The most delicious pumpkin meringue pie – the mountain of toasted brown sugar meringue on top is the crowning glory!
You haven’t experienced pumpkin pie until you’ve tried this impressive pumpkin meringue pie. It is a must make for Thanksgiving!
I have a confession to make. I’m not a big fan of standard pumpkin pie – it’s just….not very exciting to me. But this pumpkin meringue pie? It’s so good you’ll want to make it year round. This is an absolute must-have on my Thanksgiving table every year.
Here’s confession #2 – I haven’t made my own pie crust in ages. I always have such a long cooking to-do list around the holidays that I end up running out of time and buying a pre-made crust. Really, the crust is not the focus of this recipe, it’s all about that fluffy brown sugar meringue. If you want to make your own pie crust, that’s great. If not, grab a good quality store bought version and you’ll still have an amazing pie. This pie does require a few specialty kitchen tools; a candy thermometer and a torch. You don’t have to buy one of those expensive culinary torches, any small inexpensive torch from the hardware store will do.
How do you make pumpkin meringue pie?
Clearly this pie is just as much about the meringue as it is the pumpkin filling, but the filling here is extra silky thanks to a special ingredient. While most pumpkin pie recipes use evaporated milk, this one uses cream. In addition, all of the filling ingredients are pureed together in the food processor for the smoothest, creamiest filling.
Have I convinced you to put this pie on your holiday table? You’ll never go back to regular pumpkin pie after you make this version!
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Pumpkin Meringue Pie Video
Pumpkin Meringue Pie
Ingredients
For the pie
- Cooking spray
- 1 pie crust for a 9 inch pan, homemade or store bought
- 1 15 ounce can pumpkin puree
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (freshly grated is best)
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
- 3 eggs
- 1 1/4 cups heavy cream
For the brown sugar meringue
- 3/4 cup egg whites
- 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
Instructions
For the pie
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Spray 9-inch deep pie dish with cooking spray.
- Roll out dough on a floured surface to a 12 inch round. Transfer to prepared dish. Fold the edges under and crimp, forming a decorative border.
- Line the crust with foil that has been coated with cooking spray; fill with dried beans. Bake for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and beans. Bake until the edges are light golden brown about 7 minutes. If bubbles form, press the crust gently with the back of a fork if bubbles form. Cool 10 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350°F.
- Puree pumpkin in processor. Mix in next 5 ingredients. Add eggs 1 at a time, pulsing after each addition. Gradually add the cream in a thin stream, processing just until blended. Process 5 seconds longer.
- Pour the filling into the crust. Bake until edges are puffed and center is set, about 1 hour. Cool completely on rack.
For the meringue
- Place the egg whites and cream of tartar into a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment. Place the brown sugar into a medium heavy saucepan and add just enough water to cover.
- Put your candy thermometer on the pan and turn the heat to high. When the sugar reaches 240 degrees, start whipping the egg whites by turning your mixer to high speed; you want the egg whites to be foamy and starting to thicken before you add the sugar syrup.
- When the sugar reaches 245 degrees, remove the thermometer from the pan and turn the mixer speed down to medium. Pour the sugar into the egg whites in a thin, steady stream avoiding the moving whisk.
- When all the sugar has been added, continue whipping until the meringue reaches the firm peak stage. Quickly spread the meringue over the pie with a large spoon or offset spatula.
- Use your torch to brown the outside of the meringue. Store the pie in the fridge for up to 3 hours.
Teresa says
Hi Sara, love to make this pie but I don’t have a thermometer for the sugar how can I know when to remove the sugar from the heat?
Thanks Teresa
Sara says
Unfortunately this is a recipe that really requires the thermometer, candy thermometers can be purchased in most larger grocery stores in the baking aisle and they typically are inexpensive.
Jamie says
This is the best pumpkin pie I’ve ever made!
mimi rippee says
wow does this look pretty. not being a baker, I could definitely not make those meringue swirls pretty at all! But what a pie!
Sara says
Thanks Mimi! I actually just use the back of a spoon, it’s easier than it looks!
Cris says
How long does the brown suga mergniue take?! Thanks????
Sara says
The brown sugar meringue takes about 15 minutes to make!
Joy says
What a beautiful pie! I have a pumpkin filling lover so I’m wondering if I could double the amount of filling on this to be more pumpkin-y?
Sara says
The filling in this pie is pretty standard for a typical pumpkin pie, if you doubled it you would want to use a deep dish pie plate. Otherwise you could cut the amount of meringue in half for a more proportionate meringue to filling ratio!
Glo Plaisted says
When it calls for cream, is that whipping cream? What if I don’t have kosher salt ?
Thanks
Glo
Sara says
Yes, it’s whipping cream or heavy cream. You can use any type of salt!
Debbie says
I did put mine in the oven to brown and it turned out great, I did use the torch after but just to give it an extra finished look. Can you make this meringue with a white sugar syrup for a whiter meringue on lemon Pie and if so are the measurements the same for the syrup?
Sara says
Glad you liked it! You should be able to substitute the same amount of white sugar!
Tochi says
Mmmmmm I can not wait to make this magical pie!
Though is there an alternative to using the torch? Granted I know an oven doesn’t deliver the outstanding results of using a torch but could I use the oven just the same?
Sara says
You could try broiling it in the oven for just a few minutes, watch carefully to make sure it doesn’t burn!
Julia says
This is beautiful! I have never attempted meringue but I think I have to try. I bet this would be so pretty on a holiday table.
Florian @ContentednessCooking says
Lovely twist on a classical pumpkin pie recipe…. Amazing topping and genius idea with the meringue.
Alisa Fleming says
Wow, look at that topping! I’ve actually never had (or even heard of!) meringue on a pumpkin pie but am imagining the flavors and textures now – such a delicious idea!
Manila Spoon says
That is one fantabulous meringue pie! You certainly have inspired me and I also now want to buy a torch!!! And don’t feel guilty about the crust – I do that all the time and with that delicious filling – no one will care if it’s homemade or not. Love this!!!
Marye says
This pumpkin pie is gorgeous, and it sounds so delicious!
Josie says
Meringue and Pumpkin- what a delight. I will definitely have to try that combination. Thanks for sharing!