Smooth and Spicy Pumpkin Pie

Is your pumpkin pie bland? Never again will your taste buds be less than impressed with pumpkin pie! The combination of the velvety smooth texture and the spice-forward flavor profile will have you spinning with delight. The secret to this pie filling is both flavorful and unexpected: Vietnamese cinnamon.

Prep
20 mins
Bake
50 mins to 1 hr
Total
3 hrs 10 mins
Yield
one 9" pie
smooth-and-spicy-pumpkin-pie_0923 - select to zoom
smooth-and-spicy-pumpkin-pie_0923 - select to zoom
Smooth and Spicy Pumpkin Pie - select to zoom

Instructions

Prevent your screen from going dark as you follow along.
  1. Mix the flour, spices, and salt in a medium-sized mixing bowl.

  2. Add the sugar and pumpkin, blending thoroughly.

  3. Stir in the syrup and milk. Allow the mixture to rest for 30 to 60 minutes at room temperature; or up to overnight in the refrigerator, if desired; this allows the flavors to meld, and will make the filling smoother.

  4. Add the beaten eggs, whisking till combined.

  5. Pour the filling into the prepared crust. Cover the edge of the crust with a crust shield, or aluminum foil.

  6. Preheat the oven to 450°F.

  7. Place the pie on the bottom rack of your oven, and bake it for 15 minutes.

  8. Reduce the oven temperature to 350°F, move the pie to the middle rack, and bake for an additional 35 to 40 minutes, or until the temperature at the center is at least 175°F, and a knife inserted 1" from the edge comes out moist, but clean.

  9. Remove the pie from the oven, and cool to room temperature (or chill) before serving. Serve with whipped cream, if desired.

Tips from our Bakers

  • Why the range of spices? So you can match the pie to your audience's taste. Canadians seem to like their pumpkin pies spicy. Americans seem to prefer a blander pie, one where the flavor of pumpkin shines through.
  • Want to temper the sweetness of this pie by reducing its sugar? See how in our blog article, How to reduce sugar in pie.

  • Interested in a make-and-freeze pie crust base (just add water and roll) good for multiple pies? See our blog post, Make-ahead pie crust.

  • Want to use fresh pumpkin purée rather than canned? It’s simple to make your own; see how it’s done.