Mini pumpkin pies (Printer-Friendly Version)

Golden mini pumpkin pies filled with cinnamon-spiced pumpkin and baked to perfection for fall.

# What You'll Need:

→ Filling

01 - 1 cup pumpkin puree
02 - 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
03 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
04 - ¾ cup evaporated milk
05 - 1 large egg
06 - ¼ teaspoon salt
07 - 2 tablespoons brown sugar

→ Crust

08 - 2 pre-made 9-inch pie crusts

→ Other

09 - Nonstick cooking spray, as needed

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Set the oven temperature to 400°F (204°C).
02 - Spray a standard muffin pan lightly with nonstick cooking spray.
03 - On a lightly floured surface, roll the pie crusts to 1/8-inch thickness. Using a 3½-inch round cookie cutter, cut out 18 circles and place each into the muffin pan cups, pressing dough around the edges gently.
04 - Refrigerate the shaped crusts while preparing the filling to help maintain their shape.
05 - In a large bowl, combine pumpkin puree, ground cinnamon, brown sugar, egg, evaporated milk, salt, and vanilla extract. Stir until smooth and evenly blended without overmixing.
06 - Remove the crusts from the refrigerator and evenly distribute the filling among the 18 crust-lined cups.
07 - Bake in the preheated oven for 16 to 20 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is set.
08 - Allow pies to cool at room temperature for 1 hour. Then cover the pan with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of 3 hours to fully set.
09 - Carefully remove the mini pies from the muffin pan and serve with optional toppings as desired.

# Additional Tips:

01 - Use pure pumpkin puree, not pie filling, to control sweetness and spice levels.
02 - Pre-bake the crusts lightly if a crispier base is preferred to prevent sogginess.
03 - Mix filling gently to avoid air incorporation, which can cause cracks during baking.
04 - Chill pies thoroughly before slicing for clean, neat portions.
05 - Optional spices like nutmeg, cloves, or ginger can enhance the autumn flavor profile.
06 - Prepare pies up to one day ahead and keep refrigerated, bringing to room temperature before serving.