This Creamy Dessert Is Ree's Favorite Pumpkin Pie Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is condensed milk or evaporated milk better for pumpkin pie? ›

As the name suggests, sweetened condensed milk makes the pie sweeter and gives it a denser, creamier texture. Evaporated milk, on the other hand, yields a lighter, airier result. Evaporated milk isn't sweetened either, which is why you can't simply swap one thickener for the other.

Refrigeration is the secret to a more flavorsome pie

As your bowl of pumpkin pie filling sits in the fridge overnight, it allows time for the spices to undergo blooming.

While many recipes call for it, you can absolutely make an outstanding pumpkin pie without evaporated milk. If your recipe calls for one can of evaporated milk (as most do), you can substitute 1 ½ cups of cream or half and half, or a combination of the two. You can also use milk (any kind from whole to skim).

While a wobbly, runny pie is a telltale sign that a pumpkin pie is undercooked, an overcooked pumpkin pie is a bit harder to spot. When you've overcooked a pumpkin pie, you may see: The filling separating from the crust. The filling has visible cracks.

There were some mistakes — like using condensed milk or too much evaporated milk — that created a less-than-desirable layer of film on top of the pies. I also found that the number of eggs you use can have the biggest impact on the texture of your pie filling.

For the most part, if you find yourself without condensed milk on hand, you can substitute an equal amount of evaporated milk. The consistency will be the same, but since evaporated milk is unsweetened, you'll need to add sweetener to match the recipe's intended flavor profile or to suit your personal preference.

Often, blind-baking solves this problem. If you're making a single crust custard-filled pie, like a pumpkin pie, bake the pie dough first before adding filling to allow some of the moisture in the crust to evaporate. You can also totally blind-bake fruit pies.

No, if the pie is a baked pie. Pumpkin custard (the filling) takes a long time to bake, your pre-baked crust would be burned and not tasty. However if the pumpkin filling is more like pudding or a mousse with whipped cream and no raw eggs and after whipping the pie is refrigerated then yes, prebake the crust.

The FDA's official stance is that homemade pumpkin pie is OK at room temperature for up to two hours. That's plenty of time for you to linger over dessert! Just note: The two-hour window doesn't include the time needed to let a freshly baked pie cool completely, which is also important for food safety.

A combination of half-and-half and butter makes the best all-around heavy cream substitute. Both heavy cream and half-and-half are made from cream — the distinction is that half-and-half is a mixture of cream and milk and has about a third as much as fat.

Does evaporated milk go bad? ›

Shelf Life: Unopened evaporated milk typically has a shelf life of about 12 to 18 months from the date of manufacture when stored in a cool, dry place. However, this does not guarantee safety beyond this period, and products may spoil or lose quality under unfavorable conditions.

With its very similar consistency, 1 cup of heavy cream can replace 1 cup of evaporated milk in sweet and savory dishes. While the flavor will be blander than evaporated milk's unique caramelized tones, the texture will be noticeably richer.

Note that if your test determines an undercooked pumpkin pie, return it to the oven and bake a few minutes longer before testing it again.

If you overcook a pumpkin pie in an oven, the crust can become too hard and the filling can become burnt or dry. The crust can become almost like a hard cookie, with a strong flavor and possibly a charred color. The filling can become dry and crumbly, with a burnt taste and a dark color.

Try the Toothpick Test

The way you test a cake for doneness also works for pumpkin pie: Insert a toothpick (or a knife) near the center of the pie and, if it comes out clean, your pie is done. If it's oh-so-close, keep in mind that the custard continues to cook as the pie cools.

As Leal explains: "Evaporated milk offers creaminess without sweetness and is suitable for savory dishes and some desserts. On the other hand, sweetened condensed milk is intensely sweet and used in desserts and sweet treats, thanks to its thick, syrupy texture."

While we don't recommend substituting condensed milk for evaporated milk or vice versa, you can make your own condensed milk when you're in a pinch. Simply heat together 1½ cups of sugar and one can of evaporated milk until the sugar has fully dissolved.

Evaporated milk: A can of evaporated milk lends richness and helps thicken the pie filling.

Evaporated milk and condensed milk are both shelf-stable canned milks that are easily found at most grocery stores. The main difference is that condensed milk is very sweet, and evaporated milk is unsweetened.