Make delicious pumpkin pies no one can resist.

Nothing is quite as satisfying after a big holiday meal, or any meal for that matter, than a big slice of freshly baked pumpkin pie heaped with whipped topping and perhaps garnished with a few pecans! Our grandmothers taught us how to make pumpkin pie from scratch, but you can also use canned pumpkin to bake a sweet treat fit for any taste bud. 

Fruit of the garden

With its velvety, smooth texture, this favorite dessert comes straight from the fall harvest of the garden. The sugar or “cheese” pumpkin, as it is also called, is the pumpkin of choice to prepare a pie baked from scratch. If you have your own garden, half of the fun of making a pumpkin pie is wandering through the pumpkin patch to pick just the right one for pie. A smaller version of the jack-o-lantern, the sugar pumpkin produces a sweet, delectable flavor.

So whether you are preparing a pumpkin pie the old-fashioned way, by choosing a pumpkin straight out of the pumpkin patch, or using canned, this basic recipe will give you the ingredients you need on how to make pumpkin pie.

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Pumpkin pie filling –
1 – 16 oz can pumpkin
3/4 cup sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp salt
3 eggs
5 oz can evaporated milk
1/2 cup milk

In a large mixing bowl, combine pumpkin mix with sugar and spices until well blended. Stir eggs into mixture, add the evaporated milk and milk and mix well. Place pumpkin mixture into a pastry shell (fluted edging on shell gives a nice touch). Cover the pastry with foil for the first 25 minutes to prevent burning and bake at 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes. Be sure not to over bake. 

Homemade Pie Crust –
1 1/4 cup flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/3 cup shortening
3-5 tbsp cold water

In a bowl, stir together flour and salt. Cut in shortening until pieces are size of peas. Sprinkle 1 tbsp of water over dough and toss with a fork. Repeat until all water has been added. Form into a ball and roll out with a rolling pin to desired shape and thickness.

Once you know how to make pumpkin pie, the whipped topping is the final step. There are whipped toppings you can purchase at your local grocer, but some of those are loaded with hydrogenated oils and preservatives. If you want fresh topping, try this easy two ingredient recipe:

Whipped topping –
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup sugar

Add sugar to cream and whip with a beater until stiff peaks form in cream. Spoon on pie for a delicious finale to a creamy dessert. Top with pecans for an extra garnishment if desired.  

These easy instructions on how to make pumpkin pie, will give you a dessert that is creamy, silky and delicious. A great holiday pleaser or a cool summer treat, this pie will satisfy any sweet tooth and keep your family coming back for more.