HEAVENLY FRESH PEACH CREAM PIE

Published Date: August 11, 2022 | Last Updated: August 12, 2024
This Heavenly Fresh Peach Cream pie is a fan favorite with rave reviews! Homemade buttermilk custard, and fresh ripe peaches. It’s the perfect summer dessert! 
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This Heavenly Fresh Peach Cream pie is a fan favorite with rave reviews! Homemade buttermilk custard, and fresh ripe peaches. It’s the perfect summer dessert! 

How long does this pie take to make?

Since there are two separate cooling times, one for the crust, and one for the custard, this pie will take a MINIMUM of six hours from start to finish. Ideally, 10 hours. I recommend making the crust one day, refrigerating overnight, then making the custard the next day (preferably in the morning) then covering it and letting it refrigerate for at least five hours.

Up close picture of Amber's Kitchen Peach Cream Pie with a slice taken our of it.

Can I substitute the buttermilk?

Real buttermilk is my first choice, but if you don’t have that on hand, just combine 2/3 cup whole milk with a teaspoon of white vinegar. Let it sit for 5 minutes until it barely begins to curdle. Then use that in place of the buttermilk! 

I missed peach season. What other fruit can I use?

This pie can be super versatile and be made with many fruits or even with chocolate! If you don’t have access to fresh peaches, just ask yourself what other fruit goes well with whipped cream/custard? Frozen peaches, or fresh berries such as strawberries, raspberries, blackberries or blueberries! Bananas would be fantastic as well! or, skip the fruit and it will just be a lemon vanilla custard pie! If you want to totally change the direction, add a drizzle of melted chocolate in between the custard and the whipped cream. Yum!  

Can I Skip the Nuts?

If you have an allergy to nuts, or an aversion to nuts, you can still make this! When preparing the pie crust, Just use an additional 3 to 4 graham crackers in place of the nuts.  

How Do I Make the Sweetened Whipped Cream?

Making sweetened whipped cream is really easy as long as you have a hand mixer or a stand mixer. Simply pour your 1-2 cups of whipped cream in, add a couple tablespoons of powdered sugar and a teaspoon of vanilla and whip your whipping cream! It will start to form peaks, and I like to keep whipping until it is nice and firm. Be careful not to whip it for too long, otherwise it will turn to butter! See here for more specific directions.

Can I Use Cool Whip?

I mean, you can.

It’s possible.

But that doesn’t mean you should.

I recommend making your own sweetened whipped cream just because it is so much better. But do whatever works best for you.

How Do I Store this Pie?

All leftovers should be covered and refrigerated. I recommend only adding whipped cream and peaches to the slices that will get eaten, because the whipped cream tends to deflate over time in the refrigerator. 

directions:

  1. Get out a food processor and crush those graham crackers and pecans. Mix the brown sugar and melted butter in there too!
  2. Evenly spread out this mixture into a nine-inch pie pan. Make sure that there are no too-thin or too-thick spots as you press it evenly down. 
  3. Put the pie crust into a preheated 350° F oven for eight minutes. Remove from oven and let cool, COMPLETELY. Cover with plastic and refrigerate. 
  4. In a separate bowl, combine the egg yolks, cornstarch, sugar and salt. Whisk it all together for a minute or two until it is smooth and a pale yellow in color. 
  5. In a saucepan over the stove, combine the heavy cream and the buttermilk. Heat over medium heat just until the side of the pan starts to bubble lightly. Remove from heat.
  6. Add 1/2 cup of the hot heavy cream mixture into the egg mixture, then whisk. Repeat with the remaining mixture until it is all added in together. Tempering the eggs this way allows them to heat slowly and evenly, preventing them from scrambling. 
  7. Return the egg/cream mixture to the stove and heat over medium heat for six minutes, stirring almost constantly. Heat until mixture thickens just enough to coat the back of a spoon. If you overcook it, the filling will become gritty and unpleasant. Be careful not to overcook.
  8. *optional* Strain custard just in case the tempering didn’t go smoothly and you may have some scrambled in your eggs.
  9. Add the vanilla, lemon zest, and lemon juice.
  10. Pour the custard into the cooled pie shell. Cover it with plastic and let it cool completely, refrigerating it for a minimum of five hours. It should be completely set up before you remove it from the fridge.
  11. Prepare your sweetened whipped cream. (instructions above) Prepare your peaches by peeling and slicing them. Add a tablespoon of powdered sugar to them if desired. 
  12. Remove the pie from the fridge, remove the plastic wrap, and evenly spread on the whipped cream. Then spread out peaches on the top. 
  13. Serve immediately and enjoy! Refrigerate any leftovers!

What Others Are Saying

Up close picture of Amber's Kitchen Peach Cream Pie with a slice taken our of it.

Heavenly Fresh Peach Cream Pie

Graham cracker crust, homemade buttermilk custard, sweetened whipped cream goodness, and fresh ripe peaches. This is the best pie you will ever eat.
4.98 from 68 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Desserts
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Additional Time: 10 hours
Total Time: 10 hours 40 minutes
Servings: 8
Author: Amber

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup pecans
  • 9 whole graham crackers
  • 2 Tablespoons brown sugar
  • 7 Tablespoons melted butter
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 2 1/2 Tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 5 egg yolks
  • zest of one whole lemon
  • juice of one half lemon
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract divided. 1 tsp for custard and 1 tsp for whipped cream
  • 2/3 cup buttermilk
  • 1 3/4 cup heavy cream – for pie custard
  • 2 cups of heavy whipping cream – for topping whipped into whipped cream. (not cool whip!)
  • 3 Tablespoons of powdered sugar- 2 tablespoons for sweetened whipped cream and 1 tablespoon to toss on the fresh cut peaches.
  • About 4 large or 7 small fresh peaches peeled and sliced

Instructions

  • In a food processor, combine graham crackers, pecans, brown sugar, and melted butter. Pulse until there are no chunks. 
  • Press graham cracker mixture evenly into the bottom of a 9-inch pie pan. Bake at 350° F for 8-10 minutes. 
  • After it has baked, let it cool for a few minutes, then cover it with plastic wrap and refrigerate until it has completely cooled. 
  • In a bowl, combine sugar, cornstarch, salt, and egg yolks. Beat with a wire whisk until the mixture is a smooth dull yellow color, about 1-2 minutes. 
  • In a saucepan, combine the heavy cream and the buttermilk over medium-high heat, stirring often. Bring to a gentle simmer and remove from heat.
  • In 1/2 cup increments, add some of the warmed heavy cream mixture to the egg mixture, whisking after each addition. Repeat this step until all of the hot mixture has been added to the egg mixture.
  • Dump the entire bowl of egg/heavy cream mixture back into the saucepan and onto the stove. Cook on medium heat for about 6 minutes, mixing often. Cook until it is thick and until the custard can coat both sides of a spoon. Remove from heat.
  • Strain custard with a wire-mesh strainer (just in case any bits of the egg become scrambled from heating too fast, although this step may not be needed).
  • Add the zest of one lemon, the juice of 1/2 lemon, and the vanilla extract. Mix well to combine.
  • Add custard to the baked pie shell. Spread evenly. Cover tightly with plastic wrap (to prevent a film from forming on top) then refrigerate 5 hours or until completely cooled and pie is firm and set up. 
  • Top pie with sweetened whipped cream, then with plenty of fresh peach slices. 
  • Enjoy right away and refrigerate any leftovers.
  •       ENJOY!

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Recipe Rating




    1. Post
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  1. Made this, this week and it was incredible! Dying to make it again! I love all Ambers recipes but this one made it to the top of the list for me.

    1. Post
      Author
  2. 5 stars
    This peach pie is absolutely INCREDIBLE! I love that it’s more decadent than the common “jello peach pie”. This takes a little time and planning ahead but it’s so worth it. This recipe is sure to be a jaw dropper if you take it to a summer party. I can’t wait to make it again this summer with fresh peaches!

  3. 5 stars
    I make this pie multiple times a year and everytime I wish I would have made 3 instead of 1. SO delicious taste like summer! My family loves it, crowds love it! It will get devoured so just do yourself a favor and make 2 OR 3 😉

  4. Our favorite peach pie! Literally the only one we will make now. My husband had a family peach pie recipe which was the only peach pie he would eat. This is now the one he wants. I made this pie and it was completely eaten by only 3 grown men. No one else got any. The pecan crust is heavenly. The custard, whipped cream and peaches are the perfect sweetness. This is not overly rich, but rather a light, cool, sweet dessert that will leave anyone satisfied. It can be a little time consuming, but I promise it is absolutely worth the time. You will never make another peach pie after trying this one.

  5. We make this every year with Utah fresh peaches and it’s by far my family’s favorite peach dessert! There are never any leftovers. Thanks Amber!

  6. 5 stars
    Every bit of this pie is heavenly! The crust is unreal with the pecans—so buttery! The custard is so light and that little lemon zing is key. The whipped cream topping is a winner for my kids. We love doing half fresh peach half fresh strawberry on top. Don’t skimp on the set time—it really needs 5 hours minimum, but usually always more! It’s actually perfect if you make it a day ahead.

  7. 5 stars
    This has become a family favorite! A must make every peach season. That custard is TO DIE FOR!! I will definitely be making this again before peach season ends.

  8. 5 stars
    My whole family loves this pie! I usually am not the biggest fan of pie but I love this one! One of the best Graham cracker crust recipes and using fresh peaches from my tree makes this the best recipe.

  9. 5 stars
    First I just have to say I love the nutty addition of pecans to the crust. My husband works for a pecan orchard so we always have them on hand and I love finding ways to use them!!

    This pie is light and creamy and everything I dream of for a yummy summer dessert. We have been making it since she originally shared it. It’s a must try! And she makes it so easy to follow the recipe.. I promise you won’t mess it up!!

  10. I’ve made this pie on 3 separate occasions and it is my absolute favorite. Fresh peaches are better than cooked peaches and this recipe shines with fresh ripe peaches. 🍑

  11. 5 stars
    Love this pie! When you have good fresh peaches nothing is better than a pie. Especially one that includes a delicious custard and a layer of cream. My husband ask to make sure we had ice cream with the pie. I told him to eat a bite first and sure enough, it is so good no ice cream needed! Definitely recommend this pie to anyone looking for a new recipe!

  12. This pie is the BEST peach pie you’ll ever have! We’ve made this two years in a row now with our backyard Elberta peaches and it is always worth the effort! This year, I had a store bought crust in my pantry that needed to be used, so I skipped the homemade crust (which I made in the past and it is truly stellar) and used the store-bought crust. The entire pie is always gone within about 15 minutes, it’s that good! This is a recipe I printed and put in my tried-and-true recipe binder because it’s here to stay. Thanks Amber!!

  13. Discovered this recipe at the end of the peach season last year and it was a hit! We’ve already made it once and are getting ready to make it again for Labor Day party.

    It’s creamy, not too sweet, and an amazing texture.

  14. 5 stars
    The flavors of this pie are amazing!

    I am very new to making custards and the first time I tried to make this I over whipped the custard mixture and also scrambled the eggs 🫣 so the second time I was much more cautious and it ended up not setting. Instead of throwing a second batch of custard in the trash I decided to throw the unset one into the ice cream maker!

    After it came out I crumbled the crust (which is insanely delicious!) as a mix in and topped with fresh peaches. 10/10 will make again and glad I have a backup in case my custard doesn’t set again 😂

    Will keep trying for the full experience pie because the flavors are insanely good and it looks so beautiful!

  15. 5 stars
    One of favorite pies! I loved the pecans in the crust although I needed a little more butter to hold the crust together. Takes almost like a key lime pie, very fresh and yummy!

  16. 5 stars
    Love this fresh peach pie when peaches come into season. I love a fully made from scratch pie and this has been a hit for my family since we first tried it last year. This and your baked peach pie are a tradition now!

    1. 5 stars
      This pie is amazing!!! I made this last year and then made it again today! The hardest part is waiting for the custard to set up in the fridge! This recipe is so creamy and fresh! I love enjoying this pie during peach season! So good!!!

  17. 5 stars
    Soooo yummy! I made this for my daughter’s birthday! We are alllergic to pecans so we used almonds in their place! Thank you thank you!!

  18. 5 stars
    This is THE BEST peach pie! First of all, homemade custard in cream pies is a must for me and this custard is so good. The tartness of the fresh peaches with the sweet custard and real whipped cream take it to the next level. I put it in all graham cracker crust because of a nut allergy and it is still amazing. It is the best summer pie!

  19. 5 stars
    I made this for my husband last year and as soon as peach season hit he immediately asked if I would be making this again. It is now a tradition! So delicious and refreshing!

  20. 5 stars
    We love this pie! My kids request it for their birthday cake and are so sad when peaches aren’t in season. The crust is next level and the texture of the custard is perfect.

  21. I made the pie. Thought it would take a while but was able to put it together quite fast. Tasted very rich and fresh. I followed directions to only put whip cream and peaches on when ready to serve. That worked great!

  22. Just made it again today and it’s basically a no fail recipe. You can adjust how much sweetness you want and it just hits the spot. 🍑 Thanks Amber!!

  23. 5 stars
    This is absolutely delicious! I’ve made it twice now and it always makes me feel like a master chef. Strongly recommend making it when peaches are in season. I love how you can adjust the layers to whatever you or your family likes. Will make again!!

  24. Just made a few of these pies last week to use up lots of fresh peaches. The contrast of flavors with the sweet peaches and the buttermilk was divine 🤯

  25. My fav pie!!! Got a ton of compliments when I made this pie, but I don’t think I’m sharing next time! It’s great if you want an amazing dessert you can prep in advance.

  26. This peach pie is one of my favorite things about summer! I was so sad that all peach trees around our area got hit with a late frost. I found someone selling peaches from a neighboring state and got to make it! The custard with the peaches is perfection.

  27. 5 stars
    It’s quite possible that this is the best thing I’ve ever eaten. Back to school isn’t so bad knowing it’s almost peach season and I can make this.

  28. 5 stars
    Peach season is my absolute favorite! This pie was soooo good! I thought it would be a little more difficult but it was so easy! Only thing you have plan for is letting the custard cool and set. It’ll be my go-to peach recipe forever!!

  29. This is one of my family’s favorite peach desserts! So fresh and the most deliciously creamy. You won’t regret making it and enjoying it with some tasty peaches.

  30. 5 stars
    This pie is so delicious. The crust, the filling. All of it is divine. We have made this a tradition, every peach season. The recipe is easy to follow and comes out just like the picture. I highly encourage you run get some fresh peaches and make this!! ❤️

  31. 5 stars
    Made this yesterday for a family get together. Doubled the recipe knowing it would be a hit and it didn’t disappoint. All of it was gone, like licked the pie pan gone. Highly recommend. Directions were very easy to follow and turned out exactly as expected.

  32. 5 stars
    This pie is always a MUST each peach season! The custard is such a perfect pairing with a fresh peach that doesn’t take away from the flavor! Yum!

  33. 5 stars
    This pie is the BEST! We make it every year when the Utah peaches are ripe. The recipe is perfect and easy to follow although it takes a bit of time. It is absolutely so dang worth it! It’s so delicious!!!

  34. 5 stars
    This is sooo good! I had actually never made custard before but it came out perfectly from following your instructions! Super easy and not very time consuming other than the chilling in the fridge.

  35. 5 stars
    BEST pie ever but especially peach! Highly recommend following the recipe exactly, down to buttermilk. You will not be disappointed! Even my picky eater loved this.

  36. Made this and it was absolutely to die for. The lemon in the custard was so perfect. My husband said it was the best dessert he ever tasted. Can’t rave about it enough!

  37. 5 stars
    Seriously the best. It’s fresh and light and the perfect pairing for peaches! I love all of Ambers recipes!! They’re staples in our kitchen.

  38. 5 stars
    I made this for my husband’s birthday last August and he loved it! The kids still talk about the yummy peach pie. This is now what I think of when I think of fresh peaches!

  39. 5 stars
    Such a yummy fresh tasting pie!! Tried it, and the instructions are so easy to follow! Don’t skip the lemon because it gives it such a fresh flavor! This would be yummy with strawberries, raspberries, and it’s amazing with peaches!

  40. 5 stars
    Peach is the only type of pie I like and this was peach pie elevated. I did leave out the pecans because I don’t love and the crust still turned out great. Making dinner for a family tomorrow and this is going as dessert!

  41. This recipe is heavenly. The graham cracker crust is 🤌🏼. Everyone loved it and fought for the left overs. The hardest part was waiting for it to chill and set in the fridge before we ate it!

  42. 5 stars
    Peaches 🍑🍑🍑 Utah Peaches are the best. This is my new favorite peach pie recipe for when I have fresh Utah peaches. The crust is like a cookie and the custard is so easy to make. I did add plums with my peaches and cinnamon to the fruit to take it to the next level. Thank you for sharing this recipe. I have added the recipe to my Family Recipe Shared Album.

  43. I made two for a family party tonight and they were a hit!!! Such a nice contrast with the fresh peach and creamy custard and light whipped cream! Totally leveled up the traditional peach pie. Definitely making again!

  44. This recipe is THE best I have ever made! The crust has so much flavor and the filling with fresh peaches…I can’t. I make this multiple times per season! Try it with homemade vanilla ice cream!

  45. I’ve been dreaming about peach pie for months and knew Amber wouldn’t let me down. I made this today and I’m already dreading peach season being over. This is so good! Thanks to Amber’s easy to follow recipe, my family thinks I’m a rockstar. All the stars for this review 🌟

  46. 5 stars
    I am known for making delicious pies, and I’ve always made a peach pie with a standard pie crust and have always loved it. I made this one this peach season and literally couldn’t stop eating it—somehow the graham cracker crust (with pecans!!!) becomes the most perfectly-textured almost caramelly crunch addition I didn’t know I needed! The custard is stellar and can’t be beat. I’m completely in love with all the layers of flavor on this one. Make it now.

  47. 5 stars
    I am not even joking when I say this is the best peach dessert you could possibly make! The pecans in the crust and the lemon in the custard takes it to a whole new level.

  48. 5 stars
    Perfectly summery and delicious! It’s my new favorite way to eat peaches. Super easy to make. But, it doesn’t surprise me, everything I make from Amber‘s kitchen is incredible!

  49. This is the best pie ever. I love it as is. My husband and sister enjoyed it without the peaches. Short on time? Make just the custard, let cool a little, and serve with peaches and homemade whipped cream. Delicious all 3 ways.

  50. 5 stars
    This is my all time favorite peach recipe! Every year I can’t wait for fresh peaches so I can make this pie. Amber’s recipe was easy to follow and just so delicious you’ve got to try it! Thanks so much Amber!

  51. 5 stars
    I make this every single year without fail! It’s my favorite peach recipe I’ve ever had! It’s not overly sweet or rich, it’s the perfect amount of everything. Seriously, it’s so dang good!

  52. 5 stars
    Peach season is the best and this recipe is top of the list!! You can never go wrong with one of Ambers recipes, but this is one of my favorites!!

  53. 5 stars
    All of ambers recipes are great, but this one is a SHOWSTOPPER!
    Every time I have made it people ask me what bakery I bought it from.
    I
    10/10 recommend!

  54. 5 stars
    This was absolutely Devine! I don’t even like.peaches and I ate it because the rest of the pie is so amazing! I will definitely be making it with some other fruits when they’re in season. 10 out of 10!!

  55. 5 stars
    I have been wanting to try this pie for a year because I like cream pies, but am not fond of fruit pies. However, I love peaches, so this seemed like the perfect pie. We finally made it for Labor Day today. It was gone quickly, but the regular peach pie we made still had half the pie left when everyone was done. We loved it!!

  56. 5 stars
    Okay, I have to be honest here. After I made the custard part of the pie I wasn’t super excited. It wasn’t very sweet and it was a bit tart from the lemon but I just kept on pushing through. Boy am I glad. This is literally the best dessert my family has ever eaten. We were fighting over who go to finish it off! I’m glad I trusted the process and finished making the pie! Highlight of our peach season for sure!

  57. 5 stars
    I have made this recipe twice and we love it. We had family in town yesterday so instead of making 2 pies, I increased the recipe 1 1/2 times and made it in a 9×13″ glass pan. It turned out great. So easy to make and serve. I love all the compliments I get when I make one of your recipes.

Ambers-Kitchen-Sourdough-Bread-2

Hi! I'm Amber

I'm obsessed with all things food and a mom to five. Baking bread and using my instant pot are my favorite things to do in the kitchen, and I can't wait to bring all that I have learned to you! Connect with me on Instagram because there's where I basically live these days.