Thanksgiving just isn't Thanksgiving without the pumpkin pie. Nothing else tastes quite like it, with its combination of cinnamon, nutmeg and tasty pumpkin pie spices, it's a treat many look forward to during the holiday season.
Instead of messing with perfection by trying out a twist on the filling or crust, keep that great pumpkin pie as is, and make it special by baking mini pies. This holiday season, try making individual sized versions of the traditional family favorite by using this delicious recipe.
Pumpkin Mini Pies
Ingredients:
- 2 1/4 cups canned pumpkin
- 3/4 cup light brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/4 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 1/4 cups half-and-half
- 1 box of prepared refrigerated pie dough
Directions:
- preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- On a lightly floured surface, unroll the pie dough crust.
- Using a biscuit cutter, cut the pie dough into individual circles.
- Press each pie dough circle into the individual areas in a mini muffin pan.
- Flute the edges of each mini pie crust.
- Bake the crusts according to the directions on the box for custard style pies.
- When the pie shells are lightly golden, remove them from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes.
- Lower the oven temperature to 350 degrees.
- In a large bowl, prepare the filling by mixing together the pumpkin, brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, ground cloves, vanilla extract, eggs and half-and-half.
- Whisk together until ingredients are thoroughly combined and mixture is smooth.
- Spoon the mixture into each individual pie crust, approximately 2/3 of the way full.
- Bake on the lowest oven rack until the filling is set, about 35-45 minutes.
When the pies are done, let them cool, and then carefully pop them out of the muffin tin using a butter knife or thin spatula. Place each individual mini pie on single serving dessert plates, and garnish with a dollop of fresh whipped cream. Add a caramelized nut on top of the whipped cream for extra embellishment.
To make fresh whipped cream, simply whisk together 1 cup cold heavy whipping cream with two tablespoons of sugar and a teaspoon of vanilla. Make sure to use a cold metal bowl and whisk, or an electric mixer for the best results.
Pumpkin mini pies are a fun and festive addition to the holiday dessert table, and they taste great. Guests can enjoy their own individual mini pie for dessert after a holiday meal, or wrap them up for guests to take home as a special Thanksgiving treat. Either way, pumpkin mini pies are a delicious homemade dessert.
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