• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Peanut Blossom
  • Start Here
  • Family Recipes
  • Cooking with Kids
  • Book Club
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
  • ABOUT
  • FAMILY RECIPES
  • COOKING WITH KIDS
  • HOLIDAY IDEAS
  • ONLINE BOOK CLUB
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • ABOUT
    • FAMILY RECIPES
    • COOKING WITH KIDS
    • HOLIDAY IDEAS
    • ONLINE BOOK CLUB
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Pies

    Easy Pumpkin Pie

    Published: Jul 28, 2023 by Tiffany Dahle · This post may contain affiliate links.

    • Share
    • Email Friend!
    Jump to Recipe - Pin Recipe
    The photo collage shows a slice of pumpkin pie on a holiday plate with whipped topping next to a photo of the pie about to go in the oven.

    This easy pumpkin pie is the perfect first recipe for a new Thanksgiving host. Learn how to bake a perfect holiday pie with just 10 minutes of prep. It tastes even better cold the next day which makes it a perfect make ahead dessert!

    A pumpkin pie in a white pie plate.

    Pumpkin pie is often the Thanksgiving dessert that most people buy from the grocery store bakery.

    It's really a shame because if you knew just how simple this easy pumpkin pie recipe is, you would totally bake it homemade instead.

    This is actually the classic Libby's pumpkin pie recipe that is found on the canned pumpkin label!

    Why am I sharing it here?

    Because you don't always have the can of pumpkin right in front of you and the instructions on the package leave a lot of questions unanswered for new bakers.

    How do I know? Because I've been baking this exact pumpkin pie since the very first Thanksgiving I ever cooked and I remember struggling to decode some of the instructions when I was a new baker myself.

    I hope this step-by-step post helps give you the confidence you need to bake the pie yourself this holiday season.

    Jump to:
    • Why This is the Best Recipe
    • Ingredients
    • Prep the Pie Crust
    • Make the Pumpkin Pie Filling
    • Baking Instructions
    • How to Know the Pie is Done
    • A Note on Oven Temperature
    • Cool the Pie
    • Make Ahead Tips
    • Serving Suggestions
    • More Holiday Pies
    • More Pumpkin Recipes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    Why This is the Best Recipe

    When it comes to traditional Thanksgiving pies, I'll be honest: this pecan pie is my absolute favorite.

    However, my daughter insists that pumpkin pie is her all time favorite and since Thanksgiving is all about variety and options, I bake this every year.

    I think this is the best easy pumpkin pie recipe because:

    1. Time Tested: I've been baking this easy pumpkin pie as long as I've been hosting Thanksgiving.
    2. Quick and Easy: The filling takes just a couple minutes to beat together.
    3. Perfect Flavor: The balance of spices and pumpkin smell just like the holiday.
    4. Easy Peasy Crust: Use my tips for baking a store bought pie crust and this dessert is even faster to prep.

    Ingredients

    The ingredients to make the pumpkin pie are on the counter.

    This easy pumpkin pie is so popular because the list of ingredients is so short:

    • A Can of 100% Pure Pumpkin: Not pumpkin pie filling, puréed pumpkin.
    • Canned Evaporated Milk
    • Store Bought Pie Crust: For real, just take this shortcut! It will look amazing and taste great. This is a big reason this pie recipe is so easy!
    • Eggs
    • Sugar
    • Cinnamon
    • Ginger
    • Cloves

    Prep the Pie Crust

    The pumpkin pie filling will take you almost no time at all to prepare.

    Get your pie crust prepped first.

    Lay the pie crust in a 9-inch pie plate and crimp the edges.

    If you're baking your first-ever pie (or haven't been pleased with your pie efforts so far), you'll want to take a minute to go read my tips for baking a perfect store bought pie crust here:

    • A white pie plate has a ruffled pie crust waiting to be filled with pie filling.
      5 Tips for Baking a Store Bought Pie Crust

    Make the Pumpkin Pie Filling

    First, make the spiced sugar.

    Add the sugar to a small mixing bowl. Add the cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Whisk them together until evenly combined.

    This helps ensure the spices are evenly distributed in the pie filling and you don't get a big clump of cloves in one bite of pie.

    The sugar bowl has cinnamon, ginger, and cloves on top.

    Then add the eggs to a large mixing bowl.

    Use a hand mixer to beat them until smooth.

    Add the canned pumpkin and spiced sugar to the bowl and beat them together on low speed until just combined.

    The mixing bowl has eggs, pumpkin, and the spiced sugar.

    Then with your mixer on medium-low speed, drizzle in the evaporated milk.

    Beat until smooth.

    The pumpkin pie filling now has the evaporated milk drizzled in.

    Baking Instructions

    Preheat the oven to 425°F.

    Place the pie crust dish on a baking sheet. This will protect your oven from any over flow spills.

    Pour the pie filling into the crust. You may find that depending on the size of your pie plate that you have a little bit of filling that won't fit.

    See how my filling comes up to the edges but leaves just a ¼ inch of space? Don't fill your pie any farther than that level or it will over flow.

    The filled pie crust is on a baking sheet, ready for the oven.

    Place the entire baking pan into the oven and bake the pumpkin pie for 55 minutes.

    Check the pie after 30 minutes and keep an eye on the pie crust. If the pie is getting too dark, you can cover just the edges with strips of aluminum foil to prevent it from getting any darker.

    How to Know the Pie is Done

    The pumpkin pie is finished baking when the entire surface of the pie has puffed up like this:

    The baked pie is out of the oven, you can see the slightly puffed up center.

    An under baked pie will not have a dome shape, the center will still be sunken.

    Pull gently at the edge of the baking sheet. The pie filling should just barely jiggle when you move the dish.

    Even if the center has puffed up, the pie is not done if it sways too much when you jiggle the baking sheet.

    If you really want to be extra sure the center is completely baked, you can insert the tip of a paring knife. If it comes out clean, the pie is done.

    A Note on Oven Temperature

    My oven is a bit older and gets a lot of use. Because I use an oven thermometer, I know it bakes on the weaker side of things.

    For my oven, 425°F for 55 minutes gave me a perfect pumpkin pie and golden brown pie crust.

    For newer ovens or ovens that don't get much use, you may find that baking the pie for 425°F for 15 minutes and then dropping the temperature down to 375°F for the remaining time may work better.

    The important part is to keep an eye on the pie crust and how dark it is and the center of the pie filling. The crust should be golden brown and the center mostly set and puffy.

    Cool the Pie

    Let the pumpkin pie cool for at least one hour before serving.

    Don't be alarmed, that puffy center will immediately start to fall and set. This is normal.

    Make Ahead Tips

    You can make the pumpkin pie up to 24 hours in advance of your holiday.

    Store it in the fridge covered in aluminum foil.

    You can freeze the baked pumpkin pie for up to 3 months. Let it cool completely first and then wrap in aluminum foil before freezing.

    Let thaw in the fridge overnight before serving.

    Serving Suggestions

    The slice of pumpkin pie is on a fall plate with an orange napkin that says "Thankful."

    In our house, we love to serve this easy pumpkin pie cold from the fridge.

    I bake it in advance on purpose so I can chill it overnight before Thanksgiving.

    We top it with a giant dollop of Cool Whip but you could make homemade whipped cream if you're feeling fancy.

    If you want to dress up this easy pumpkin pie, you could plan to sprinkle chopped pumpkin spice pecans or candied nuts over the top, add a drizzle of salted caramel sauce, or grate a little fresh nutmeg over the top of the whipped cream.

    More Holiday Pies

    Thanksgiving is ALL about the pies, isn't it??

    With my easy pie recipes you can have a stunning dessert table for the holiday:

    • The homemade pecan pie is in a white pie dish on a blue background.
      Easy Pecan Pie Recipe
    • A square piece of apple pie has a fork taking a bite.
      Make-Ahead Apple Slab Pie
    • The oreo cream pie has one slice missing so you can see the cookie crust, oreo cookie cream center, and whipped topping.
      OREO Cream Pie
    • A cherry slab pie sits in a metal baking pan and has heart-shaped cut outs for the top crust.
      Easy Cherry Pie {With Frozen Cherries}

    More Pumpkin Recipes

    If you love all things pumpkin and love to bake pumpkin recipes all throughout the fall, you won't want to miss these reader favorites:

    • A blue plate has 3 pumpkin waffles sprinkled with butterscotch chips and pecans.
      Pumpkin Pecan Waffles
    • A platter of puffy pumpkin butterscotch cookies with a sprinkle of butterscotch chips sits next to a denim napkin.
      Easy Pumpkin Butterscotch Cookies
    • 3 pans of homemade pumpkin bread cool on a stove top.
      Big Batch Pumpkin Bread Recipe
    • The sliced pumpkin gooey butter cake bars are on a white plate. There's a dusting of powdered sugar over the top for garnish.
      Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake Bars

    📖 Recipe

    A pumpkin pie in a white pie plate.

    Easy Pumpkin Pie

    5 from 6 votes
    This easy pumpkin pie recipe takes just 10 minutes to prep and is perfect for a first time pie baker. Make a delicious Thanksgiving pie to add to the family feast in just minutes.
    TOTAL TIME 1 hour hour 5 minutes minutes
    PREP TIME 10 minutes minutes
    COOK TIME 55 minutes minutes
    YIELD 8 servings
    PIN RECIPE FOR LATER PRINT RECIPE NOW

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 pie crust prepared homemade or refrigerated crust
    • ¾ cup sugar
    • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
    • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
    • ½ teaspoon ground ginger
    • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
    • 2 large eggs
    • 1 (15 oz) can 100% pure pumpkin
    • 1 (12 fl oz) can evaporated milk or 1 ½ cups

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 425°F. Unroll the pie crust and place it in a 9-inch pie dish. Crimp the edges and set aside.
    • Combine the sugar, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves in a small bowl. Set aside.
    • Add the eggs to a large mixing bowl and beat them with a hand mixer for 1 minute. Add the entire can of pumpkin and the prepared sugar mixture. Beat until smooth, about 1 minute.
    • Slowly drizzle in the can of evaporated milk while beating the pumpkin mixture on medium-low speed. Once thoroughly combined, scrape the mixture into the prepared pie dish. You may have ¼ - ⅓ cup pie filling leftover that won't fit in the pie shell depending on the depth of your pie plate. Just discard that extra if needed.
    • Place the prepared pie dish on a baking sheet before placing in the oven. Bake the pie for 55 minutes.
    • How to Tell the Pie is Done: The center should be puffed up and have risen above the outer edges of the pie. The pie will just barely jiggle when you pull at the baking sheet. To be completely sure it has baked through, you can insert a paring knife tip into the center and it should come out clean.

    Recipe Notes

    Perfect Pie Crust

    Depending on the kind of pie crust you use and your oven, some crusts will darken more quickly than others as the pumpkin pie bakes. 
    Check your pie after 20 minutes. If the crust appears to be darkening too quickly, you can cover the edge loosely with aluminum foil strips to prevent it from browning too much.

    Pumpkin Pie Storage Tips

    Once the pumpkin pie has cooled completely, it can rest at room temperature for several hours. For longer storage (6 hours or more), keep it chilled in the refrigerator.
    COURSEDessert
    CUISINEAmerican
    AUTHORTiffany Dahle

    Save This Recipe to Your Recipe Box

    Find this delicious recipe next time you visit by saving it to your very own recipe box on my site. All your favorites stored in one easy place!

    SAVE THIS RECIPESaved!
    The photo collage shows a slice of pumpkin pie on a holiday plate with whipped topping next to a photo of the pie about to go in the oven.

    More Pie Recipes

    • The photo collage shows slices of pumpkin pie, apple pie, a whole pecan pie, and a slice of Oreo cream pie.
      15 Easy Thanksgiving Pies to Make Ahead
    • The no bake strawberry pie has a graham cracker crust and fresh strawberries on top. It is in a clear pie plate so you can see the crust.
      Strawberry Cream Pie
    • A clear pie plate is filled with the perfect Oreo cookie crust.
      Oreo Cookie Crust
    • A deep dish pie pan has pie crust draped over the side and a mound of sliced apples coated in cinnamon and butter.
      Is King Arthur's Most Popular Apple Pie Any Good?

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Share Your Thoughts Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




    1. Angela

      July 31, 2023 at 1:38 pm

      5 stars
      This was one of the best pumpkin pies I've ever tasted! My family agreed it was a major hit. This recipe made it so easy with simple ingredients and steps.

      Reply
    2. Sue

      July 29, 2023 at 4:15 pm

      5 stars
      I agree with you; the directions on the cans of pumpkin leave a lot to be desired. Thanks for spelling it all out!

      Reply
    3. Sherry

      July 28, 2023 at 10:57 pm

      5 stars
      This is my all time favorite pie! I made your super easy pumpkin pie recipe and it turned out perfect! Thank you for a great homemade pie recipe!

      Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Tiffany!
    I believe a great family recipe is one that makes everyone at the table happy, not just the kids. I'm the author of two bestselling cookbooks for kids that are chock full of recipes everyone in your family will love. I'm also the hostess of the best online book club for women.

    More about me →

    What's Trending Now

    • The photo collage shows several easy football party appetizers like raw veggies and dip, taco bites, buffalo chicken dip, and a bowl filled with meatballs and cocktail picks.
      35 Easy Football Party Appetizers
    • The photo collage shows several one pot dinner ideas using a skillet or dutch oven.
      60 One Pot Dinner Ideas for Busy Nights
    • A bottle of Mike's Hot Honey is in a photo collage next to 3 recipes it could be used in.
      20 Hot Honey Recipes You Have to Try
    • A blue baking dish filled with mac and cheese with bread crumb topping. A serving spoon has removed a portion to show the creamy elbow noodles.
      Make Ahead Mac and Cheese

    Popular

    • A freezer-friendly metal pan holds an 8x8-inch apple crisp with crumble topping.
      Freezer Friendly Apple Crisp
    • A stack of the best books for book club in 2023
      Best Book Club Picks 2023
    • A taco salad made with mini frozen tacos.
      10-minute Trader Joe's Meals
    • A photo collage shows a table set with ground beef taco fillings and tortilla shells on a pan next to alternative taco tuesday recipes ideas.
      30 Taco Tuesday Recipes for a Family Fiesta
    • A collage of easy dinners for busy nights.
      30 Quick Family Dinners for Busy Nights
    • A wicker picnic basket with white flowers and a bottle of water with fresh fruit sits on a picnic blanket outside.
      What to Pack for a Picnic: 45 Easy Recipes
    • A meal train dinner kit featuring supplies for tacos sits in an aluminum tray for delivery.
      30 Clever Meal Train Ideas with Recipes
    • Harry Potter themed snacks are in a platter with a witch hat sitting next to an open copy of a Harry Potter book.
      21 Harry Potter Snacks for Movie Night

    Footer

    As Seen On

    The Taste of Home Logo
    The Pioneer Woman Logo
    The Country Living Logo
    The Buzzfeed logo
    The Good Housekeeping Logo

    About

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Contact
    Privacy Policy
    Disclaimer
    Terms of Service

    Favorites

    Bread Recipes
    Soup Recipes
    Quick Dinner Recipes
    Harry Potter Fan Club
    Reading with Kids

    Holidays

    Easter Recipes
    Catholic Celebrations
    Thanksgiving Recipes
    Christmas Recipes

    Recipes

    Appetizers
    Dinners
    Main Dishes
    Salads
    Side Dishes
    Desserts
    Brunch
    Homemade Pantry

    ↑ back to top

    Copyright © 2023