Family Recipe Friday: Betty Jo's Butterscotch Pie

Betty Jo Williamson
c. 1960

My cousin, Betty Jo Williamson McManaway, used to make the MOST delicious Butterscotch Pie!  Though I  sampled this pie several times while I was growing up, I gained a true appreciation of it's awesomeness when Betty Jo made it for me once on our shared birthday (January 13).  She brought the pie, still warm from the oven, to our house on this cold, gray afternoon, and it was such a treat.  Below is her recipe which, according to Betty Jo's daughter, Joy, is the recipe used by our Granny, Martha Pierce Lane.








Butterscotch Pie

2 1/2 C. brown sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
4 Tbsp. water
4 C. whole milk
9 Tbsp. cornstarch
6 egg yolks, beaten
4 Tbsp. butter
1 tsp. vanilla extract


In a large saucepan, combine brown sugar, salt, and water over medium heat.  In a large mixing bowl, mix together 1/4 C. of the milk with the cornstarch.  Add the rest of the milk to the mixing bowl and blend.  Add the cornstarch mixture to the saucepan of heated syrup and cook until thick.  Cook 15 minutes more.  Add the beaten egg yolks to the saucepan and stir.  Cook for 5 minutes.  Remove from heat and stir in butter and vanilla.  Cool.  Pour into pie shell, cover with meringue, and brown in the oven.