How To Make the Perfect Pumpkin Pie

Ingredients:

• 2 large eggs
• 1 can (16 oz.) solid pack pumpkin
• 3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. ground ginger
• 1/4 tsp. ground cloves
• 1 can evaporated milk
• 1 (9-inch) unbaked piecrust with high fluted edge*

Steps:

1. Make sure your oven rack is set to the center oven position and preheat the oven to 425 degrees (see note below if using frozen pie shells).
2. In a large mixing bowl, slightly beat the eggs.
3. Add the remainder of the filling ingredients, in the order listed.
4. Stir well to combine.
5. Pour your filling into the prepared pie shell (see note below if using frozen shells).
6. Using 1-inch-wide strips of aluminum foil, with the shinier side out, loosely cover the exposed fluted edge of your pie crust to prevent overbrowning.
7. Bake for 15 minutes, then reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees and bake an additional 35 minutes. Remove the foil strips from the edge of the crust and bake for 10 minutes more.
8. Your pie is done if a table knife inserted near the center of the pie comes out clean.
9. Remove from oven and cool well.
10. Garnish with whipped cream, if desired, and serve!

*Note: A homemade crust in a glass or enamel dish will give the best results. However, frozen pie shells may be used. If regular 9" frozen pie shells are used, the filling recipe will generally make 2 pies. They should be baked on a preheated cookie sheet at 375 degrees until pie tests done as noted above. If deep dish 9" frozen pie shells are used, the recipe makes one pie, which should be baked on a preheated cookie sheet at 375 degrees for approximately 70 minutes (until pie tests done).

Remember, a great homemade pumpkin pie is just a few easy steps away, but well worth the effort. Give it a try!