Mom's Classic Homemade Pumpkin Pie Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What's the difference between evaporated milk and sweetened condensed milk in pumpkin pie? ›

The main distinction is the addition of sugar in condensed milk, which yields a different texture and flavor profile. As Leal explains: "Evaporated milk offers creaminess without sweetness and is suitable for savory dishes and some desserts.

Canned Pumpkin Delivers Consistent Results

That's because the amount of water in each pumpkin varies. That means your homemade puree can either yield a perfectly lush pumpkin pie from scratch or one that's unpleasant and watery.

Canned pumpkin and pumpkin puree are the same thing, and you'll often see the terms used interchangeably in recipes and cookbooks. Unlike pumpkin pie mix, canned pumpkin does not have any spices, sugars, or other additives. In many cases, the only ingredient is pumpkin.

Canned pumpkin and pumpkin puree are the same thing. These terms are often used interchangeably in recipes, though you may also see the term solid-pack pumpkin. All these terms mean 100% steamed and pureed pumpkin—no extras, no add-ins—not even in the canned variety.

For the most part, if you find yourself without condensed milk on hand, you can substitute an equal amount of evaporated milk. The consistency will be the same, but since evaporated milk is unsweetened, you'll need to add sweetener to match the recipe's intended flavor profile or to suit your personal preference.

For example, a single ounce (30 ml) of sweetened condensed milk has just over 15 grams of sugar, while the same amount of nonfat evaporated milk contains just over 3 grams (3, 4). Sweetened condensed milk has roughly five times the amount sugar of evaporated milk, as sugar is added during processing as a preservative.

Libby's, the quintessential canned pumpkin brand, uses a proprietary strain of the Dickinson pumpkin variety in their product, which is also often called a Dickinson squash. On Libby's website, it states that their product is 100 percent pumpkin.

Cook It on the Stove

Briefly cooking your canned pumpkin purée on the stove can help improve both the flavor and texture. This method helps reduce excess moisture, which gives the pumpkin a superior texture. It also releases the natural pumpkin flavor and helps reduce the metallic taste from the can.

Libby's 100% Pure Pumpkin

In this taste test, our Test Kitchen pros found that the biggest name in the pumpkin game does, in fact, make the best canned pumpkin on the market. Libby's 100% Pure Pumpkin is a favorite among our culinary crew.

A 15-ounce can of canned pumpkin holds nearly 2 cups. It's actually 2 1/2 tablespoons short of 2 cups, about 29 1/2 tablespoons total.

What happens if you use pumpkin pie filling instead of puree? ›

Don't use pumpkin pie filling in place of pumpkin purée.

Every can of pumpkin pie filling has a different amount of sugar and spices and if you add it to a bread or muffin recipe you might get a very sweet and not-spiced-enough loaf. Try this instead: Buy pumpkin purée!

Feeding plain canned pumpkin gives a great boost to your dog's nutrition. Great for digestion. Due to its high soluble fiber content, pumpkin is very good for your dog's digestion. If you feed your dog some pumpkin, it will add bulk to their stool.

Pumpkin pie filling is a mixture of cooked, mashed winter squash that is blended with sweetener and spices. It's a convenient ingredient to use if you're planning to make a pumpkin pie and you're short on time.

The short and easy answer: Yes, pumpkin pie needs to be stored in the refrigerator. The USDA advises that all "egg-rich pies" must be kept refrigerated after baking and cooling. Pumpkin pie falls into this category, along with custard, pecan, and meringue pies.

Can You Substitute Pumpkin Puree for Pumpkin Pie Filling? Yes, you can use pumpkin puree in place of pumpkin pie filling by adding some additional ingredients. You'll need to add sweetener, spices, and possibly a thickener (like eggs).

Condensed milk is also another substitute for evaporated milk in pumpkin pie recipes. Condensed milk is sweeter and thicker, so you may need to reduce the amount of sugar in your recipe. Keep in mind that the final result will be richer and more decadent.

Evaporated milk and condensed milk are both shelf-stable canned milks that are easily found at most grocery stores. The main difference is that condensed milk is very sweet, and evaporated milk is unsweetened.

Regular milk has a higher water content compared to evaporated milk. Due to its reduced water content, evaporated milk is thicker and creamier than regular milk. It's often used in recipes to provide a richer texture and flavor. Regular milk has a more fluid and watery consistency.