Pumpkin Pie Help Needed!

[Chief Longwind Of The North]

Wow! There is excellent advise on this thread. I saw the opening line and said to myself; "I can help with this one. My pies come out great." Then I read the entries and my self said back to me; "You can't help. Everything's already been said." I had to agree with my self. I can't add a single thing, except that I am proud to be a part of this group. Great job everyone. The op will have a beautiful pie, whether blind baked or not, or with an alternate crust.

Seeeeeeya; Goodweed of the North

 

[tmh425]

So...my second attempt, armed with all the wonderful suggestions. Have to admit that I ruined my 1st crust. It was too wet and stuck all over my granite counter. On to crust #2... I did not blind bake this time (that would be 3rd try if needed) but used a pizza stone in lower part of oven. I used times/temps from Andy, though actually pulled the pie after @ 40 minutes since it was firming but still jiggling. Knife came out almost clean. It browned a bit more than I'd like on the crust, but crust was thin, flaky and tender this time. Filling was wonderful and since I let it cool in the oven (turned off and cracked open) it didn't crack at all!

As beautiful as it gets for 4th pie ever, and yummy as well. I do need to work out a technique for pinching the dough... I have fingernails that tear through when trying the way I was shown by my mother-in-law. If anyone has any suggestions I'd love to hear. It could really use some help!

Thanks everyone for all the input! I learned so much & it all helped! Final Q to those who bake: does anyone use convection for baking? I thought it was supposed to help. My oven has several convection bake settings. And if I use a convection setting, does it still matter if the pie is baked on lower part of oven? Thanks again & all the Best!

 

[PrincessFiona60]

Crimping the crust, leave enough to fold under and crimp with the tines of a fork, cut off overhang.

Not sure about the convenction, sorry!

 

[tmh425]

Ah... to crimp without fingers... love it! Yes... I guess I obviously trimmed mine a bit too close so will remember to leave a bit extra. Live, bake & LEARN!

 

[bakechef]

So...my second attempt, armed with all the wonderful suggestions. Have to admit that I ruined my 1st crust. It was too wet and stuck all over my granite counter. On to crust #2... I did not blind bake this time (that would be 3rd try if needed) but used a pizza stone in lower part of oven. I used times/temps from Andy, though actually pulled the pie after @ 40 minutes since it was firming but still jiggling. Knife came out almost clean. It browned a bit more than I'd like on the crust, but crust was thin, flaky and tender this time. Filling was wonderful and since I let it cool in the oven (turned off and cracked open) it didn't crack at all!

As beautiful as it gets for 4th pie ever, and yummy as well. I do need to work out a technique for pinching the dough... I have fingernails that tear through when trying the way I was shown by my mother-in-law. If anyone has any suggestions I'd love to hear. It could really use some help!

Thanks everyone for all the input! I learned so much & it all helped! Final Q to those who bake: does anyone use convection for baking? I thought it was supposed to help. My oven has several convection bake settings. And if I use a convection setting, does it still matter if the pie is baked on lower part of oven? Thanks again & all the Best!

I pretty much ONLY use convection since I got a convection oven. My oven automatically reduces the temperature by 25 degrees, so if I set at 350, it will heat to 325 with the fans going. You can override this by just pressing 'convect bake" for a second time and entering 350.

Does your oven do this, if not, reduce your temp by 25 degrees, convection ovens cook more efficiently and need a slightly lower temp.

I absolutely love the convection feature on my Samsung range.

 

[taxlady]

Ah... to crimp without fingers... love it! Yes... I guess I obviously trimmed mine a bit too close so will remember to leave a bit extra. Live, bake & LEARN!

Sometimes I use a fork and other times I crimp using my knuckles the first joint (from the knuckle) on my fingers. I have that problem with fingernails too.