Fancy Pumpkin Pie Variations

You might have a pumpkin pie recipe that's a family favorite or just stop at the bakery for your Thanksgiving pumpkin pie. Either way, here are some ideas for adding a gourmet touch to that favorite Thanksgiving dessert. These fancy pumpkin pie variations all look great, and taste even better!

Pumpkin Pie Brulee

This pumpkin pie variation is easy and incredibly impressive. Thoroughly chill either a homemade or store-bought pie. Sprinkle ¼ cup brown sugar over the top of the pie. Either cover the edge of the crust with aluminum foil and put the pie under a broiler for a minute or two to melt the sugar, or use a small kitchen blowtorch to melt and caramelize the sugar. Instant crispy caramel topping, gourmet and good! Serve to your Thanksgiving guests immediately.

Pumpkin Pecan Pie

This fancy looking pumpkin pie recipe can also be made with a store bought pie. Mix 4 tablespoons sugar and ½ teaspoon cinnamon, then toss with 3/4 cup coarsely chopped pecans. Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a heavy skillet on high. Quickly stir and heat the pecan-sugar mixture until the sugar melts, about 45 to 60 seconds. Immediately spread the caramelized pecans over the top of the pumpkin pie. Allow to cool before serving. Substitute walnuts for pecans for another gourmet pumpkin pie variation.

Gingersnap Pumpkin Pie

This spicy-sweet variation works with your favorite pumpkin pie recipe. Substitute a gingersnap crust for a regular pie crust. Add 1 teaspoon ginger to the pie recipe with the rest of the spices. Sprinkle ¼ cup finely chopped crystallized ginger on the bottom of the pie crust before adding the pumpkin filling and baking. Yum!

Maple Leaf Pumpkin Pie with Maple Cream

This recipe can also be used as a variant on your usual pumpkin pie. Add ½ teaspoon maple extract to the pumpkin pie filling with the spices, and bake as directed. Using extra pie crust, cut out three to five maple leaves using a maple leaf cookie cutter or freehand. Sprinkle the leaves with cinnamon sugar. Bake the leaves on a separate cookie sheet at 375˚ F until golden brown. Cool the leaves and place them on the baked pumpkin pie.

For the maple cream, soften one pint premium vanilla ice cream at room temperature for 10 minutes. Mix in ½ cup real maple syrup. Serve each slice of pie with a generous scoop of maple cream. So beautiful on the Thanksgiving table.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Specialty cooking supplies:

Kitchen Torch, Williams-Sonoma

Piecrust Cutters, Williams-Sonoma