Grandma’s Classic Pumpkin Pie Recipe: A Cozy Fall Favorite

Pumpkin pie whispers autumn’s warmth through its creamy, spiced embrace, inviting memories of family gatherings and festive traditions.

Rich, velvety textures promise comfort in every delectable slice.

Seasonal ingredients reinvent simple pantry staples into a culinary masterpiece that delights the senses.

Rustic and elegant, this dessert captures the essence of home-baked goodness with its golden-brown crust and silky filling.

Delicate spices dance across your palate, creating a symphony of familiar flavors that evoke nostalgic moments.

Home bakers can easily master this beloved classic with a few straightforward techniques and quality ingredients.

Each forkful tells a story of comfort, celebration, and the timeless joy of sharing something truly delicious.

Tips for the Perfect Pumpkin Pie Texture

• Master Crust Texture: Roll pie dough on a chilled surface to keep butter cold and create flakier, more delicate pastry.
• Prevent Soggy Bottom: Par-baking the crust with weights helps create a crisp foundation that won't absorb excess moisture from the pumpkin filling.
• Smooth Filling Technique: Whisk ingredients thoroughly and strain the mixture to eliminate any potential lumps for a silky, consistent texture.
• Baking Precision: Use an instant-read thermometer to check pie doneness; the center should reach 175°F for a perfectly set custard.
• Cooling Strategy: Allow pie to cool completely at room temperature to help the filling set properly and develop rich, deep flavors without cracking.

How to Store and Reheat Pumpkin Pie Slices

• Refrigerate: Store leftover pumpkin pie in an airtight container or tightly wrapped with plastic wrap for up to 4 days in the refrigerator to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Freeze: Wrap the cooled pie securely in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2 months, ensuring minimal air exposure to prevent freezer burn.
• Reheat: Warm individual slices in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes, or enjoy chilled directly from the refrigerator for the best texture and flavor preservation.

Pumpkin Pie Pairing Tips for Any Gathering

• Savor Spiced Bourbon Pairing: Complement the warm, rich flavors of pumpkin pie with a smooth bourbon that echoes its autumnal spices. Choose a small-batch bourbon with notes of vanilla and caramel to enhance the pie's deep, creamy profile.
• Elevate with Maple Whipped Cream: Transform classic whipped cream by folding in pure maple syrup, creating a luxurious topping that matches the pie's sweet, earthy undertones. The maple's woodsy sweetness perfectly harmonizes with the pumpkin's warm spices.
• Match with Cinnamon Coffee: Serve a freshly brewed cup of medium-roast coffee sprinkled with ground cinnamon. The coffee's robust flavor and warm spice will cut through the pie's richness while complementing its aromatic cinnamon and nutmeg notes.
• Pair with Aged Tawny Port: Select a slightly chilled tawny port with its caramel and dried fruit notes. This wine's smooth, sweet character beautifully balances the pie's creamy texture and complex spice blend.

Variations on Classic Pumpkin Pie to Explore

• Maple Pecan Pumpkin Pie: Replace brown sugar with maple syrup for a richer flavor. Sprinkle chopped pecans on top before baking for added crunch and nutty depth.
• Spiced Chocolate Pumpkin Pie: Mix in dark chocolate chips and add extra ground cardamom to the filling. Create a chocolate graham cracker crust for an indulgent variation.
• Coconut Rum Pumpkin Pie: Swap heavy cream with coconut milk and add a splash of dark rum to the filling. Top with toasted coconut flakes for a tropical-inspired dessert.
• Chai-Spiced Pumpkin Pie: Infuse the filling with chai tea spices like cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, and black pepper. Garnish with a sprinkle of extra chai spice blend for aromatic warmth.

Why Classic Pumpkin Pie Stands the Test of Time

• Craft Seasonal Comfort: This classic pumpkin pie delivers pure autumn warmth with its rich, spiced filling and flaky homemade crust that wraps you in cozy holiday memories.
• Elevate with Elegant Garnish: Sugared cranberries transform this traditional dessert into a stunning centerpiece, adding bright tartness and sparkling sugar crystals that create visual and flavor excitement.
• Master Simple Techniques: The recipe guides bakers through approachable steps like par-baking the crust and creating smooth filling, making it perfect for both novice and experienced home cooks to achieve professional-looking results.

Ingredients for an Authentic Pumpkin Pie

• All-Purpose Flour: Sturdy base for classic pie crust, choose unbleached for best texture.
• Unsalted Butter: Provides rich flavor and flakiness, cold butter works best.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor of the crust.
• Ice Water: Helps bind ingredients without developing tough gluten.

• Pumpkin Puree: Pure pumpkin provides authentic autumn flavor, choose 100% pure canned pumpkin.
• Brown Sugar: Adds deep caramel-like sweetness and moisture.
• Eggs: Binding agent that provides structure to the filling.
• Heavy Cream: Creates rich, smooth texture in the pie.
• Whole Milk: Adds additional creaminess and helps balance consistency.

• Ground Cinnamon: Warm, classic pie spice with sweet undertones.
• Ground Ginger: Adds subtle heat and traditional pumpkin pie flavor.
• Ground Nutmeg: Provides warm, slightly sweet aromatic note.
• Ground Cloves: Intense, warm spice that complements pumpkin.
• Salt: Balances and enhances overall flavor profile.
• Black Pepper: Subtle background warmth that elevates spice blend.
• Cornstarch: Helps thicken and stabilize the filling.

• Fresh Cranberries: Tart, festive topping that adds color and contrast.
• Granulated Sugar: Used for coating cranberries and creating sweet crunch.

How to Bake a Classic Pumpkin Pie at Home

Step 1: Craft Sugared Cranberry Sparklers

• Fresh cranberries
• Granulated sugar
• Water

Create a sweet sugar bath by dissolving sugar in warm water. Gently bathe cranberries in the syrup, letting them soak for 15 minutes. Carefully transfer berries to a parchment-lined tray. Let them air-dry for an hour, then roll each berry in a sugar coating. Allow them to twinkle and dry completely. Store these ruby gems in the refrigerator for a quick flavor boost.

Step 2: Design Gorgeous Pie Crust Canvas

Choose your crust adventure- homemade or store-bought. Warm up your oven to 375°F. Dust your workspace with flour and roll the dough into a beautiful 12-inch circle. Tenderly drape the dough into a 9×2-inch pie dish, creating elegant crimped edges. Brush the edges with a delicate egg wash for a golden glow.

Step 3: Prebake Crust Foundation

Line the crust with parchment paper. Fill with pie weights or dried beans to keep the shape. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove weights, poke little fork holes, and bake for another 7-8 minutes until it turns a soft golden brown.

Step 4: Mix Pumpkin Filling Magic

• Pumpkin puree
• Eggs
• Brown sugar
• Cornstarch
• Salt
• Cinnamon
• Ginger
• Nutmeg
• Cloves
• Black pepper
• Heavy cream
• Milk

Blend until silky smooth, creating a creamy autumn symphony.

Step 5: Bake Pie to Perfection

Pour the filling into the warm crust, leaving a little space at the top. Slide into the oven and bake for 55-60 minutes. After 25 minutes, shield the edges with foil to prevent over-browning. The center should have a gentle wobble when done.

Step 6: Celebrate Your Pie Masterpiece

Let the pie cool completely on a wire rack for at least 3 hours. Decorate with sugared cranberry sparklers and optional pie crust leaves. Serve with a cloud of whipped cream for the ultimate autumn indulgence.

Classic Pumpkin Pie Recipe

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4.8 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Rich, creamy classic pumpkin pie delivers autumn’s warmest comfort straight from American kitchens. Silky spiced custard nestled in buttery crust promises delightful holiday memories you’ll savor with each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

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Pumpkin Base Ingredients:

• 15 ounces (425 grams) pumpkin puree
• 3 large eggs
• 1 ¼ cups (250 grams) packed light or dark brown sugar
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream
• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) milk

Spices and Seasonings:

• 1 tablespoon (8 grams) cornstarch
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger
• ¼ teaspoon ground or freshly grated nutmeg
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Additional Pie Components:

• Homemade pie dough (1 crust for the bottom, plus extra for leaf decor, if desired)
• Egg wash: 1 large egg beaten with 1 tablespoon milk

Optional Sugared Cranberry Garnish:

• 1 cup (100 grams) fresh cranberries
• ¾ cup (180 milliliters) water
• 1 ¼ cups (250 grams) granulated sugar, divided

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Instructions

1. Craft sugared cranberries the evening prior by immersing fresh berries in a warm sugar syrup, allowing them to absorb sweetness for 15 minutes.
2. Carefully transfer cranberries onto a parchment-lined tray, letting them air-dry for one hour before generously coating with additional granulated sugar.
3. Prepare pie crust by rolling out dough into a delicate 12-inch circle, gently draping it into a deep pie dish with elegantly crimped edges.
4. Brush crust periphery with egg wash to enhance golden coloration during baking.
5. Protect crust with parchment paper, filling with ceramic weights to maintain structural integrity during initial baking phase.
6. Par-bake crust for approximately 10 minutes, then remove weights and continue baking until edges display a subtle golden hue.
7. Whisk pumpkin puree with eggs and brown sugar until thoroughly integrated and smooth.
8. Incorporate cornstarch, warming spices, salt, and liquid components, blending until mixture achieves a silky, uniform consistency.
9. Pour filling into warm crust, ensuring it reaches about three-quarters of the dish’s depth.
10. Position pie in preheated oven, baking for 55-60 minutes and shielding edges with aluminum foil midway to prevent excessive browning.
11. Verify doneness by observing a gentle wobble in the pie’s center, indicating perfect custard-like texture.
12. Allow pie to cool completely on a wire rack for minimum three hours, enabling filling to set and flavors to meld.
13. Embellish with sugared cranberries and optional pie crust decorative leaves before serving alongside lightly whipped cream.

Notes

• Prepare sugared cranberries the night before to save time and enhance flavor complexity.
• Par-baking the crust prevents a soggy bottom and ensures a crisp, golden foundation for your pie.
• Use freshly ground spices for a more vibrant and aromatic pumpkin filling that elevates the entire dessert.
• Watch the pie carefully during baking – a slightly wobbly center indicates perfect custard-like texture when cooled.
• Allow the pie to cool completely for at least 3 hours to help the filling set properly and develop deep, rich flavors.
• Create decorative pie crust leaves or add sugared cranberries for a festive and professional-looking presentation.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes (excluding cranberries)
• Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 30g
• Sodium: 200mg
• Fat: 20g
• Saturated Fat: 12g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 40g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 5g
• Cholesterol: 90mg