Amish Funeral Pie With Raisin Custard

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By: Clara Updated: October 22, 2026

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This Amish Funeral Pie With Raisin Custard is pure comfort in pie form. It is old-fashioned, cozy, and just sweet enough to feel special without being too heavy. If you enjoy classic desserts that taste like home, this pie will win you over fast.

At the center, you get a smooth raisin custard made with granulated sugar, cornstarch, whole milk, seedless raisins, egg yolks, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, and butter. Then, it all sits in a blind-baked 9-inch pie crust and gets crowned with a soft, sweet meringue. The flavor is rich and gentle, with warm raisin sweetness, bright lemon, and a creamy custard base that feels balanced and comforting.

The method is simple, too. First, you blind-bake the crust so it stays crisp. Then, you cook the raisin custard on the stove, temper in the egg yolks, and chill the filling until thick. After that, you spread on the meringue and bake just long enough to turn it lightly golden. Because each step is clear and manageable, this Amish Funeral Pie With Raisin Custard is a good recipe for home cooks who want a classic dessert without fuss.

This pie is a lovely choice for family dinners, church suppers, holiday tables, or any chilly night when you want something sweet and familiar. It also travels well for potlucks, which makes it especially handy when you need a dessert that feels thoughtful and traditional.

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Why You’ll Love This Amish Funeral Pie With Raisin Custard

• It uses simple pantry ingredients, so you do not need a long shopping list.
• The raisin custard is smooth, creamy, and lightly brightened with lemon.
• The meringue adds a soft, sweet finish that looks beautiful on the table.
• It is a comforting vintage dessert, which makes it feel special for holidays and gatherings.
• The steps are easy to follow, even if you do not bake pies often.

Raisins Tips

Raisins are the star of the filling, so choose seedless raisins that look plump and fresh. If they seem dry, that is okay, because the warm milk will help them soften and swell. However, avoid raisins that smell stale or overly hard. For the best texture, let them simmer in the milk long enough to get tender before you thicken the custard. That way, every slice of Amish Funeral Pie With Raisin Custard has a soft, pleasant bite.

Options for Substitutions

• Use a store-bought pie crust if you want to save time.
• Swap whole milk for 2% milk if needed, although the filling may be a little less rich.
• Replace seedless raisins with golden raisins for a lighter color and slightly different sweetness.
• Use bottled lemon juice in a pinch, but fresh lemon juice gives the best flavor.
• If you do not want meringue, top the pie with whipped cream after chilling.
• Use arrowroot instead of cornstarch if you need a cornstarch alternative, but keep the amount modest.

Watch Out for These Mistakes

The first mistake is underbaking the crust. Since the filling is soft and moist, the crust must be fully blind-baked first. Otherwise, the bottom can turn soggy. So, bake it until it is golden, then cool it completely before adding the custard.

Another common problem is rushing the custard. You should cook it slowly and stir the whole time. If the heat is too high, the eggs can scramble or the mixture can scorch. Also, do not let the custard boil once the yolks go in, because that can ruin the smooth texture.

Meringue needs care, too. Be sure to spread it all the way to the crust edge so it seals the filling well. If you leave gaps, the meringue can shrink during baking and pull away from the pie. As a result, the custard may weep later.

Finally, be patient when cooling. This Amish Funeral Pie With Raisin Custard needs time to chill before slicing, or it may run. So, let it set fully in the fridge, then cut it with a clean knife for neat slices.

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What to Serve With Amish Funeral Pie With Raisin Custard?

This pie pairs nicely with simple, homey sides that do not compete with its sweet, creamy flavor. For a balanced dessert table, serve it with hot coffee, black tea, or even a glass of cold milk. If you want a fuller spread, add fresh fruit like sliced pears or apples, plus a small platter of mild cheeses or butter cookies. Since the pie is rich and old-fashioned, lighter sides help keep the whole meal pleasant and easy to enjoy.

Storage Instructions

Store: Cover the pie loosely and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The meringue is best on the first day, so plan to serve it soon after baking if you want the prettiest top.

Freeze: You can freeze the pie for up to 1 month, but the meringue may lose some of its texture after thawing. For best results, freeze without the meringue if possible, then add fresh topping later.

Reheat: For a single slice, warm it gently on the stovetop in a covered skillet over low heat for a few minutes, or microwave it in short 10 to 15 second bursts. However, for the best texture, serve it chilled or at cool room temperature.

Recipe Info

Preparation Time: 30 minutes, plus 3 hours chilling
Cooking Time: 55 minutes
Total Time: 4 hours 25 minutes
Level of Difficulty: Easy to medium
Servings: 8 servings

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

Calories: about 2,400 to 2,600 total
Protein: about 35 to 45 g total
Fat: about 70 to 85 g total
Carbohydrates: about 360 to 410 g total

Ingredients

• 1 (9-inch) pie crust, store-bought or homemade, to be blind-baked
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups whole milk
• 1 1/2 cups seedless raisins
• 3 large egg yolks, lightly beaten
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 3 large egg whites, at room temperature
• 6 tablespoons granulated sugar

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Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Blind-Bake the Pie Crust

Heat the oven to 400°F. Fit the pie crust into a 9-inch pie plate, then prick the bottom with a fork. Line it with parchment and fill it with pie weights or dried beans. Bake for 15 minutes, then remove the weights and parchment and bake for 8 to 10 minutes more, until golden. After that, cool the crust completely and lower the oven to 350°F.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a small bowl, whisk together the 1/2 cup sugar, cornstarch, and salt. This helps the custard thicken evenly later, so do not skip this simple step.

Step 3: Warm the Milk and Raisins

Put the milk and raisins in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Warm them for 6 to 8 minutes, until the raisins look plump and the milk is steaming. Then turn the heat to low so the custard can thicken without scorching.

Step 4: Cook the Custard

Stir in the sugar mixture and cook, stirring constantly, until the milk thickens noticeably. Next, place the egg yolks in a small bowl and whisk in a few spoonfuls of the hot mixture to temper them. After that, scrape the yolks back into the saucepan and cook for 2 to 3 more minutes, stirring, until the custard is very thick. Be careful not to let it boil.

Step 5: Finish, Chill, and Fill

Take the pan off the heat, then stir in the lemon juice, zest, and butter until the butter melts. Let the filling cool, then refrigerate it until chilled, about 3 hours. Once it is cold, pour it into the cooled pie shell.

Step 6: Make the Meringue and Bake

Beat the egg whites to soft peaks. Then add the 6 tablespoons sugar a little at a time and keep beating until the peaks are stiff and glossy. Spread the meringue over the filling, all the way to the crust edge so it seals in the custard. Bake at 350°F for about 15 minutes, until the meringue is lightly browned. Finally, cool the pie before slicing.

Conclusion

Amish Funeral Pie With Raisin Custard is a beautiful old-fashioned dessert that brings together a crisp crust, a creamy raisin custard, and a light meringue topping. Because the ingredients are simple and the method is straightforward, it is a great pie for both new bakers and seasoned home cooks. Also, the lemon adds just enough brightness to keep the filling lively, while the raisins make every bite feel warm and familiar.

If you are looking for a dessert that feels comforting, classic, and easy to love, this is a wonderful one to try. Make it for your next family meal, share it with neighbors, or bring it to a potluck. Then come back and let me know how it turned out, or explore more classic pie recipes for your next baking day.