Here’s the Secret Ingredient for Perfect Pumpkin Pie

It’s about that time of year when pumpkin reigns over every food group. I’m looking for the best pumpkin beer, the best PSL and, of course, the best pumpkin desserts. To make a pumpkin pie from scratch that stands out, you’ll need something a little extra.

I have the secret!

Why Spicy and Sweet Matter

To understand the secret ingredient, you need to know what makes a pumpkin dessert so special. It isn’t the orange gourd color, although that sure doesn’t hurt. It’s the perfect balance of spicy and sweet.

The usual blend of pumpkin pie spices is made from ginger, cloves, allspice, cinnamon and nutmeg. This spoonful of bold and flavorful spices has great depth of flavor. You’re used to them being cooled by sugar in most dishes; however, taste a sample straight and you’ll see that pumpkin spice has heat!

Don’t miss our recipe for homemade pumpkin spice mix.

The Secret Ingredient in My Pumpkin Pie

The best way to preserve the spiciness of pumpkin spice is with freshly cracked black pepper. It adds a robust bite to the traditional spice mix, which comes across subtly in each mouthful of pumpkin pie.

When making your next pumpkin dessert, add the same amount of black pepper as the recipe calls for cloves. If you’re timid about heat, add three quarters of the amount of the cloves. (But I bet you’ll wish you added the whole amount after your first taste.)

Don’t worry—your guests won’t call your pie “spicy.” There’s not enough pepper for that. If anything, they’ll ask, “Did you get super-fresh spices?”

This black pepper trick works like a charm with almost any pumpkin recipe. Try adding a pinch of pepper to our top 10 pumpkin pies or any of these ways to get your pumpkin spice fix. My favorite is adding a ⅛ teaspoon of freshly ground pepper to this copycat Starbucks pumpkin spice latte. It’s a perfect spicy-sweet way to start any fall morning.

Our Top 10 Pumpkin Pie Recipes

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Classic Pumpkin Pie

Nothing says Thanksgiving like a slice of pumpkin pie. And you can relish every luscious bite of this version since the tender crust is made with a mere hint of canola oil and butter. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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Easy Pumpkin Spice Pudding Pie

Caramel, pumpkin, nuts and cream cheese—classic winter flavors combine in a no-bake pie that couldn't be easier or more delicious. —Cynthia Brabon, Mattawan, Michigan

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Spiced Eggnog Pumpkin Pie

With its 10-minute prep time and lovely blend of mild eggnog flavor and spices, this is dream dessert for a busy hostess! It’s a staple for Thanksgiving and Christmas. In fact, my grown kids request it whenever they come to visit. —Patti Leake, Columbia, Missouri

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5-Spice Pumpkin Pie

I always make a pumpkin pie for our big "pie night" party on Thanksgiving Eve. This recipe is a classic with a special spiced-up twist. —Shawn Barto, Winter Garden, Florida

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Maple Sugar Pumpkin Pie

We make our own maple syrup, and that's what gives this pie its special taste. You might want to bake this for your Thanksgiving meal. —Martha Boudah, Essex Center, Vermont

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Ginger-Streusel Pumpkin Pie

I love to bake and have spent a lot of time making goodies for my family and friends. The streusel topping gives this pie a special touch your family will love. —Sonia Parvu, Sherrill, New York

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Easy Pumpkin Pie

Pumpkin pie does not have to be difficult to make. This recipe has a wonderful taste and will be a hit at your holiday meal. —Marty Rummel, Trout Lake, Washington

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Cinnamon Pumpkin Pie

This cinnamon pie recipe is a breeze to make. My daughter, Jessica, claims this is the best pumpkin pie she's ever eaten! —Jacqueline Deibert, Klingerstown, Pennsylvania

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Fresh Pumpkin Pie

In my opinion, there’s no contest as to which homemade pumpkin pie is best. No matter how good your canned filling is, it will never match pumpkin pie from scratch. —Christy Harp, Massillon, Ohio

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Gingery Pumpkin Pie

My birthday is in late November so my mom often morphed the Thanksgiving pumpkin pie into my birthday "cake" and had all the family sing for me. This is an update on her recipe, adding lots more of our mutual favorite ingredient, ginger. The pie's best after it's nice and chilled. Birthday candles optional. —Emily Tyra, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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