If you love comforting desserts that bring a touch of warmth and sweetness to any occasion, this Honey Carrot Pie Recipe is about to become your new favorite. It’s a delightful twist on classic pie flavors, blending the natural sweetness of carrots with the smooth richness of honey and cream, all nestled in a crisp Biscoff cookie crust. This dessert is not only a feast for your taste buds but also a visual treat with its vibrant orange filling that’s as inviting as it is delicious. Once you try this Honey Carrot Pie Recipe, you’ll wonder how you ever enjoyed carrot cake without it.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Honey Carrot Pie Recipe uses simple ingredients that come together to create an incredible balance of flavors and textures. Each component is key to achieving that perfect harmony — from the aromatic sweet crust to the velvety carrot filling.
- Biscoff cookie crumbs: These bring a deep caramelized flavor and crunchy texture for the crust, elevating the pie beyond the usual graham cracker base.
- Unsalted butter: Melted butter binds the crust crumbs together and adds richness without overpowering the other flavors.
- Light brown sugar: Adds just the right note of molasses sweetness that complements the caramel notes in the Biscoff cookies.
- Kosher salt: A pinch wakes up all the flavors, balancing sweetness beautifully.
- Carrots: Fresh and peeled, they’re the star of the filling, providing natural sweetness and vibrant color.
- Pure clover honey: This honey imparts floral sweetness and a silky texture that makes the filling luscious.
- Granulated sugar: Enhances the sweetness and helps set the filling perfectly.
- Water: Helps blend the filling smoothly without diluting flavor.
- Vanilla extract: Adds depth and aroma to the filling, making every bite enticing.
- Large eggs: They are essential for binding the filling and giving it a custard-like texture.
- Heavy cream: Brings richness and creaminess that contrasts wonderfully with the natural earthiness of the carrots.
How to Make Honey Carrot Pie Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Crust
Start by preheating your oven to 350ºF. In a bowl, mix the Biscoff cookie crumbs, melted butter, brown sugar, and a pinch of salt. The mixture should feel like damp sand—moist enough to stick together when pressed but not soggy. Press the crumbs into a 9-inch pie plate, shaping edges first while ensuring even coverage on the bottom. Packing it firmly is the key to a sturdy crust that holds its shape and crunch after baking.
Step 2: Steam and Puree the Carrots
Steam the sliced carrots until they become fork-tender, about 20 to 30 minutes—this soft texture is crucial for a smooth filling. Once softened, transfer them to a blender along with honey, sugar, water, vanilla, and salt. Blend everything until you get a perfectly smooth, luscious puree that will form the base of your pie’s filling.
Step 3: Mix the Filling
In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs and heavy cream until completely smooth—this mixture helps set the filling with a creamy custard-like consistency. Then add your carrot puree and whisk again until combined; this ensures each slice has a velvety texture and rich flavor.
Step 4: Bake the Pie
Pour the carrot filling into your prepared crust and bake on the center rack of your oven for approximately 45 to 55 minutes. You’ll want the pie filling to be fully set with no jiggling in the middle, but watch closely so it doesn’t overbake and crack. Once baked, remove it promptly and let it cool to room temperature.
Step 5: Chill and Serve
After cooling, transfer the pie to the refrigerator to chill for at least 4 hours. This step is essential for the flavors to meld and the filling to firm up to that perfect sliceable consistency. When ready to serve, top with whipped cream and, if you’re feeling festive, a candied carrot garnish for a charming touch.
How to Serve Honey Carrot Pie Recipe
Garnishes
Whipped cream is the classic choice for topping your pie, adding lightness to the rich, creamy filling. For extra pizazz, candied carrot strips can be delicately placed atop the pie for a glossy, sweet, and slightly crunchy contrast. A sprinkle of cinnamon or a drizzle of extra honey can also elevate the presentation and flavor.
Side Dishes
This Honey Carrot Pie pairs beautifully with a cup of hot tea or a latte, making it an ideal dessert for cozy afternoons or after dinner. Fresh fruit like sliced pears or a small scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side offers a refreshing balance, especially for those who love a contrasting texture and temperature with their pie.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving individual slices with a dollop of mascarpone mixed with a touch of honey and orange zest for a gourmet twist. For special occasions, garnish each slice with toasted nuts or edible flowers to add elegance. You can also turn this pie into a delicious tart by baking it in smaller ramekins for charming single servings.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover Honey Carrot Pie in an airtight container or cover it tightly with plastic wrap and keep it refrigerated. It will stay fresh and moist for up to 3 days, making it a perfect dessert to enjoy over a few days without losing any flavor or texture.
Freezing
If you want to save the pie for longer, you can freeze it. Wrap the pie securely in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. Frozen Honey Carrot Pie will last up to 2 months. When ready to eat, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator for the best results.
Reheating
To reheat, allow the pie to come to room temperature, or warm individual slices gently in a microwave for about 15-20 seconds. Avoid overheating as it can compromise the creamy filling’s texture. A quick warm-up just enhances the flavors and softens the crust slightly for the perfect eating experience.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of honey in this Honey Carrot Pie Recipe?
Absolutely! While clover honey provides a mild floral sweetness, feel free to experiment with wildflower, orange blossom, or even buckwheat honey for unique flavor twists. Just keep in mind that stronger honeys will make the pie taste bolder and might alter the final sweetness slightly.
Is it necessary to use Biscoff cookie crumbs for the crust?
Biscoff cookie crumbs give the crust a distinct caramelized flavor that’s perfect for this pie. However, you can substitute with graham cracker crumbs or any spiced cookie crumbs if you prefer. Just remember to adjust the sugar and butter to maintain the right crust texture.
Can I make the filling ahead and bake the pie later?
While it’s possible to prepare the carrot puree filling ahead of time, it’s best to combine it with the eggs and cream right before baking to maintain freshness and ensure proper texture. The crust, however, can be made in advance and refrigerated until you’re ready to bake.
How do I know when the pie is perfectly baked?
The pie is done when the filling is set and there is no wobble in the center when gently shaken. The edges might pull away slightly from the crust, but avoid overbaking to prevent cracks. The baking time may vary depending on your oven, so keep an eye during the last 10 minutes.
Can this Honey Carrot Pie Recipe be made vegan?
While this version relies on eggs and cream for a custardy texture, you could experiment with plant-based substitutes such as flax eggs and coconut cream. Keep in mind, though, the texture and flavor will be different, so some trial and error may be needed to get the best results.
Final Thoughts
This Honey Carrot Pie Recipe is one of those special desserts that feels both comforting and exciting, with its unexpected but delicious ingredient harmony. It’s perfect for impressing guests or simply treating yourself to something uniquely wonderful. Give this pie a try — I promise it will quickly become a beloved staple in your recipe collection!
PrintHoney Carrot Pie Recipe
This Honey Carrot Pie combines the natural sweetness of pure clover honey with tender carrot puree, all encased in a crunchy Biscoff cookie crust. The smooth, creamy filling is gently baked to perfection, resulting in a unique and delicious dessert perfect for any occasion.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 5 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
For the Crust:
- 1–¾ cups (226 grams or 8 ounces) Biscoff cookie crumbs
- 6 tablespoons (85 grams) unsalted butter, melted
- ¼ cup lightly packed (40 grams) light brown sugar
- Pinch kosher salt
For the Filling:
- 16 ounces carrots, peeled and sliced into ½” pieces
- ½ cup (160 grams) pure clover honey
- ¼ cup (50 grams) granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons (30 grams) water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon coarse kosher salt
- 3 large eggs
- ½ cup (113 grams) heavy cream
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350ºF and place a rack in the center of the oven to ensure even baking of the pie.
- Prepare Crust Mixture: In a bowl, combine Biscoff cookie crumbs, melted butter, light brown sugar, and a pinch of kosher salt. Mix until the texture resembles damp wet sand that holds together when squeezed. Adjust moisture by adding more butter or cookie crumbs if necessary.
- Form the Crust: Pour the crumb mixture into a 9-inch pie plate. Press the crumbs first up the sides to form the crust’s edges, then evenly distribute and pack the crumbs into the bottom using a flat-bottomed cup or measuring cup.
- Cook Carrots: Steam the sliced carrots until extremely tender, about 20-30 minutes. Alternatively, boil until fork tender.
- Blend Filling: Transfer the cooked carrots to a blender. Add honey, granulated sugar, water, vanilla extract, and kosher salt. Blend until completely smooth and creamy.
- Combine Eggs and Cream: In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs and heavy cream until smooth. Add the carrot puree and whisk thoroughly until fully combined.
- Fill Pie and Bake: Pour the carrot filling into the prepared pie crust. Bake in the preheated oven on the center rack for 45-55 minutes or until the pie is set with no wiggle. Avoid overbaking to prevent cracks. Remove immediately once set.
- Cool and Chill: Allow the pie to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours to fully set the filling.
- Serve: Serve chilled, optionally topped with whipped cream and candied carrot garnish for added flavor and presentation.
Notes
- Ensure the crust mixture holds together well; adjust butter or crumbs as needed for optimal texture.
- Be careful not to overbake the pie to avoid cracking on the surface.
- Steaming the carrots preserves flavor better than boiling, but boiling is a suitable alternative.
- Refrigeration time is crucial for the pie to set properly and develop its creamy texture.
- For a decorative touch, garnish with whipped cream and thinly sliced candied carrots.
