Photo by Melissa’s Southern Style Kitchen
As we enter the holiday season, the Tumbleweird Narrators wanted to share some of their favorite dessert recipes and the stories behind them. Each story has an accompanying audio file, similar to some of the stories you’ll find each month in Tumbleweird. You can read the recipes and listen to each narrator tell the story behind the food they make, and why it’s meaningful to them.
Our first recipe comes from James Cheatham, who describes his holiday favorite, buttermilk pie, as “a little southern magic tucked into a flaky crust.”
Let me tell you about Buttermilk Pie.
James Cheatham
You know how some desserts feel like a hug from the inside out? That’s Buttermilk Pie. It’s not flashy. It doesn’t need layers of ganache or a dramatic drizzle. It’s simple, golden, and quietly spectacular — like the kind of Southern comfort that sneaks up on you and suddenly becomes tradition.
I bake it every holiday season, and I swear, it’s the one thing that makes the kitchen smell like home. The crust crisps just enough to cradle the custard, which bakes into this silky, tangy-sweet filling that’s somewhere between crème brûlée and a lemon bar — but with none of the fuss. The top gets this delicate, crackly sugar crust, and when you cut into it, the slice holds like a dream.
The flavor? Imagine vanilla, a whisper of citrus, and that unmistakable buttermilk twang that makes your taste buds perk up. It’s not overly sweet, which means you can actually taste the richness of the eggs and the butter. And it’s the kind of pie that makes people pause mid-bite and go, “Wait… what is this?”
I usually serve it chilled, with just a dusting of powdered sugar or a dollop of whipped cream if I’m feeling fancy. But honestly? It doesn’t need anything. It’s the kind of pie that tells its own story.
BUTTERMILK PIE
Ingredients:
- 1 unbaked 9-inch pie crust (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional, for brightness)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional, for warmth)
- Pinch of salt
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Place your pie crust into a 9-inch pie dish and crimp the edges.
- In a large bowl, whisk together sugar and flour until combined.
- Add eggs and whisk until smooth.
- Stir in buttermilk, melted butter, lemon juice, vanilla, nutmeg, and salt. Mix until fully incorporated.
- Pour the filling into the unbaked pie crust.
- Bake for 45–55 minutes, or until the center is set and the top is lightly golden. It should jiggle slightly but not slosh.
- Let cool completely before serving. Chill in the fridge for a firmer texture, or serve at room temperature for a softer custard.
So yeah — Buttermilk Pie. It’s not just dessert. It’s a quiet ritual, a little Southern magic tucked into a flaky crust. Every time I bake it, I’m reminded that comfort doesn’t have to be complicated. It just has to be honest.
If you’ve never tried it, consider this your invitation. Pull up a chair, grab a fork, and let this humble pie surprise you. Because sometimes, the most unforgettable flavors come from the recipes that whisper, not shout.
And if you do make it, don’t just taste it; share it. That’s how traditions start.
James Cheatham is an award winning SAG-AFTRA audiobook narrator and host of the podcast Idiosyncratic Fables. When not in the booth, he feeds his creativity baking yummy treats in the kitchen, painting miniatures, and being a dungeon master for tabletop RPG’s. James has been narrating for Tumbleweird since July 2024. You can learn more about his work at narratorjames.com.
About The Tumbleweird Narration Project
Tumbleweird Narrators provide real human voice narration to articles and stories at tumbleweird.org. We are committed to bringing current events and community information to everyone who needs and enjoys the narration experience, with a human touch. Tumbleweird has a mission to “serve the truly powerful: the underdogs, the misfits, the outsiders, the newcomers, those on the margins, and the ones who defy the status quo.” We narrate their stories.
