Every year, right around this time, I face a serious dilemma. A pie situation, if you want to be specific.
I love pumpkin pie. I mean I really, really love pumpkin pie. I would eat it all year long if I could.
My clothes appreciate the fact that I don’t.
But ~ and there is always a but ~
No one else in the house will eat it. Maybe they can’t see past its plain exterior – after all, it’s not fancy like a sky-high lemon meringue pie – and it doesn’t have towers of whipped cream topping like a chocolate cream pie.
Mmmm – chocolate cream pie……..
Oh sorry, I got distracted there for a moment.
Several years ago, I even tried to entice the family with a Pumpkin Mousse Cheesecake - which didn’t go over so well. Alexander was very suspicious of any cheesecake I made for about a year after that.
Sigh.
So rather than miss out on all the pumpkiny-pie goodness that rolls around each year, I’ve decided to take a streamlined approach.
I made pumpkin pie pudding!
It was so delicious – and I didn’t even miss the crust. It was perfectly smooth and creamy – I think it was even better than the traditional version, because it wasn’t as dense as pumpkin pie tends to be.
Next time, though, I’m going to increase the amount of spices – a quarter teaspoon just seemed a bit too neutral.
Pumpkin Pie Pudding - adapted from a recipe on myrecipes.com
2 cups 2% milk
3/4 cup dark brown sugar (I actually used less, and therefore the pudding wasn’t too sweet, which I liked)
1/4 cup cornstarch
2 large egg yolks
1 cup canned pumpkin
¼ tsp. pumpkin-pie spice
½ tsp. vanilla extract
Whisk milk, sugar, cornstarch and egg yolks in a large saucepan; bring to a boil. Boil 3 minutes, whisking constantly, until nicely thickened.
Remove from heat; stir in pumpkin, pie spice and vanilla. Spoon evenly into 6 (6-ounce) custard cups. Allow to cool, then chill for at least 30 minutes, or until pudding is set.
Top with whipped cream.
I can’t wait to try this (for myself). I too am a fan of pumpkin anything. Neil on the otherhand abhorrs even the mention of such beast.
By: Lauren Liebert on October 14, 2009
at 12:31 pm
Oh, I like this idea. Thanks.
By: teaandscones on October 14, 2009
at 1:36 pm
I am the only one that loves pumpkin pie here, this is perfect!!!
By: april on October 14, 2009
at 1:53 pm
Sounds delicious! I know what I’m going to do with the 1/2 can of pumpkin I have leftover.
Excellent timing!
By: Clivia on October 14, 2009
at 2:10 pm
That does sound good. We have no shortage of pumpkin pie lovers here but pudding seems more doable than pie for some reason. I didn’t discover my love for pumpkin pie until adulthood. My pants wish I never had.
By: Kelly D on October 14, 2009
at 2:19 pm
I’ve baked pumpkin pie filling without a crust when I’ve had too much filling for my pie. My mom’s recipe is custardy, so baking without a crust works fine.
Have you had pumpkin cobbler (recipe from a Desperation Dinners newspaper column)? Even non-pie lovers like it!!
By: Cindy on October 14, 2009
at 3:37 pm
Cindy – I’ve never had pumpkin cobbler but I’m loving the sound of it. I guess I should google it and see if I can find a recipe!
By: Megan on October 14, 2009
at 4:29 pm
Wow, this looks delicious! My husband is the only one who eats pumpkin pie in our house…even though I love pumpkin…he would eat it every day if he could, too:)
By: thekitchenreader on October 14, 2009
at 4:26 pm
Cool. I’m the only pumpkin eater in my house, so this would be a great thing to make. As soon as it’s fall, I’m craving pumpkin!
By: Jill on October 14, 2009
at 4:47 pm
I can really appreciate why you’re saying. I love pumpkin pie, pumpkin cheesecake, pumpkin pudding. However, no one else will eat it except for my dear Mom. I’m convinced that no one in KY likes pumpkin. I took a pie to a work function once and no one touched it! I don’t get it!!I love the idea of the pumpkin mousse, it sounds delicious.
By: Kim on October 14, 2009
at 7:43 pm
What a fabulous recipe!
By: Michele on October 15, 2009
at 2:05 am
This is perfect for those days (by which I mean every day) when I crave pumpkin pie but don’t feel like going through all of the hassle to make it and then sit alone at my kitchen table eating it with a fork. At least this way, a spoon is in order! You are a genius.
I can’t believe your family doesn’t like pumpkin. It is by far one of my favorite dessert ingredients! If you feel like sending any pumpkin desserts my way…feel free.
By: Joanne on October 15, 2009
at 3:36 am
Great idea to make pudding! I can easily skip the crust too – go right for the good stuff!
By: Natashya on October 15, 2009
at 5:58 am
What a great idea! I never would have thought of pumpkin pie pudding. I will definitely have to try this!
By: Erin on October 15, 2009
at 10:05 am
This looks delicious! We just had our Thanksgiving celebrations here on the weekend (Canada) and my husband made two pumpkin pies that were a huge hit. The crust is the most challenging part – I love the idea of your streamlined approach.
By: Belle & Ward on October 15, 2009
at 1:29 pm
Good idea!! I’m glad pumpkin is so seasonal too.
By: Wendy on October 15, 2009
at 11:39 pm
Ooh, Chocolate Cream Pie, that does sound good. Oh, whoops, you got me sidetracked there.
The pudding. Pumpkin is not my favorite pie, but I do like it. My husband loves it. But this pudding for some reason sounds really good and all in all, it’s not that bad healthy-wise. You’ve got protein from the milk (and egg) and pumpkin is very good for you.
By: Katrina on October 16, 2009
at 8:49 pm