Perfect Christmas Pumpkin Pie — The Classic Holiday Pie

Pumpkin pie is the classic American holiday pie. The right recipe with proper crust and spiced custard is dramatically better than store-bought. The Christmas dessert that ends a holiday meal classically.

The classic recipe (makes 1 pie)

Crust ingredients

• 1 1/4 cups flour
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup cold butter (diced)
• 4-6 tablespoons ice water

Filling

• 1 (15 oz) can pumpkin puree
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 3 large eggs
• 1 (12 oz) can evaporated milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Method

1. Make crust: process flour + sugar + salt + butter; add water; chill 1 hour
2. Roll out and place in 9-inch pie pan
3. Crimp edges; prick bottom
4. Blind bake 15 min at 425°F
5. Cool crust
6. Whisk filling ingredients
7. Pour into cooled crust
8. Bake at 425°F for 15 minutes
9. Reduce to 350°F; bake 30-40 more minutes
10. Cool completely; refrigerate before serving

The technique secrets

Blind bake the crust

• Prevents soggy bottom
• A specific specific specific essential step
• Use pie weights or dried beans

Don't overbake

• Center should be slightly jiggly
• Sets as it cools
• Overbaked = cracked top

Cool to room temp; then chill

• Better slicing
• Set custard
• Best texture

Serving

Topping

• Whipped cream
• Crème fraîche
• Vanilla ice cream

Garnish

• Cinnamon sprinkle
• Crystallized ginger
• A specific specific specific specific specific maple syrup drizzle

Make-ahead

• Day before is ideal
• Refrigerate overnight
• Better the next day

Cross-references

For perfect pecan pie — adjacent.

For perfect apple pie — adjacent.

For Christmas desserts — broader.

For perfect Christmas pumpkin bread — adjacent.

Perfect Christmas pumpkin pie is the classic American holiday pie. Spiced custard. Flaky crust. Properly cooled. The Christmas dessert that ends the meal traditionally.