Pumpkin pie should have a smooth as silk filling and flakey buttery crust. The secret for this luscious and perfectly spiced filling is toasting whole cinnamon sticks and then letting them bloom with dry spices in warm milk. This method adds a rich spice flavor without needing to use a large amount that can feel gritty in the end result or dominate the pumpkin flavor itself.
| Level: | Easy |
| Total: | 3 hr |
| Active: | 1 hr |
| Yield: | 6 to 8 servings |
| Level: | Easy |
| Total: | 3 hr |
| Active: | 1 hr |
| Yield: | 6 to 8 servings |
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons cold vegetable shortening
- 6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
- 2 tablespoons ice water, plus more if needed
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1 12-ounce can evaporated milk
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 15-ounce can pure pumpkin
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
Instructions
- Make the crust: Pulse the flour, sugar and salt in a food processor. Add the shortening and 3 tablespoons butter and pulse into pebble-size pieces. Add the remaining butter and pulse until pea-size pieces form. Add the ice water; pulse a few times to combine. If the dough doesn’t hold together when you squeeze it, add more ice water, 1/2 tablespoon at a time. Turn out the dough onto a piece of plastic wrap and form into a disk; wrap tightly. Refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour or overnight.
- Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface into a 12-inch round. Ease into a 9-inch pie plate. Tuck the overhanging dough under itself; crimp the edges with a fork. Chill until very firm, 20 minutes in the freezer or 1 hour in the refrigerator.
- Preheat the oven to 350˚. Line the pie crust with parchment paper or foil and fill with pie weights or dried beans. Bake until the crust is light brown around the edges, about 25 minutes. Remove the parchment and weights and continue baking until the crust is light brown all over, 10 to 15 more minutes. Transfer to a rack to cool completely.
- Meanwhile, make the filling: Break the cinnamon sticks in half and put in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Toast, stirring, about 5 minutes. Add the evaporated milk, ginger, nutmeg and cloves and cook, whisking, until the milk comes to a simmer, 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and let steep, 15 minutes. Discard the cinnamon sticks and add the pumpkin, sugar and salt; whisk until smooth. Whisk in the eggs until just combined.
- Pour the filling into the cooled pie crust and bake until set and no longer wet and jiggly in the center, 50 to 60 minutes. (If the crust is getting too dark, cover loosely with foil.) Transfer the pie to a rack to cool completely.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving Size | 1 of 8 servings |
| Calories | 350 |
| Total Fat | 17 g |
| Saturated Fat | 9 g |
| Carbohydrates | 45 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 26 g |
| Protein | 7 g |
| Cholesterol | 82 mg |
| Sodium | 286 mg |
| Serving Size | 1 of 8 servings |
| Calories | 350 |
| Total Fat | 17 g |
| Saturated Fat | 9 g |
| Carbohydrates | 45 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 26 g |
| Protein | 7 g |
| Cholesterol | 82 mg |
| Sodium | 286 mg |