Easy Pumpkin Pie with Press-In Oat Crust

You can make this simple pie at the last minute or in advance. With a seeded oat crust and a nuanced, spiced pumpkin filling, it’s a surefire Thanksgiving crowd-pleaser.

Yield: makes one 9-inch pie

Time: 4 hours

For the crust:

For the filling:

1½ cups pumpkin purée
½ cup brown sugar, packed
1 tbsp. all-purpose flour
½ tsp. cinnamon
½ tsp. ginger
¼ tsp. cloves
¼ tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
¼ tsp. kosher salt
⅛ tsp. freshly ground black pepper
¼ cups maple syrup
¼ cup unsulfured molasses (not blackstrap)
1 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted
2 Tbsp. bourbon (or substitute 1 Tbsp. apple cider)
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
½ tsp. grated orange zest
1 cup heavy cream
1 large egg, lightly beaten
Confectioners' sugar, for sprinkling (optional)

Instructions

Make the crust: Lightly butter a 9-inch glass or aluminum pie plate. Preheat the oven to 350°F, with a rack in the center.
In a medium bowl, add the oats, whole-wheat flour, brown sugar, pumpkin seeds, granulated sugar, salt, cardamom, cinnamon, and nutmeg; stir to combine. Drizzle in the melted butter, then use your fingers to mix until the mixture is thoroughly combined and holds together in moist crumbs when squeezed in the palm of your hand. Crumble the mixture over the bottom of the prepared pie plate, then lightly pat and press the crumbs into an evenly packed layer along the bottom and up the sides. (If you find the mixture is sticking to your fingers, place a piece of plastic wrap over the mixture, then press the crumbs into place.) Freeze until the crust is solid, about 15 minutes. Transfer to the oven and bake until just set and lightly browned, 12–15 minutes. Set aside to cool to room temperature.
Meanwhile, make the filling: In a large bowl, whisk together the pumpkin, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Add the maple syrup, molasses, butter, bourbon, vanilla, and orange zest; whisk to combine. Whisk in the cream, followed by the egg. Place the cooled pie shell on a large, flat rimmed baking sheet. Pour the filling into the shell and bake until the filling is set, firm to the touch at the edges, and slightly jiggly in the center, 55–60 minutes. Transfer the pie to a wire rack and let cool to room temperature, then cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours and up to 3 days. (The filling will continue to firm up as it cools.) Dust with confectioners' sugar (if desired), then cut into wedges and serve cold or at room temperature.

Ellen Gray