A fluffy cloud of meringue folded into a creamy pumpkin custard bursting with spice then nestled into a ginger snap cookie crust. It’s an old classic recipe and one worth remembering!
Cook Time 35 minutesmins
Course Dessert, Holiday
Servings 6to 8 servings
Equipment
medium saucepan
Electric mixer
9" deep dish pie plate
Ingredients
For the ginger snap crust:
2cupsginger snap crumbs, about 4 cups of gingersnaps
½teaspoonkosher salt
1tablespoonflour
4tablespoonsmelted butter
1 to 2tablespoonscold water
For the pumpkin filling:
1 to 1-½tablespoonsunflavored gelatin (For a firmer custard use 1-½ tablespoons gelatin, or 2 envelopes gelatin.)
½cupcold water
¾cupbrown sugar
½teaspoonkosher salt
2teaspoonsground cinnamon
½teaspoonground ginger
½teaspoonground allspice
1canpumpkin puree, 15-ounces, about 2 cups
3extra-large egg yolks, with the egg whites reserved for the meringue
½cup½ cup milk
19” baked gingersnap pie shell or traditional pastry crust
For the meringue:
3extra-large egg whites or ½ cup pasteurized egg whites*
¼teaspooncream of tartar
6tablespoonssugar
½teaspoonpure vanilla extract
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350-degrees.
For the ginger snap crust:
Using a food processor mix the ginger snap crumbs with the kosher salt and flour, processing for about 10 to 15 seconds.
Add the melted butter and pulse about 6 to 8 times to combine. Press the crumbs together between your fingertips – if they do not hold together add 1 tablespoon of the water and check again. Use the remaining water only if needed – too much will make it sticky.
Spray the bottom of 9” deep-dish pie plate. Turn the mixture into the pie plate and press in the bottom and up the sides. If it sticks to your hands, dust them with a bit of flour
Freeze the crust for 10 minutes. Place the pie plate on a baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes at 350-degrees. Set aside to cool completely while you make the filling.
For the pumpkin filling:
In a small bowl or measuring cup add the gelatin to the cold water, stirring to dissolve.
In a medium saucepan combine the brown sugar, kosher salt, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, pumpkin puree, egg yolks, and milk. Whisk together until the pumpkin mixture is smooth.
Cook over medium-low heat until the mixture comes to a boil, about 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Boil for 1 minute and remove from the heat.
Add the dissolved gelatin to the pumpkin mixture, stirring to blend in completely and set aside to cool, about 20 minutes. While the pumpkin mixture cools make the meringue.
For the meringue:
Combine the egg whites and the cream of tarter in the bowl of a mixer. With the whisk attachment, beat the egg whites on medium-high until they are frothy, about 3 to 4 minutes.
Using medium speed, add the sugar a little at a time, scraping down the sides of the bowl once. Raise the speed to medium-high and beat until the meringue has formed soft peaks. Add the vanilla extract and continue beating on medium-high until the meringue is glossy and has formed stiff peaks, about 5 minutes.
To assemble the pie:
Gently fold the meringue into the cooled pumpkin custard, taking care not to deflate the meringue.
Pour the pumpkin filling into the cooled gingersnap crust. Chill at least two hours or overnight to allow the filling to set up.
Keep the pumpkin chiffon pie refrigerated.
Notes
*The meringue that is folded into the pie filling is made from uncooked egg whites. If you have a concern about using raw eggs, pasteurized eggs are recommended as an alternative.