THURSDAY: NATIONAL PUMPKIN PIE DAY
- What
- THURSDAY: NATIONAL PUMPKIN PIE DAY
- When
- 12/25/2025
Pumpkin Pie Recipe (from scratch)
By Lauren Allen/Published on November 14, 2022
Combine: Beat the eggs and canned pumpkin puree together. In a separate bowl, combine the sugar, cinnamon, salt, ginger and cloves, and add to the pumpkin mixture.
Eggs, pumpkin, sugar, and spices in a glass mixing bowl to make the batter for pumpkin pie from scratch.
Add Evaporated Milk: Evaporated milk could be substituted with half and half or cream.
Evaporated milk being poured into a pumpkin batter for easy pumpkin pie.
Bake: Pour into an unbaked pie shell and bake at 425 degrees F for for 15 minutes, to set the crust, then reduce temperature to 350 and bake for 40 to 50 minutes, until set.
A pumpkin mixture being poured into a pie crust to make Libby's pumpkin pie recipe.
Make Caramel Pecan Topping (optional): I like to make a simple Caramel Pecan Topping for guests to spoon over their slice of pie, if they'd like. It's made in about 5 minutes, in a saucepan with brown sugar, whipped cream, corn syrup, butter, pecans and vanilla extract. I've included the full recipe in the notes of the printable recipe card.
A slice of easy pumpkin pie on a plate with whipped cream and caramel pecan topping.
Pro Tips:
Use an unbaked crust: Pumpkin pie requires an unbaked pie shell (Homemade is best– here are my step-by-step photos and video tutorial, but store-bought will also work. You'll notice we bake the pumpkin pie at a high temperature to start, which allows the pie crust to set, and then we lower the baking temperature for the remaining cooking time. Because of this, it's not necessary to blind bake (bake the crust beforehand) for this easy pumpkin pie recipe.
How to tell when Pumpkin Pie is ready: The easiest way to test whether a pumpkin pie is ready, or fully cooked, is to gently jiggle the pan, using an oven mit. If the center is overly jiggly, then it needs more time. It's okay if the center jiggles very slightly, as it will continue to set up as it cools. Or, it is done when a sharp knife inserted in center comes out clean.
How to avoid cracks your pumpkin pie: The most common reason for cracking on the top of a pumpkin pie is from over-baking. To avoid cracking, check the pie after the first 55 minutes and give it a soft shake, looking for the filling to be set (slightly soft on top but not overly jiggly). Remember it will continue to cook once you've taken it out! Also, don't rush the cooling process, which could also result in cracking. Allow it to cool completely, undisturbed, at room temperature.
To make Pumpkin Pie using Fresh Pumpkin, use sugar pie pumpkin to make my easy pumpkin puree recipe, and then use the puree as instructed in this pumpkin pie recipe.
A homemade pumpkin pie in a pie pan, ready to slice and serve.
Make Ahead, Storing, and Freezing Instructions:
To Make Ahead: You can make the entire pumpkin pie recipe from scratch the day before and store it the refrigerator, or prepare the pie crust and filling the day before and store them separately in the refrigerator until ready to bake the next day.
To Store: Store-bought pumpkin pie can sit at room temperature because of the preservatives added, but homemade pumpkin pie should be refrigerated if not eaten within 2 hours of sitting out. Leftover pumpkin pie will keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Be sure to allow pumpkin pie to cool completely and then cover it loosely with plastic wrap, for storing.