Pumpkin Tart with Pecan Crumble

5 from 1 vote

A surprisingly unique and delicious tart with a cream cheese pumpkin base and a sweet, crunchy crumble top loaded with toasted pecans.

Prep Time30

Cook Time1 30

Total Time2

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: French

Keyword: pecan, pumpkin, tart

Servings: servings

Calories: 423kcal

Author: Tricia

Ingredients

For the tart:

1 single pie crust (use half my Perfect Pie Crust - see Notes)
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, room temperature
2 (15-ounce) cans of pumpkin puree (not pie filling)
1 cup granulated sugar
¼ cup lightly packed, light brown sugar
2 teaspoons Pumpkin Pie Spice
½ teaspoon salt
1 whole large egg, plus 3 egg yolks
¼ cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
1 (12-ounce) can evaporated milk
2 teaspoons Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract

For the pecan crumble:

⅔ cup toasted pecan pieces
⅓ cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
⅛ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Sugar (optional - see NOTE)

For serving (optional):

1 cup heavy whipping cream
¼ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
½ teaspoon Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract
3 tablespoons powdered sugar

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Roll out the chilled pie pastry on a lightly floured, clean work surface large enough to fit a 9-inch deep dish tart or quiche pan (2-inches + deep) with a removable bottom. (See notes to use a regular pie plate.) Press the pastry into the pan making sure you push the dough into the fluted edges. Refrigerate while preparing the filling.
In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese until fluffy. Add the pumpkin and beat until combined. Add the granulated sugar, brown sugar, pumpkin pie spice, and salt and beat just until blended. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the egg, egg yolks, melted butter, evaporated milk, and vanilla extract. Add the egg mixture to the pumpkin mixture and beat just until combined. Scrape the sides and bottom of the mixing bowl with a rubber spatula and blend one more time, about 30 seconds, to incorporate all ingredients.
Place the prepared tart pan on a foil lined baking sheet. Carefully pour the filling into the crust and bake for 1 hour (the pan will be very full). Depending on the size of the tart pan you use you may have about ½ cup of filling leftover. Pour the extra batter into a lightly sprayed, small baking dish and place in the oven with the tart and bake for about 20 minutes. Enjoy taste testing the tart filling!
While the tart is baking, prepare the Pecan Crumble. Place the pecan pieces in a clean/dry non-stick skillet over medium heat. Toast the pecans, stirring frequently, until fragrant and slightly darkened, 3 to 5 minutes. In a small bowl stir the toasted pecan pieces, brown sugar, flour, butter, cinnamon and salt until well combined. Set aside until needed. The vanilla sugar will be sprinkled on top of the crumble once added to the tart.
After 60 minutes of baking, carefully remove the tart from the oven and sprinkle with the pecan crumble mixture, then top with the coarse vanilla sugar, if using. Return the tart to the oven, reduce the heat to 325°F and bake another 30 minutes or until a small, thin knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely on a wire rack. For best results, cover and chill for about 8 hours or up to 24 hours before serving.
To serve with whipped cream, combine the whipping cream with the pumpkin pie spice in a medium mixing bowl. Beat on medium-high with an electric mixer until foamy. Add the powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating until soft peaks start to form. Add the vanilla extract and beat just until soft peaks form. Serve each piece with a dollop of whipped cream.
Refrigerate leftovers for up to 5 days.

Notes

There is too much filling for one regular pie, so if you don't have a deep dish, fluted edge quiche pan with a removable bottom, bake this in two regular pie pans. If baking as two small pies, you will need to reduce the cooking time to about 50 minutes or until the center is set. You will also need an additional pie crust pastry. Check our link to Amazon to purchase this inexpensive pan.
For the coarse vanilla sugar topping, I used Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Sugar
Since the crust is not pre-baked, it's not crispy but is sturdy and soft. It's very similar to other pumpkin pie crusts.
I used half my Perfect Pie Crust found HERE

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