Best Prize Winning Pumpkin Pie Recipes

CONTEST-WINNING EGGNOG PUMPKIN PIE

Steps:

• In a food processor, combine flour and salt; cover and pulse to blend. Add shortening and butter; cover and pulse until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. While processing, gradually add water until dough forms a ball. Wrap in plastic. Refrigerate for 1 to 1-1/2 hours or until easy to handle., Roll out pastry to fit a 9-in. pie plate. Transfer pastry to pie plate. Trim pastry to 1/2 in. beyond edge of plate; flute edges., In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, pumpkin, eggnog, sugar, cinnamon, salt, ginger, nutmeg and cloves until blended. Pour into crust. , In a small bowl, beat brown sugar and butter until crumbly, about 2 minutes. Stir in pecans; sprinkle over filling. , Bake at 350° for 50-60 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack. Refrigerate leftovers.

PERFECT PUMPKIN PIE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375°F and set an oven rack in the middle position.
• If using a homemade crust: Cover the chilled crust with a piece of parchment paper. Fill the crust about three-quarters full with dried beans or pie weights. Bake for 20 minutes. Take the crust out of the oven; remove the parchment paper and beans/pie weights and tent the edges with a few strips of foil folded in half lengthwise (this will protect the edges from getting too dark). Bake for another 20 minutes, until the dough is dry and golden. Don't worry if the bottom puffs up; just press it down gently with a flat spatula, such as a pancake turner, taking care not to puncture it. Remove the foil but don't throw it away; you may need it again.
• If using a frozen crust: Follow the instructions for blind-baking on the package.
• After blind-baking the crust, reduce the oven temperature to 325°F.
• Make the Pumpkin Pie Filling: In a large bowl, combine the pumpkin, egg, egg yolks, granulated sugar, brown sugar, flour, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, pepper, and evaporated milk. Whisk until smooth, then pour the filling into the pre-baked crust.
• Bake the pie for 50 to 60 minutes, until the filling is just set. It should look dry around the edges, but the center should jiggle just slightly if you nudge the pan. Keep a close eye on the pie as it bakes; if ever the crust looks like it's browning too quickly, tent the edges again with the foil strips. Let the pie cool on a rack (leave it on the baking sheet) to room temperature, a few hours. Slice or refrigerate until ready to serve.
• Make Ahead: Pumpkin pie can be made one day ahead of time and refrigerated.
• Freezer-Friendly Instructions: The dough can be made ahead, wrapped in plastic, and refrigerated for up to 2 days, or frozen for up to 1 month. If you freeze it, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator. The pie can be frozen after baking for up to 1 month. After it is completely cooled, double-wrap it securely with aluminum foil or plastic freezer wrap, or place it in heavy-duty freezer bag. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.

PRIZE WINNING PUMPKIN PIE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 355 degrees.
• In a large mixing bowl, whisk the eggs.
• Add the remaining ingredients and pour into shell.
• Bake 50-60 min's until set.
• Cool on counter for 1 hr, then refrigerate.
• Top with Cool Whip.
• Sprinkle lightly with cinnamon.