Ingredients
Equipment
Method
Bake the crust
- Heat the oven to 400°F.
- Fit the pie crust into a 9-inch pie plate and crimp the edges.
- Refrigerate the crust for 15 minutes.
- Line the crust with parchment paper, fill with pie weights, and bake for 15 minutes.
- Remove the parchment and weights, then bake for 8 to 12 minutes more, until golden brown.
- Cool the crust completely.
Make the filling
- Sprinkle the gelatin over the cold water in a small bowl and let stand for 5 minutes.
- Whisk the pumpkin, evaporated milk, 1/2 cup of the sugar, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, salt, and egg yolks in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture reaches 160°F, about 5 to 8 minutes.
- Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the gelatin mixture until fully dissolved.
- Transfer the pumpkin mixture to a bowl and refrigerate for 15 to 25 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes, until thickened but still easy to fold.
- Whisk the egg whites and remaining 1/4 cup sugar in a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of barely simmering water, making sure the bowl does not touch the water, until the sugar dissolves and the mixture reaches 160°F, about 4 to 6 minutes.
- Beat the egg white mixture with an electric mixer on high until glossy stiff peaks form and the bowl feels cool, about 5 to 8 minutes.
- Fold the meringue into the pumpkin mixture in 3 additions.
- Spoon the filling into the cooled crust and smooth the top.
- Refrigerate the pie for at least 4 hours, until set.
Notes
For the lightest texture, fold in the meringue once the pumpkin mixture is thickened but still easy to fold. Cover and refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days; freezing is not recommended. For a gluten-free option, use a gluten-free refrigerated pie crust.
