Fluffy Pumpkin Pie From Julia Child’s Aunt Helen, Via Julia Moskin
Food52
Photo by Francesco Tonelli for The New York Times
- Serves
- 2 pies
- Prep Time
- 50 Minutes
- Cook Time
- 45 Minutes
"This recipe was published in Parade in November 1982, when Julia Child was writing a recipe column for the magazine. As all cooks (and writers) know, Thanksgiving is an adventure and a challenge: how to come up with fresh ideas that keep the dish on the right side of tradition? In this pie, Mrs. Child’s addition of molasses, extra spices, and especially bourbon breathes new life into the filling. If you like your desserts on the spicy side, add an extra tablespoon of molasses and a pinch of black pepper." —Julia Moskin
Ingredients
- 4 large eggs
- 2 (15-ounce) cans (3½ cups) pumpkin purée
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- Kosher salt
- 3 tablespoon molasses
- 3 tablespoon bourbon or dark rum (optional)
- 3 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3/4 cup whole milk, more as needed
- 2 unbaked 9-inch pie shells, or one 11-inch pie shell (see recipe)
Featured Video
Fluffy Pumpkin Pie From Julia Child’s Aunt Helen, Via Julia Moskin
Recipe excerpted with permission fromThe Essential New York Times Cookbook: The Recipes of Recordby Amanda Hesser, published by W. W. Norton & Company; 10th Anniversary edition. © 2021.
Directions
- Step 1
Heat oven to 450°F and place a rack in center of oven. Separate the eggs and set aside.
- Step 2
Using a mixer, blender, or large bowl, blend the pumpkin, both sugars, 1 teaspoon salt, molasses, bourbon or rum (if using), cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, egg yolks, cream, and milk until smooth. Add more milk, a tablespoon at a time, if the mixture is stiff: It should be a soft purée.
- Step 3
In a clean bowl, whip the egg whites until foaming. Whip in a pinch of salt, then gradually whip in the remaining 2 tablespoons sugar until shiny white peaks form. Beat a quarter of the whites thoroughly into the pumpkin mixture; gently fold in the rest.
- Step 4
Immediately ladle the filling into the shells, filling to just below the rim of the pan. Place in the oven and bake just until the rim of the crust begins to turn golden, 10 to 15 minutes. Reduce the heat to 375°F and bake for another 25 to 30 minutes, until a tester inserted into the filling 2 inches from the rim comes out clean. (The center should still be a bit wet; it will cook more as it cools.) If the rim of the crust starts to get too brown, cover it with aluminum foil.
- Step 5
Immediately turn the oven off, leave the door ajar (stick in a wooden spoon to hold it open, if necessary), and let sit 20 to 30 minutes more as the oven cools; this will prevent the filling from turning watery. Serve warm, or let cool, wrap tightly, and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Let the pie come to room temperature before serving.