Pumpkin Pie Filling + Optional Crumble Topping
A classic pumpkin pie with an optional twist
Ingredients
Pie Filling
- 2 cups pumpkin puree fresh or canned
- 1.5 cups heavy cream or 1 12oz. can evaporated milk
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs plus the yolk of a 3rd egg
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/8 tsp ground clove
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 pie crust recipe above
- 1 egg beaten with 2 Tbs heavy cream egg wash
- 2 Tbs finishing sugar to sprinkle on crust if desired
Crumble Topping
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp Kosher salt
- 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, melted
- 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
Instructions
Pie Filling
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Preheat oven to 350F.
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Mix the eggs in a large bowl.
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Add both sugars, salt, and spices. Mix to combine.
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Whisk in pumpkin puree and the cream. Keep mixing until everything is combined and is uniform in color.
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Roll out your pie dough so that it overhangs your pie dish by 3 inches on each side.
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Once you have your crust in place, fold under any excess dough. (Trim any dough edge that has too much to fold under). Crimp the edges by using the tines of a fork or flute the edges by pinching it between your knuckles (
video here).
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Pour the filling into an uncooked pie shell. Glaze the edges of the shell with the egg wash and sprinkle edges with sugar, if desired. Sprinkle a bit of crumb topping if you want to create the pie I made!
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Bake for 45-50 min until the filling is no longer jiggling. The center should still jiggle slightly as it will finish cooking and firm up as it sits.
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Check the crust about halfway through baking and if it's browning too much, put foil strips around the edges to prevent burning.
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Remove the pie from the oven and cool on a rack. Cool the pumpkin pie for 2 hours before serving.
Optional Crumble Topping
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In a large bowl, whisk the sugars, spices, salt and flour.
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Switch to a rubber spatula and slowly mix in the melted butter. Stir to combine and then use your hands to squeeze the mixture into crumbs.
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This can be made up to 1 week ahead of time, but should always be used at room temp. Store in refrigerator.
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This recipe makes enough to top 1 pie. I used just a light coating across the top of my pie. Not only is the topping sweet, but too much crumble will just sink into the pumpkin filling. You should just coat the top lightly.
Notes
Tip #!: The best flavor will come from freshly grated cinnamon and freshly grated nutmeg.
Tip #2: Always add your spices and mix into the sugar before adding in the cream to ensure even distribution throughout the filling.
Tip #3: Since pumpkin pie is a custard, leaving it in the oven too long will cause the eggs to overcook, tightening the proteins and causing the pie to crack in the center. Take the pie out when the pie is set but the center is just a little wobbly still!