Old-Fashioned Caramel Pie

By Addie

“My dad has eaten a lot of caramel pies in his life and says he never has found one that compares with Grandma's.”

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cups plus 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, divided
• 2 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 1/4 cups milk, divided
• 2 egg yolks, beaten
• 2 teaspoons butter, melted
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1 (9-inch) baked pie crust
• 2 egg whites

Preparation

Step 1

Sprinkle 1 cup granulated sugar in a medium nonstick skillet. Cook over medium heat, stirring continually, until brown, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat.


Mix 3 tablespoons sugar and the flour in a medium bowl. Add 1/4 cup milk, egg yolks, butter, vanilla extract and salt and mix well.


Heat remaining milk in a large saucepan. Add granulated sugar mixture and cook, stirring continually, until mixture begins to steam, about 3 minutes.


Add browned sugar gradually and stir until well mixed. Cook, stirring continually, until thickened, about 5 minutes. Spoon into the pie crust.


Preheat the oven to 350ºF.


Beat egg whites in a small bowl until frothy. Add remaining 2 tablespoons sugar and beat until stiff peaks form. Spread on top of the pie, sealing to edge. Bake until browned, about 7 to 8 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature. Refrigerate any remaining pie.
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Grandma's Secret Trick:

When Grandma got a microwave, she used it to caramelize the sugar. She combined 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 cup water at a time in a heatproof glass measuring cup. She microwaved the mixture, uncovered, on HIGH for 10 minutes without stirring, and let it stand until it turned brown, about 1 minute.