Hey there, pumpkin pie lovers! I’m here to tell you about an amazing recipe for Canadian Living’s Harvest Pumpkin Pie. This delicious treat is perfect for the autumn season and sure to be a hit with your friends and family. Not only is it full of wonderfully spiced flavors, but this dish also comes together quickly and easily so that you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time around the dinner table. Let me tell you all about it!
This delectable harvest pumpkin pie starts off with a traditional shortbread crust made from flour, sugar, butter and salt. The filling itself combines pureed pumpkin, sweetened condensed milk, eggs, vanilla extract and plenty of warm spices like cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg. With just 15 minutes of prep time required before baking in the oven for 45 minutes or until set, you’ll have yourself a scrumptious dessert in no time at all!
Preparing The Shortbread Crust
I’m getting started on my pumpkin pie recipe with a shortbread crust. To make it, I mix flour and sugar together in a bowl before adding cold butter cubes to the mixture. Next, I use a fork or a pastry blender to combine everything until there are no large chunks of butter left. Then I spoon the mixture onto some parchment paper and roll it out into an even thickness with a rolling pin for about 10 minutes. Once that’s done, I press the dough down into my pie plate and pop it in the fridge for 30 minutes or so to chill the crust. After that, I can fill it up with whatever delicious filling I’m using!
Making The Pumpkin Filling
I’m going to start by preparing the pumpkin. I’m going to cut the pumpkin in half, and scoop out the seeds and stringy bits. Once the pumpkin is ready, I’m going to mix the filling ingredients together in a bowl; sugar, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and salt. Finally, I’ll add the pureed pumpkin and stir everything together until it’s combined.
Preparing The Pumpkin
Preparing the pumpkin is an important step when making a delicious harvest pumpkin pie. It’s super easy to do, and I’m going to walk you through it! To start off with, you’ll need to first roast your pumpkin. There are multiple roasting techniques that work well – like baking in the oven or boiling on the stovetop – but my favorite is grilling them over medium-high heat for 20 minutes until they’re tender and slightly charred. Once roasted, season your pumpkins however you’d like; some popular options include cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger. Lastly, scoop out all of the seeds from inside the pumpkin and discard them – leaving only sweet spiced flesh behind. This will serve as the perfect base for your flavorful harvest pie filling!
Mixing The Filling Ingredients
Alright, now that you’ve prepped the pumpkin for your pie filling, it’s time to mix together all of those delicious ingredients! To start off with, you’ll need a few basic pantry staples like butter and sugar or honey. Then add in some spices like cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger – which will give the pumpkin flavor a real kick. After that, toss in any additional goodies such as raisins or chopped nuts if desired. Lastly, combine everything together until smooth and creamy – et voilà! You have yourself a tasty harvest pumpkin pie filling ready for baking. So go ahead – pop it into an unbaked crust and let your oven do its magic!
Baking The Pie
Now that the pumpkin filling is prepared, it’s time to move on to baking the pie. To get started, you’ll need a deep dish 9-inch pie plate and your favorite pre-made or homemade crust. Make sure that the thickness of the crust is even all around so that it will bake evenly when in the oven. If making from scratch, use either shortening or butter for best results – but feel free to experiment with other types of fat if desired!
When selecting spices for your pie, reach for classic fall flavors like cinnamon and nutmeg, as well as some ginger and clove for extra depth. A pinch of salt can also help bring out all those delicious flavors. When sprinkling these spices into the filling mixture, be sure not stir them too much – just enough to disperse throughout without losing their intensity.
Once everything is ready, pour your pumpkin filling into the unbaked pastry shell before placing it into your preheated oven at 375°F (190°C). Bake until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean – about 45 minutes. Cool completely on wire rack before slicing and serving warm with ice cream or whipped topping. Enjoy!
Cooling And Serving
After what seems like hours of work, your delicious Canadian Living Harvest Pumpkin Pie is finally ready to be enjoyed! Now you just need to cool it down and decide how much serving size everyone will get. Before cutting into the pie, allow it to cool for about two hours at room temperature or chill in the refrigerator for a couple of minutes until the center feels firm when touched lightly with your finger. Once cooled, use a sharp knife to cut out generous slices that everyone can enjoy. Store any leftovers in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 4 days – if there are any leftovers that is!
Variations And Tips
Once your pumpkin pie has cooled, it’s time to get creative! With a few minor additions and alterations, you can turn this classic recipe into something entirely new.
If you want to add some extra punch of flavor to the dish, consider adding in some spices like cinnamon, nutmeg or ginger. These additional elements will give the pie an autumnal feel without overpowering its original flavor.
For vegans out there who would like to try their hand at making this dessert, it is possible to veganize this recipe by swapping out animal-based ingredients with plant-based alternatives. For instance, instead of using butter as called for in the crust recipe, opt for vegetable shortening or coconut oil instead. And rather than traditional eggs and evaporated milk, use almond milk or flaxseed meal mixed with water instead. It may take a bit more effort but trust us when we say that the end result is worth every minute spent tweaking the recipe.
This Canadian Living Harvest Pumpkin Pie Recipe is just begging to be experimented with – so don’t hesitate to have fun playing around with different ingredients and flavors until you find one combination that suits your taste buds!
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Total Preparation Time?
Figuring out the total preparation time of a recipe can be tricky. When it comes to the Canadian Living Harvest Pumpkin Pie Recipe, it takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes in total. This includes the time needed to mix all of the spice combinations, prepare and roll out your dough, fill and bake your pie as well as cool it before serving. To ensure your pumpkin pie turns out perfectly every time, you should also take into account any additional tips from the article such as not overworking your dough or monitoring how long your pie has been baking for best results!
What Type Of Pumpkin Should I Use?
When it comes to selecting the right pumpkin for baking, there are a few key things you should consider. Roasting pumpkins will yield sweeter and denser flesh, while variety selection is important too – if your recipe calls for sugar or pie pumpkins, make sure you get those! Depending on where you live, some shops may even carry different varieties of canned puree which can be just as delicious.
Can I Use A Store-Bought Crust Instead Of Making My Own?
Yes, you can substitute a store-bought crust for the homemade one in Canadian Living’s Harvest Pumpkin Pie Recipe. It’s an easy swap – just pick up your favorite pre-made pie crust from the grocery store and use it instead! If you want to get creative, consider using some pantry staples like phyllo dough or graham cracker crumbs as a base for your pumpkin pie. Just be sure to adjust baking times accordingly if needed.
Is This Recipe Gluten-Free?
This is a great question! Depending on the substitution you make, it’s possible to adapt this recipe for gluten-free diets. Making simple substitutions like using gluten-free flour in place of regular all purpose flour and swapping out traditional oats with certified gluten-free oats can easily make this recipe suitable for those who need to avoid gluten. For vegan options, try replacing butter with vegan margarine or coconut oil, and use silken tofu instead of eggs – these easy swaps will help keep the pie delicious without compromising flavor.
Can I Make The Filling Ahead Of Time?
Yes, you can definitely make the filling ahead of time for your pumpkin pie! It’s a great way to save some time in the kitchen. You could mix up all the spices and ingredients, pour it into the pie crust, cover and store it in the fridge until baking day. Just be sure to check out our tips on spice variations so that you don’t miss out on any delicious flavors. If you’re feeling really ambitious, try experimenting with different recipes or baking techniques – they’ll help take your pumpkin pie from ordinary to extraordinary!
Conclusion
Making this Canadian Living Harvest Pumpkin Pie is a great way to celebrate the fall. With just under an hour of preparation time and some basic ingredients, you can create a delicious dessert that’s sure to please any crowd. If you don’t have access to fresh pumpkin, canned pureed pumpkin works just as well—just make sure it’s unsweetened! And if you’re short on time or prefer a store-bought crust, that option is available too. Best of all, this recipe is gluten-free so everyone can enjoy it safely. So why not give this classic dish a try? You won’t regret it!
