Flapper Pie

Flapper Pie

Vanilla custard and toasted meringue on graham crumbs — the Prairies' century-old sweetheart.

Total
50 min
Serves
4

Manitoba's diner heirloom: a graham crumb base filled with vanilla custard, crowned with meringue and a final dusting of cinnamon crumbs. Flapper pie ruled Prairie church suppers for a century and never needed updating — the wobbly custard against toasted meringue is its own argument. A slice of Canadian nostalgia, best served chilled.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups Graham Cracker Crumbs
  • 6 tablespoons Melted Butter
  • 1/2 cup Sugar
  • 1/2 tsp Ground Cinnamon
  • 2 1/2 cups Milk
  • 1/2 cup Sugar
  • 1/4 cup Cornstarch
  • 3 Egg Yolks
  • 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
  • 1/4 tsp Salt
  • 3 Egg White
  • 1/4 cup Sugar
  • 1/4 tsp Cream Of Tartar

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350˚F.
  2. Mix all the crust ingredients (graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, granulated sugar and ground cinnamon) in a medium bowl. Set aside about 2 Tbsp (30 mL) for later and press the mixture into a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate in the bottom and up the sides. Bake crust for 10 minutes, it will only brown slightly.
  3. Combine the vanilla custard filling ingredients (milk, granulated sugar, cornstarch, egg yolks, vanilla extract and salt together) and cook on medium heat, stirring constantly, until it bubbles and thickens to the texture of pudding. Set aside to cool while you make the meringue topping.
  4. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the beater attachment or in a large bowl using an electric mixer beat the meringue ingredients (egg whites, granulated sugar, cream of tartar) together until it holds stiff and glossy peaks.
  5. To assemble the pie, pour the filling into the crust and top with a thick layer of the meringue, making little spikes that will brown on top. Sprinkle the reserved crumb over the top and place it into the preheated oven.
  6. Bake until the meringue browns, around 10 minutes, making sure to watch it carefully.
  7. Chill in the fridge and eat within a few hours of baking. This pie is best eaten the same day as the meringue will soften and liquify.

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories
400
Protein
0 g
Fat
0 g
Carbs
0 g

Adapted from canadianfoodfocus.org. Rewritten and re-photographed by MealIdeas.

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