Discover the ultimate Easy Pumpkin Pie Recipe that promises a smooth, creamy texture and a comforting burst of warm fall spices. This classic dessert, with its perfectly flaky crust and rich pumpkin filling, is a delightful treat that will impress everyone at your holiday table or any cozy autumn gathering. Forget complicated techniques; this recipe is designed for simplicity without compromising on flavor.
There’s an undeniable magic in a slice of homemade pumpkin pie. It’s more than just a dessert; it’s a symbol of autumn, a centerpiece for Thanksgiving, and a comforting classic that evokes warmth and togetherness. Every bite of its smooth, spiced filling nestled in a golden, flaky crust captures the very essence of the season. While it’s a non-negotiable for Thanksgiving feasts, its welcoming presence is equally cherished at any family dinner or friendly get-together during the fall months.
What sets this particular pumpkin pie recipe apart is its remarkable ease of preparation. You don’t need a culinary degree or an arsenal of specialized tools to achieve bakery-quality results. By using readily available ingredients and following our straightforward, step-by-step instructions, you’ll create a pie that tastes like it took hours of intricate work, but without any of the stress. Whether you’re a seasoned home baker looking for a reliable recipe or attempting your very first pumpkin pie, this guide ensures success and delivers consistently delicious outcomes. It stands out as one of the most accessible Thanksgiving Pie Recipes you’ll ever encounter.
To elevate this already perfect pie, consider pairing it with a generous swirl of homemade whipped cream. If you have a few extra minutes, whipping up your own batch is incredibly simple and truly transforms the dessert, adding a light, airy contrast to the rich pumpkin filling. Trust us, it’s the ideal accompaniment for what we believe is the best easy pumpkin pie recipe.
For those who love exploring different fall flavors, you might also enjoy our Dulce de Leche Pumpkin Pie Recipe, a sweet twist on the classic. Or perhaps our comforting Sweet Potato Pie Recipe, a Southern favorite, will pique your interest. If you’re looking for a quick fix, our No Bake Pumpkin Pie offers all the flavor with less fuss. Don’t forget to try this Butternut Squash Pie Recipe for another delightful autumnal dessert alternative.
What’s in this post: Easy Pumpkin Pie Recipe
- Why You’ll Adore This Easy Pumpkin Pie
- Key Ingredients for the Perfect Pumpkin Pie
- Essential Kitchen Equipment
- Delicious Pumpkin Pie Variations
- Step-By-Step Guide to Baking Pumpkin Pie
- Expert Pro Tips for Pumpkin Pie Success
- Proper Storage for Your Pumpkin Pie
- Frequently Asked Questions About Pumpkin Pie
- More Irresistible Easy Pie Recipes
- Printable Easy Pumpkin Pie Recipe Card
Why You’ll Adore This Easy Pumpkin Pie
- Effortless Preparation with Simple Ingredients: This recipe shines because it uses common pantry staples and requires no special tools or advanced baking skills. It comes together quickly, making it accessible for even novice bakers to create a show-stopping dessert.
- Incredibly Rich, Velvety Texture: The filling is meticulously crafted to be exceptionally smooth and creamy, melting in your mouth with every delightful spoonful. The balance of spices enhances the natural sweetness of the pumpkin, creating a truly luxurious experience.
- Perfect for Make-Ahead Planning: One of the best qualities of this pumpkin pie is that its flavors deepen and its texture sets beautifully when made a day in advance. This makes it an ideal option for busy holiday meal preparations, allowing you to focus on other dishes.
- Timeless, Comforting Classic Flavor: This recipe delivers that beloved, traditional pumpkin pie taste that everyone anticipates during the fall season. It’s sweet, aromatic, and perfectly spiced, embodying pure comfort and nostalgia.
- Guaranteed Crowd-Pleaser: Year after year, this easy pumpkin pie remains a consistent hit at family gatherings, potlucks, and holiday dinners. Its universally loved flavor and inviting aroma make it a dessert that always disappears quickly.
Key Ingredients for the Perfect Pumpkin Pie
- Store-Bought Pie Crust (Unbaked, 9-inch): Opting for an unbaked, ready-made pie crust is the ultimate shortcut to a consistently flaky and golden-brown base. This saves valuable time and effort, ensuring a perfect foundation for your pie. If you’re feeling ambitious and prefer a homemade touch, our 3-Ingredient Pie Crust Recipe is incredibly simple and yields fantastic results.
- Brown Sugar (½ cup): Brown sugar is crucial for imparting a deep, warm, and slightly molasses-rich sweetness to the pie filling. Its moist texture also contributes to the overall creaminess. For an even more satisfying baking experience, you can easily whip up your own Homemade Brown Sugar.
- White Sugar (¼ cup): Granulated white sugar works in harmony with the brown sugar, providing a clean sweetness that balances the richer notes of molasses. It helps to ensure the pie isn’t overly sweet but perfectly balanced, highlighting the pumpkin and spices.
- Eggs (2 large): Large eggs are the binding agent in our pumpkin pie, essential for creating that signature creamy, custard-like texture. They help the filling set beautifully and prevent it from becoming crumbly or watery. Ensure your eggs are at room temperature for better incorporation into the mixture.
- Canned Pumpkin Puree (15 ounces): This is the star ingredient! It’s absolutely vital to use 100% pure canned pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling. Pumpkin pie filling already contains added sugars and spices, which would throw off the flavor balance of this recipe. Look for cans labeled “100% Pure Pumpkin” or “Pumpkin Puree.”
- Evaporated Milk (10 ounces): Evaporated milk is the secret to achieving a silky-smooth, velvety consistency in your pumpkin pie filling. Its concentrated nature provides a richer flavor and superior creaminess compared to regular milk. For the best possible outcome, avoid substituting it with other types of milk, as they contain more water and will alter the texture.
- Pumpkin Pie Spice (1.5 teaspoons): This fragrant blend is key to achieving that quintessential fall flavor. Typically, pumpkin pie spice includes cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves, offering a complex and aromatic profile. Using a pre-mixed spice blend ensures consistent flavor and saves you from measuring individual spices.
Scroll to the bottom of the post for the complete recipe card, which includes the full list of ingredients with precise measurements and nutritional information.
Essential Kitchen Equipment
You don’t need fancy gadgets for this pie, just a few basic kitchen essentials:
- 9-inch Pie Plate: A standard ceramic, glass, or metal pie plate is perfect for baking this recipe.
- Large Mixing Bowl: For combining the wet ingredients and the pumpkin mixture.
- Small Mixing Bowl: To whisk together the dry ingredients before adding them to the wet.
- Whisk or Electric Mixer: A whisk works perfectly for a smooth filling, but an electric mixer can speed up the egg beating.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons: Essential for accurate ingredient measurements.
- Wire Rack: Crucial for cooling the pie evenly and preventing a soggy bottom.
Delicious Pumpkin Pie Variations to Try
- Enhanced Warm Spices: For a deeper, more pronounced autumnal flavor, feel free to customize your spice blend. In addition to the pumpkin pie spice, you can add an extra teaspoon of ground cinnamon and a teaspoon of ground ginger. For an even cozier, more aromatic profile, consider including a pinch of ground nutmeg and a dash of ground cloves. These individual spices truly bring out the pumpkin’s natural sweetness and make the pie even more fragrant and flavorful.
- Maple-Infused Delight: Introduce a delightful hint of maple by stirring in a tablespoon of pure maple syrup or a few drops of maple extract into the filling mixture. This adds a richer, subtly caramelized taste that complements the pumpkin beautifully, creating a more sophisticated flavor profile.
- Extra Creamy Texture: To achieve an ultra-smooth and incredibly silky pie, replace half of the evaporated milk with heavy cream or half-and-half. This small adjustment significantly enhances the richness and gives the filling an even more luxurious, custard-like consistency that melts in your mouth.
- Creative Crust Options: Don’t limit yourself to a traditional pastry crust! For a fun and flavorful twist, consider swapping it out for a crunchy graham cracker crust or a zesty gingersnap crust. Both options pair exceptionally well with the warm spices of pumpkin and offer a delightful textural contrast.
- Individual Mini Pies: Instead of baking one large pie, transform this recipe into charming single-serve pumpkin pies. Simply divide the filling into mini tart shells or muffin tins lined with pastry. These mini versions are perfect for parties, holiday gatherings, or as adorable individual portions, offering convenience and a delightful presentation. Adjust baking time accordingly for smaller pies.
Step-By-Step Guide to Baking Your Perfect Pumpkin Pie
Step 1 – Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a small mixing bowl, thoroughly combine the brown sugar, white sugar, salt, and pumpkin pie spice. Whisk them together until they are evenly distributed. This ensures all the flavors are perfectly blended into the pie filling.
Step 2 – Mix Wet and Dry: In a larger bowl, gently beat the eggs until they are light and fluffy. Then, add the 100% pure pumpkin purée and stir until well combined. Gradually fold in the dry ingredient mixture from Step 1, mixing until just incorporated. Be careful not to overmix.
Step 3 – Incorporate Evaporated Milk: Slowly pour in the 10 ounces of evaporated milk (ensure it’s evaporated milk, not sweetened condensed milk, as they are very different!). Stir gently until the entire mixture is smooth and evenly combined. The filling should have a rich, uniform color and consistency.
Step 4 – Bake the Pie: Carefully pour the prepared pumpkin pie filling into your unbaked 9-inch pie crust. Bake in a preheated oven at 425 degrees F for an initial 15 minutes. This high heat helps to set the crust. After 15 minutes, reduce the oven temperature to 350°F and continue baking for an additional 40-50 minutes, or until the center is mostly set. Once baked, allow the pie to cool completely on a wire rack before slicing and enjoying its deliciousness.
Expert Pro Tips for Pumpkin Pie Success
- Achieving a Silky Smooth Filling: When combining your pumpkin, sugars, eggs, milk, and spices, whisk them thoroughly until the mixture is completely smooth and lump-free. A silky filling is key to that desirable melt-in-your-mouth texture. Some bakers even pass the filling through a fine-mesh sieve for an extra-smooth result, though it’s not strictly necessary for this recipe.
- Mastering the Baking Process: Always bake your pie in a standard 9-inch pie pan. The initial 15 minutes at a higher temperature (425°F) is crucial for setting the edges of the crust and jump-starting the cooking process. Reducing the heat to 350°F afterward allows the filling to cook evenly and thoroughly without overbrowning or cracking, ensuring a perfect custard.
- The Importance of Cooling Completely: Patience is a virtue when it comes to pumpkin pie! It’s absolutely essential to allow the pie to cool fully before attempting to slice or serve it. For the absolute best results, we recommend making it the night before and letting it set in the refrigerator overnight. This gives the filling ample time to firm up completely and allows all the wonderful flavors to meld together beautifully.
- Selecting the Right Pumpkin: Always double-check your canned pumpkin! Be sure to use 100% pure pumpkin puree, not the pre-spiced pumpkin pie filling. Puree gives you complete control over the sweetness and spice levels, allowing you to tailor the flavor to your preference. Pie filling, conversely, already contains added ingredients that can disrupt the recipe’s balance.
- Preventing Unsightly Cracks: Cracks in pumpkin pie often occur from overmixing the eggs or overbaking. Gently combine ingredients to avoid incorporating too much air. When the pie is done, the edges should be set, but the very center should still have a slight, gentle jiggle when lightly shaken. This is a sign of a perfectly cooked custard that will firm up as it cools, preventing cracks.
- Ensuring Even Baking: To promote uniform cooking and browning, always place your pie in the center of the oven. If you notice the crust edges beginning to brown too quickly before the filling is fully cooked, loosely cover the edges with strips of aluminum foil to protect them from excessive heat, allowing the rest of the pie to catch up.
- Testing for Perfect Doneness: The ideal way to check if your pumpkin pie is done is to gently insert a thin knife or a toothpick about one inch from the edge of the crust. It should come out mostly clean, with just a little moist filling clinging to it. The center will continue to set as the pie cools. Avoid inserting it directly into the very center, as this can create a crack.
Proper Storage for Your Delicious Pumpkin Pie
Ensuring your pumpkin pie remains fresh and delicious after baking is crucial. Follow these guidelines for optimal storage:
- Room Temperature: Due to its custard-like filling containing eggs and milk, pumpkin pie should not be left at room temperature for extended periods. If serving immediately, it can sit out for up to 2 hours. After that, it must be refrigerated to prevent spoilage.
- Refrigerator: Once the pie has cooled completely, it’s best stored in the refrigerator. To maintain its creamy texture and prevent it from drying out or absorbing other odors, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or place it in an airtight pie container. Properly stored, your pumpkin pie will remain fresh and delightful for 4–5 days.
- Freezer: Yes, you absolutely can freeze pumpkin pie! This is a fantastic option for holiday meal prep or if you have leftovers. To freeze, first ensure the pie is completely cooled. Then, wrap it tightly in several layers of plastic wrap, followed by a layer of heavy-duty aluminum foil. This double layer protects against freezer burn. Can you freeze pumpkin pie? Yes! It can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months. To serve, thaw the pie overnight in the refrigerator. You can gently rewarm slices in the oven if desired, or enjoy chilled.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pumpkin Pie
If you notice a watery layer on top of your pumpkin pie after it has completely cooled, this is typically due to condensation. As the warm pie cools, moisture from the custard can rise and settle on the surface. If the pie appears watery immediately after being removed from the oven, it could be a sign of overcooking. When custard pies are overbaked, the proteins can thicken excessively, forcing liquid out and resulting in a watery or cracked surface.
A soggy pie crust is a common issue with custard-based pies. To prevent this, a technique called “blind baking” or “pre-baking” your crust is highly recommended. This involves baking the empty pie crust for a portion of the time before adding the filling. Blind baking gives the crust a head start, allowing it to firm up and become slightly cooked, creating a barrier against the moist filling. For best results during blind baking, line the crust with parchment paper and fill it with pie weights, dried beans, or rice to prevent it from puffing up.
While a homemade pie crust offers an unmatched taste and texture, our easy pumpkin pie recipe is incredibly versatile. Making a homemade pie crust is often easier than perceived; our Homemade Pie Crust requires only three simple ingredients and minimal effort. However, to truly streamline the process, feel free to use a high-quality premade pie crust from the refrigerated section of your grocery store, or a frozen pie crust. For a delightful alternative flavor, a graham cracker pie crust also pairs wonderfully with the pumpkin filling, offering a different texture and sweetness.
This pumpkin pie typically takes about an hour to bake fully, but don’t solely rely on time; visual cues are important. You’ll know your pumpkin pie is done when the edges of the custard begin to look firm and slightly puffed, often with minor cracks forming around the perimeter. The center of the pie, however, should still have a slight, gentle wobble when you carefully jiggle the pie plate. This slight movement in the center indicates that it is cooked through but not overbaked, and it will set completely as the pie cools. Remember, the recipe calls for an initial blind bake at a higher temperature (425 degrees F for 15 minutes) to ensure the crust cooks thoroughly, followed by a reduction to 350°F to finish baking the filling.
While canned pumpkin puree is convenient and consistently delivers great results, you can absolutely use fresh pumpkin puree. To make fresh puree, bake or steam pumpkin pieces until very tender, then process them in a food processor until smooth. Ensure you drain any excess liquid to achieve a similar consistency to canned puree, which is critical for the pie’s texture. You’ll need about 1.5 to 2 pounds of fresh pumpkin to yield 15 ounces of puree.
Classic pumpkin pie is fantastic on its own, but toppings can elevate it further. Homemade whipped cream is a perennial favorite, adding a light, airy contrast. Other popular choices include a sprinkle of cinnamon, a drizzle of caramel sauce, a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, or candied pecans for added crunch and flavor.
More Irresistible Easy Pie Recipes
- Easy Chocolate Pecan Pie Recipe
- Sprite Pie Recipe
- Quick and Easy Reese’s Pie Recipe
- Easy Pecan Pie Recipe
- Salted Caramel Apple Pie Recipe
If you create this classic Homemade Pumpkin Pie Recipe, we would love to hear from you! Please leave a comment and a star rating review below. Your feedback helps us and other bakers!
Rating: 4.72 out of 5 stars based on 7 votes.
Easy Pumpkin Pie Recipe
10 mins
1 hr 5 mins
2 hrs
3 hrs 15 mins
6
American
Dessert
342 kcal
Carrie Barnard
Ingredients
-
1
pie crust unbaked (9 inch) -
½ cup
brown sugar -
¼ cup
white sugar -
½ teaspoon
salt -
1.5 teaspoons
pumpkin pie spice -
2
large eggs -
15 ounces
pumpkin puree -
10 ounces
evaporated milk
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425 degrees F (220°C).
- In a small bowl, thoroughly combine the brown sugar, white sugar, salt, and pumpkin pie spice. Whisk well until all dry ingredients are evenly mixed.
- In a large bowl, beat the eggs lightly. Stir in the 100% pumpkin puree until smooth. Gradually add the dry spice mixture, incorporating it well but avoiding overmixing.
- Slowly pour in the 10 ounces of evaporated milk (not sweetened condensed milk) and mix gently until the entire filling is smooth and uniform.
- Carefully pour the pumpkin pie filling into your unbaked 9-inch pie shell. Bake for 15 minutes at 425°F.
- Reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) and continue baking for an additional 40-50 minutes, or until the edges are set and the center has a slight jiggle.
- Cool the pie completely on a wire rack for at least 2 hours, or until fully set, before slicing and serving. For best results, chill in the refrigerator overnight.
Nutrition Facts
Calories
342
kcal
,
Carbohydrates
51
g
,
Protein
8
g
,
Fat
13
g
,
Saturated Fat
5
g
,
Cholesterol
68
mg
,
Sodium
390
mg
,
Potassium
361
mg
,
Fiber
3
g
,
Sugar
33
g
,
Vitamin A
11222
IU
,
Vitamin C
4
mg
,
Calcium
174
mg
,
Iron
2
mg
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