With a buttery shortbread crust, creamy pumpkin pudding, and billows of whipped cream, this gluten free pumpkin cream pie is sure to be a win at any holiday gathering.
Updated to include a vegan gluten free pumpkin pie option!
Fall has always been my favorite season and I look forward to chilly temperatures and (hopefully) rain in this dry state of California in the coming months. I'm getting my fall vibes from this gluten free pumpkin cream pie, which is cold enough to eat on a warm day, but filled with the cozy flavors of roasted squash, fresh ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and brown sugar.
This gluten free pumpkin cream pie is adapted from one of my own recipes, a favorite tart from a few years back. I wanted to see if it would work in a pie pan rather than a tart pan, so I planned to give it some fresh photos. I ended up making a few other tweaks along the way, testing the recipe 5 times to get it just right.
Press-in gluten-free cookie crust
My original crust used just oats, nuts, brown sugar, salt, and a little cornstarch and butter to hold the crust together. This worked well in a tart pan, but the crumbly mixture proved more finicky to remove from a pie tin. This crust was a precursor to my now favorite gluten free tart crust, which gets sweet rice flour and tapioca starch to help it hold together. I added in those sticky ingredients and changed up the ratios, all of which made for a sturdier crust that holds together better.
The crust comes together in minutes with the help of a food processor, and there's no chilling or rolling. Just press the streusel-like crumbs into a buttered pan, freeze and bake. The hot, baked crust needs to be pressed down with the back of a spoon to help it hold together when cut. It tastes like delicate pecan shortbread cookies, with the flavors of butter, oats, and brown sugar adding earthy flavor.
If you prefer, you could absolutely use a GF graham cracker crust or gingersnap crust here made with store bought cookies. Or try my homemade gluten free graham crackers or the mesquite flour gingersnaps from Alternative Baker!
Pumpkin Pudding Filling
The baked cookie-like crust of this gluten free pumpkin cream pie gets filled with a stovetop pumpkin pudding, a riff on my favorite pumpkin pudding recipe. You just need a single saucepan and a whisk to make it.
Whisk together the ingredients, cook it until it boils for 2 minutes, then strain and pour it into the baked crust. The filling is foolproof, and you don't have to worry about overbaking the filling or having it crack or bubble in the oven. It's also egg-free – the cornstarch does all the thickening work – so the flavors come through in a bright, clean way.
I use fresh ginger for brightness, plus some ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. You can omit all the spices and use my golden pumpkin spice mix instead if you like.
After a few hours of chilling, the pudding will be softly sliceable, more smooth and creamy than a traditional baked pumpkin pie.
Vegan Pumpkin Pie Option
I recently tested a vegan version of this gluten-free pumpkin pie and it worked beautifully. Just swap in vegan butter, whipped coconut cream, and plant milk + coconut milk for the pudding filling. See the note below the recipe for the vegan version!
Pumpkin puree: canned vs. homemade
I tested this pumpkin cream pie with both organic canned pumpkin puree and homemade butternut squash puree and vastly preferred the butternut version, shown here. Butternut puree is thicker, brighter, and it has a more clean, pure taste that really makes a difference. So if you have the time, make some squash puree ahead of time – up to a week in advance if you store it in the fridge, or up to several months if you freeze it.
But if canned pumpkin is what you've got, don't worry – the pie will still be divine.
The finishing touch
Top your pumpkin cream pie with billows of whipped cream and decorate it with chopped nuts, grated nutmeg, and a drizzle of maple syrup if you like. The crust stays crisp for about 2 days in the fridge, so you can feel free to make this the day before you plan to serve it. I've given more do-ahead options in the recipe notes below.
Stick a fork in a piece of this pie and you're met with delicate buttery crust against creamy pudding bursting with spice, whipped cream rounding out the flavors. If there are any pumpkin pie haters in your life, shove a piece of this pie into their mouths and dare them to say they don't like it.
*Bojon appétit! For more Bojon Gourmet in your life, follow along on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest, purchase my gluten-free cookbook Alternative Baker, or subscribe to receive new posts via email. And if you make this gluten-free pumpkin cream pie, I’d love to see. Tag your Instagram snaps @The_Bojon_Gourmet and #bojongourmet.*
Gluten Free Pumpkin Cream Pie (vegan option)
Print Recipe Pin RecipeIngredients
Crust:
- 4 tablespoons (60 g) cold, unsalted butter, in 1⁄2-inch cubes, plus a little for buttering the pan
- ½ cup (60 g) raw pecan halves
- ½ cup (50 g) GF old fashioned rolled oats (such as Bob's Red Mill) (or use ½ cup / 45 g GF oat flour)
- 1/2 cup (80 g) sweet white rice flour (such as Koda Farms Mochiko)
- 2 tablespoons (13 g) tapioca flour
- 1/4 cup (50 g) light brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon plus 1⁄8 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Filling:
- ½ cup (110 g) light brown sugar (preferably organic)
- 3 tablespoons (25 g) cornstarch
- ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric (optional, mostly for color)
- ⅛ teaspoon allspice
- ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 ½ cups (355 ml) whole milk
- ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream
- ¾ cup (170 g/ml) unsweetened pumpkin or winter squash puree (preferably homemade butternut squash puree, see notes below)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract or vanilla paste
- 1 ¼ teaspoons packed peeled finely grated fresh ginger
- 2 tablespoons (28 g) unsalted butter
Whipped Cream:
- 1 cup cold heavy whipping cream (ultra-pasteurized works best, such as Organic Valley)
- 1-2 teaspoons granulated sugar or maple syrup (to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla paste or extract
- freshly grated nutmeg, toasted pecans, and maple syrup, for garnish
Instructions
Make the crust:
- Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350ºF. Butter a 9-inch pie pan (preferably metal) or use a 9-inch loose-bottom tart pan.
- In the bowl of a food processor, combine the pecans, oats, and sweet rice flour with the tapioca starch, brown sugar and salt. Process until the pecans are finely ground, 30-60 seconds; the mixture will begin to clump together slightly. Scatter the butter pieces over the top and drizzle with the vanilla extract. Process until the mixture comes together in large, streusel-like clumps and the butter is incorporated, 20-30 seconds or so, pulsing near the end so that the mixture doesn’t get overworked. If the mixture fails to come together, add a teaspoon or two more butter until it does.
- Dump about half of the crumbs into the buttered pie pan and press the dough evenly into the sides of the pan. Add the remaining crumbs and press them evenly into the bottom of the pan, keeping the edges square. (It usually takes me about 5 minutes to make it look pretty.) Freeze the crust until firm, 15–30 minutes (or refrigerate if using a glass pie pan).
- Place the pie crust on a rimmed baking sheet and bake until puffed and golden, 18-25 minutes. Remove the crust from the oven and, while it’s still hot, press the sides and bottom firmly with the back of a spoon; this will help it hold together when cool. Set aside while you make the filling.
Make the filling:
- In a large saucepan, whisk together the brown sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, turmeric, allspice, and salt until combined. Whisk in the milk, cream, pumpkin puree, vanilla, and ginger.
- Place the pot over medium heat and gradually bring to a boil, whisking constantly and making sure to scrape the bottom and corners of the pans with the whisk. Occasionally switch to a flexible heatproof silicone spatula and scrape the corners of the pan well. If the mixture starts to look curdled, don’t worry – it’s just the acidic ingredients (brown sugar and ginger) going to work on the proteins in the dairy. Whisk like mad and the pudding will come back together, no problem.
- Once the mixture comes to a boil, continue cooking and whisking for 2 minutes (set a timer). You’ll have to stop whisking for a few seconds to verify that the pudding is boiling, which you’ll know by the big, slow bubbles that pop gloopily. Remove from the heat and whisk in the butter. The pudding should be the consistency of creamy yogurt.
- Strain the hot pudding through a mesh strainer and into a large bowl or measuring pitcher, working the pudding through with the spatula. Pour the pudding into the baked crust and refrigerate the pie until very firm, at least 3 hours and up to 1 day. You can cover the pudding with a piece of plastic wrap pressed directly onto the pudding if you like; personally this grosses me out, so I just chill it uncovered.
Whip the cream:
- Combine the cream, sugar or maple, and vanilla in the bowl of stand mixer fitted with the whip attachment (or use a large bowl and an electric beater or balloon whisk). Whip the cream on high speed until it just holds firm peaks. If you accidentally overwhip the cream and it starts to curdle, you can fold a big splash of cream into it until it smooths out again. We want the cream firm enough to hold its shape over the pie. Spread the whipped cream over the chilled pie. Optionally chill for 30 minutes to firm the cream or up to several hours.
- Just before serving, decorate the pie with pecans and a drizzle of maple syrup if you like. Slice into wedges and serve. A small offset spatula is a great tool for getting slices of pie out of the pan. The pie is best within the first 2 days of baking but extra pie will keep, covered and refrigerated, for up to 4 days.
Notes
Nutrition
Traci | Vanilla And Bean says
I applaud your efforts in getting involved directly. This is all one can do, really... it is the antidote. Thank you for mobilize America and for your nudge (I've done a bit of volunteering, but I can do more). Although much was accomplished this election cycle, we've still a very long road ahead to 2020. Now, about this pie... I just want to faceplant!
Alanna says
Aw, thanks Traci - that means so much to me! I would totally canvass with you - and faceplant all the baked goods! <3
Calysta says
Hi Alanna! This looks super delish! How can I substitute the pecans cuz my little guy has a nut allergy. More oats? Also, when’s your next feastly event?
Alanna says
Aw thanks! You might try a seed such as pumpkin or sunflower, ground as finely as possible. Or you could use a cookie crust instead. :) No Feastly events on the horizon as I've got my hands full with other projects, but they were such fun. Thank you for asking and for the sweet note!
Felicia says
What would your thoughts be on substituting coconut milk for the whole milk/heavy cream ingredients?
Alanna says
I wondered whether this would work! If you try it, please let me know how it turns out. To test, you might try a half batch of just the pudding and see if you like it. :) If you're looking for a dairy free filling, you might also try this cashew-based one.
Aysegul Sanford says
I applaud you on all the canvassing you did and getting involved for a very important cause. I plan to join you come 2019.
This pumpkin pie (and your photos) are just a dream. STUNNING!
Happy holidays my friend. ❤️
Allegra Thompson says
Thank you so much for this recipe! I made it yesterday for a Thanksgiving guest who has recently developed an egg allergy. She was so happy to have a pumpkin pie she could eat! I also made a conventional pumpkin pie, and actually those who tried both preferred the egg-free version. It was a big hit!!!
Alanna says
Love this recipe synergy Allegra! Eggs have a muting effect on flavors, so I agree that the egg-free pudding tastes lighter and brighter. So glad it was a hit! <3
Alene says
Hi Alanna. I am registering voters this year and next. I live in Florida, and we need all the voters of many stripes that we can get. It is so important to participate however we can. I applaud you. Now, my cooking question. Why do you suggest a metal pie plate? I have a pretty ceramic one that I like to serve from. Is it heat transference? I didn't want to use a tart pan as I'm making an old Gourmet magazine recipe for a nut tart in a 10" tart pan. With one of your crusts! And I'd rather have a pie and a tart this year. I get crazy at Thanksgiving. It's my favorite holiday! Thank you!
Alanna says
Ahhh good for you for registering voters! I'd love to do more of that myself. For the pie, I think you could use a ceramic one just fine. Just keep an eye on the cooking time as it might take a little longer to bake. Please let me know how the recipes work if and when you try them! :)
Alene says
And now I have another question. If I am making another pumpkin pie recipe that will be baked (Jasper White's Cooking from New England, a perfect pumpkin pie recipe that I have been making for years), should I parbake it as the recipe I'm using bakes for 10 minutes at 375° and then for 30+ minutes at 350°. Will that be enough for the crust? Or should I bake it somewhat first? Sorry about all these questions! Thank you!8
Alanna says
Hm I'm not sure, but I think I'd try parbaking it first. Did you try it yet?
Asha says
I tend to go crazy for Thanksgiving. This simple, delicious pie is quick, simple, reliable, and not fussy. I usually scramble to make the desserts the day of with everything else, and this recipe has saved the day on more than a few occasions.
I LOVE the crust. I'm a sucker for pecan shortbread cookies (or was, back pre-celiac. Alanna, do you have a recipe for something like this??) I've used it in other pies as well- it isn't out of place in a pecan pie, or a chocolate pie.
Spring is on the horizon, but maybe I can squeeze in one of these before it becomes seasonally unreasonable.
Alanna says
I'm *so* glad you love this pie! I was just imagining trying the key lime pie I just posted with this crust too, since it has a kind of graham cracker vibe. And now I want to try making cookies like that! Snixy Kitchen has a GF shortbread cookie recipe that you might like.
I'm also a big proponent of pumpkin desserts all year long, so I say go for it! ;)
Emily - Glutenless Apron says
This pie was excellent! I made it using the vegan option - with 1 cup almond milk and 1 cup silk dairy free heaving whipping cream alternative. And so simple to make! Will definitely be saving and making again!