Teaspoons or tablespoons? *UPDATE!* (1 Viewer)

[Acegirl2003]

Hello, long time no see!

I asked a question back in 2022 regarding a pie recipe: Question *UPDATE!!!*

I wanted to make this pie again, but when I re-sent the recipe to dad (the modified one with the added cream and butterscotch chips that I wrote into a text), he said that the cornstarch quantity was "an enormous amount". He asked if it should be teaspoons instead, to which I said it was indeed tablespoons.

Then it occurred to me that I can't remember if we used 3 tablespoons of cornstarch, or if dad decided to use teaspoons instead. I want to achieve a nice, creamy texture with the filling like we did last time. When we made the pie in 2021 it was too gelatinous. My fear is that maybe we used tablespoons for the pie in 2021, and teaspoons for the one in 2022.

Should we use teaspoons or tablespoons of cornstarch for this recipe?

 

[Angie]

Hi @Acegirl2003

It's lovely to see you back.

After looking at our original post and checking on the internet for the recipe. Most people have used between 2 and 4 Tablespoons of Cornstarch for the Undertale - Toriels Butterscotch Cinnamon Pie Recipe. So your recipe of '3T' would ring true as tablespoons. However, there has been an odd one that used 6 Tablespoons!

Looking at your original recipe post, the picture shows 3T of Cornstarch, which suggests Tablespoons, which is what I think you actually used. As you wanted to add more liquid to the filling, I suggested adding some more cornstarch in stages in a slurry/paste. However, for this I said rather than adding a Tablespoon, you should add the additional cornstarch in a Teaspoon slurry/paste and in stages until your filling was at the right consistency. Less is more, as you can always add to your mixture but you cannot take it out.

I'm not sure what your Dad used originally, so it's hard to work out what your perfect recipe was. I usually ask members to clarify what ingredients/recipe they have used so that if other people read the post they have a tried and tested recipe to work from.

I'm sorry this isn't the case at the minute but hopefully you will be able to replicate your previous masterpiece.

(3 Teaspoons = 1 Tablespoon) so you may have used 3 Tablespoons to start with and then added additional Teaspoon(s) to help thicken the filling with the extra cream.

This was my original answer...

Hi @Acegirl2003

Welcome to the site.

When experimenting with recipes, everything really is trial and error. As you will be adding more liquid to the filling and altering the balance of the recipe, you may be wise to add a little more cornstarch to the mixture to help thicken it. However, what you could do is add the cream first on the stove with your original ingredients and check the consistency. If it's too runny, then add the extra cornstarch. Just ensure you add it to liquid first (such as water or milk) and make a liquid paste/slurry, then add it to your mixture. (Making the liquid paste/slurry will stop the cornstarch from going clumpy). Then stir whilst on the heat.

Rather than adding a tablespoon in one go, you could add small amounts, maybe adding a teaspoon of the extra cornstarch (liquid/slurry) at a time, and then add in stages until you get the correct consistency.

Then, when you're happy with the consistency, take off the heat and mix in the butterscotch chips.

Hope this helps and makes sense.

Good luck, it sounds lovely!

I hope this helps some and that you manage to recreate your yummy pie again!

 

[Angie]

@Acegirl2003

If you do remake the wonderful pie, will you post the full recipe so other members can use it too? That way you have a record of it, and other members have a tried and tested recipe to work from.

Only if you have the time though.

 

[Acegirl2003]

@Acegirl2003

If you do remake the wonderful pie, will you post the full recipe so other members can use it too? That way you have a record of it, and other members have a tried and tested recipe to work from.

Only if you have the time though.

Definitely! I actually have it saved on a google doc, so if it turns out to be up to snuff I'll be sure to do that!

 

[Acegirl2003]

After looking at our original post and checking on the internet for the recipe. Most people have used between 2 and 4 Tablespoons of Cornstarch for the Undertale - Toriels Butterscotch Cinnamon Pie Recipe. So your recipe of '3T' would ring true as tablespoons. However, there has been an odd one that used 6 Tablespoons!

I think I'm familiar with the recipe you're talking about!

One thing I haven't mentioned is that our recipe also has flour in it; 2 tablespoons. To my knowledge most butterscotch cinnamon pies, as well as tradition butterscotch pies, don't have flour at all, though I could be wrong about that. Flour has a similar function to cornstarch in that it thickens things up like this custard filling, right? So that would make 5 tablespoons of thickening agents. Do you predict this to be a good balance?

Edit: I take back what I said about most recipes not using flour. I quickly looked at the descriptions of a few butterscotch pie videos I've been watching recently, and some do indeed use flour. Though I will say I can't remember one that uses both.

 

[Angie]

I did see one that used two tablespoons of flour and two tablespoons of cornstarch but if you only used cornstarch last time I would stick with that. Otherwise you’re seriously messing with the balance of the recipe.

 

[Acegirl2003]

I did see one that used two tablespoons of flour and two tablespoons of cornstarch but if you only used cornstarch last time I would stick with that. Otherwise you’re seriously messing with the balance of the recipe.

The original recipe does call for flour, and I'm quite sure we used it last time. Thanks for the advice!

 

[Angie]

@Acegirl2003 Yeah, do that. You’re best to try and keep as close as you can to the original recipe for balance of ingredients and best results. I think the only thing you did differently was maybe add a touch more cornstarch when you added extra liquid last time.

Good luck with it, and let me know how you get on.

Fingers crossed, and lots of fabulous pie vibes are being sent your way!

 

[Angie]

@Acegirl2003

Here's the pic of the original recipe you posted if that helps:-

 

[Acegirl2003]

Hello!

We made the pies! This time I baked with my mom. We followed the recipe and they turned out just as good as I remember the ones in 2022 being!!

Pies fresh off the heat:

Pies the next day:

I was in charge of docking the crusts, and I saw them bubbling up in the oven, but fortunately mom saved the day just in time, even though she left a little hole in one of them. Oops! It worked out though!

Here's the recipe for anyone interested, let me know if this makes sense:

2 Tablespoons Flour
3 Tablespoons Cornstarch
¾ cup Dark brown sugar
500 ml Whole milk
1 Teaspoon Salt
75 Grams unsalted sweet cream Butter
3 Teaspoons Cinnamon
1 Egg
1 Teaspoon Vanilla
1/2 cup butterscotch chips
1 cup heavy cream
Baked pie crust(s) (we used the “regular” Pillsbury pie crusts instead of the deep dish or refrigerated ones)

1. In a measuring cup, combine 1/2 cup of cream with cornstarch. Mix until smooth. Then, in a separate vessel, lightly beat egg with a fork until smooth.* Add both to medium sized pot.
2. Add the rest of the ingredients (minus butterscotch chips) into pot. Heat gently and stir constantly until thickened.
3. Once thickened, remove from heat and whisk in butterscotch chips.
4. Pour into baked pie crust(s) and put into fridge to cool.

*Beating the egg was something mom suggested we do to help them mix better. To my knowledge, this is the only thing we did differently from last time!

Thanks for your help @Angie !

 

[Angie]

Aww, that's fabulous! @Acegirl2003

I'm so glad they worked out for you and your Mom! The pictures are fab, the pies look really yummy! Thank you for the pics and the new pic of you! Your Mom had the right idea with beating the egg as it will prevent it from separating in your mixture and will help bind and incorporate easier keeping everything together.

Now we all have your tried and tested recipe, so thanks for the update and the share!

I do love it when a plan (pie) comes together.

You're most welcome for the help, any time.

Best wishes


Angie