Ginger Pumpkin Pie
serves 8
Both fresh ginger and ground ginger add zip to this pumpkin pie filling. Be sure to buy canned pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling, which already contains added spices. Make it with Cream Cheese Pie Crust.
Read more about this recipe at the Washington Post.
Butter for greasing pie pan
Flour for work surface
1 recipe Cream Cheese Pie Crust
2 large eggs
3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
2/3 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon peeled and finely grated ginger root
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups (30 ounces) canned pumpkin
1 tablespoon crystallized ginger, finely chopped (optional)
1 cup heavy cream, cold (optional)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar (optional)
prep: 20 minutes
total: 1 hour 40 minutes, plus at least 1 hour to cool
9-inch pie pan
rolling pin
heavy-duty aluminum foil
pie weights
large bowl
whisk
mixer (optional)
1. For the crust: Lightly butter pie pan. Lightly flour the rolling surface and rolling pin. Roll the dough out on a lightly floured work surface to a round about 4 inches wider than the bottom of the pie pan. Press the dough into the prepared pan. Trim the edge, leaving a 1/2-inch overhang and crimp the edge. Cover and refrigerate the crust until it is cold and firm, 30 minutes or up to overnight.
2. Preheat the oven to 375F.
3. Press a piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil into the cold pie crust, covering the edges of the crust. Fill the foil with dried beans or metal pie weights. Bake for 15 minutes. Carefully remove the aluminum foil and pie weights. The crust will be partially baked and set.
4. Reduce the oven temperature to 350F. Bake for 5 more minutes to firm the crust. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool.
5. For the filling: In a large bowl, combine the eggs and brown sugar, whisking until smooth. Add the cream, vanilla extract, grated and ground ginger, cinnamon and salt and continue whisking to combine until smooth. Add the pumpkin and stir until thoroughly combined, then pour into pre-baked pie crust.
6. Bake until the filling is set in the center and the edges are firm (test by giving it a gentle shake), about 45 minutes. Remove from the oven and sprinkle the crystallized ginger over the center of the pie, if desired. Cool at room temperature for about 1 hour, then cover and refrigerate.
7. To make whipped cream, if desired: In a medium bowl with a hand-held or stand mixer, whip the cream until it forms soft peaks. Add the vanilla extract and confectioners' sugar. Serve the pie cold and with whipped cream, if desired.
