan or determine on quick notice that you need a dessert and you’ve decided to pull that pie from the freezer, this option is surely for you! One can also use this option if you simply don’t want to worry about thawing times.
This is your quick go-to option when you’re in a bit of a pinch. However, this method does not work for pies that do not require or use heat before serving. Unfortunately, the only option for that type of pie is to wait out the thawing time.
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
- Unwrap the pie or remove it from the freezer bag.
- If your pie has accumulated any frost during freeze time, be sure to brush that off to avoid extra moisture in your crust. You should be able to lightly wipe the frost away with your hand or dab it with a paper towel.
- Place the pie on a baking sheet and place it into your oven.
- Cooking times may vary based on the size and filling of your pie. For instance, 5-inch pies require 20–30 minutes of bake time while 10-inch pies require 50–70 minutes of bake time.
- You can check the pie temperature by inserting a knife or fork into the center and then pulling it out. Test the heat of the filling on your utensil. When it is warm through the center, your pie is ready.
- Allow the pie to cool slightly before serving.
What is the difference between custard pie and cream pie?
The difference between cream and custard pies is in the manner in which they are prepared. Custard pies have a filling that is made through the mixture of eggs, sugar, and other ingredients and poured into a pie shell to bake. From this point, the baking will start after all the contents are poured into the crust of the pie.
On the other hand, most cream pies also have fillings quite similar to what is found in the custard pie. However, cream pies are prepared on the stove and the filling is poured into an already baked crust. The result is a filling that has a softer and pudding-like texture than that of the custard pie.
Cream pies are faster to prepare than custard pies because cooking the filling on the stove is not time-consuming as baking a custard filling. Custard pies take less effort during preparation because you just have to mix up your filling and pour the mixture right into the shell. Similarly, both types of pies are chilled before they can be served and can be decorated on top with either meringue or whipped cream.
Can you freeze a coconut custard pie?
Unfortunately, it is not recommended to freeze coconut custard pies according to one of our reliable sources. To clarify, the ingredients will not hold up well at the lower temperature of the freezer. The filling will not become firm enough after freezing because of the ingredient’s nature. The pie would go soft and soggy when it comes to contact with the filling. This can be huge to deal with once you’re thawing the frozen pie.
If you do not have any other choice, it is still possible to freeze a coconut custard pie for later use. However, do note that there will be sensible texture changes no matter how carefully the preparation for freezing may be.
Coconut custard pie has a shorter life span mainly because of the delicate ingredients. Even when you stored it in the freezer, it will only last for about 3 to 4 days.
Can you freeze a rhubarb custard pie?
Yes, you can freeze a rhubarb custard pie. You just have to place the rhubarb pie in a tightly sealed container like a freezer bag or just wrap the pie with aluminum foil or plastic freezer wrap. The contents will still last for about 6 to 8 months if the storage and preparation conditions are met. However, the temperature must be maintained at 0°F to make sure that it will still be safe to consume.
The best way to know whether the rhubarb custard pie has gone bad is through sensory evaluation. Off smell or appearance is a clear indicator that the pie is not safe to consume. If mold appears, quickly dispose of the pie.
Can you freeze an egg custard pie?
Yes, you can but it is not recommended to freeze an egg-based custard pie. The custard texture is not ideal for freezing and thawing because it is not firm enough. But if one doesn’t have any other option, you could still freeze it.
Final Thoughts
Now that all of your doubts have been answered, you must free your mind of second thoughts like worrying if you make too many custard pies one weekend. Freezing is a great way to preserve the seasons or getting ahead during the holidays. Freezing pie opens up a new dimension of possibilities for your baking, one would never have thought of!
