Pumpkin pie is a classic American dessert, especially popular during the fall and Thanksgiving season. A step-by-step guide on how to make a delicious pumpkin pie from scratch:
Ingredients:
For the Pie Crust:
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 3-4 tablespoons ice water
For the Pumpkin Filling:
- 1 15-ounce can pumpkin puree (or homemade pumpkin puree)
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 1/4 cups evaporated milk (or heavy cream)
Instructions:
For the Pie Crust:
1. Prepare the Pie Dough:
- In a mixing bowl, combine 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Mix them together.
- Add the cold, cubed unsalted butter to the dry ingredients. Use a pastry cutter, a fork, or your hands to cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
- Drizzle 3-4 tablespoons of ice water into the mixture, one tablespoon at a time. Gently mix until the dough comes together. Be careful not to overwork the dough.
2. Shape the Dough:
- Form the dough into a disc, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes to chill.
3. Roll Out the Dough:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- On a floured surface, roll out the dough into a circle that's about 12 inches in diameter.
- Carefully transfer the rolled-out dough to a 9-inch pie pan. Press it into the pan, trim the excess dough, and create a decorative edge if desired.
For the Pumpkin Filling:
4. Prepare the Filling:
- In a mixing bowl, combine the canned pumpkin, granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, ground cloves, and salt. Mix well.
5. Add Eggs and Milk:
- Beat the two large eggs and add them to the pumpkin mixture. Stir to combine.
- Gradually add the evaporated milk (or heavy cream) to the mixture, stirring until everything is well blended.
6. Fill the Pie:
- Pour the pumpkin filling into the prepared pie crust.
7. Bake:
- Place the pie in the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes at 375°F (190°C).
- Reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) and continue baking for an additional 45-50 minutes or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.
8. Cool and Serve:
- Allow the pumpkin pie to cool on a wire rack. Once it's cooled to room temperature, you can refrigerate it for a few hours or overnight to set.
- Serve the pumpkin pie with whipped cream if desired.
Enjoy your homemade pumpkin pie, a classic American dessert perfect for the fall season and Thanksgiving!