These Sugar Pie Squares look humble, but are absolutely mind-blowing in the flavor department! Buttery, gooey, caramelly squares of total heaven on a shortbread crust. A must make!
Prep Time6 hourshrs10 minutesmins
Cook Time35 minutesmins
Total Time6 hourshrs45 minutesmins
Course: Bars, Dessert
Cuisine: Dessert
Servings: 16squares
Equipment
Food Processor recommended
Ingredients
For the Crust:
1½cupsall-purpose flour
2Tbspgranulated white sugar
1/2tspsalt
1/2cupunsalted butter, cold and cubed
1tsppure vanilla extract
For the Filling:
1½cupslight brown sugar, firmly packed
2large eggs, at room temperature
1/4cupheavy whipping cream
3Tbspunsalted butter, melted and cooled
2Tbspcornstarch
2tsppure vanilla extract
1/4tspsalt
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350° degrees F. Line an 8-inch square light metal baking pan with parchment paper, extending the sides of the parchment paper over the edges of the pan. Spray the parchment lightly with cooking spray; set aside.
For the crust: In a food processor, combine the flour, sugar, and salt and pulse until just combined. Add in the cold, cubed butter and vanilla extract and pulse until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and press into an even layer. Bake for 10 minutes and remove from oven, but leave oven on.
Meanwhile, make the filling while the crust bakes. In a large bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, eggs, heavy whipping cream, melted butter, cornstarch, vanilla extract and salt until well combined. Pour over the crust.
Bake until the top is set but only slightly jiggly in the center, about 25-30 minutes. It should not be sloshing around in the pan but if it jiggles a little bit, that's okay. Bubbling around the edges and deep coloring are normal. Let cool completely at room temperature, then cover with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for at LEAST 4-6 hours or until set before cutting into bars.
Notes
Because this recipe is so simple and doesn't use any fancy extra add-ins like candies or sprinkles, I like to splurge for higher quality ingredients like creamery butter and pure vanilla extract to really let those flavors shine.