The Best Praline Pumpkin Pie Recipe for Fall Magic

Praline pumpkin pie emerges as a delectable autumn masterpiece that converts traditional dessert expectations.

Sweet culinary traditions often need unexpected twists to capture imagination and delight taste buds.

Rich caramel notes dance alongside smooth pumpkin filling, creating a sensory experience that transcends ordinary pie recipes.

Crisp pecan crumbles add surprising textural contrast to the silky smooth base.

Warm spices weave through each sumptuous layer, promising comfort and indulgence in every single bite.

Seasonal baking reaches new heights with this innovative approach to a classic favorite.

Passionate home bakers understand that remarkable desserts tell stories through carefully crafted ingredients and technique.

Praline Pumpkin Pie Brings Crunch and Creamy Spice Together

• Elevate Classic Pumpkin Pie: This recipe transforms the traditional pumpkin pie into a gourmet dessert with a crunchy praline bottom and topping, adding layers of nutty caramelized flavor.
• Perfect Texture Symphony: The combination of smooth pumpkin filling, crispy pecan praline base, and caramelized topping creates an irresistible contrast of textures that dance on your palate.
• Foolproof Holiday Showstopper: With simple step-by-step instructions and minimal ingredients, even novice bakers can create an impressive dessert that looks and tastes like it came from a professional bakery, making it ideal for holiday gatherings and special occasions.
• Make-Ahead Friendly: The pie can be prepared in advance and served either warm or chilled, offering flexibility for busy home cooks and helping reduce last-minute kitchen stress during festive seasons.

Ingredients That Go Into This Crunch-Topped Pumpkin Pie

• Pie Crust: Homemade or store-bought crust that provides a crisp and flaky foundation for the pie, best when par-baked for extra crispness.

• Pecans, Brown Sugar: Chopped pecans add nutty crunch and depth, while brown sugar creates a sweet caramelized base that complements the pumpkin filling.

• Pumpkin Purée: Pure, smooth vegetable base that delivers authentic pumpkin flavor and creamy texture.
• Sweetened Condensed Milk: Rich, thick milk that adds sweetness and helps create a smooth, creamy filling.
• Eggs: Binding agent that helps set the filling and provides structure.
• Brown Sugar: Adds deep caramel notes and sweetness to the pie.
• Ground Cinnamon, Ground Ginger, Ground Nutmeg, Ground Cloves: Warm spice blend that creates classic pumpkin pie flavor profile, with each spice contributing unique aromatic depth.
• Salt: Enhances and balances the sweet flavors in the pie.

• Pecans, Butter, Brown Sugar: Finely chopped pecans mixed with melted butter and brown sugar create a crunchy, caramelized topping that adds texture and rich flavor to the pie.

Directions to Make a Praline-Topped Holiday Pie

Step 1: Prepare Pie Crust

Grab a pie crust and get ready to transform it into a golden masterpiece. Gently poke the bottom with a fork several times. Line the crust with parchment paper and fill with pie weights to keep everything in place. Pop it into the oven at 425°F for 15-20 minutes until it turns a beautiful golden brown. Carefully remove the parchment and weights, letting the crust cool down completely.

Step 2: Create Praline Base

• Chopped pecans
• Brown sugar

Sprinkle this crunchy mixture evenly over the par-baked pie crust, creating a sweet and nutty foundation.

Step 3: Whip Up Pumpkin Filling

• Pumpkin purée
• Sweetened condensed milk
• Eggs
• Brown sugar
• Cinnamon
• Salt
• Ginger
• Nutmeg
• Cloves

Blend everything until silky smooth, about 1-2 minutes. The mixture should look creamy and inviting.

Step 4: Bake the Pie

Pour the pumpkin filling over the praline base. The pie will look beautifully full! Start baking at 425°F for 15 minutes, then lower the temperature to 350°F. Continue baking for 40-50 minutes. Pro tip: Cover the crust with foil if it starts browning too quickly. The pie is done when a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.

Step 5: Craft Praline Topping

• Finely chopped pecans
• Melted butter
• Brown sugar

Once the pie has cooled completely, sprinkle this heavenly topping all over.

Step 6: Final Broil and Serve

Set your oven to broil on high. Watch carefully as the topping becomes bubbly and golden- this should take 2-3 minutes. Remove and let it cool slightly.

Tips for a Flaky Crust and Nutty, Sweet Topping

• Master Your Pie Crust: Pierce the dough carefully to prevent air bubbles and ensure even baking, using a fork with gentle, consistent pressure.
• Prevent Soggy Bottom: Par-bake the crust with pie weights to create a crisp foundation that won't become mushy from the pumpkin filling.
• Balance Praline Perfection: Chop pecans finely for the topping to ensure even caramelization and a consistent, crunchy texture.
• Avoid Overbaking: Watch the pie closely during the final broiling stage, as the praline topping can quickly burn- remove immediately when it becomes golden and bubbly.
• Temperature Control Matters: Use an instant-read thermometer to check the pie's doneness, aiming for a clean knife test and a slight jiggle in the center that sets within minutes after cooling.

How to Store and Reheat Pumpkin Pie the Smart Way

• Refrigerate: Store leftover pie covered in plastic wrap or aluminum foil for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. Keep the pie away from strong-smelling foods to prevent flavor absorption.
• Freeze: Wrap the cooled pie tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Reheat: Warm individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or in a preheated oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes. Add a dollop of whipped cream after reheating to refresh the pie's appearance and taste.

What to Serve with Slices of Praline Pumpkin Pie

• Craft Cozy Bourbon Pairing: Serve this praline pumpkin pie with a smooth Kentucky bourbon that complements the rich pecan and warm spice notes. The caramel undertones in bourbon enhance the pie's sweet praline layer.
• Whip Up Vanilla Cream Companion: Top the pie with fresh vanilla whipped cream to balance the intense flavors. The light, airy cream provides a delightful contrast to the dense, spiced pumpkin filling.
• Brew Autumn Spice Tea: Pair the dessert with a spiced chai or cinnamon-infused black tea. These warming beverages echo the pie's holiday spices and create a comforting sensory experience.
• Scoop Cinnamon Ice Cream Delight: Add a scoop of cinnamon or butter pecan ice cream alongside the pie. The cold, creamy texture dramatically complements the warm, nutty praline topping.

Pumpkin Pie Variations That Add a Little Something Extra

• Maple Pecan Pumpkin Delight: Replace brown sugar with pure maple syrup in the filling and topping. Add a splash of maple extract for enhanced flavor depth.
• Chocolate Praline Pumpkin Fusion: Incorporate dark chocolate chips into the praline bottom and sprinkle cocoa powder into the pumpkin filling for a rich, decadent profile.
• Bourbon Spiced Pumpkin Crunch: Splash bourbon into the filling and mix aged rum into the praline topping. Increase warming spices like cinnamon and nutmeg for a more intense flavor experience.
• Gluten-Free Nutty Pumpkin Treat: Substitute traditional pie crust with almond flour or gluten-free graham cracker crust. Use coconut sugar instead of brown sugar for a different sweetness level.

Praline Pumpkin Pie Recipe

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4.6 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Praline pumpkin pie brings Southern charm to classic holiday desserts with its rich, caramelized pecan topping and silky pumpkin custard. Creamy, nutty layers promise a delightful autumn experience you’ll savor down to the last crumbly, sweet bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 pie crust recipe (par-baked)
• 1 ¾ cups pumpkin purée
• 2 large eggs
• 14 ounces (396 grams) sweetened condensed milk

Nuts and Sweeteners:

• 2 cups pecans (1 cup chopped, 1 cup finely chopped)
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed (divided)
• 3 tablespoons butter, melted

Spices:

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves

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Instructions

1. Meticulously prepare a par-baked pie crust by carefully piercing the dough base with a fork several times, ensuring even distribution of small holes.
2. Line the crust with parchment paper and generously fill with pie weights to prevent excessive rising during initial baking.
3. Roast the crust at 425°F for 15-20 minutes until edges turn golden brown, removing parchment and weights afterward to allow complete cooling.
4. Create a delectable praline foundation by thoroughly mixing chopped pecans with rich brown sugar, then evenly distributing the mixture across the pre-baked crust.
5. Craft the pumpkin filling by whisking together pumpkin purée, sweetened condensed milk, eggs, brown sugar, and a harmonious blend of warming spices like cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves until achieving a silky smooth consistency.
6. Gently pour the luscious pumpkin mixture over the praline base, ensuring an even distribution and taking care not to overflow the crust.
7. Bake initially at 425°F for 15 minutes, then reduce temperature to 350°F and continue baking for 40-50 minutes until the center sets completely.
8. Protect the pie crust edges with aluminum foil if browning occurs too rapidly during baking.
9. Allow the pie to cool completely, creating a stable structure for the upcoming praline topping.
10. Prepare the final praline topping by combining finely chopped pecans, melted butter, and brown sugar into a rich, crumbly mixture.
11. Sprinkle the praline topping evenly across the cooled pumpkin pie surface.
12. Broil on high for 2-3 minutes, watching carefully to achieve a bubbly, caramelized finish without burning.
13. Serve the pie either slightly warm or thoroughly chilled, depending on personal preference.

Notes

• Crisp pecan-sugar layer creates a delightful crunch beneath the silky pumpkin filling.
• Broiling the final praline topping caramelizes the nuts, adding a rich, golden-brown dimension to the dessert.
• Careful par-baking ensures the crust remains flaky and prevents a soggy bottom, elevating this classic seasonal pie.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 60 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 480
• Sugar: 34 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 52 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg