Easy Old-Fashioned Buttermilk Pie Recipe

This Old-Fashioned Buttermilk Pie is a classic Southern dessert with a delicious custard-based filling and a lightly golden top. It’s an easy pie recipe that doesn’t even require a pie crust! Made with simple ingredients and mixed in one large bowl, this easy buttermilk pie recipe is perfect for a first-time baker or anyone who loves an old-fashioned pie without a lot of fuss.

Love classic Southern desserts? Check out these recipes while you’re here: Grandma’s Southern Banana Pudding, Southern Caramel Cake, Snicker Salad, or Strawberry Delight.

Originally posted December 2013, updated May 2026

Buttermilk Pie

My Mama has been making this Southern Buttermilk Pie recipe for as long as I can remember. And while we have it more often around the holidays, it’s not unusual to see it at family gatherings throughout the year. It’s a really popular recipe with my immediate and extended family.

I asked Mama to send me a copy of her recipe when I got ready to share it, and she sent this picture of her recipe – written on the back of an envelope, I think:

This pie is custard-like, and Mama likes to say that it “makes its own crust” although really… it’s sort of crust-less. Either way, it’s delicious! While buttermilk is the main ingredient, if you’re not a fan, don’t let that deter you. You’ll never taste it in this recipe!

When it comes to down-home country cooking, this classic Buttermilk Pie is perfect. 

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• A classic southern buttermilk pie with no premade pie crust required
• Made with simple ingredients you likely already have
• A comforting pie recipe perfect for a holiday table or everyday dessert recipe

What is Buttermilk Pie?

A traditional buttermilk pie is a custard pie with a smooth, creamy filling on the bottom and a lightly golden brown top that’s a little more “crusty.”

This pie really came into its own during the Great Depression and World War II, when families had to stretch simple pantry staples and get creative in the kitchen. Homemade buttermilk was often on hand as a byproduct of churning butter, making this an easy, practical dessert to pull together. 

Recipes like this became known as “desperation pies” because they relied on basic ingredients when fresh berries and other fruit and extras weren’t available. It’s the kind of recipe that’s been passed down for generations – often called a 100-year-old buttermilk pie for good reason.

And if you’re wondering about the buttermilk pie taste, don’t worry. Even if you’re not a fan of buttermilk, this old fashioned buttermilk pie only has a slight tangy flavor that perfectly balances the sweetness. It doesn’t taste like buttermilk at all, I promise. 

Tools Needed

• Large mixing bowl
• Whisk or hand mixer
• Pie pan (9-inch works great)
• Measuring cups and spoons

Ingredients

These are all pantry staples (except the buttermilk) which most home cooks have on hand all the time.

• Granulated sugar
• Buttermilk (room temperature for best results) – because buttermilk is the key ingredient of this pie, I do not recommend using a buttermilk substitute, but rather using full-fat buttermilk.
• Bisquick baking mix – you can use this homemade baking mix instead
• Unsalted butter, melted
• Vanilla extract
• Eggs (room temperature)

Find the complete recipe with ingredient measurements in the recipe card below.

How to Make Buttermilk Pie

This is a really easy recipe! One bowl, no crust, and you get a delicious, perfect pie!

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and place your pie pan on a baking sheet.
2. In a large bowl, combine sugar, buttermilk, eggs, Bisquick, melted butter, and vanilla extract.
3. Pour the buttermilk mixture into an ungreased deep dish pie pan.

4. Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the center of the pie is set with a slight jiggle.
5. Remove from the oven and allow the pie to cool completely.

Pro Tips for Best Results

• Use room temperature ingredients so the filling mixes smoothly.
• Don’t overbake – the center of the pie should still have a slight jiggle.
• If the top browns too quickly, loosely cover with aluminum foil.
• This pie forms its own light “crust” top as it bakes, but the inside is not quite as creamy as a custardy pie.

Storage Instructions

• Cover leftover pie with plastic wrap or store in an airtight container
• Refrigerate for up to 4 days
• Serve Crustless Buttermilk Pie chilled or bring to room temperature before serving

Can You Freeze SouthernButtermilk Pie?

Yes! For best results:

• Let the pie cool completely
• Wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then again in foil
• Freeze for up to 2 months
• Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving

More Delicious Recipes

• Southern Buttermilk Cornbread
• How to Make Fluffy Pancakes (Buttermilk Pancake Recipe)
• Easy Strawberry Cheesecake Pie
• Easy No-Bake Lemon Icebox Pie
• Best Strawberry Rhubarb Pie Recipe