Whether you’re making a pie or picking up one from the store, here are 20 pumpkin pie hacks to make it even more special.
Disclosure: This blog contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, Keri Houchin earns a commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
Many years ago, I didn’t have a can of milk in my pantry to bake a pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving. I fiddled around with the other ingredients and came up with a recipe to make pumpkin pie without canned milk.
It was an instant hit with my dinner guests and my blog readers. Since then I’ve been asked for all kinds of pumpkin pie hacks and tips for making this holiday dessert.
Often cooking is considered an art while baking is a science. I was taught not to mess with a baking recipe because it would “throw everything off.” While there is a lot of science to it, I also know that science is all about experimenting. (I’ve baked plenty of bad desserts!)
If you’re looking for easy ways to take your pumpkin pie to the next level, here are 20 ideas to try this Thanksgiving. Some are just for homemade pies, but several can be adapted for the store-bought variety too.
How to make a good pie even better
Change up the ingredients:
1. Swap the milk variety.
I have to start with my favorite pumpkin pie hack – the one that really started it all. Instead of using a can of evaporated or sweetened condensed milk, use a different variety. Cow’s milk, non-dairy milk like soy or coconut, and even eggnog will work. (See this post for a full recipe and tutorial.)
2. Cook with a fresh pumpkin.
Fresh pumpkin has a lot more flavor than the canned variety. If you have the time, bake a pie pumpkin and puree your own filling. You’ll probably want to do this the day before you make your pie.
3. Add chocolate.
Pumpkin and chocolate are a deliciously indulgent flavor combo. You can add it to your pie by using a chocolate cookie crust, stirring chocolate chips into the filling, or sprinkling grated chocolate on top.
4. Change up your pie spice blend.
Traditional pumpkin pie spice is cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. You can also make pie with just cinnamon. Or, change it up and use a completely different spice blend, such as chai or curry.
Make your crust sing:
5. Add your pie spices to the crust.
You’ll still want to add spices to the pie filling, but there’s no reason you can’t add some to the crust too. Think of your crust like a cookie and add just a hint of extra flavor.
6. Decorate with dough shapes.
If you have extra pieces of pie crust dough, roll them out and use cookie cutters to make shapes. Keep in mind that small ones won’t need to cook as long as larger ones. You may want to bake them separately from the pie and add them at the end.
7. Pre-bake the crust without filling.
If your pie crust tends to be soggy or just not as crisp as you’d like, try baking it empty first. This is called blind baking and usually, the crust should be cooked just until barely done. It shouldn’t burn during the second bake with the pie filling.
8. Make a cookie crust.
Alton Brown prefers to make his pumpkin pie with a cookie crust. You can grind up ginger snaps, graham crackers, or another crunchy cookie to make crumbs. Combine with butter and press into the pan to form your crust.
9. Skip the pie crust altogether.
Pumpkin pie is technically a custard. Why not just embrace the creamy texture and make a batch of pumpkin pudding cups? They’re much faster to make than pie and don’t use the oven.
Make something new:
10. Bake on a sheet pan.
Who says pie has to be a circle? Make a homemade crust and spread it out on a baking sheet. You’ll probably need to double the recipe. After it’s baked and cooled, slick it into pumpkin pie bars.
11. Cut portions with a biscuit cutter.
Whether you’re making or buying your dessert, you can use a biscuit or cookie cutter to pre-cut portions. Use a 2-inch biscuit cutter to cut circles from the pie that look like the tiny desserts from a fancy restaurant.
12. Bake in muffin cups.
Use a 3-inch biscuit cutter to cut circles of pie crust dough. Place them in muffin cups, then fill and bake. They probably won’t need as much time as a full-sized pie and they’re already portioned.
13. Bake mini hand pies.
Baked or fried, hand pies are a fun treat for kids and anyone who loves finger foods. Cut your crust dough into small portions, spoon in the filling, and fold over before baking. Note that a traditional pumpkin pie filling will be runny, so for hand pies you’ll need to cut back on the liquids.
14. Make it a no-bake pie.
Reduce the number of things vying for space in the oven and make a no-bake pie. Mix a can of pumpkin with a package of cream cheese, a tub of whipped cream, and spices. Pour into a graham cracker crust and chill.
15. Turn your pie into parfaits.
Ugly pie and cracked crust? No problem. For this pumpkin pie hack, separate the crust and the filling. Layer pieces of broken crust and scoops of filling in glasses and top with a dollop of whipped cream.
Get creative with garnish:
16. Top with a layer of mini marshmallows.
This tricks is inspired by classic sweet potato casserole. After you bake your pie (or with a store-bought pie) add a single layer of mini marshmallows on top. Pop the pie in the oven for a few minutes with the broiler on to toast the marshmallows.
17. Top with pecans.
Pecan pie is another Thanksgiving staple. Combine the two by sprinkling candied pecans or crumbled pecan pralines on top of your finished pie.
18. Make homemade flavored whipped cream.
Whipped cream might be the perfect pie topping. It hides flaws and tastes delicious. You can add flavor to homemade or store-bought whipped cream by whipping in a teaspoon of any extract (maple, rum, coconut) or a tablespoon of something thicker (instant coffee, cocoa powder). Start by adding just a little at a time until you get the right flavor and consistency.
19. Stencil a cinnamon sugar design.
Cut out a stenciled design from wax paper and gently lay it on top of your cooked pie. Combine 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon with 1 tablespoon granulated sugar. Use a sieve to sprinkle a thin dusting over the pie. Remove the wax paper to see the design. This technique would also work with powdered sugar.
20. Serve pie with a scoop of ice cream.
For an easy alternative to whipped cream, serve each slice of pie with a small scoop of ice cream. Try vanilla, caramel, or butter pecan.
What’s next? Try these other fun and creative ideas on One Mama’s Daily Drama:
- 20 Printable Thanksgiving Kids Activities
- 12 Tips for Hosting a Big Thanksgiving Dinner
- Printable Thanksgiving Meal Plan
Leave a Reply