During special occasions, pumpkin pie is one of the specialties that I love to make. But due to other kitchen preparations needed, it’s not always easy to bake pies. I want to prepare special pies for my family, so it would be better if I could bake ahead of time and just freeze them for quick servings.
Indeed, preparing in advance can help manage food preparations during holiday rush. Hence, it’s important to know the best preservation techniques available to ensure food quality for the whole family.
So regarding the question “can you freeze pumpkin pie?” the answer is yes. This makes baking a breeze while you can freeze it for future serving. Home-baked pies are actually an all-time favorite no matter the occasion. It offers an excellent dessert for family, friends, and guests.
Can You Freeze Pumpkin Pie?
Unbaked pumpkin pies can be frozen without compromising quality. And they can last up to 5 weeks in the refrigerator.
Baking the frozen pie after 3 days provides no noticeable difference in appearance and taste as in freshly baked one.
A two-week frozen pie may degrade in texture and flavor so it’s advisable to freeze pumpkin a few days before the occasion.
After assembling, pumpkin pies must be immediately frozen to preserve flavors. Use an airtight container for the custard mixture.
Don’t thaw the pie first to protect it from sogginess. The crust begins to firm up as it bakes, preventing off flavors.
Fruit pie is more lenient compared to custard pie (pumpkin) due to firm-textured ingredients like pears and apples. So they maintain better moisture than pumpkin pies even after baking.
How to Freeze Pumpkin Pie?
Due to fat content, fully baked pumpkin pies freeze more beautifully than unbaked ones. It also helps the custard fillings to remain flavorful and finely textured. But the best advantage is that pumpkin pies can be kept in the freezer for one good month. So here are the steps in freezing pumpkin pies:
- You don’t need special recipes to make pumpkin pies. Follow the usual baking process for homemade pies.
- For bake pumpkin pies, use appropriate pie pans like the aluminum type for better freezing.
- Once the pie is baked, let it cool completely for several hours at room temperature.
- Wrap the pumpkin pie tightly using a plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
- Don’t forget to label the container with freeze date before putting it in the freezer.
- Thaw the pie by removing the foil or plastic wrap. But, make sure to keep it in the refrigerator (not in the freezer) to slowly defrost it and avoid sogginess.
How To Use Up Extra/Leftover Pumpkin Pie?
Pumpkin pie is a classic fall dessert that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. But what do you do when you have extra pumpkin pie? Here are five delicious ways to use up your leftover pumpkin pie:
- Make mini pies – This is a great way to use up any leftover pie crusts that you may have. Just roll out the dough and use a cookie cutter to cut out small circles. Then, fill each circle with pumpkin pie filling and bake for 10-12 minutes. You’ll have cute and tasty mini pies in no time!
- Create a trifle – A trifle is a layered dessert that can be made with any type of cake or pudding. To make a pumpkin pie trifle, simply layer pumpkin pie, whipped cream, and crumbled graham crackers in a glass bowl. Repeat the layers until the bowl is full. Then, refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.
- Make pumpkin pie oatmeal – Start your day off with a delicious and nutritious breakfast by adding some pumpkin pie to your oatmeal. Simply cook your oatmeal as usual and then stir in some canned pumpkin and spices. Top with whipped cream and enjoy!
- Use it as a topping – Pumpkin pie can also be used as a topping for ice cream or yogurt. Just add a scoop of your favorite ice cream or yogurt to a bowl and top with slices of pumpkin pie. You can also use it as a topping for waffles or pancakes.
- Make a milkshake – This is a great way to use up any leftover pumpkin puree that you may have. Simply add pumpkin puree, ice cream, milk, and spices to a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into glasses and enjoy!
So there you have it – five delicious ways to use up your leftover pumpkin pie. Next time you find yourself with extra pie, try one of these recipes and enjoy!
Pumpkin Pie Recipes
With the “best pumpkin pie ever”, families, friends, and guests can enjoy a classic pie dessert for all types of occasions especially during holidays.
The “easy pumpkin pie” is the simplest to prepare for pie enthusiasts and novices. This pie is naturally flavorful and offers a rich custard filling.
The mini pumpkin pie bites are beautifully baked with fine crust, tasty filling, and toppings that kids will surely love.
Wrap Up
Yes, you can freeze pumpkin pie. Frozen pumpkin pie will last for 2-3 months in the freezer if stored properly. Please follow these steps to preserve its quality: remove it from heat, allow it to cool down before putting in the freezer bag, make sure you push out all of the air while sealing tightly (to avoid freezer burn), label your bag with today’s date and store properly.
Let me know your thoughts about freezing pumpkin pie in the comments below!