Julia Child's Aunt Helen's Pumpkin Pie Recipe
Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and what better way to celebrate this holiday than with a delicious pumpkin pie? If you're looking for a recipe that's both easy to make and guaranteed to impress your guests, then look no further than Julia Child's Aunt Helen's pumpkin pie recipe.
Ingredients:
For the crust:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1/4 tsp. baking powder
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
- 2-3 tbsp. ice water
For the filling:
- 2 cups pumpkin puree
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp. ground ginger
- 1/4 tsp. ground cloves
- 1/4 tsp. nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp. salt
Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F.
2. In a large bowl, combine the flour, salt, and baking powder for the crust.
3. Cut in the cubed butter until the mixture forms coarse crumbs.
4. Gradually add the ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the dough comes together in a ball.
5. Roll out the dough on a floured surface to fit a 9-inch pie dish.
6. In a separate bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, heavy cream, brown sugar, eggs, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, and salt for the filling.
7. Pour the filling into the prepared crust.
8. Bake for 45-50 minutes or until the center is set and the crust is golden brown.
9. Let the pie cool to room temperature before serving.
Tips:
1. For a flakier crust, use cold butter and ice water, and handle the dough as little as possible.
2. To prevent the crust from getting soggy, brush it with an egg wash before adding the filling.
3. To make your own pumpkin puree, cut a sugar pumpkin in half, scoop out the seeds, and bake at 350°F for 45-60 minutes or until the flesh is tender. Then puree in a food processor or blender.
4. For a lighter version of this pie, substitute evaporated milk for the heavy cream.
Conclusion:
Julia Child's Aunt Helen's pumpkin pie recipe is a classic dessert that's perfect for any Thanksgiving celebration. With its flaky crust and creamy spiced filling, this pie is sure to be a hit with your family and friends. So why not give it a try this year and see for yourself why this recipe has stood the test of time?