My Pumpkin Pie Odyssey:

Up until last year, I had never had pumpkin pie before. It's not something I ever baked b/c I never ate it myself so I felt like I wouldn't know 'what was good' in a recipe. However, my husband's favorite thing in the world is pumpkin pie. So, this year, I've taken on the task of finding the best pumpkin pie recipe...

Monday: The Libby's can - very common and a lot of people make this kind, came out nice - I liked it. The recipe calls for it to be 'standing' for two hours before eating -- I definitely recommend letting it sit OVERNIGHT before eating. It makes it allllll solidify and come together. It was yummy and for a basic, easy pumpkin pie this is good.

Tuesday: A recipe I got off of Martha Stewart -- this was a little different in terms of the spices she used and the amount she used. It was pretty good - the spices were strong which DH likes but not everyone does.

Last night and Tonight: Two of Paula Dean's recipes! One was an Apple Butter Pumpkin pie and the other was a traditional pumpkin pie. OMFGGGG!

The Apple Butter Pumpkin pie is to die for - of course Paula knows her desserts. DH was in heaven and I liked it too, it was the perfect middle ground and I think it'll be a REAL crowd pleaser b/c it is subtle and has that apple butter in it which is so tasty and not overwhelming!

The traditional pumpkin pie -- only used cinnamon as a spice, that was it, where the others allllll used at least cloves (ground), nutmeg, ginger, etc. Very interesting but DELICIOUS -- the secret ingredient that I think stole the show: cream cheese!!!!

I highly recommend, out of everything I tried, these two recipes:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/apple-butter-pumpkin-pie-recipe/index.html

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/pumpkin-pie-recipe/index.html

BTW, I buy the Mrs. Smith's pre-made pie shells that are in the tin, they are sold two at a time already in their mold in your grocer's freezer section!

The house permanently smells like pumpkin pie now

Re: My Pumpkin Pie Odyssey:

try bethenny's pumpkin cheesecake, soooo good!

http://www.bethenny.com/2010/10/14/marbled-pumpkin-cheesecake/



I bet your house smelled AMAZING!

Re: My Pumpkin Pie Odyssey:

I love pumpkin pie. My secret is adding vanilla. I also agree, letting it sit in the fridge overnight is key to its success.

Re: My Pumpkin Pie Odyssey:

The Paula Deen one's sound great.

I usually make the Libby's. I pour it into a premade graham cracker crust. You may need to decrease the bake time a little.

When I do this I usually have batter left over so I buy the mini graham cracker shells as well and make mini's with the leftover batter.