The Best Pumpkin Pie

Few things say “The Holidays” than smooth, creamy, spicy pumpkin pie. I’ve tried many recipes over the years; mostly with the called for condensed milk. All were good, but always needed a mask of whipped cream to be completely palatable. “Why not put the whipped cream ‘in’ the pie?”I thought to myself. I did just that and developed a creamier, scrumptious recipe. Yet, I still add copious amounts of whipped cream to the top for good measure 🙂 I say without a doubt, that this is definitively the “best” pumpkin recipe in my pie recipe  box –hands down.

1 unbaked Perfect Pie Crust

Dried beans for Blind Baking…This process prevents soggy bottoms 🙂 It’s optional but recommended. 

Filling Ingredients:

1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin puree (not pie filling)

½ cup light brown sugar, lightly packed

¼ cup granulated sugar

½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

¼ teaspoon each of ground nutmeg, allspice, cloves & ginger

½ teaspoon kosher salt

2 teaspoons grated orange zest

3 extra-large eggs, lightly beaten

1 cup heavy cream

1/2 cup whole milk

2 tablespoons dark rum or maple syrup

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.

Line an 11-inch pie pan with the unbaked pie crust and place it on a sheet pan. Line the crust with parchment paper. Fill the paper three-quarters full with the beans and bake the crust for 15 minutes, until the edges start to brown. Remove the beans and paper (save the beans for another time), prick the crust all over with the tines of a fork, and bake for another 5 minutes.

CHEF’S NOTES: If  rim of crust starts to appear too golden, crimp foil and cover the rim…this will prevent over browning.

Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees.

Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk together the pumpkin, brown sugar, granulated sugar, spices, salt, orange zest, eggs, cream,milk, and rum. Pour the filling into the baked pie shell. Bake for 55 to 65 minutes, until the filling is just set in the middle and knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Set as side to cool completely. Serve with whipped cream.

““Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree,”

“Rocking around the Christmas Tree

at the Christmas party hop

Mistletoe hung where you can see

Ev’ry couple tries to stop

You will get a sentimental feeling

When you hear voices singing

“Let’s be jolly; Deck the halls with boughs of holly”

Rocking around the Christmas Tree

Have a happy holiday

Everyone’s dancing merrily

In a new old fashioned way

Rocking around the Christmas Tree

Let the Christmas Spirit ring

Later we’ll have some pumpkin pie

and we’ll do some caroling

You will get a sentimental feeling

When you hear voices singing

“Let’s be jolly; Deck the halls with boughs of holly”

Rocking around the Christmas Tree

Have a happy holiday

Everyone’s dancing merrily

In a new old fashioned way”

Photo Sources: doughandbatter for blind baking & galonamission for spices