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Libby’s Famous Pumpkin Pie

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Easy and terrific Libby’s Famous Pumpkin Pie, two ways!

Overhead view of a sliced Libby's Pumpkin Pie topped with swirls of whipped cream

Libby’s Famous Pumpkin Pie

If you’ve never made a homemade pie before, this is the recipe to get your started! Libby’s Famous Pumpkin Pie recipe is reliable and easy to make, and yields consistency wonderful results.

And, of course, every holiday table needs a homemade pumpkin pie. Crazy enough, half our family doesn’t like pumpkin pie, but the other half insists this is a must-make dessert!

How do you serve your pumpkin pie?

The only problem you may have with this pie is deciding if you dollop Cool Whip on top or garnish with canned whipped cream like Reddi-wip.

My side of the family (and my oldest nephew – you know who you are) loves pumpkin pie topped with Cool Whip.  My husband’s side of the family loves Reddi-Whip a/k/a squirty stuff.  I suggest having both on hand because who knows if this could turn into a major family issue!

Personally I like homemade whipped cream, but I’m just weird that way. TIP: if you make homemade whipped cream, add a little pumpkin spice for flavor and color and a tablespoons of dry milk powder for stability.

Seriously though, pumpkin pie lovers always have an opinion about what kind of whipped cream they want. I recently saw a meme that sums it up perfectly: one slice of pumpkin pie inside a container of Cool Whip. Just a little pie with your whipped cream?

A stack of cans of Libby's 100% Pure Pumpkin

Overview: Ingredients for pumpkin pie (2-ways!)

First, you’ll need a deep-dish 9-inch pie crust.

I always use our easy recipe for homemade pie crust, but store-bought frozen or refrigerated works well, too.

For the original famous pie filling:

  • Large eggs at room temperature
  • Vanilla extract
  • 16-ounce can of Libby’s 100% pure pumpkin
  • Granulated sugar, or a combination of granulated and brown sugar
  • Salt
  • Pumpkin pie spice or a mixture of ground cinnamon, ginger and cloves.
  • 12-ounce can of evaporated milk

For the new fashioned pie filling:

  • Large eggs at room temperature
  • Vanilla extract
  • 16-ounce can of Libby’s 100% pure pumpkin
  • No added granulated sugar
  • Salt
  • Only 1 cup of evaporated milk
  • One (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
An overhead view of a classic pumpkin pie

Overview: How to make the perfect pumpkin pie

First prepare pastry for a deep-dish 9-inch pie and set aside.

As mentioned above, you can use homemade pie crust or store-bought refrigerated or frozen. Make sure it’s a deep-dish pastry big enough to hold all the filling.

Next prepare the (original) pie filling:

  • Whisk together the sugar, salt, and pumpkin pie spice in a measuring cup.
  • In a large bowl whisk the eggs and vanilla. Next add the canned pumpkin and the sugar spice mixture.
  • Gradually stir in the evaporated milk until blended.
  • Pour into pie shell and bake in preheated 425 degree oven for 15 minutes. Reduce temperature to 350 degrees and continue baking for 40 to 50 minutes or until a knife inserted near center comes out clean.

Cool on a wire rack for 2 hours then serve immediately or refrigerate until needed.

How to make Libby’s New Fashioned Pumpkin Pie:

The only changes needed to make the new version are:

  • Omit the granulated sugar;
  • Reduce the amount of evaporated milk to 1 cup; and
  • Add one (14-ounce) can of sweetened condensed milk at the same time as the evaporated milk.
A pumpkin pie with one slice removed. Topped with swirls of whipped cream

How to avoid a soggy bottomed pie without blind-baking

Many bakers swear by par-baking or blind-baking pie crusts before filling with wet ingredients that require additional baking. I still use this method depending on the recipe.

Another option is to brush the bottom of the unbaked pie crust with an egg white and par-bake just until dry. This helps seal the crust therefore preventing the wet ingredients from soaking in.

However, there is another, even easier way to get a crisp crust without brushing with an egg-white or par-baking.

  1. First, use a heavy aluminum pie pan like the one in the photo above. This pie pan came from Williams-Sonoma and bakes perfect pies every time. Any good quality metal pan will do.
  2. Next, preheat the oven with a pizza stone or heavy baking sheet inside.
  3. When ready to bake the pie, place the pie pan directly on the hot stone. This method causes the bottom crust to crisp up quickly, thereby eliminating the opportunity to get soggy.

This trick really works. I’ve been baking pie crusts for years using this method and alway get terrific results!

A slice of pumpkin pie topped with whipped cream and a pumpkin shaped crust cookie

How to cut clean, pretty slices of pie:

Rinse a large sharp, thin knife under hot water. Carefully dry the knife then slice the pie, rinsing and wiping between slices.

This works for any kind of chilled, cream pie and is especially important if you have a whipped cream topping added before slicing.

Side view of a sliced pumpkin pie with swirls of whipped cream and a pumpkin cut-out crust cookie

Decorate with pie crust cookie cutouts

If making your own pie crust you may have a few scraps of dough remaining. Roll the leftover dough to an even thickness then cut out shapes using cookie cutters or a small knife.

I have a whole set of these tiny cookie stamp cutters and use them every year. I’ve decorated apple pies, cherry pie, maple walnut pies and our delicious Pumpkin Tart with Pecan Crumble with pastry cutouts. Such a fun and easy way to add some flair!

Also, you can sprinkle a little cinnamon and sugar over the crust cookies before baking, if desired. This makes a delicious, flaky treat for the baker!

Overhead view of a slice of pumpkin pie with a fork

How to freeze pumpkin pie

While this pie is best served within a day or two of baking, you can also freeze pumpkin pie for up to 2 months.

Flash freeze individual slices of pie on a baking sheet until firm. Transfer the frozen pie to an airtight container separated by pieces of wax paper.

Thaw the pie in the refrigerator overnight. Leave out at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.

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Libby's Famous Pumpkin Pie sliced in a pie pan and topped with swirls of whipped cream
A slice of pumpkin pie on a plate
5 from 5 votes

Libby’s Famous Pumpkin Pie

Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 1 hr
Total Time: 3 hrs 15 mins
Yield: 8
Course: Dessert
Author: Tricia
PRINT RECIPE
The classic, delicious, never fail recipe for an easy pumpkin pie!

Ingredients

  • 1 unbaked 9-inch deep dish pie crust, refrigerated, frozen or homemade
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar 170g
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons pumpkin spice (see notes for homemade)
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 15 ounce can LIBBY’s 100% pure pumpkin (425g)
  • 12 ounces canned evaporated milk (1 ½ cups or 354 mL)

Instructions

  • Prepare the pie pastry and line a 9-inch deep-dish aluminum pie plate. Crimp the edges decoratively and set aside.
  • Place a pizza stone or heavy baking pan in the oven. Preheat oven and stone to 425°F.
  • Whisk together the sugar, salt and pumpkin spice in a measuring cup. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl whisk together the eggs and vanilla. Whisk in the pumpkin and the sugar spice mixture into the eggs. Gradually stir in the evaporated milk. Scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl with a spatula to ensure the mixture is fully blended.
  • Pour the filling into the unbaked pie crust and carefully transfer to the preheated oven and set on top of the hot stone. Bake at 425°F for 15 minutes then reduce the oven temperature to 350°F. Continue baking for an additional 45-55 minutes or until a small knife inserted near center comes out clean. Cool on wire rack for about 2 hours. Serve immediately or refrigerate until needed.
  • Top with lightly sweetened whipped cream as desired.

Recipe Notes

  • This pie can be made a day ahead. Refrigerate lightly until needed. Set out at room temperature for an hour before serving.
  • Make homemade pumpkin spice with 1 1/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger and 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves or allspice. (Optional) add 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg if desired.
OPTIONAL New Fashioned Pumpkin Pie recipe:
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons pumpkin spice
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 15 ounce can Libby’s pure pumpkin
  • 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk 
  • 1 cup evaporated milk
  • Bake as directed
Both recipes adapted from Libby’s canned pumpkin label.
The original Libby’s recipe doesn’t include vanilla extract and also calls for a little less spice.
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. When multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.

Nutrition

Calories: 299kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 53mg | Sodium: 309mg | Potassium: 284mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 25g | Vitamin A: 8435IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 140mg | Iron: 2mg

Originally published November 2010, updated October 2021

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9 Comments

  1. Susan says

    November 22, 2021 at 7:31 am

    So, which pie do you like better? The old recipe or the new one. What is the difference in taste?

    reply to this comment >
    • Tricia Buice says

      November 22, 2021 at 7:37 am

      Hi Susan. The new recipe seems a little less sweet and more milky but both differences are very subtle. I don’t think you can go wrong with either one! Have a wonderful holiday season.

      reply to this comment >
  2. Denise says

    October 10, 2021 at 10:35 pm

    Can I use the hot pan technique with a Pyrex glass pie pan?

    reply to this comment >
    • Tricia Buice says

      October 11, 2021 at 8:21 am

      Hi Denise. No I would not use a glass or Pyrex pan as sudden, extreme changes in temperature can cause the glass to break. It’s worth the few dollars to buy a great aluminum pan that will last forever.

      reply to this comment >
  3. Nikki P says

    October 7, 2021 at 8:44 am

    5 stars
    Just opened this email so I can not rate the recipe (you should put a “?” mark for those of us that have questions rather than a rating. anyway….
    Are there no eggs in the “New” pumpkin pie? That would be good for someone that has an egg allergy without having to use one of the substitutions.

    reply to this comment >
    • Tricia Buice says

      October 8, 2021 at 8:18 am

      Hi Nikki! You don’t have to rate the recipe to leave a comment. Just post your questions and I’ll get back with you asap! Sorry but yes, there are eggs in both recipes on the Libby’s label. You can try our eggless Pumpkin Cheesecake with Turtle Topping and the no-bake filling. Good luck and happy baking!

      reply to this comment >
  4. Andrea says

    November 15, 2010 at 4:26 pm

    5 stars
    Tricia, Thank you for the pie! You are so thoughtful. Pumpkin is my favorite flavor. It looks absolutely delicious and I cannot wait to dig in. I have a great recipe for pumpkin bars that I will share with you, I just have to dig it out.

    reply to this comment >
  5. Sarah @ The Smart Kitchen says

    November 15, 2010 at 2:36 pm

    Oh my goll…your pie crust is beautiful!!!! 🙂

    reply to this comment >
  6. Suzannae says

    November 14, 2010 at 1:48 am

    I vote that you make a pumpkin roll next. Come up and we will do it together! We can make a huge kitchen mess and have Steve clean it up!

    reply to this comment >

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