Pumpkin Pie with Brown Sugar-Walnut Topping

Pumpkin pie is a classic for a reason, but have you tried pumpkin with with brown-sugar walnut topping? It’s like a streusel topping!

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I adore my dad’s pumpkin pie. It was actually the very first pie I ever liked, because I used to think that fruit pies were gross. Mushy fruit = spoiled fruit and therefore pie was like eating a slab of rotten fruit. Thankfully I got over that. But somehow I have yet to share my dad’s pumpkin pie recipe on my blog. It’s actually adapted from the recipe on the can of pumpkin puree, except my dad uses homemade pumpkin puree. This sometimes results in requiring longer cooking times due to being more liquidy than the canned stuff, but it’s worth it.

Then one day I saw this topping. Not that I thought his pie needed any improvement, but I had him try out this crumble topping when he made the pies for Thanksgiving. He made two, one with the topping and one without. The one with disappeared faster than the regular, even though most people claimed they had to have the regular – nothing new and fancy. But due to it’s disappearing act, I was unable to snag any photos of it.

So when it came time for my dad to yet again bake pies for Christmas, I requested one pie with the topping again. This time I was there to help so there really was no argument. And once again people said they “knew” they would prefer the plain version better, and once again the one with the topping went first (this was a new group of people too). And this time I got a picture before the masses descended upon it!

Fast forward 10 years and I am still making this very same pie. This time I brought it to a Friendsgiving and took new photos! I even topped it off with fresh, hand-whipped whipped cream. Not because I was trying to show off, but because I was baking in someone else’s kitchen who did not own a beater. Guess I am lucky there was at least a whisk!

PUMPKIN PIE WITH BROWN SUGAR-WALNUT TOPPING

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Yield: 12 Servings Prep Time: 1 Hour 15 Minutes Cooking Time: 1 Hour 1 Hour

Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Ingredients

TOPPING

• 1/2 cup walnut pieces
• 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• Pinch of salt
• One unbaked 9-inch pie crust

FILLING

• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1-3/4 cups fresh pumpkin puree or 15 oz. canned
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 1/2 tsp ground allspice
• 1-1/2 Tbsp flour
• 1 cup evaporated milk or heavy whipping cream

Directions

1. To make the topping: Add the walnuts, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt to the bowl of your food processor. Pulse until the mixture is crumbly*. 
2. Preheat oven to 400 with a rack in the bottom third of the oven. Roll the dough into about a 12-inch round. Transfer to the pie plate. Trim away the excess then fold the edges under and crimp them.
3. To make the filling: In a large bowl, mix together the eggs and pumpkin. In a small bowl, combine the dry ingredients and add to the pumpkin mixture. Add milk (or cream) and mix until smooth.
4. Pour the filling into the crust and transfer the pie to the oven. Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the filling is firm (it will still jiggle, but if you touch it, it shouldn't be wet). Remove the pie from the oven and reduce the oven temperature to 325. Sprinkle the topping evenly over the surface then return to the oven. Bake for an addition 15-20 minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center registers 175 F. Transfer the pie to a wire rack and allow to cool completely**.

Notes

*Topping can be made a day ahead of time, just store in an airtight container at room temperature. **Pie may be baked 1 day ahead of time. Cover and refrigerate overnight, removing about 1 hour before you intend to serve.

Source: Pie from my dad. Topping from Tracey’s Culinary Adventures.

Post updated 12/22/2023, photos above and below are the originals.