There's something about the warm, cozy scent of cinnamon and pumpkin filling the air that instantly makes a kitchen feel like home. This Easy Pumpkin Pie Recipe is a total game-changer when you want classic fall flavors without fussing over complicated steps or weird ingredients.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
Honestly, I’ve made countless pumpkin pies, but this version stands out because it’s straightforward, uses ingredients you probably already have, and still tastes like it took hours to make. It’s perfect for when you want to impress with minimal effort.
- Super Simple: Uses a convenient refrigerated pie crust and canned pumpkin puree, cutting down prep time drastically.
- Rich & Creamy Filling: The sweetened condensed milk makes the custard irresistibly smooth without needing heavy cream or extra steps.
- Classic Spice Blend: Pumpkin pie spice gives you all those warm autumnal flavors in one easy measure—no guessing spices.
- Perfect Texture Every Time: Baking at a high temp first then lowering the heat helps set the filling beautifully without cracking or sogginess.
Ingredients & Why They Work
The magic of this Easy Pumpkin Pie Recipe comes from keeping things simple but impactful. Each ingredient lends itself to that iconic pumpkin pie flavor and texture we all love.
- Refrigerated Pie Crust: Using a store-bought crust saves so much time and effort—plus, it bakes up crisp and golden.
- Pumpkin Puree: Make sure it’s pure pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling, so you can control the sweetness and spices yourself.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk: This adds creamy sweetness and binds everything together smoothly without extra mixing.
- Eggs: They’re essential to set the custard filling and give that luscious texture.
- Pumpkin Pie Spice: A blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves that brings warmth and depth to the pie.
- Salt: Just a pinch enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness perfectly.
Make It Your Way
I love mixing things up depending on the occasion. This easy pumpkin pie is very forgiving—feel free to add your twist to make it truly yours.
- Spice Swap: One time, I swapped pumpkin pie spice for my own blend—cinnamon, a little extra nutmeg, and a dash of cardamom. It turned out with a more interesting, complex flavor I still crave.
- Crust Upgrade: If you want to impress a bit more, try brushing the crust edges with egg wash and sprinkling a touch of cinnamon sugar before baking for a crisp, golden finish.
- Alternative Sweeteners: For a lighter touch, I’ve used evaporated milk instead of sweetened condensed milk, adding maple syrup to compensate for sweetness—delicious if you want something less sweet but still rich.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Easy Pumpkin Pie Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Crust Like a Pro
First, thaw the refrigerated pie crust just as the package directs—it makes it easier to handle without tearing. Unroll it gently into your pie dish. I like to fold the edges under slightly and press with my fingertips to create a pretty wavy pattern; it’s an easy way to fancy it up without stress.
Step 2: Whisk the Pumpkin Filling
In a big bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, sweetened condensed milk, eggs, pumpkin pie spice, and salt until everything’s completely blended. Scrape the sides of your canned milk to not waste any of that sweet goodness—trust me, it makes a difference!
Step 3: Pour and Prep for Baking
Pour the filling into your crust, then gently wiggle the pie to level the surface. Place the pie on a baking sheet (highly recommend this to catch any spills). If you don’t want your crust edges too dark, a simple ring of aluminum foil around the rim is a lifesaver.
Step 4: Bake, Watch, and Cool
Pop the pie on the lowest oven rack preheated to 425°F and bake for 15 minutes. Then, without opening the oven, reduce the temperature to 350°F and bake an additional 35-40 minutes until the filling barely jiggles in the center. Cooling is key — I leave mine at room temp for about 2 hours, or chill it after an hour for a firmer slice.
Top Tip
After making this pie countless times, I've learned a few little tricks to nail the results every time. These have saved me from undercooked filling and dry crusts more times than I can count.
- Aluminum Foil Crust Shield: Covering the edges loosely with foil after the first 15 minutes keeps them from burning while the filling finishes baking perfectly.
- Don't Overbake: The filling should still jiggle slightly when you pull it out—that’s how you know it’ll set just right when cooled.
- Cooling Patience: Let the pie sit at room temperature for at least 2 hours before slicing to avoid a messy, gooey cut.
- Catch Spills: Always bake on a rimmed baking sheet; the filling can bubble over and it saves you from oven clean-up headaches.
How to Serve Easy Pumpkin Pie Recipe
Garnishes
I love topping my pumpkin pie slices with a generous dollop of freshly whipped cream and a light sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg right before serving—it adds a cool, creamy contrast that’s just perfect.
Side Dishes
This pie plays well with autumnal sides like warm spiced apple cider or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream if you're feeling indulgent. For holiday meals, roasted vegetables balance the sweetness wonderfully.
Creative Ways to Present
For special dinners, I’ve served individual pumpkin pies in mini tart shells with a drizzle of caramel sauce and a sprinkle of chopped toasted pecans on top. It’s fancy but surprisingly easy to pull off!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Cover leftover pie tightly with plastic wrap or foil and store it in the fridge—it keeps well for about 3-4 days. I usually find it tastes even better the next day once the flavors settle.
Freezing
I’ve frozen assembled pumpkin pies wrapped well in foil and plastic wrap when I needed to get ahead for a party. When thawed slowly in the fridge overnight, they held their creamy texture surprisingly well.
Reheating
To reheat slices, I pop them in a low oven at 300°F for 10-15 minutes until warmed through. Avoid microwaving because the filling can get watery and the crust soggy.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Homemade crust works wonderfully, but I recommend partially blind baking it first to avoid sogginess since the filling is quite moist. This little step makes all the difference in getting a crisp base.
If you don’t have pumpkin pie spice on hand, mix together 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon, ½ teaspoon nutmeg, ¼ teaspoon ginger, and ¼ teaspoon cloves. This combination replicates pumpkin pie spice nicely and gives your pie that classic flavor.
Look for the filling to be mostly set with only a slight jiggle in the center when you gently shake the pie. It will continue to firm up as it cools. Overbaking can cause cracks or dryness, so keeping an eye on that jiggle is key.
Yes! You can bake the pie a day ahead and store it covered in the fridge. It actually tastes better chilled and gives you less to rush on serving day. Just be sure to let it come to room temperature or warm slightly if you prefer serving it warm.
Final Thoughts
This Easy Pumpkin Pie Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen because it combines nostalgic flavors with effortless preparation. I hope you enjoy the process and the creamy, spiced slices as much as I do. Trust me, once you make this, it’ll become your go-to pie for every cozy occasion.
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Easy Pumpkin Pie Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 46 minutes
- Total Time: 56 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This easy pumpkin pie recipe features a smooth, spiced pumpkin filling baked in a flaky pie crust. Using canned pumpkin puree and sweetened condensed milk, it delivers classic fall flavors with minimal effort, perfect for holiday gatherings or a cozy dessert.
Ingredients
Pie Crust
- 1 (9-inch) refrigerated pie crust (store-bought)
Filling
- 1 (15 oz) can pumpkin puree (not pie filling)
- 1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
- 2 large eggs
- 2 ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set oven rack in the lowest position and heat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the pie.
- Prepare Pie Crust: Thaw the chilled pie crust according to package directions. Unroll it and fit it into a pie dish. If desired, fold edges under slightly and press between fingertips to create a wavy design.
- Make Filling: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, sweetened condensed milk (including any excess from the can), eggs, pumpkin pie spice, and salt until fully blended and smooth.
- Fill Pie Crust: Pour the pumpkin filling into the prepared pie crust, gently wiggling the dish to level the mixture evenly. Place the pie on a baking sheet. To prevent crust edges from over-browning, optionally cover them with a ring of aluminum foil.
- Initial Bake: Transfer the baking sheet with the pie to the oven on the lowest rack. Bake at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes to start the cooking process.
- Continue Baking: Without removing the pie, reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and continue baking for an additional 35 to 40 minutes, or until the pie filling is nearly set and no longer jiggles when moved.
- Cool Pie: Remove the pie from the oven and transfer it to a wire rack. Allow it to cool for at least 2 hours before slicing. For a chilled version, rest the pie 1 hour at room temperature, then refrigerate for 2 hours before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute a homemade pie crust, but it’s best to partially blind bake it first to prevent sogginess due to the wet filling.
- If you don’t have pumpkin pie spice, make your own blend using 1 ½ teaspoon cinnamon, ½ teaspoon nutmeg, ¼ teaspoon ginger, and ¼ teaspoon cloves.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (⅛ pie)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 28 g
- Sodium: 210 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
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