Best Pumpkin Pie Recipe

This is the best Pumpkin Pie Recipe ever! It's easy to make and contains no sweetened condensed milk! It is the only pumpkin pie recipe you'll ever need - perfect for Thanksgiving.

I know that I'm making a bold clam when I say that this is the Best Pumpkin Pie recipe ever. But I wouldn't say such a thing if I didn't believe it was 100% true.

Literally everyone who tries this Pumpkin Pie Recipe falls in love with it. It's a beautiful blend of creamy, spicy sweet flavors that encompass all that is wonderful about fall.

Plus it's easy to make with only 10 ingredients and no condensed milk! Serve with a dollop of homemade whipped cream for fall dessert perfection!

Best Pumpkin Pie Recipe: Ingredients & Substitutions

The great thing about this pie is that it is actually fairly versatile (for a pie)! You can tweak a few ingredients to make this pie suitable for all sorts of dietary needs!

• All-purpose flour: Gluten-free purpose flour can be used in a 1:1 ratio to make this pie! You can also substitute your favorite gluten-free crust if desired!
• Butter. Vegan butter (such as Earth Balance) can be used for a dairy-free version!
• Heavy Cream. Half and half is a great substitute. For dairy-free options choose full-fat coconut milk or coconut cream. Dairy-free creamer can also be used, just watch out for the added sugars!
• Light Brown Sugar: dark brown sugar is a good substitute, but note that it will impart a bolder molasses taste. Coconut sugar also works well.
• Pumpkin puree. Use a 15 oz can of pure pumpkin puree, or make your own from a fresh pie pumpkin (instructions in the recipe card). Can't find pumpkin? Make this sweet potato pie instead!
• Pumpkin pie spice. Use store-bought or make your own with this homemade pumpkin pie spice recipe!

Tools used to make this recipe

• I used these Fall Pie Crust Cutters to make the pretty shapes around the crust (and made 1.5x the recipe in order to do so)!
• I have had this Marble Rolling Pin for 10 years and use it all the time!
• A pastry cloth is an absolute must to make transferring the pie into your pie plate a breeze!
• I have used my food processor for so many things over the years I can't even count. It's the only way I will make pie crusts because it's so so easy!
• And obviously a pie plate is a must-have! I love this one as a simple yet elegant, and affordable option! 

How to make Pumpkin Pie

Many people think homemade pies (like apple pie, French Silk Pie and sweet potato pie) are intimidating but they really aren't!

You absolutely will not regret making this pumpkin pie from scratch. Don't forget to watch the video for extra help!

Make the Crust

I have an entire tutorial on how to make an all-butter pie crust. It's the best pie crust ever!

Just be sure to remember that you need to make the crust and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before rolling it out. so plan accordingly.

Make the Pumpkin Pie Filling

This pumpkin pie filling is so easy to make! Simply whisk all the ingredients together and you're done! I like to make it while the crust is chilling so that it's ready to go! 

Shape the pie crust

After chilling and rolling, shape the pumpkin pie crust to fit in your favorite pie dish. I like to use these fall pie crust cutters to cut fun shapes into any extra dough! Then bake them in the preheated oven separately from your pie for 5-8 minutes, and decorate the top of the pie once it's cooled!

Fill the crust

Fill the crust with the pumpkin pie filling quickly. You do not want the crust to get warm before baking! 

Bake

Place your pumpkin pie into the oven to bake. I recommend using a pie crust shield or aluminum foil to cover the crust, otherwise it will brown before the filling is done. 

Remove the pie crust shield int he last 10 minutes of baking to be sure the crust gets golden-brown! You know the pie is done when:

1. The top will be set and slightly puffed. 
2. It will be set on the edge and have a very slight jiggle in the middle! 
3. A cake tester inserted in the middle of the pie will come out clean. But a word of warning, I don't like to do this because it leaves a hole in the center of the pie and might cause it to crack as it cools. You could cover up the hole with a pretty pie crust design, but I'd be careful!

Let it cool

After it's baked this pie needs to cool for at least 2 hours on a wire rack. You can put it in the fridge (or outside on your cold porch) to speed up the process.

Store in the refrigerator

After it has cooled for 2 hours at room temperature, pumpkin pie needs to be stored in the refrigerator until serving. 

To Freeze

This pie freezes very well! There are 2 ways to freeze this recipe:

1. Freeze the entire pie. Simply bake and chill the pie, then wrap it tightly with plastic wrap and foil and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before cutting and serving. 
2. Freeze individual slices. If you have a few leftover slices you want to freeze, place them on a baking sheet and put them in the freezer to flash-freeze them. Then, once they're frozen, wrap them in plastic wrap and store in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator for about 6 hours. 

FAQs about Pumpkin Pie

Here are some commonly asked questions about making this pumpkin pie recipe!

If you make and love our recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don't forget to follow along with us on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and Youtube - be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so we can your creations!

The Best Pumpkin Pie Recipe Ever!

Laura

This is the best Pumpkin Pie Recipe ever! It's easy to make and contains no sweetened condensed milk! It is the only pumpkin pie recipe you'll ever need - perfect for Thanksgiving.

5 from 198 votes

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Prep Time 10 mins

Cook Time 1 hr

Chilling time 1 hr

Total Time 2 hrs 10 mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 10 Slices

Calories 294 kcal

Equipment

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  measuring spoons
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  measuring cups
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  spatula
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  glass batter bowl
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  Food processor
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  whisk
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  pie crust shield
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  pie dish
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  cake tester

Ingredients

 

US CustomaryMetric

 

1x2x3x

Filling:

• ▢ 3 large eggs
• ▢ 15 oz pumpkin puree (2 cups)
• ▢ 1 cup heavy cream or half & half
• ▢ 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ▢ ¾ cup light brown sugar
• ▢ ½ teaspoon sea salt
• ▢ 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• ▢ 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

Pie Crust:

• ▢ 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• ▢ ½ teaspoon sea salt
• ▢ 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar
• ▢ ½ cup salted butter chilled, and cut into 1 inch pieces**
• ▢ ¼ cup cold water

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

 

Make the pie Crust:

• Place the flour, salt, and sugar in a food processor fitted with an “S” blade and pulse to combine.
• Add the butter and cold water and process until the mixture resembles a coarse meal, begins to stick together, and holds together when pinched. 
• Remove dough from processor (will be crumbly) and form into a ball.
• Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes or overnight

Make the filling:

• In a large bowl, beat the eggs. 
• Whisk in the pumpkin, cream and vanilla extract until combined.
• Add brown sugar, salt, cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice and mix until completely combined.

Putting it together

• Preheat your oven to 425 degrees F.
• Lightly grease a pie plate and set aside.
• Roll out your pie dough on a well-floured surface (pastry cloth) to fit the size of your pie plate.
• Carefully transfer the dough to the pie plate and shape the crust how you want it to look.
• Pour the filling into the unbaked pie crust and cover the crust with a pastry shield
• Bake for 15 minutes at 425 degrees F. 
• Reduce the temperature to 350 degrees F and continue to bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a knife inserted comes out clean.  It may be a bit wobbly still, but it will firm-up as it cools.
• Allow the pie to cool on a wire rack for 2 hours (Be patient! This is important).  Serve or refrigerate until ready to serve.

Video

Notes

Ingredient substitutions: 

• Pumpkin puree. You can use a 15 oz can of pumpkin puree, or 2 cups of fresh homemade pumpkin puree. 
• All-purpose flour: Gluten-free purpose flour can be used in a 1:1 ratio to make this pie! You can also use a store bought crust. 
• Heavy Cream. There are many possible substitutions for heavy cream! I have used half & half for a dairy-full variation. 
• Brown Sugar: Light or dark brown sugar can be used in this recipe! Coconut sugar is a great refined-sugar free alternative!

How to make homemade pumpkin puree

To make your own pumpkin puree you will need 2 pie pumpkins. Follow these instructions: 

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F
2. Cut pumpkins in half and remove the pulp and seeds. 
3. Place pumpkins facedown in a baking dish, dutch oven or on a sheet pan with edges. 
4. Pour water into the bottom of the baking dish to cover about ¼" of the bottom of the pumpkins. 
5. Cover, either with a lid (as in a dutch oven) or with aluminum foil. 
6. Roast for 60 minutes, or until the shell of the pumpkin depresses downward when pushed. 
7. Let pumpkins cool, then peel the shell off of the pumpkin.
8.  Blend the pumpkin flesh in a blender or process in a food processor until smooth. Then use in your baking!

Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice

Use this recipe to make your own homemade pumpkin pie spice! 

Or, to make only 1 tablespoon of pumpkin pie spice combine: 

• 1 ½ tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp nutmeg
• ½ tsp cloves
• ½ tsp allspice

Serve

Serve with a dollop of homemade whipped cream for an extra special treat!

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 294kcalCarbohydrates: 30.3gProtein: 4.5gFat: 19.6gSaturated Fat: 11.8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5.5gCholesterol: 113.2mgSodium: 154.6mgPotassium: 103.2mgFiber: 1.9gSugar: 13.7gVitamin A: 4475IUVitamin C: 0.8mgCalcium: 45mgIron: 1.3mg

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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