Cook's Illustrated's Pumpkin Pie

Cook's Illustrated's Pumpkin Pie
This vegetarian recipe serves 8. One portion of this dish contains around 6g of protein, 29g of fat, and a total of 506 calories. It is perfect for Thanksgiving. A mixture of table salt, eggs plus 2 yolks, vegetable shortening, and a handful of other ingredients are all it takes to make this recipe so flavorful. From preparation to the plate, this recipe takes about 45 minutes.

Instructions

1
For the crust: Process 3/4 cup flour, salt, and sugar in food processor until combined, about two 1-second pulses.
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CrustCrust
All Purpose FlourAll Purpose Flour
SugarSugar
SaltSalt
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Food ProcessorFood Processor
2
Add butter and shortening and process until homogenous dough just starts to collect in uneven clumps, about 10 seconds; dough will resemble cottage cheese curds with some very small pieces of butter remaining, but there should be no uncoated flour. Scrape bowl with rubber spatula and redistribute dough evenly around processor blade.
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Cottage CheeseCottage Cheese
ShorteningShortening
ButterButter
DoughDough
All Purpose FlourAll Purpose Flour
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SpatulaSpatula
BowlBowl
3
Add remaining 1/2 cup flour and pulse until mixture is evenly distributed around bowl and mass of dough has been broken up, 4 to 6 quick pulses. Empty mixture into medium bowl.
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4
Sprinkle vodka and water over mixture. With rubber spatula, use folding motion to mix, pressing down on dough until dough is slightly tacky and sticks together. Flatten dough into 4-inch disk. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate at least 45 minutes or up to 2 days.
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WaterWater
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5
Adjust oven rack to lowest position, place rimmed baking sheet on rack, and heat oven to 400°F.
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OvenOven
6
Remove dough from refrigerator and roll out on generously floured (up to 1/4 cup) work surface to 12-inch circle about 1/8 inch thick.
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DoughDough
RollRoll
7
Roll dough loosely around rolling pin and unroll into pie plate, leaving at least 1-inch overhang on each side. Working around circumference, ease dough into plate by gently lifting edge of dough with one hand while pressing into plate bottom with other hand. Refrigerate 15 minutes.
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RollRoll
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8
Trim overhang to 1/2 inch beyond lip of pie plate. Fold overhang under itself; folded edge should be flush with edge of pie plate. Using thumb and forefinger, flute edge of dough. Refrigerate dough-lined plate until firm, about 15 minutes.
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DoughDough
9
Remove pie pan from refrigerator, line crust with foil, and fill with pie weights or pennies.
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Aluminum FoilAluminum Foil
10
Bake on rimmed baking sheet 15 minutes.
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OvenOven
11
Remove foil and weights, rotate plate, and bake 5 to 10 additional minutes until crust is golden brown and crisp.
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CrustCrust
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Aluminum FoilAluminum Foil
12
Remove pie plate and baking sheet from oven.
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OvenOven
13
For the filling: While pie shell is baking, whisk cream, milk, eggs, yolks, and vanilla together in medium bowl.
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Egg YolkEgg Yolk
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BowlBowl
14
Combine pumpkin puree, yams, sugar, maple syrup, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in large heavy-bottomed saucepan; bring to sputtering simmer over medium heat, 5 to 7 minutes. Continue to simmer pumpkin mixture, stirring constantly and mashing yams against sides of pot, until thick and shiny, 10 to 15 minutes.
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Canned PumpkinCanned Pumpkin
Maple SyrupMaple Syrup
CinnamonCinnamon
PumpkinPumpkin
GingerGinger
NutmegNutmeg
SugarSugar
SaltSalt
YamYam
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Sauce PanSauce Pan
PotPot
15
Remove pan from heat and whisk in cream mixture until fully incorporated. Strain mixture through fine-mesh strainer set over medium bowl, using back of ladle or spatula to press solids through strainer. Rewhisk mixture and transfer to warm prebaked pie shell. Return pie plate with baking sheet to oven and bake pie for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to 300°F and continue baking until edges of pie are set (instant-read thermometer inserted in center registers 175 degrees), 20 to 35 minutes longer.
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LadleLadle
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16
Transfer pie to wire rack and cool to room temperature, 2 to 3 hours.
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Wire RackWire Rack
17
Cut into wedges and serve.
DifficultyExpert
Ready In45 m.
Servings8
Health Score4
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