Maple custard pie

Maple custard pie is a traditional New England dessert sweetened solely with maple sugar, reflecting the region's values of self-sufficiency and economic independence. Originating in the 18th century, this pie emerged during a boycott of West Indies sugar, which was produced using slave labor. The boycott, supported by anti-slavery advocates like William Fox, promoted maple sugar as an alternative. Benjamin Rush advanced this cause with a tract on sugar maples in 1788 and founded a society to encourage its production. Thomas Jefferson also embraced the movement, vowing to use only maple sugar, though his efforts to cultivate sugar maples in Virginia were unsuccessful.

The tradition of making maple custard pies persists today, albeit less commonly than in the past. A 1939 recipe for maple cream pie illustrates the preparation process: maple sugar and scalded milk are combined in a double boiler with cornstarch to create a thin paste. This mixture is then blended with beaten eggs and cooked briefly before adding butter, vanilla, and salt. The custard is cooled, poured into a pie shell, and often topped with whipped cream. Some variations of the recipe involve baking the custard in the oven. Maple custard pie remains a symbol of New England's commitment to simplicity and independence.