Showing posts with label fall food. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fall food. Show all posts

Friday, September 6, 2024

5 Amazing Pumpkin Pie Recipes to Try This Fall

As autumn leaves turn to vibrant shades of red and gold, it’s the perfect time to embrace the cozy comfort of pumpkin pie. This classic dessert, beloved for its spiced, creamy filling nestled in a flaky crust, is a staple of fall and holiday celebrations. Whether you're a traditionalist or looking to try something new, here are five amazing pumpkin pie recipes that will elevate your fall baking game.




This post contains affiliate links which means if you click on a link and make a purchase I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. For more information please see my Disclaimer page. Thanks!

Choosing The Right Pie Pan & Kitchen Tools

With all types of baking it is very important to have the right tools to ensure success. I absolutely love my Kitchen Aid mixer and find it makes my whipped cream light and fluffy - an essential ingredient for pumpkin pie (or so says my husband and kids)! 

Pie pans are also critical when making pie or cheesecake. My husband's grandma was a proficient pie baker and had a huge collection of pie pans. I helped her put away all of her pie pans one year when she moved and I just loved how she explained which pie pans she would use for different types of pies. It was fascinating and I came to appreciate a good pie pan! 

A spring form pan is best for cheesecake while a high-sided pie pan is perfect for those deep dish pies. A glass pie pan is great for most pies and comes in a variety of sizes to fit your needs. If you are dropping off a pie to a friend or for a party consider a disposable pie pan to help make clean-up simple and quick. 


 5 Amazing Pumpkin Pie Recipes to Try This Fall

Fire up your oven, grab your favorite pie pan, and let's get baking one of these flavorful pumpkin pies! 


1. Classic Pumpkin Pie



Nothing beats the classic recipe when it comes to pumpkin pie. It’s simple, satisfying, and packed with the rich flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. This version features a homemade pie crust and a smooth, spiced filling.

Ingredients:

  • 1 unbaked pie crust (store-bought or homemade)
  • 1 can (15 oz) pumpkin puree
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together pumpkin puree, heavy cream, sugars, eggs, and spices.
  3. Pour filling into the pie crust and smooth the top.
  4. Bake for 15 minutes at 425°F, then reduce temperature to 350°F (175°C) and bake for an additional 35-40 minutes, or until the filling is set.
  5. Cool completely before serving. Top with whipped cream if desired.

2. Maple Pumpkin Pie



For a unique twist on the classic, try adding maple syrup to your pumpkin pie filling. This recipe adds a rich, caramel-like sweetness that pairs beautifully with the pumpkin and spices.

Ingredients:

  • 1 unbaked pie crust
  • 1 can (15 oz) pumpkin puree
  • 3/4 cup pure maple syrup
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
  2. In a bowl, mix together pumpkin puree, maple syrup, heavy cream, eggs, and spices.
  3. Pour filling into the pie crust.
  4. Bake for 15 minutes at 425°F, then reduce to 350°F (175°C) and bake for an additional 35-40 minutes until the filling is set.
  5. Allow to cool before serving. Garnish with a drizzle of extra maple syrup and a sprinkle of cinnamon if desired.


3. Pumpkin Pie with Gingersnap Crust




Add an extra layer of flavor with a gingersnap crust. This version of pumpkin pie combines the spiciness of gingersnaps with the classic pumpkin filling for a deliciously different dessert.

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 cups crushed gingersnaps
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup melted butter
  • 1 can (15 oz) pumpkin puree
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Mix crushed gingersnaps, sugar, and melted butter in a bowl. Press mixture into the bottom and up the sides of a pie dish.
  3. Bake crust for 8-10 minutes, then remove from oven.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together pumpkin puree, heavy cream, brown sugar, eggs, and spices.
  5. Pour filling into the pre-baked crust.
  6. Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the filling is set and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
  7. Cool completely before serving. Serve with whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.


4. Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake




Combine two beloved desserts with this rich and creamy pumpkin pie cheesecake. It features a graham cracker crust, a creamy cheesecake filling, and a pumpkin pie topping.

Ingredients:

  • For the crust: 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 1/4 cup melted butter
  • For the cheesecake: 4 packages (8 oz each) cream cheese, softened, 1 cup granulated sugar, 4 large eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • For the pumpkin layer: 1 can (15 oz) pumpkin puree, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger, 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C).
  2. Mix graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter. Press into the bottom of a springform pan.
  3. For the cheesecake filling, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla extract. Pour over the crust.
  4. In a separate bowl, mix pumpkin puree, brown sugar, and spices. Spoon over the cheesecake batter in dollops and swirl gently with a knife.
  5. Bake for 60-70 minutes, or until the center is set and the edges are slightly puffed.
  6. Cool to room temperature, then chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours before serving.


5. Vegan Pumpkin Pie




For a dairy-free and egg-free option, this vegan pumpkin pie uses coconut milk and a blend of spices to achieve a deliciously creamy filling without animal products.

Ingredients:

  • 1 vegan pie crust (store-bought or homemade)
  • 1 can (15 oz) pumpkin puree
  • 1 cup full-fat coconut milk
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. In a bowl, whisk together pumpkin puree, coconut milk, brown sugar, maple syrup, cornstarch, and spices until smooth.
  3. Pour filling into the pie crust.
  4. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until the filling is set and slightly puffed.
  5. Cool before serving. Top with coconut whipped cream or a sprinkle of cinnamon.



These five pumpkin pie recipes offer a delightful range of flavors and textures, from classic to innovative. Whether you’re a traditionalist who loves the timeless taste of a classic pumpkin pie or someone eager to try a unique twist like vegan or maple pumpkin pie, there’s a recipe here to satisfy every palate. So grab your pie dish, preheat the oven, and get ready to enjoy a slice of fall’s most iconic dessert!

Sunday, October 3, 2021

Italian Sausage and Lentil Soup

 Fall is here and we all know what that means - Soup Season! Go ahead and get out your crockpot, instant pot or stockpot and get ready to make an amazing pot of soup for dinner. 

My family loves when I serve soup for dinner and this Italian sausage and lentil soup is one of our favorites. I love it because it is full of healthy veggies and amazing flavors. 





This post contains affiliate links which means if you click on a link and make a purchase I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. For more information please see my Disclaimer page. Thanks!

Actually, the first time I made this soup was the first time my family had ever eaten lentils. My husband is not a fan of beans at all!  But I thought since lentils don't actually look like a "regular" bean, like chili beans or cannellini beans I could pull off this soup without disclosing that lentils are actually legumes. Guess what? It worked!! Everyone in our family including my picky 8 year old really likes this soup.

There are four main categories of lentils - brown, green, red/yellow and speciality. Lentils are high in fiber and protein making them an excellent addition to your diet. Unlike most dried legumes (beans) lentils do not require soaking before cooking and the red variety cooks the fastest. You can get buy canned lentils to use in a quick side dish or in salads but dried lentils work best in soup.  Once you open a bag of dried lentils make sure to store them in an air-tight container in a cool dry place. It is best to use up the lentils within one year (which should be no problem after you make this soup!). 

If you have never used lentils before don't worry they are super easy to cook. All you have to do is rinse and sort them picking out any stones then pour them into your stockpot along with the rest of the ingredients and let your stove do the work of softening them in the broth as the soup simmers on your stovetop. 


Check out these other delicious recipes:

Before we get to the delicious fall soup here are a few other recipes I think you are going to love too:

Simply Delicious Italian Sausage & Tortellini 

10 Awesome Recipes For Day Old Jimmy John's Bread

How To Make Cinnamon & Sugar Soft Pretzels


Now for the soup recipe! I love making this soup in a big stockpot but if you want you can definately make it in your crockpot or instant pot too. 

Italian Sausage & Lentil Soup



Ingredients
1lb Italian sausage

1 large onion - chopped

1 stalk celery - chopped

2 large carrots - chopped

2 small zucchini cubed (optional)

6 cups chicken broth

2 (14.5 oz) cans diced tomatoes, undrained 

2 cups lentils

2 tsp minced garlic

1 tsp salt

½ tsp each - pepper, basil, oregano, parsley & thyme

1 pinch red pepper flakes


Directions:

1. Brown the sausage and drain off the fat.

2. Add all of the ingredients to a large stockpot and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover the stockpot and simmer for 1 ½ hours until the lentils are tender.

3. Sprinkle it with parmesan cheese and serve.


To print out this recipe click HERE for the recipe card.





What are your favorite fall soups? Do you like using your crockpot, instant pot or stock pot to make soup? Leave me a comment and let me know what you are making for dinner tonight!


For more inspiring hearty fall soup recipes check out this post too!

10 Hearty Fall Soup Recipes Your Family Will Love