Dads Favorite Pumpkin Pie Recipes

DAD'S FAVORITE PUMPKIN PIE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Brush shells with slightly beaten egg white.
• Mix ingredients in order given. Pour into shells. Bake for 15 minutes.
• Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees and bake for 1 hour or until knife inserted in center of pie filling omes out clean.
• Let cool and serve with whipped cream.

PERFECT PUMPKIN PIE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375°F and set an oven rack in the middle position.
• If using a homemade crust: Cover the chilled crust with a piece of parchment paper. Fill the crust 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 20 minutes, until the dough is dry and 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.
• If using a 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 Pumpkin Pie 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, 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 again with the 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.
• 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 before serving.

DAD'S PUMPKIN CHIFFON PIE

Steps:

• Line one 9 inch pie pan with whole gingersnap cookies, breaking as necessary for fitting.
• In a saucepan over medium heat cook pumpkin puree to heat through, stirring frequently.
• Separate the eggs. Combine the egg yolks, 1/2 cup sugar, milk, spices and butter or margarine. Add to pumpkin and cook, stirring frequently until mixture is of custard consistency. Remove mixture from heat.
• Soften gelatin in the cold water and stir into the pumpkin until dissolved. Chill mixture until it begins to stiffen (about 1 1/2 hours).
• Whip egg whites with the remaining 1/2 cup sugar until stiff. Fold whipped egg whites into the pumpkin mixture. Spoon mixture into the prepared pan and chill until set (about 3 hours). Serve topped with whipped cream.