As the leaves turn golden and the air becomes crisp, there’s one dessert that truly captures the essence of fall—pumpkin pie. This classic treat, with its rich, spiced filling and buttery, flaky crust, has been a staple on Thanksgiving tables for generations. But pumpkin pie isn’t just for Thanksgiving; it’s a delightful way to embrace the flavors of autumn throughout the entire season. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or trying your hand at pie-making for the first time, this Great Pumpkin Pie Recipe is designed to impress.

Why Pumpkin Pie?

Pumpkin pie is more than just a dessert; it’s a tradition. The creamy filling, spiced with cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves, creates a warm, comforting flavor that evokes memories of family gatherings and holiday celebrations. The beauty of pumpkin pie lies in its simplicity and versatility. It pairs perfectly with a dollop of whipped cream, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or even a drizzle of caramel sauce. The balance between the rich, smooth filling and the crisp, tender crust is what makes this pie a standout dessert.

The Great Pumpkin Pie Recipe: A Classic Fall Treat

Hannah Thormsild

It’s a dish that not only satisfies the sweet tooth but also evokes a sense of warmth and comfort, especially during the colder months. Its role as a dessert is solidified by its place in cultural traditions

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Total Time 1 hour hr

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 8

Ingredients

  

• 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp sugar
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small cubes
• 3-4 tbsp ice water
• For the Filling:
• ¾ 1 ¾ cups pumpkin puree (canned or homemade)
• ¾ cup packed brown sugar
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp ground ginger
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
• ¼ ¼ tsp ground cloves
• ¼ tsp salt

Instructions

 

• Step-by-Step Instructions:
• 1. Preparing the Crust:

  A good pumpkin pie starts with a great crust. The crust should be flaky and tender, providing the perfect contrast to the creamy filling. To make the crust, start by mixing the flour, sugar, and salt in a large bowl. The sugar adds just a hint of sweetness, complementing the filling without overpowering it.

  Next, add the chilled butter cubes. It’s important that the butter is cold, as this helps create the flakiness in the crust. Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, work the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. The goal is to keep the butter in small, pea-sized pieces to achieve that perfect flakiness.

  Gradually add the ice water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing just until the dough comes together. Overworking the dough can lead to a tough crust, so handle it as little as possible. Shape the dough into a disc, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This chilling process is essential, as it allows the gluten in the dough to relax and the butter to firm up.
• 2. Rolling Out the Crust:

  After chilling, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough into a 12-inch circle. This size will give you enough dough to cover a 9-inch pie dish with some overhang for crimping.

  Carefully transfer the dough to the pie dish, pressing it gently into the bottom and sides. Trim any excess dough, leaving about a ½-inch overhang. Crimp the edges to create a decorative border. Place the pie crust back in the refrigerator while you prepare the filling. Chilling the crust again helps it hold its shape during baking.
• 3. Making the Filling:

  The filling is the heart of the pumpkin pie. In a large bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, brown sugar, eggs, heavy cream, and vanilla extract until smooth. The pumpkin puree is the star of the show, providing that signature earthy sweetness.

  Add the spices—cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves—along with the salt. These spices are what give the pumpkin pie its warm, inviting flavor. The combination of these spices creates a depth of flavor that is both comforting and complex.

  Pour the filling into the prepared pie crust, spreading it out evenly.
• 4. Baking the Pie:

  Bake the pie in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes. The filling should be set around the edges but still slightly wobbly in the center. As the pie cools, the center will continue to set, giving you that perfect custard-like texture. If the crust starts to brown too quickly, cover the edges with foil or a pie shield to prevent burning.
• 5. Serving the Pie:

  Let the pie cool completely on a wire rack. This cooling process allows the flavors to meld and the filling to firm up, making it easier to slice. Serve the pie with a dollop of whipped cream, or for an extra touch of decadence, add a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg on top.

The History of Pumpkin Pie: A Slice of American Tradition

Pumpkin pie is an iconic dessert that has become synonymous with the American holiday of Thanksgiving, evoking memories of family gatherings and autumn celebrations. But the history of this beloved pie is as rich and layered as its spiced filling. From its origins in Native American culinary practices to its place on the modern Thanksgiving table, the journey of pumpkin pie is a fascinating tale of cultural exchange, agricultural development, and culinary evolution.

Early Uses of Pumpkin:

The story of pumpkin pie begins long before the arrival of European settlers in America. Native Americans were cultivating pumpkins, along with other squashes, as a staple crop for centuries. Pumpkins were highly valued not only for their nutritional content but also for their versatility. They could be roasted, boiled, mashed, or even dried and ground into flour.

Early Native American recipes for pumpkin were quite different from what we think of as pumpkin pie today. The indigenous peoples of North America would roast or boil pumpkins and often mixed them with sweeteners like maple syrup or honey. Some tribes also used hollowed-out pumpkins as cooking vessels, filling them with milk, spices, and honey before placing them in hot ashes to bake. These early pumpkin dishes laid the groundwork for the sweet, spiced desserts that would eventually evolve into pumpkin pie.

Pumpkin Pie and Thanksgiving:

Pumpkin pie became closely associated with Thanksgiving in the 19th century, largely due to the influence of popular literature. Sarah Josepha Hale, the editor of Godey’s Lady’s Book, is often credited with helping to establish Thanksgiving as a national holiday and promoting the idea of serving pumpkin pie as part of the traditional feast. In her 1827 novel Northwood, Hale describes a Thanksgiving meal that includes pumpkin pie, further cementing its place in the American holiday tradition.

By the mid-19th century, pumpkin pie was a staple of Thanksgiving dinners across the United States. Its popularity continued to grow as home cooking became more accessible, thanks to advancements in food preservation and the availability of canned pumpkin, which was first introduced in the 1920s. This innovation made it easier for home cooks to prepare pumpkin pie, further entrenching it as a Thanksgiving favorite.

Modern Pumpkin Pie:

Today, pumpkin pie remains a quintessential part of the American Thanksgiving tradition. While the basic recipe has remained largely unchanged since the 19th century, variations abound. Some bakers experiment with different crusts, sweeteners, or spices, while others add toppings like whipped cream, caramel, or even pecans. Despite these variations, the essence of pumpkin pie—a smooth, spiced filling encased in a flaky crust—continues to delight generations of Americans.

Pumpkin pie’s enduring popularity is a testament to its rich history and its ability to evoke the warmth and comfort of the autumn season. Whether made from scratch or prepared using store-bought ingredients, pumpkin pie is more than just a dessert; it’s a slice of American history, served up every fall with a generous helping of tradition.

Conclusion:

This Great Pumpkin Pie Recipe is a celebration of autumn’s best flavors. The combination of warm spices and creamy pumpkin filling encased in a flaky, homemade crust makes it the perfect dessert for any fall gathering. Whether you enjoy it as a cozy weekend treat or as the grand finale to your Thanksgiving feast, this pumpkin pie is sure to become a favorite in your home. So roll up your sleeves, preheat your oven, and get ready to bake the best pumpkin pie you’ve ever tasted. Happy baking! Related recipes…