Traditional Pumpkin Pie

Total Time

Prep: 20 min. Bake: 50 min. + chilling

Makes

2 pies (8 servings each)

Updated: Nov. 20, 2023
Usually I prepare two different desserts for our holiday dinner, but one of them must be pumpkin pie—otherwise, it just wouldn't seem like Thanksgiving. My version calls for more eggs than most, making this pie's custard filling especially rich. —Gloria Warczak, Cedarburg, Wisconsin
Traditional Pumpkin Pie Recipe photo by Taste of Home
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Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2/3 cup shortening
  • 4 to 6 tablespoons cold water
  • FILLING:
  • 6 large eggs
  • 1 can (29 ounces) pumpkin
  • 2 cups packed brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon each ground cloves, nutmeg and ginger
  • 2 cups evaporated milk
  • DECORATIONS (OPTIONAL):
  • Dough for single-crust pie
  • 1 large egg, beaten

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 450°. In a large bowl, combine flour and salt; cut in shortening until crumbly. Gradually add water, tossing with a fork until dough forms a ball. Divide dough in half. On a floured surface, roll out each portion to fit a 9-in. pie plate. Place each crust in a plate; trim crust to 1/2 in. beyond edge of plate. Flute edges.
  2. For filling, beat eggs in a large bowl. Add the pumpkin, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, cloves, nutmeg and ginger; beat just until combined. Gradually stir in milk. Pour into crusts.
  3. Bake for 10 minutes. Reduce oven setting to 350°; bake until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean, 40-45 minutes longer. Cool pies on wire racks for 1 hour. Refrigerate at least 3 hours before serving. Refrigerate leftovers.
  4. If desired, use additional pie dough and beaten egg to make decorations.
  5. For Pumpkins: Roll a small amount of pie dough into a ball; score sides of ball with the blunt side of a knife to create ridges. Place on parchment-lined baking sheet, flatten slightly and insert a whole clove to make the stem. Refrigerate until firm. Brush with beaten egg and bake at 400° until light golden brown and baked through, 15-20 minutes.
  6. For Vines: Roll out pie dough to 1/8-in. thickness; cut narrow strips of dough in various lengths. Lay strips on parchment-lined baking sheet and shape into coils as desired. Refrigerate until firm. Brush with beaten egg and bake at 400° until light golden brown, 8-10 minutes.
  7. For Leaves: Roll pie dough to 1/8-in. thickness. Cut out leaves using mini leaf-shaped cutters. Using a knife, score leaves to create veins. Refrigerate until firm. Brush with beaten egg and bake at 400° until light golden brown, 8-10 minutes.
  8. Arrange baked pumpkins, vines and leaves on surface of chilled pie.
Dough for single-crust pie
Combine 1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour and 1/4 tsp. salt; cut in 1/2 cup cold butter until crumbly. Gradually add 3-5 Tbsp. ice water, tossing with a fork until dough holds together when pressed. Shape into a disk; wrap and refrigerate 1 hour.

Nutrition Facts

1 piece: 321 calories, 12g fat (4g saturated fat), 80mg cholesterol, 326mg sodium, 47g carbohydrate (32g sugars, 2g fiber), 7g protein.