Best Pumpkin Pie From Scratch

Learn how to make this homemade pumpkin pie from scratch with a homemade pie crust and pumpkin filling. It’s a classic pie that you will love! Detailed step by step instructions and tips are below.

Homemade pie is one of the best desserts for your Thanksgiving or holiday table. Haley here from If You Give a Blonde a Kitchen and today I’m sharing the perfect pumpkin pie that uses a homemade pie crust recipe and fresh pumpkin pie filling.

This recipe doesn’t use sweetened condensed milk like some recipes. Instead, it makes a traditional spiced whipped pumpkin filling with a buttery, flaky homemade crust. This combination creates the best pumpkin pie recipe from scratch!

If you love pumpkin, try our soft pumpkin chocolate chip cookies or pumpkin bread too.

What People Are Saying About This Recipe

• “Thank you for posting this pumpkin pie from scratch recipe. It turned out great. And so delicious!!!” – Laura
• ” I love pumpkin pies and this is amazing. I really appreciate that you provide photos with every step – that makes the recipe more easy to follow.” – Becky

Ingredients You Need

For the Dough:

The pie crust uses a few basic ingredients and all butter, instead of shortening.

• Flour: Use all-purpose flour for the pie crust. You can substiute the flour for a 1:1 gluten free all purpose flour blend made with xanthan gum.
• Sugar: Granulated sugar adds a small amount of sweetener to the crust.
• Butter: Unsalted butter is best. If you use salted butter, then omit the salt. The butter should be cold.
• Salt: A small amount of salt is needed for flavor.
• Ice Water: You will need ice cold water. This helps form the pie crust.

For the Pumpkin Pie Filling:

• Pumpkin Puree: To make this recipe completely from scratch, use Homemade Pumpkin Puree. It’s easy and tastes amazing. You can also use canned pumpkin puree. Do not use canned pumpkin pie filling.
• Sugar: Use a mixture of granulated sugar and brown sugar for the best consistency and flavor.
• Spices: You will need ground cinnamon, ground ginger, ground nutmeg, ground cloves and salt. You can use 2 1/4 teaspoons of Pumpkin Spice instead of the individual spices, if desired. You can also use freshly grated nutmeg instead of ground.
• Heavy Whipping Cream: This helps create the smooth creamy consistency of the pie. The cream should be cold.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds flavor.
• Eggs: Help bind the ingredients and are necessary for the filling.
• Cornstarch: This serves as a thickener.

Making the best pumpkin pie from scratch means making the entire recipe from scratch, including the pumpkin puree and pie crust. You can save time by using canned pumpkin puree and a store-bought pie crust.

The best homemade pumpkin pie recipe also includes a homemade pie crust. The crust comes together easily in less than 10 minutes!

Steps to Make the Pie Crust

1. Combine flour, sugar, salt and chilled butter pieces in a food processor.
2. Pulse until the butter is processed into pea-sized pieces, about 15 seconds. You can also use a pastry blender to cut the butter into the flour mixture instead of using a food processor. If using a pastry blender, place all of the pie crust ingredients in a large bowl.
3. Add one tablespoon at a time to the mixture and process until the dough begins to come together (about 3 tablespoons, but if necessary add more.)
4. Small butter pieces will still be visible in the dough.
5. Remove dough from the bowl and form into a disc about one inch thick. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before rolling.

Shaping the Pie Crust

• On a lightly floured surface, roll the pie dough into a 13-inch diameter and transfer to an 8 or 9 inch pie dish.
• Use a knife to trim the dough to about 1 inch beyond the edge of the pan. Crimp around the edge with your thumb and pointer finger to form a pattern around the edge of the pie.
• Place a round sheet of parchment paper on the pie dough and fill with pie weights or beans before baking.
• Bake and then remove the weights and parchment paper.

Pumpkin Pie Filling from Scratch

While the crust is baking, prepare the pumpkin pie filling.

1. Combine pumpkin puree, brown sugar, granulated sugar, salt and spices in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a low simmer and cook for five minutes. The filling may brown slightly while cooking, that is okay!
2. Remove from heat and whisk in the cold cream and vanilla. Add the eggs, one at a time and beat by hand until incorporated. Sprinkle in the cornstarch and whisk until combined.
3. Pour the filling into the warm pie crust in the pie pan and bake for 15 minutes at 400 degrees F. Lower then temperature to 350 degrees F and continue baking for 40 minutes.

The pie is done baking when the center jiggles slightly when moved. During baking, the filling will expand and rise. This is normal. It will fall as it cools and become completely flat.

Expert Tips

• Avoid droplets of water on the pie by making sure to include the cornstarch in the mix and remove the pie from the oven with the center is still a little jiggly. It also helps cool the pie completely at room temperature before placing in the refrigerator.
• Always make the crust from scratch.
• You can also use homemade Pumpkin Puree instead of canned.
• Use 2 1/4 teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice instead of the individual spices.
• Transfer the pie to a wire rack to cool completely.
• Store the pie in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

This pumpkin pie from scratch tastes great on it’s own or served with a dollop of homemade whipped cream. Enjoy this pie throughout the fall season. Make two pumpkin pies and share one with a friend!

Other Easy Pie Recipes

• Homemade Apple Pie
• Key Lime Pie
• Blueberry Pie
• Milk Bar Crack Pie
• Southern Sweet Potato Pie

Did you make this classic pumpkin pie recipe? Leave a recipe rating and review below!

This recipe was originally published in November 2018 and was updated in October 2020 with new process photos and tips.