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Chef John’s Perfect Pumpkin Pie Recipe

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4.3 from 13 reviews

Chef John’s Pumpkin Pie is a rich and perfectly textured dessert that has been perfected over years of experimentation. This recipe yields a smooth, flavorful pumpkin filling with warm spices and a tender, flaky crust, less prone to cracking, making it an ideal classic holiday treat.

Ingredients

Filling

  • 1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree
  • 3 egg yolks
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground ginger
  • ½ teaspoon fine salt
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
  • ⅛ teaspoon Chinese 5-spice powder

Crust

  • 1 (9-inch) unbaked pie crust

For Serving (Optional)

  • Whipped cream
  • Grated nutmeg

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C) to prepare for baking the pumpkin pie.
  2. Mix filling: In a large bowl, whisk together pumpkin puree, egg yolks, and whole egg until smooth. Add sweetened condensed milk, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, salt, freshly grated nutmeg, and Chinese 5-spice powder; continue whisking until the mixture is thoroughly smooth and fully combined.
  3. Prepare crust: Line a 9-inch pie plate with the unbaked pie crust, crimping the edges neatly to form the pie shell.
  4. Fill crust: Pour the pumpkin filling into the prepared crust. Lightly tap the pie on the counter to release any trapped air bubbles in the filling.
  5. Bake initial high heat: Place the pie in the preheated oven and bake at 425 degrees F (220 degrees C) for 15 minutes to set the crust and start cooking the filling.
  6. Reduce heat and continue baking: Lower the oven temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and bake for an additional 30 to 40 minutes. The pie is done when the filling is just set in the center; a paring knife inserted about 1 inch from the edge should come out clean.
  7. Cool and serve: Allow the pie to cool completely before slicing. Serve garnished with optional whipped cream and freshly grated nutmeg for extra flavor and a classic presentation.

Notes

  • Using sweetened condensed milk adds richness and sweetness, eliminating the need for additional sugar.
  • The combination of warm spices including cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and Chinese 5-spice powder gives the pie a unique depth of flavor.
  • Tapping the pie after pouring the filling helps prevent air bubbles and cracking.
  • Cooling the pie completely before slicing ensures clean slices and proper texture.
  • Using pumpkin puree from a can provides convenience and consistent texture.

Find it online: https://marthatasty.com/chef-johns-perfect-pumpkin-pie-recipe/