Best Pumpkin Pie Recipe (from Scratch) (2024)

By Laura

Posted Sep 05, 2019, Updated Nov 07, 2023

5 from 275 votes

144 Comments

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This is the best Pumpkin Pie Recipe ever! It’s easy to make and contains no sweetened condensed milk. It is the only pumpkin pie recipe you’ll ever need – perfect for Thanksgiving.

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I know that I’m making abold clam when I say that this is the Best Pumpkin Pie recipe ever. But I wouldn’t say such a thing if I didn’t believe it was 100% true.

Literally everyone who tries this Pumpkin Pie Recipe falls in love with it. It’s a beautiful blend of creamy, spicy sweet flavors that encompass all that is wonderful about fall.

Plus it’s easy to make with only 10 ingredients and no condensed milk! Serve with a dollop of homemade whipped cream for fall dessert perfection!

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Pumpkin Pie Recipe: Ingredients & Substitutions

The great thing about this pie is that it is actually fairly versatile (for a pie)! You can tweak a few ingredients to make this pie suitable for all sorts of dietary needs!

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  • All-purpose flour:Gluten-free purpose flour can be used in a 1:1 ratio to make this pie! You can also substitute your favorite gluten-free crust if desired!
  • Butter. Vegan butter (such as Earth Balance) can be used for a dairy-free version!
  • Heavy Cream. Half and half is a great substitute. For dairy-free options choose full-fat coconut milk or coconut cream. Dairy-free creamer can also be used, just watch out for the added sugars!
  • Light Brown Sugar:dark brown sugar is a good substitute, but note that it will impart a bolder molasses taste. Coconut sugar also works well.
  • Pumpkin puree. Use a 15 oz can of pure pumpkin puree, or make your own from a fresh pie pumpkin (instructions in the recipe card). Can’t find pumpkin? Make this sweet potato pie instead!
  • Pumpkin pie spice. Use store-bought or make your own with this homemade pumpkin pie spice recipe!
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  • I used these Fall Pie Crust Cutters to make the pretty shapes around the crust (and made 1.5x the recipe in order to do so)!
  • I have had this Marble Rolling Pin for 10 years and use it all the time!
  • A pastry cloth is an absolute must to make transferring the pie into your pie plate a breeze!
  • I have used my food processor for so many things over the years I can’t even count. It’s the only way I will make pie crusts because it’s so so easy!
  • And obviously a pie plate is a must-have! I love this one as a simple yet elegant, and affordable option!
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How to make Pumpkin Pie

Many people think homemade pies (like apple pie, French Silk Pie and sweet potato pie) are intimidating but they really aren’t!

You absolutely will notregret making this pumpkin pie from scratch. Don’t forget to watch the video for extra help!

Make the Crust

I have an entire tutorial on how to make an all-butter pie crust. It’s the best pie crust ever!

Just be sure to remember that you need to make the crust and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before rolling it out. so plan accordingly.

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Make the Pumpkin Pie Filling

This pumpkin pie filling is easy to make in one bowl.

Begin by whisking together the pumpkin puree and eggs.

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Then, add the rest of the filling ingredients and whisk to combine.

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Make sure the filling is silky smooth and there are no lumps before proceeding.

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Shape the pie crust

After chilling and rolling, shape the pumpkin pie crust to fit in your favorite pie dish. I like to use these fall pie crust cutters to cut fun shapes into any extra dough! Then bake them in the preheated oven separately from your pie for 5-8 minutes, and decorate the top of the pie once it’s cooled!

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Fill the crust

Fill the crust with the pumpkin pie filling quickly. You do not want the crust to get warm before baking!

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Bake

Place your pumpkin pie into the oven to bake. I recommend using a pie crust shield or aluminum foil to cover the crust, otherwise it will brown before the filling is done.

Remove the pie crust shield int he last 10 minutes of baking to be sure the crust gets golden-brown!You know the pie is done when:

  1. The top will be set and slightly puffed.
  2. It will be set on the edge and have a very slight jiggle in the middle!
  3. A cake tester inserted in the middle of the pie will come out clean. But a word of warning, I don’t like to do this because it leaves a hole in the center of the pie and might cause it to crack as it cools. You could cover up the hole with a pretty pie crust design, but I’d be careful!
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Let it cool

After it’s baked this pie needs to cool for at least 2 hours on a wire rack. You can put it in the fridge (or outside on your cold porch) to speed up the process.

Store in the refrigerator

After it has cooled for 2 hours at room temperature, pumpkin pie needs to be stored in the refrigerator until serving.

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To Freeze

This pie freezes very well! There are 2 ways to freeze this recipe:

  1. Freeze the entire pie. Bake and chill the pie, then wrap it tightly with plastic wrap and foil and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before cutting and serving.
  2. Freeze individual slices.Place pie slices on a baking sheet and put them in the freezer to flash-freeze them. Then, once they’re frozen, wrap them in plastic wrap and store in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator for about 6 hours.
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FAQs about Pumpkin Pie

Here are some commonly asked questions about making this pumpkin pie recipe!

Why is my pumpkin pie wet on top?

If your pumpkin pie develops droplets of water on top (or “weeps”) that likely means that it was over baked. It will still taste delicious, just adjust the baking time the next time you make it!

Does Pumpkin Pie set after baking?

Yes. Since this pumpkin pie recipe is more like a custard, it will continue to bake after it’s removed from the oven. It will also set up as it cools.

Why does my pumpkin pie separate from the crust?

Pumpkin pie filling separates from the crust after baking because it shrinks. This happens more dramatically if the pie is over baked, so watch your baking time carefully!

How do you know when pumpkin pie is ready?

There are a few ways to tell that your pumpkin pie is baked!
The top will be set and slightly puffed.
It will be set on the edge and have a very slight jiggle in the middle!
A cake tester inserted in the middle of the pie will come out clean. But a word of warning, I don’t like to do this because it leaves a hole in the center of the pie and might cause it to crack as it cools. You could cover up the hole with a pretty pie crust design, but I’d be careful!

What can I make with pumpkin?

Try one of our many Pumpkin Recipes like, pumpkin pie or try this dairy-free pumpkin pie, pumpkin smoothie, pumpkin chocolate chip cookies. pumpkin pancakes, pumpkin scones, and pumpkin cinnamon rolls.

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If you make and love our recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don’t forget to follow along with us on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and Youtube – be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so we can your creations!

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The Best Pumpkin Pie Recipe

Laura

This is the best Pumpkin Pie Recipe ever! It's easy to make and contains no sweetened condensed milk! It is the only pumpkin pie recipe you'll ever need – perfect for Thanksgiving.

5 from 275 votes

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 10 Slices

Calories 294

Prep Time10 minutes minutes

Cook Time1 hour hour

Chilling time1 hour hour

Total Time2 hours hours 10 minutes minutes

Ingredients

Filling:

Pie Crust:

Instructions

Make the Pie Crust:

  • Place the flour, salt, and sugar in a food processor fitted with an “S” blade and pulse to combine.

  • Add the butter and cold water and process until the mixture resembles a coarse meal, begins to stick together, and holds together when pinched.

  • Remove dough from processor (will be crumbly) and form into a ball.

  • Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or overnight.

Make the filling

  • In a large bowl whisk together the egg and pumpkin.

  • Then, whisk in the heavy cream, vanilla, brown sugar, salt cinnamon and pumpkin pie mix until the mixture is smooth.

Assemble

  • Preheat your oven to 425 degrees F.

  • Lightly grease a pie plate and set aside.

  • Roll out the pie dough on a well-floured surface (or pastry cloth) to fit the size of your pie plate.

  • Carefully transfer the dough to the pie plate and shape the crust as desired (pinch the edges).

  • Pour the pumpkin pie filling into the unbaked pie crust and cover the crust with a pastry shield.

  • Bake for 15 minutes at 425 degrees F.

  • Reduce the temperature to 350 degrees F and continue to bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a knife inserted comes out clean. It may be a bit wobbly still, but it willfirm-up as it cools.

  • Allow the pie to coolon a wire rack for 2 hours. Serve or refrigerate until ready to serve.

Video

Notes

Ingredient substitutions:

  • Pumpkin puree.You can use a 15 oz can of pumpkin puree, or 2 cups of fresh homemade pumpkin puree.
  • All-purpose flour: Gluten-free purpose flour can be used in a 1:1 ratio to make this pie! You can also use a store bought crust.
  • Heavy Cream. There are many possible substitutions for heavy cream! I have used half & half for a dairy-full variation.
  • Brown Sugar: Light or dark brown sugar can be used in this recipe! Coconut sugar is a great refined-sugar free alternative!

How to make homemade pumpkin puree

To make your own pumpkin puree you will need 2 pie pumpkins. Follow these instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F
  2. Cut pumpkins in half and remove the pulp and seeds.
  3. Place pumpkins facedown in a baking dish, dutch oven or on a sheet pan with edges.
  4. Pour water into the bottom of the baking dish to cover about 1/4″ of the bottom of the pumpkins.
  5. Cover, either with a lid (as in a dutch oven) or with aluminum foil.
  6. Roast for 60 minutes, or until the shell of the pumpkin depresses downward when pushed.
  7. Let pumpkins cool, then peel the shell off of the pumpkin.
  8. Blend the pumpkin flesh in a blender or process in a food processor until smooth. Then use in your baking!

Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice

Use this recipe to make your own homemade pumpkin pie spice!

Or, to make only 1 tablespoon of pumpkin pie spice combine:

  • 1 ½ tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp nutmeg
  • ½ tsp cloves
  • ½ tsp allspice

Serve

Serve with a dollop of homemade whipped cream for an extra special treat!

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice | Calories: 294kcal | Carbohydrates: 30.3g | Protein: 4.5g | Fat: 19.6g | Saturated Fat: 11.8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5.5g | Cholesterol: 113.2mg | Sodium: 154.6mg | Potassium: 103.2mg | Fiber: 1.9g | Sugar: 13.7g | Vitamin A: 4475IU | Vitamin C: 0.8mg | Calcium: 45mg | Iron: 1.3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you enjoy this recipe? Have a question? Leave a comment below!

Try these pumpkin recipes

Dairy-Free Pumpkin Pie

Best Pumpkin Bread Recipe

Best Pumpkin Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Pumpkin Muffins

Pumpkin Cupcakes

Pumpkin Roll Cake

Best Pumpkin Pie Recipe (from Scratch) (2024)

FAQs

What makes pumpkin pie taste so good? ›

The pie is generally flavored with pumpkin pie spice, a blend that includes cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves or allspice. The pie is usually prepared with canned pumpkin, but fresh-cooked pumpkin can be used.

How do you keep the bottom of a pumpkin pie from getting soggy? ›

Often, blind-baking solves this problem. If you're making a single crust custard-filled pie, like a pumpkin pie, bake the pie dough first before adding filling to allow some of the moisture in the crust to evaporate. You can also totally blind-bake fruit pies.

What is most pumpkin pie filling made of? ›

Store-bought pumpkin pie mix (sometimes labeled "pumpkin pie filling") is a shortcut for making homemade pumpkin pie. It contains puréed pumpkin plus added spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. It also contains sugar and other chemical additives.

Should pumpkin pie crust be prebaked? ›

But if you sigh in disappointment when your first bite reveals a bottom crust that's pale and pasty rather than golden brown, try this: Prebake your crust before adding the pumpkin pie filling. Contrary to what you might think, baking the crust again once you've added its filling won't cause it to burn or toughen up.

How do you enhance pumpkin flavor? ›

Just add 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, ½ teaspoon ground ginger, and ¼ teaspoon each of ground cloves and ground nutmeg, and you'll be well on your way to making our pumpkin pie dip, pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, and chocolate pumpkin cheesecake.

How do you make pumpkin flavor stronger? ›

Ruth Reichl's Tip: Roast Your Pumpkin Purée

Not only does roasting deepen the flavor of the pumpkin, but it bakes off some of the moisture in the purée, ensuring a more custard-like pie with less risk of a soggy crust.

Should I bake the bottom pie crust first? ›

Pre-baking is a must if you're looking for a flaky pie crust. It's especially helpful for recipes with a wet center. Recipes for most tarts, pies, and quiches call for pre-baking to ensure that the final product doesn't end up soggy.

Should I poke holes in the bottom of my pumpkin pie crust? ›

If you are making a pie where the filling bakes with the crust, like a fruit pie, then no, do not poke holes, as the liquid filling will leak and you won't get a properly baked crust. How do you crimp your pie crust after blind baking the bottom crust? The raw top crust just would not meld to the baked edges.

What is the secret to crispy bottom pie crust? ›

Getting a brown, flaky/crispy bottom crust on your pie is all about quick and effective heat transfer. That's why aluminum or aluminum/steel pans — rather than glass or stoneware — are your best choice for baking pie. Metal, especially aluminum, transfers heat quickly and efficiently from oven to pie crust.

What is the difference between Libby's pumpkin and pumpkin pie filling? ›

Yes, canned pumpkin can be labeled as 100% pure pumpkin or just as pumpkin puree. They are the same product. Both canned pumpkin puree and pie filling are useful, shelf-stable ingredients that can help speed up your kitchen prep time. Just remember that puree is unsweetened, while pie filling contains sugar and spices.

What happens if you use pumpkin pie mix instead of pumpkin puree? ›

Pumpkin pie filling shouldn't be used in place of pumpkin puree since the finished dish will be too sweet. You can always set the can aside to make a quick pumpkin pie another day.

Which canned pumpkin is best for pie? ›

Libby's 100% Pure Pumpkin

This Libby's pumpkin puree is neutral to a tee. It has a deep orange color and a clean, delicious flavor that lands somewhere between savory and sweet.

Is it better to make pumpkin pie the day before or day of? ›

Pumpkin pie is a great make-ahead dessert to cross off your Thanksgiving to-do list. You can prepare and bake the pie up to two days in advance, and it will still taste great on the big day. Just make sure you store the pie in the refrigerator—not on the kitchen counter—until you are ready to serve it.

How to get a crisp bottom crust on pumpkin pie? ›

How to Prevent a Soggy Bottom Pie Crust
  1. Blind Bake the Crust.
  2. Choose the Right Rack in the Oven.
  3. Brush the Bottom with Corn Syrup or Egg White.
  4. Put the Pie on a Hot Cookie Sheet.
  5. Make a Thicker Crust.
  6. Add a Layer.
  7. Consider a Metal Pie Pan.
Mar 18, 2024

Is it better to make pumpkin pie the day before? ›

Make Ahead: Pumpkin pie can be made one day ahead of time and refrigerated. Freezer-Friendly Instructions: The dough can be made ahead, wrapped in plastic, and refrigerated for up to 2 days, or frozen for up to 1 month. If you freeze it, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator.

Is pumpkin pie healthy or unhealthy? ›

Yes, the actual pumpkin in the dish is quite healthy, but the butter and flour in the crust as well as the cream and sugar needed for the filling add a good dose of saturated fat and calories. But a healthy pumpkin pie is possible!

Why does my pumpkin pie taste bland? ›

If the recipe doesn't use enough spice, or if the spices were old enough to have lost much of their flavour, or if the mixture isn't well balanced, then the pie is not going to taste right and could be quite bland.

Why is pumpkin pie better than apple pie? ›

"Apple pie often contains added sugars, both in the filling and the crust, which can contribute to higher calorie and sugar content. Pumpkin pie can be sweetened with healthier options like maple syrup or honey, which may have a lower glycemic index," Afzal highlights.

Why is pumpkin flavor so popular? ›

Some think it relates way back to our colony days where pumpkins were one of the only crops the settlers could sustain and so, subconsciously, pumpkin reminds us of our roots. Others believe that the seasonal appeal of the pumpkin-flavor is what creates the allure. Either way, the pumpkin spice craze is here to stay.

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