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This Classic Pumpkin Pie with a twist of lemon in the filling. It is a brighter, lighter version of a family staple.
I bring you my new love: A Classic Pumpkin Pie with a twist of lemon. Just like with my sweet potato pie, the lemon enhances the pumpkin in a new way.
I love that this pumpkin pie doesn’t have one predominant flavor. The lemon zest, ginger, cinnamon, freshly ground nutmeg and vanilla all come together to create an harmonious symphony of pumpkin flavor.
A touch of lemon, pumpkin and brown sugar linger on the tongue, tempting you to take another bite…or another piece.
I don’t do light and fluffy pumpkin pies. My husband and I agree that they need to be dense, flavorful and fully set. I have a easy Pumpkin Pie recipe already on CLF, but I wanted to experiment with a riff on the classic and try a recipe that doesn’t rely on sweetened condensed milk.
Oh, and it had to have brown sugar. Because I am all about the brown sugar.
My father in law gave me a 1943 edition of The Joy of Cooking, and I have been itching to use it. I cracked it open to Pumpkin Pie as soon as we got back from Cleveland and Ruth’s recipe involved whipping egg whites and folding them into the batter.
Ain’t nobody got the time or patience for that. You know from my easy Puff Pastry Fruit Tart that I like my tarts and pies as easy as they are delicious.
The Joy of Cooking will have to wait for another time.
My husband, the Grand Master Pumpkin Pie Tester, approved, whole-heartedly, of this pie! {Phew} And we both agreed that it was even better the second day after the flavors had melded and the custard had set overnight in the refrigerator.
Bonus make-ahead points for Holiday dinners!
And it’s throw-everything-in-a-bowl EASY! Double bonus points.
Pumpkin pie has always been my favorite Thanksgiving or, really, anytime pie. When I was younger (like last week) I used to just eat the pie filling and leave the crust, but that was before I discovered the joy of homemade pie pastry!
But sometimes I still eat just the pie filling because it seems like a much more reasonable breakfast without the crust. Right? #justagree
I was experimenting with new crust recipes with this pie and let’s just say I wasn’t the biggest fan. #crustsnob The husband liked it but it wasn’t perfect, and perfection is all that I bring you up in here.
Even with the lackluster crust I didn’t want this pie to end.
But it barely lasted 24 hours. How did that happen? There are only two of us…
A side note: These photos were taken about 2 hours of cooling on a wire rack. The pie was MUCH better when completely cooled and even more flavorful after refrigeration over night.
Classic Pumpkin Pie with a twist
Ingredients
For the Pumpkin Pie Filling:
- 1 ¾ cups pumpkin puree fresh or canned is fine, but just make sure its 100% pumpkin
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2/3 cup light brown sugar packed
- ¾ teaspoon grated lemon zest bright yellow parts only!
- 1 teaspoon Saigon cinnamon
- ¾ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg freshly ground
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 eggs
Use a store-bought crust or make this easy recipe
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 450° with the rack in the middle.
- In a large bowl beat the eggs with a wire whisk until the whites and the yolks are homogenous, about 2 seconds. Add the remaining filling ingredients to the bowl and whisk to combine. Make sure the eggs and cream are completely incorporated. Pour into unbaked pie crust.
- Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes, then reduce the heat to 350° and continue baking for 45-60 minutes, or until the filling has set and the center is no longer liquid when gently moved. You can insert a knife 2 inches from the center, and it is done when it comes out clean. I don’t like to do this because then you have an ugly crack…but this pie cracked anyways. Sigh.
- Let cool completely on a wire rack. Serve at room temperature or chill in the refrigerator and serve cold. I think it is best chilled.
Notes
I like to put my pie plate on a rimmed baking dish to facilitate getting the pie in and out of the oven and testing for doneness. Makes one deep-dish 9 inch pie
How fun with a twist of lemon! Love it! And I totally think most things are better after sitting overnight and the flavors come together – yum!
So true!
That’s a beautiful looking pie Lindsey!! I love the lemony twist! 😀 YUMMM!!
Thanks, Arpita!! Mmmm lemon. I wish I had some right now
AWH GIRL
You’re killing me!
This pie looks absolutely fabulous and I trust you when you say that the lemony twist is great! It sounds lovely!
Thanks, Consuelo! Good to hear from you again!!
This pumpkin Pie looks so creamy and delicious Lindsey! Love that you added in some lemon. I bet that tastes fabulous.
Thanks, Christin! The lemon is awesome with the spices.
What!?! No mace?? That’s it. I’m boycotting this pie. Haha…just kidding, how could I ever boycott any of your desserts? I totally understand the problem of desserts disappearing way too fast…which is why I have to send them out to the neighbors, my wife co-workers, the guys at bar trivia, teammates on curling team. Geez. You’d think I run a full-scale bakery with that list. One thing I do need in my full-scale bakery is pumpkin pie. Lots and lots of your pumpkin pie. Lemon sounds like a fascinatingly delicious addition, too. (Lemon is my secret ingredient in tons of recipes…but I’ve never tried it in pumpkin pie.)
I almost spit out my coffee when I read your comment. Hi-larious. Although I can understand your reasoning, it would be a darn shame to boycott this pie. You do need pumpkin pie in your home based bakery! I have the problem that my husband is my only coworker and I am his and our neighbors are kinda mean these days…so that means we have several very well fed concierges!
I’m so with you on pumpkin pie — I don’t like light and fluffy, folding in egg whites, etc. it’s the one time when things have to be dense and custard like! This looks so perfect! While I’ve added orange zest many times, I’ve never tried pumpkin with lemon….I’m gonna have to try this twist!
Me too! I also think if I made a light and fluffy pumpkin pie, my husband would start and open rebellion! And I don’t need that! I hope you do try it out! So yummy in pumpkin and sweet potato pie!
Amazing! What a gorgeous pumpkin pie!
Thanks, Jessica!
oooooh I agree!!! Pumpkin pie needs to be dense! This looks SO delicious-love the “twist” 😛
(and did you come to Cleveland and not telllllll meeeeee???)
Thanks, Kayle! I did and I felt super guilty! We were there for under 48 hours and we needed to fit in both Randy’s parents. I’ll be back for a whole week starting next Monday! You and me, girl, have got to do something!
Well then I guessss you’re forgiven 😛
On Monday I’ll be in Streetsboro (which is closer to Cleveland than where I live) 6-8 for work so I could meet after that or potentially earlier in the day Tuesday (I work in Akron at 3:30) orrrr depending on how things go I might be free earlier in the day Saturday also!
Randy’s mom actually lives in Brunswick. We don’t get in until Monday afternoon. I’ll check with Randy and then text you? This is all complicated by the fact that I won’t have a car!!! Tuesday might work if I can figure out the car situation. We must get together!
Oh ok awesome-that’s only like 40 min. from where I live! Yeah just text me and we’ll figure something out 🙂