Whether you are making pumpkin pie for the first time or the hundredth, it’s essential to know the basic steps involved in making a delicious pie. This will make the pie taste even better and ensure you have a good pie every time.
Make the crust
Whether you’re making pumpkin pie at home or buying it from a grocery store, you should know a few things before starting. For example, there are several ways to bake a pie crust.
You can make a pie crust with all butter or a mix of butter and shortening. Unsalted butter is best for a pumpkin pie crust. If you want a sweeter taste, add granulated sugar. Also, you can substitute all-purpose flour for a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend.
The next step is to blind-bake the crust. Blind baking allows the crust to dry out before you add the filling. This process is essential for custard pies.
To blind-bake the crust, you’ll need to line the crust with parchment paper. Then you’ll need to place pie weights or dried beans in the crust. This helps the crust hold its shape and prevents it from puffing up.
After the crust is baked, you’ll need to fill it with pumpkin pie filling. You can use canned pumpkin and add a bit of sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg to the filling. Or you can use homemade puree. If you use a store-bought pie crust, you’ll need to thaw it in the refrigerator before you begin.
You can then line the bottom and top of the pie with parchment paper. You can also wrap the crust in aluminum foil. This will help prevent the crust from burning.
Make the filling
Adding a filling to pumpkin pie can be a little tricky. You want to make sure it’s smooth and has the right consistency. You also want to make sure you don’t overfill it. Finally, you don’t want the filling to leak into the crust.
The easiest way to make the pumpkin pie filling is to mix the spices and ingredients you need. Common herbs include cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and brown sugar. You can also add some orange zest for extra flavor.
When you are ready to make the filling for pumpkin pie, you will need to start by making a pie crust. You can either make a homemade crust or use a store-bought version.
To make a homemade crust, combine all ingredients in a food processor. You can also use a mixer. You will want to mix the dough until it is well blended. You will then need to flatten it and roll it out into a circle. Next, you will want to place the dough in a 9-inch pie dish. You can then blind-bake the crust.
Once the pie crust is baked, you can add the filling. You can add either cream or evaporated milk to the filling. You can substitute it with heavy cream if you choose to use evaporated milk.
Freeze leftovers
Whether you have an abundance of leftover pie or just making a small batch for a family dinner, freezing your pie is a great way to save on costs and time. You can store leftovers in the freezer for up to a month.
Before freezing your pie, make sure it’s completely cooled off. This is crucial because excess moisture will destroy the crust’s texture.
It’s also recommended that you wrap your pie in aluminum foil or plastic wrap to prevent freezer burn. Aluminum foil will also help to prevent ice crystals from forming, which can impact the flavor of your pie.
Using a freezer-safe zip-top bag is a good idea if you’re making a traditional pie. This will also help to prevent freezer burn and extend the life of your pie.
The best pie to freeze is a classic pumpkin custard. However, you can also freeze pie crusts for later use. If you choose to freeze pie crust, use a disposable aluminum pie pan to prevent large ice crystals from forming.
For the best results, freeze your pie using the method outlined above. For a homemade pie, it’s also recommended to wrap it in aluminum foil or plastic to prevent freezer damage.
