The Best Classic Pumpkin Pie (From Scratch!)

Hello, my friends, and welcome to what I truly believe is the last pumpkin pie recipe you will ever need. This is it—The Great Pumpkin Pie. It’s the culmination of years of testing to achieve the perfect balance of rich, smooth, and custardy filling, a beautifully flaky homemade crust, and the perfect blend of warm, cozy spices. This is the iconic dessert that is the undisputed star of the Thanksgiving table.

Forget watery, bland, or cracked pumpkin pies of the past. This recipe is all about deep flavor and a perfect, silky texture. We use brown sugar for a richer, more caramel-like sweetness, a thoughtful blend of spices, and a simple but crucial step of par-baking the crust to guarantee it stays crisp, never soggy. Garnished with beautiful sugared cranberries and served with a dollop of whipped cream, this is a true showstopper.

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Why This is The ULTIMATE Pumpkin Pie Recipe

This recipe is a classic, perfected. Here’s why it’s a guaranteed success:

• Incredibly Rich & Smooth Filling: The combination of brown sugar, heavy cream, and a perfect blend of spices creates a pumpkin custard that is unbelievably rich, smooth, and deeply flavorful.
• A Perfectly Crisp, Flaky Crust: We use a classic, all-butter homemade pie crust and, most importantly, we par-bake it. This is the non-negotiable secret to a crisp, flaky bottom crust that can stand up to the wet filling.
• Beautifully Spiced: This isn’t just a one-note cinnamon pie. The blend of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and a surprising pinch of black pepper creates a warm, complex, and perfectly balanced spice profile.
• The Quintessential Holiday Dessert: A beautiful, perfectly baked pumpkin pie is the heart and soul of the Thanksgiving dessert table, and this recipe delivers a stunning, classic result every time.

Gather Your Classic Thanksgiving Ingredients: What You’ll Need

This impressive pie is broken down into its three delicious components: the cranberries, the crust, and the filling.

For the Sugared Cranberries (Optional Garnish):

• 1 cup fresh cranberries
• 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar, divided
• 3/4 cup water

For the Pie:

• 1 recipe for Homemade All-Butter Pie Dough (enough for a double crust if making leaves)
• Egg wash: 1 large egg beaten with 1 Tablespoon milk
• One 15-ounce can pumpkin puree
• 3 large eggs
• 1 1/4 cups packed light or dark brown sugar
• 1 Tablespoon cornstarch
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon & 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg & 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/8 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup milk

Crafting Your Great Pumpkin Pie: Step-by-Step Guide

Let’s build this iconic dessert. The make-ahead steps are your best friend for a stress-free holiday!

1. Par-Bake the Pie Crust: Prepare your homemade pie crust according to the recipe directions. Roll out one disc of the chilled dough and fit it into a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate. Crimp or flute the edges. Line the crust with parchment paper and fill it with pie weights or dried beans. Bake at 375°F for 10 minutes. Carefully remove the parchment and weights, then bake for another 7-8 minutes, until the bottom is just starting to brown.

1. Make the Pumpkin Pie Filling: In a large bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, the 3 eggs, and the brown sugar until combined. Add the cornstarch, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and the surprising pinch of black pepper (it enhances the other spices!).
2. Finish the Filling: Whisk in the heavy cream and the milk until everything is completely combined into a smooth, beautiful, and fragrant batter.
3. Fill and Bake: Pour the pumpkin pie filling into your warm, par-baked crust. Fill it only about 3/4 of the way up.

1. Bake to Perfection: Bake the pie at 375°F until the center is almost set. This will take about 55-60 minutes. The edges should be set, but a small part of the very center will still be a bit wobbly—that’s perfect! To prevent the crust edges from getting too dark, be sure to cover them with a pie shield or strips of aluminum foil after the first 25 minutes of baking.
2. Cool Completely: Once done, transfer the pie to a wire rack and allow it to cool completely for at least 3 hours. This final cooling and setting time is absolutely crucial.
3. Decorate and Serve: Once completely cool, you can decorate your masterpiece with beautiful sugared cranberries and baked pie crust leaves. Serve with a generous dollop of whipped cream.

Wise Tips for the Perfect Pumpkin Pie

• Par-Baking is Non-Negotiable: This is the single most important step for avoiding the dreaded “soggy bottom.” Pre-baking the crust ensures it stays crisp and flaky even under the wet custard filling.
• Don’t Overbake the Filling: The key to a perfect, smooth, crack-free pumpkin pie is to pull it from the oven when the center still has a slight jiggle. The residual heat will finish cooking it through as it cools, resulting in a perfect, silky custard.
• The Cooling Time is Crucial: You must let the pie cool completely for at least 3 hours at room temperature. Slicing into a warm pumpkin pie will result in a soupy mess. Patience is a virtue!
• Embrace the Make-Ahead: This is the perfect Thanksgiving dessert because so many components can be made in advance! The pie dough, the sugared cranberries, and even the entire pie filling can be made the day before.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – The Great Pumpkin Pie

Can I use a store-bought pie crust?
You can, but a homemade, all-butter crust will have a vastly superior flavor and flaky texture. If you do use a store-bought crust, be sure to still follow the par-baking instructions.

Can I use pumpkin pie spice instead of the individual spices?
Yes. You can substitute the ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and pepper with 1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice. Be sure to still add the 1 and 1/2 teaspoons of cinnamon, as it’s the dominant flavor.

How do I store the finished pie?
Cover any leftovers tightly and store them in the refrigerator. The pie will keep well for up to 5 days.

Conclusion

This Great Pumpkin Pie recipe is a true celebration of tradition and classic holiday flavor. It’s a wonderfully rewarding dessert to make from scratch, and the incredible, rich, and smooth result is sure to become a treasured part of your Thanksgiving traditions for years to come. Enjoy!