Jen's Maple Pumpkin Pie Recipe

Cook Time: 145 minutes

Ingredients

This recipe was developed at its original yield. Ingredient amounts are automatically adjusted, but cooking times and steps remain unchanged. Note that not all recipes scale perfectly.

Original recipe (1X) yields 8 servings:

• 1 (3-pound) sugar pumpkin, cut in half
• 1 pie dough for a single-crust pie
• 1 egg white
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 3 eggs, room temperature
• cup packed brown sugar
• cup maple syrup
• 4 teaspoons all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• teaspoon ground cinnamon
• teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 pinch ground cloves
• 1 pinch salt

Directions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 425F (220C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

Step 2: Place the pumpkin halves, cut-side down, onto the prepared baking sheet. Roast in the preheated oven until the pumpkin is tender, about 1 hour.

Step 3: Once roasted, remove the pumpkin from the oven and let it cool for at least 15 minutes, until its cool enough to handle.

Step 4: Scoop out the seeds and discard them. Then, scoop the pumpkin flesh into a food processor and blend until smooth.

Step 5: Reduce the oven temperature to 375F (190C).

Step 6: While the pumpkin is roasting, roll out the pie dough to fit a 9-inch pie dish. Crimp the edges to form a border. Chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 45 minutes.

Step 7: After chilling, line the pie dough with two sheets of aluminum foil and fill the foil with pie weights or dried beans. Bake the crust in the preheated oven for about 25 minutes, or until the sides are set and the border is lightly golden.

Step 8: Once the crust is done, remove the foil and pie weights. Whisk the egg white and water together in a small bowl, then brush the egg white mixture over the border of the pie crust.

Step 9: Return the crust to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the bottom of the crust appears dry and set.

Step 10: Remove the crust from the oven and reduce the temperature to 325F (165C).

Step 11: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, cream, eggs, brown sugar, maple syrup, flour, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt until the mixture is smooth.

Step 12: Pour the smooth pumpkin filling into the pre-baked pie crust.

Step 13: Bake the pie in the preheated oven for about 50 minutes, or until the filling is just set in the center.

Step 14: Allow the pie to cool before serving. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

• Calories: 375
• Total Fat: 21g (26% Daily Value)
• Saturated Fat: 9g (47% Daily Value)
• Cholesterol: 111mg (37% Daily Value)
• Sodium: 168mg (7% Daily Value)
• Total Carbohydrate: 44g (16% Daily Value)
• Dietary Fiber: 2g (7% Daily Value)
• Total Sugars: 22g
• Protein: 7g (13% Daily Value)
• Vitamin C: 16mg (17% Daily Value)
• Calcium: 89mg (7% Daily Value)
• Iron: 3mg (15% Daily Value)
• Potassium: 691mg (15% Daily Value)

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

History of Maple Pumpkin Pie

The pumpkin pie, a quintessential dessert of autumn, has its origins in the early colonization of the Americas. The pumpkin, native to North America, was a primary food source for indigenous people long before European settlers arrived. These early settlers would make simple pies using pumpkin and spices, baked in a crust or sometimes just boiled. Over time, the addition of sweeteners like sugar and syrup, and the evolution of the crust, helped shape the modern version of pumpkin pie that we recognize today.

Jen's Maple Pumpkin Pie is a modern twist on this classic, incorporating maple syrup for an added depth of sweetness. This recipe brings a new flavor to the traditional pumpkin pie by pairing the earthiness of the pumpkin with the rich, caramelized notes of maple, creating a more complex and refined dessert.

Regional Variations

Pumpkin pie is beloved across North America, especially in the United States and Canada, where it is a staple at Thanksgiving and autumn celebrations. Regional variations of the dish often differ in the type of sweeteners used and the choice of spices. For example, some regions favor a heavy dose of cinnamon and nutmeg, while others might include ginger or cloves. In New England, the use of maple syrup, as in Jens recipe, is quite common due to the regions abundance of maple trees and syrup production. This adds a unique sweetness that sets the pie apart from its more traditional counterparts, which may rely solely on brown sugar.

How Jen's Maple Pumpkin Pie Differs

Jens Maple Pumpkin Pie stands out from typical pumpkin pies due to the inclusion of maple syrup, which imparts a warm, slightly earthy sweetness that complements the pumpkins natural flavor. Additionally, the recipe calls for heavy cream, which contributes to a velvety texture, creating a richer filling than many traditional recipes that might rely more on evaporated milk or just eggs. The combination of freshly roasted pumpkin, rather than canned, also makes a difference in both taste and texture, providing a more authentic and vibrant flavor to the filling.

Where is Maple Pumpkin Pie Typically Served?

This pie is a popular fall dessert and is most often served at Thanksgiving and other family gatherings in North America. Its rich, comforting flavors make it a perfect choice for any celebration centered around food, especially during the cooler months. While pumpkin pie is traditionally a part of holiday feasts in the U.S. and Canada, Jens Maple Pumpkin Pie is also well-suited for casual gatherings, potlucks, or even a cozy evening at home with a cup of hot cider or coffee.

Interesting Facts about Maple Pumpkin Pie

1. Maple syrup, a key ingredient in this pie, is made by boiling the sap of sugar maple trees, a process that takes place every spring in the northern United States and Canada.

2. Pumpkin pie has been a Thanksgiving favorite since the 17th century. However, the sweet version that most of us know today didnt appear until the 19th century, when sugar and spices became more widely available.

3. The pumpkin, while often associated with pie, is actually a fruit, classified as a type of squash. Its versatility in both savory and sweet dishes is part of what makes it such a staple ingredient in autumn recipes.

4. In some areas, the crust of the pie is decorated with intricate designs, such as leaves or flowers, often made from extra pie dough, giving the dessert a festive and visually appealing touch.

FAQ about Jen's Maple Pumpkin Pie Recipe

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