Make This Favorite Pumpkin Pie Family Recipe

The advent of fall brings some of the best feasts and treats of the year. One of my personal favorites is good, old-fashioned pumpkin pie. While this recipe has been in my family for years, I’ve updated it with a fun twist by adding a jack-o-lantern face. Cute and delicious. What could be better?

Things You'll Need

-  5 cups flour

-  2 teaspoons salt 

-  2 tablespoons sugar 

-  2 sticks cold unsalted butter 

-  1 cup cold vegetable shortening 

-  8 tablespoons ice water 

-  64 oz canned pumpkin

-  1 1/2 cup brown sugar 

-  2 1/4 cup scalded milk

-  4 beaten eggs 

-  3/4 teaspoon salt

-  1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

-  3/4 teaspoon ginger 

-  Dash allspice 

Directions for Making the Dough

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Combine the flour, salt and sugar in a medium sized bowl. 
3. Using a pastry blender, cut in pieces of the butter and shortening until the mixture resembles small peas. Stir in water until the dough forms. 
4. Gather the dough into a ball and divide into three even pieces. Wrap each piece in plastic wrap, forming a disk, and refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight. 
5. Roll out two of the three disks and place onto pie plates. Reserve the third disk for the jack-o-lantern face pieces. 
6. Cover the dough with foil and place pie weights, dried beans or rice on top. 
7. Bake for 20 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
8. Remove the foil and weights, and bake uncovered for 10 minutes until the pie sets. 
9. Remove from the oven and let cool. 

Directions for Making the Filling

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. 
2. Using a heavy bottom saucepan, scald the milk. 
3. Let cool. 
4. In the bowl of your stand mixer, combine the spices, sugar and pumpkin. 
5. Add the eggs to the cooled milk, and then add to the pumpkin mixture. 
6. Pour the batter evenly into the two baked pie shells. 
7. Bake for 10 minutes at 425 degrees, and then reduce heat to 375 degrees. Bake for an additional 30 to 40 minutes or until an inserted knife comes out clean. 
8. Let cool and then chill in the refrigerator. 

Directions for Making the Jack-o-lantern Face Pieces (and Putting It All Together!)

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.  
2. Roll out the third disk of dough onto a lightly floured surface. 
3. Using a sharp knife, cut out the jack-o-lantern pieces: The eyes, nose and mouth. 
4. Cut out some extra pieces in case some break or burn while baking. 
5. Bake 8 to 12 minutes or until golden. 
6. Let cool. 
7. Place on top of the baked pie. Serve and enjoy! 

CB Blogger