Perfect Pumpkin Pie
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Make the perfect pumpkin pie with a buttery, flaky crust and a smooth, crack-free filling. It’s the ultimate holiday dessert!
Pumpkin pie is a holiday classic, and when done right, it’s as good as dessert gets—a smooth, warmly-spiced pumpkin filling in a flaky, buttery crust. But for such a seemingly simple dessert, pumpkin pie can be tricky to perfect. Over the years, I’ve tested at least a dozen recipes, and I’ve run into every pitfall: fillings that won’t set, unsightly cracks, and soggy crusts.
Whoever coined the term “easy as pie” had clearly never baked a pumpkin pie! But after years of testing, I finally cracked the code. This pumpkin pie recipe is perfect in all the ways that matter: a perfectly crisp crust, a smooth and rich filling, and no unsightly cracks. Bonus: it’s easy to make!
“I’ve been baking pumpkin pie for what seems like an eternity. The custard always cracks. Not this time…it’s absolutely delicious!”
What You’ll Need To Make Homemade Pumpkin Pie
- Pie Crust – Use a homemade pie crust or store-bought—whichever you prefer. If using store-bought, opt for the frozen kind in an aluminum pie pan; it’s easier to blind bake and less likely to shrink.
- Pumpkin – Adds rich flavor and a smooth texture. For the best results, go with Libby’s canned pumpkin puree.
- Egg & egg yolks – The whole egg binds the filling, while the yolks bring extra richness and a silky texture.
- Granulated sugar & Light brown sugar – A combination of sugars adds complex sweetness; the brown sugar lends a deeper, molasses-like flavor.
- All-purpose flour – Slightly thickens and stabilizes the filling to prevent unsightly cracks.
- Spices (ground cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, black pepper) – This classic pumpkin pie spice blend gives the dessert its warm, signature flavor, with just a hint of heat from the black pepper.
- Evaporated milk – Makes the filling creamy and smooth, giving the pie a luscious, velvety texture.
- Jump to the printable recipe for precise measurements
Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1: Blind Bake The Pie Crust
If using a store-bought crust, follow the blind-baking instructions on the package. For homemade dough, roll it out, fit it into a 9-inch deep-dish pie dish, and chill for at least 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 375°F, then place the chilled crust on a baking sheet for easy handling.
Cover the crust with a piece of parchment paper and fill it about three-quarters full with dried beans or pie weights.
Bake for 20 minutes, then remove the parchment paper and beans/pie weights.
Bake for another 15 to 20 minutes, until the dough is dry and golden, then reduce the oven temperature to 325°F.
Step 3: Make The Filling
While the crust finishes cooking, combine the pumpkin pie filling ingredients in a large bowl.
Whisk until the mixture is smooth.
Step 4: Bake the Pumpkin Pie
Pour the filling into the pre-baked crust.
Bake the pie for 50 to 60 minutes, until the filling is just set.
Cool the pie on a wire rack to room temperature. Slice or refrigerate for up to one day until ready to serve. Enjoy!
Video Tutorial
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Perfect Pumpkin Pie
Make the perfect pumpkin pie with a buttery, flaky crust and a smooth, crack-free filling. It’s the ultimate holiday dessert!
Ingredients
- 1 homemade pie crust or 9-inch deep-dish frozen pie crust shell (thawed)
- 1 (15-oz) can pure pumpkin (about 1¾ cups)
- 1 large egg
- 3 large eggs yolks
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup light brown sugar, packed
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
- ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1¼ cups evaporated milk (you'll need one 12-oz can but you won't use all of it)
Instructions
Blind Bake the Crust
- For homemade crust: Roll out the dough and gently fit it into a (9-inch) deep-dish pie pan, ensuring it's snug against the pan's edges and bottom. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 375°F and set an oven rack in the middle position. Remove the chilled pie crust from the refrigerator and place it on a baking sheet (this makes it easy to move in and out of the oven). Cover the crust with a piece of parchment paper and fill about three-quarters full with dried beans or pie weights. Bake for 20 minutes. Take the crust out of the oven; remove the parchment paper and beans/pie weights and tent the edges with a few strips of foil folded in half lengthwise (this will protect the edges from getting too dark). Bake for another 15 to 20 minutes, until the dough is dry and lightly golden. Don't worry if the bottom puffs up; just press it down gently with a flat spatula, such as a pancake turner, taking care not to puncture it. Remove the foil but don't throw it away; you may need it again.
- For frozen crust: Follow the instructions for blind-baking on the package.
- After blind-baking the crust, reduce the oven temperature to 325°F.
Make the Filling
- In a large bowl, combine the pumpkin, egg, egg yolks, granulated sugar, brown sugar, flour, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, pepper, and evaporated milk. Whisk until smooth, then pour the filling into the pre-baked crust.
- Bake the pie for 50 to 60 minutes (at 325°F), until the filling is just set. It should look dry around the edges, but the center should jiggle just slightly if you nudge the pan. Keep a close eye on the pie as it bakes; if ever the crust looks like it's browning too quickly, tent the edges with foil strips. Let the pie cool on a rack (leave it on the baking sheet) to room temperature, a few hours. Slice or refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Make Ahead: Pumpkin pie can be made one day ahead of time and refrigerated. Bring to room temperature before serving.
- Freezer-Friendly Instructions: The dough can be made ahead, wrapped in plastic, and refrigerated for up to 2 days, or frozen for up to 1 month. If you freeze it, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator. The pie can be frozen after baking for up to 1 month. After it is completely cooled, double-wrap it securely with aluminum foil or plastic freezer wrap, or place it in heavy-duty freezer bag. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bring to room temperature before serving.
Nutrition Information
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- Per serving (10 servings)
- Calories: 335
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated fat: 8g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Sugar: 27g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Sodium: 287mg
- Cholesterol: 103mg
This website is written and produced for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and the nutritional data on this site has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration. Nutritional information is offered as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. The data is calculated through an online nutritional calculator, Edamam.com. Although I do my best to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Furthermore, different online calculators provide different results depending on their own nutrition fact sources and algorithms. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator.
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Love your site, it’s my go to place for baking recipes! I don’t have beans or pie weights (this is my first homemade pie), any suggestions? Also, I’m using a ceramic pie dish, do I need to make mods to the recipe? Finally, is it essential that the butter and shortening be cold? Sorry for all the questions and thanks so much for your help!
Hi Amy, rice would work in place of beans or pie weights, ceramic is fine (with no modifications needed) and, yes, both the butter and the shortening need to be cold to achieve the right texture for the dough. Hope you enjoy!
This receipe looks amazing and I’m looking forward to making it for Canadian Thanksgiving this weekend.
Question: I have a metal pie plate rather than a glass pie dish. Do you recommend making any adjustments to temperature or cooking time? Thanks!
Hi Kendra, I think the cook time and temp will be the same. Happy Thanksgiving!
I made this pie for my family, and it’s the first time I’ve attempted pie. It turned out perfect, and my son said it was the best pumpkin pie he ever ate.
I tried making the crust but it did not turn out quite right. After adding the (cold and hardened) butter and shortening, the mixture looked as if I had already added the ice water (it looked crumbly and wet) when actually I had not. I added a tiny drop of the ice water just in case, but it came out as a mass of dough inside the food processor. I hurriedly took it out and refridgerated it for an hour then rolled it out, but then when I tried to pick it up to drape over the rolling pin, it was crumbly and did not hold its shape. Any ideas what went wrong? Thanks!
Hi Sam, Sorry you had trouble! It sounds like you didn’t have enough water in the dough — in my experience, you always need at least 3-4 tablespoons. I would add the full amount next time, even if the dough already looks moistened.
I made this for Thanksgiving and it was the BEST pumpkin pie recipe I’ve ever made. Thank you so much,
I made this for Christmas dinner and the flavor was perfect with all the delicious spices added to the pumpkin puree. I used a pre-made pie shell as my baking skills are poor. However the step by step directions, tips and photos always help so much with these recipes.
This looks absolutely amazing and I will be making this tomorrow if at all possible. What is the variable? The crust. If I were to use a pre-made refrigerated crust (and tell no one) do I make it the same otherwise? I would make my own but I don’t own a food processor and I have bad arthritis in my hands. Thanks for all of your hard work to make this just right!
Hi Robin, It’s perfectly fine to use a pre-made crust; just be sure to follow the directions on the package for blind baking, as the cook time will be less. Hope you enjoy it!
I made this for my brother who requested a pumpkin pie. He lives in a nursing home. Our parents died two years ago and my brother was missing my mom’s cooking. The pie turned out beautiful. In fact I took pictures of it and sent to all my friends because it looks so gorgeous. The feeling was creamy and it was not too sweet and it had just a bit of a bite from the black pepper. I loved it. I will be making this again and again.
I love ANYTHING Pumpkin & this recipe was the first one that I found that wasn’t “too sweet” or had too much “spice” to it. Which I tend to add a tad more because I like it that way…lol
My family loved it… I ran out of time & cheated once using a frozen pie crust…not the pre formed but the flat kind. Nobody knew the difference, except me…?
Hi Jean, is it possible for me to substitute canned pumpkin with cooked, fresh pumpkin instead? If so, do I need to take note of the liquid amount or add any spice to it before using? Thank you for sharing your recipe, would love to try making it with my 8year old.. ☺
Hi Nan, I’ve never prepared it with fresh pumpkin so I’m not certain– sorry! Please let me know how it turns out if you try it this way.