There’s something undeniably cozy about a slice of pumpkin pie fresh from the oven — the warm spices, creamy texture, and that flaky crust. This Quick Pumpkin Pie Recipe brings all those comforting flavors to your kitchen without the fuss, perfect for when you want a homemade dessert in no time.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I remember the first time I made this pie — it was a last-minute dessert for a family get-together, and I was amazed how quickly it came together. The flavors are spot-on, and it always gets rave reviews!
- Speedy Convenience: Uses a store-bought crust and simple ingredients for a fast process.
- Perfectly Balanced Flavors: The pumpkin pie spice blend blends beautifully with the sweetened condensed milk for a creamy, flavorful filling.
- Beginner Friendly: No complicated steps here — just whisk, pour, and bake.
- Versatile Serving: Enjoy warm right out of the oven or chilled after resting in the fridge.
Ingredients & Why They Work
This Quick Pumpkin Pie Recipe relies on a few pantry staples that come together in harmony. Each ingredient has its role, balancing texture and spice for that classic taste you'll love.
- Refrigerated pie crust: Makes life easier and creates a delicious flaky base without extra work.
- Pumpkin puree: The star of the show, ensuring the right creamy texture and pumpkin flavor without added sugar.
- Sweetened condensed milk: Adds sweetness and creaminess in one go, saving you measuring sugar and cream separately.
- Eggs: Essential for setting the filling and achieving that smooth, custard-like consistency.
- Pumpkin pie spice: The magical blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves that defines pumpkin pie’s classic aroma.
- Salt: Just a pinch to brighten flavors and balance sweetness.
Make It Your Way
Here’s the fun part: you can tweak this pumpkin pie to suit your taste or dietary preferences. I love adding a little extra cinnamon when I want it spicier, but feel free to play around and find your perfect version.
- Spice it up: Swap pumpkin pie spice for your own mix — try 1 ½ teaspoon cinnamon, ½ teaspoon nutmeg, ¼ teaspoon ground ginger, and a pinch of cloves for a homemade touch.
- Crust options: Use a homemade pie crust if you like. Just a heads-up: I usually partially blind bake it first to avoid sogginess since this filling is quite wet.
- Dairy-free version: Though sweetened condensed milk is key for creaminess here, you can try sweetened coconut condensed milk alternatives for a dairy-free twist.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Quick Pumpkin Pie Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Crust
I start by thawing the refrigerated pie crust just as the package suggests — don’t rush this part, it makes the crust easier to handle. Once thawed, I unroll it gently and fit it into my pie dish. I like to fold the edges under slightly and press with my fingertips to create a pretty wavy edge — it’s simple, but adds charm.
Step 2: Whisk the Filling
In a bowl, I whisk together the pumpkin puree, sweetened condensed milk (scraping every last bit from the can — nothing goes to waste!), eggs, pumpkin pie spice, and salt until everything’s smooth and well combined. It’s important not to over-whisk — just enough to mix everything together for a perfect custard.
Step 3: Fill and Bake
Pour the silky filling into the crust, then give the pie a little wiggle to level things out. I place it on a baking sheet to catch any drips and sometimes shield the crust edges with a strip of aluminum foil to prevent over-browning (this step is a lifesaver!).
Pop the pie on the oven’s lowest rack preheated to 425°F and bake for 15 minutes. Then, without opening the oven door, turn down the heat to 350°F and bake for another 35-40 minutes or until the filling is almost set — it should barely jiggle when you gently shake the pan.
Step 4: Cooling Is Key
This part is crucial: Let your pie cool on a wire rack for at least two hours before slicing so it finishes setting beautifully. If you prefer chilled pie, let it rest at room temperature for an hour, then chill it for 2 hours in the fridge. Trust me, it’s worth the wait.
Top Tip
After making this quick pumpkin pie a dozen times, I’ve learned a few things to make it turn out perfect every time. These tips can save you from common pitfalls and get that flawless pumpkin pie just right.
- Don’t Skip the Baking Sheet: Placing your pie dish on a baking sheet not only catches drips but also makes handling easier when moving in and out of the oven.
- Foil for the Crust: Cover edges loosely with foil halfway through baking if they brown too fast — I avoid burnt crust edges this way every time.
- Check the Jiggle: The filling should still have a slight wobble in the center when done; it will set as it cools, preventing over-baking and cracks.
- Patience Pays Off: Resist the urge to slice right out of the oven — letting it cool ensures clean slices and a creamy texture.
How to Serve Quick Pumpkin Pie Recipe
Garnishes
I’m a big fan of keeping it simple with a dollop of freshly whipped cream sweetened just lightly with a touch of vanilla. Sometimes I sprinkle a little ground cinnamon or nutmeg on top for extra aroma and a pretty finish. Pecans add a lovely crunch if you want to get fancy.
Side Dishes
This pie pairs beautifully with spiced coffee or a scoop of vanilla ice cream, especially when the pie is served warm. For Thanksgiving meals, I like to have it alongside a simple green salad to balance richness.
Creative Ways to Present
For holiday gatherings, I’ve served this pie in mini tart pans to make individual servings — so cute and practical! Another time, I topped each slice with a cinnamon stick for garnish, which made it feel extra special.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover pumpkin pie stays fresh covered in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. I cover it tightly with plastic wrap or store in a pie keeper to keep moisture in and other fridge odors out.
Freezing
Though not my go-to, you can freeze this pie wrapped well in plastic wrap and foil for up to a month. Thaw in the fridge overnight before serving. The texture stays good, though creaminess may soften slightly.
Reheating
I usually reheat slices gently in the microwave for 15-20 seconds if I want warm pie, or just enjoy chilled right from the fridge. Avoid overheating as it can dry out the filling.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Homemade crust is fantastic and adds a personal touch. I recommend partially blind baking it first to prevent sogginess since the filling is quite moist. This helps the crust stay crisp and flaky.
You can combine your own mix using 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon, ½ teaspoon nutmeg, ¼ teaspoon ground ginger, and ¼ teaspoon cloves as a great homemade alternative to pumpkin pie spice blend.
The pie is done when the filling is mostly set and no longer jiggles significantly in the center when you gently shake the pan. It should have a slight wobble, as the filling will continue setting as it cools, ensuring it is neither under nor overbaked.
Sweetened condensed milk provides key creaminess and sweetness here, so substituting can be tricky. However, some brands offer dairy-free sweetened condensed milk alternatives made from coconut milk, which can work well. Testing with small batches is recommended.
Final Thoughts
Taking just under an hour from start to finish, this Quick Pumpkin Pie Recipe has become my go-to for easy, comforting fall desserts. It’s rewarding to pull a warm pie from the oven and see everyone’s happy faces, especially when it’s so straightforward. I hope you enjoy making and sharing it as much as I do – it really is pumpkin pie without the hassle.
Print
Quick Pumpkin Pie Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 46 minutes
- Total Time: 56 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This easy pumpkin pie recipe features a creamy spiced pumpkin filling baked in a flaky pie crust, perfect for a comforting fall dessert. Using canned pumpkin puree and sweetened condensed milk simplifies preparation while delivering classic seasonal flavors.
Ingredients
Pie Crust
- 1 (9-inch) refrigerated pie crust (store-bought)
Pie Filling
- 1 (15 oz) can pumpkin puree (not pie filling)
- 1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
- 2 large eggs
- 2 ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Prepare Oven and Pie Crust: Set the oven rack in the lowest position and preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Thaw the chilled pie crust according to package directions, unroll it, and fit it into a 9-inch pie dish. Decorate the edges by folding under slightly and pressing between fingertips to create a wavy design if desired.
- Make Filling: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, sweetened condensed milk (including any excess scraped from the can), eggs, pumpkin pie spice, and salt until the mixture is well blended and smooth.
- Assemble Pie: Pour the pumpkin filling into the prepared pie crust and gently wiggle the dish to level the filling. Place the pie on a baking sheet. To prevent the crust edges from over-browning, cover them loosely with a ring of aluminum foil if desired.
- Bake Pie: Transfer the baking sheet with the pie to the oven and bake on the lowest rack at 425 degrees for 15 minutes. Then reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees without removing the pie, and continue baking for 35 to 40 minutes more, or until the filling is nearly set and no longer jiggles when moved.
- Cool Pie: Remove the pie from the oven and transfer it to a wire rack. Let it cool for at least 2 hours before slicing. For a chilled pie, allow it to cool for 1 hour at room temperature, then refrigerate for 2 hours before serving.
Notes
- If using a homemade pie crust, partially blind bake it first to prevent sogginess from the wet pumpkin filling.
- If pumpkin pie spice is unavailable, substitute with a blend of 1 ½ teaspoon cinnamon, ½ teaspoon nutmeg, ¼ teaspoon ginger, and ¼ teaspoon cloves.
- Covering the crust edges with foil during baking helps avoid excessive browning.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (⅛ of pie)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 28 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
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