Traditional Pumpkin Pie

Do you remember the other day that I mentioned my husband was back in a pumpkin mood?  Well, it seems that his year-long hiatus from pumpkin is now back - with a vengeance .  Not only did I make him pumpkin scones but then he asks me to make him a pumpkin pie!  Can you believe that?  You'd think he thinks I like to bake or something.  I have no idea.  Who knew men could be so demanding?

Generally speaking, I like to keep things traditional.  I'm not someone who makes a bunch of wild and crazy things.  I am interested in making different things but when it comes down to it, I love traditional Southern food.  With Thanksgiving coming up at the end of this week, what is more traditional than a pumpkin pie?  (Of course, every year, I make my Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake because it's awesome but it certainly isn't a recipe you want to make multiple times a year, that's for sure.)

Traditional Pumpkin Pie
adapted slighlty from Libby's Pumpkin

3/4 c. Sugar
2 1/2 tsp. Pumpkin Pie Spice
2 Eggs (large)
1 - 15 oz. can Pumpkin
1 - 12 oz. can Evaporated Milk
1 unbaked Deep Dish Pie Shell  (no deep dish?  That's fine - this recipe will make 2 regular size pies.)

Preheat your oven to 425 with your cookie sheet.
Mix sugar and spices together in a large bowl.
Then beat in your eggs.
Stir the pumpkin into your egg mixture.
Gently stir in the evaporated milk.
Pour into your unbaked pie shell.  (Your shell will be VERY FULL!)
GENTLY transfer your pie to the oven and onto your preheated baking sheet.
Bake for 15 minutes.
Reduce your oven temperature to 350.  (Do not open your oven.)
Bake for an additional 40 to 50 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean.  (Mine took right at 40 minutes.)
Cool on a wire rack for at least two hours.
Then refrigerate or serve immediately... preferably with whipped cream.

Tips-n-Tricks Tuesday - Baking Filled Pies

Fall y'all.  Is there really any other time that makes us want to make pies more often than fall?  Apple.  Pumpkin.  Sweet Potato.  I mean, come on people!  And let's just be honest - we all know that everyone and their brother makes a pumpkin pie at some point between September 1st and November 30th.  My husband already made me make him one (recipe coming soon).  So that leads me to today's tip.... how do you make sure your bottom crust cooks properly when you're making a filled pie??  We've all had it happen - you go to cut that first slice only to realize that your bottom crust didn't cook all the way.  And then we want to sob because we wanted it PERFECT!!! 

The best way to help ensure that the bottom crust of your filled pies cooks perfectly is as simple as preheating a cookie sheet.  By preheating your cookie sheet before placing your pie on it, you allow a stronger heat to be absorbed through the base.  Which makes the cooking process start on the top and bottom of your pie, rather than your cooking starting from the top and working its way down (which results in a soggy crust).