Graham wafer cream pies such as this one became popular in Canada during World War I; later, this became known as "Flapper Pie" throughout western Canada.
Preparation Time
30 mins
Cooking Time
30 mins
Total Time
60 mins
Calories
490 Calories
Recipe Instructions
Step 1
Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Step 2
Mix the graham cracker crumbs, 1/2 cup sugar, melted butter, and cinnamon in a bowl. Reserve 1/4 cup for topping the pie. Press the remaining crumb mixture in the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate. Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 8 minutes.
Step 3
Heat the milk in a saucepan over medium-high heat. In a non-plastic bowl, whisk together the 1/2 cup sugar, cornstarch, egg yolks, and vanilla. When the milk is hot but not boiling, slowly pour the milk in a steady stream into the yolk mixture, whisking constantly. Return the custard to the saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon or a heat-proof spatula. Cook and stir for 2 to 3 minutes over low heat until the custard has thickened. Pour the custard into the graham cracker crust.
Step 4
Beat the egg whites until medium peaks form; add 2 tablespoons of sugar and beat until the meringue is stiff. Scoop out the meringue on top of the custard filling. Sprinkle the meringue with the reserved graham cracker crumbs.
Step 5
Place the pie under the broiler and bake until the meringue starts to brown, 3 to 5 minutes.
Step 6
Preheat the oven's broiler and set the oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source.