Thanksgiving Recipes – Homemade Pumpkin Pie

I think there must be something in the Thanksgiving rule book stating pumpkin pie must be served on Thanksgiving day.  Don’t you think?  I mean, have you ever not had pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving? It’s right up there with serving a turkey.

Well, all I can say is this, if pumpkin pie and turkey was good enough for the Pilgrims, then it’s good enough for me.

Here is how to make a pumpkin pie from scratch-

Ingredients for the Custard

2 cups pumpkin puree
1/2 cup brown sugar {I used light brown sugar}
3 large eggs
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt

Ingredients for the Pie Crust

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup vegetable shorting {I used Crisco}
1 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons cold water

Directions for the Pie

Combine pie crust ingredients together, divide in half, roll into a ball, use the palm of your hand to flatten crust to about 1 inch. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.

When the pie crust is almost done chilling, combined all the ingredients for the custard in a large mixing bowl or give it a whirl in a blender until smooth {I love using our Blendtec* for this}.

Then remove the pie crust from the refrigerator, roll out 1 crust and line a pie plate with it and crimp the edges of the crust.  Roll out the second pie crust to 1/4″ and using a leaf shaped cookie cutter* cut 12 dough leaves out.  Brush the dough leaves with an egg wash {1 egg, 1 tablespoon water} and set aside.

Brush the top 2″ of of the pie crust with an egg wash as well.

Pour custard filling into the crust lined pie plate and add dough leaves around the edges and one in the center as well.

Bake at 375 degrees for 50- 55 minutes or until the center of the pie is set.  Carefully remove the pie from the oven ans let it cool.

Serve this baby with a giant scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipping cream. Whichever you prefer.

Find these colored pie plates right here* on Amazon.com.

* Direct link to Amazon.com product