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Friday, August 27, 2010

Perfect Pumpkin Pie (Sugar Free?)

Sugar Free Pumpkin Pie

Dearies, I thought for once in my life I might try to do something 'on time' or maybe even early, hence this post on pumpkin pie. Many of you probably have a standard or family recipe for this traditional fall dessert that I must mention is both delicious and not at all lacking in the area of redeeming qualities. I mean, anything made with squash as its main ingredient has got to be healthful to some extent, right?

Well, I've made sure that my pie is by using organic canned pumpkin, xylitol instead of sugar, and organic eggs and milk along with fresh spices and vanilla. The result is not only a more healthful dessert, but what I call 'pumpkin pie perfection'! So for those of you that don't have a family recipe or have just never made pumpkin pie at home, here is an easy, delicious version.

The recipe is below, but first know the '3 musts' for perfect canned pumpkin pie:

1. Use organic canned pumpkin-there is a major taste difference!
2. Whip your wet ingredients with a whisk for proper mixing.
3. Leave it to cool for at least 3 hours. Then chill before cutting.



Here's the recipe:
1 15 oz. Can Organic Pumpkin
1/2 Cup + 1 Tbsp. Xylitol*
2 Organic Eggs
3/4 Cup Organic 2% Milk
3/4 Tsp. Fresh Ground Cinnamon
1/2 Tsp. Ground Ginger
1/8 Tsp. Cloves or Cardamom
1/8 Tsp. Sea Salt
1/2 Tsp. Real Vanilla Extract

*If you do not want to use Xylitol, 3/4 Cup of Turbinado sugar is excellent too.

Place pumpkin in a mixing bowl with the cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and salt. Mix. Then add the Xylitol or sugar, eggs, milk, & vanilla. Whisk until smooth. Pour into chilled crust (the outer edges of the crust should be protected with foil or a crust protector). Bake at 425 degrees for 15 minutes. Then turn the heat down to 350 and bake for another 40-50 minutes. Remove from the oven & allow to cool on a wire rack for at least three hours. Then chill. Serve with whipped cream, etc.

For the crust, I made my typical crust from this post but, instead of A.P. Flour, I used King Arthur's White Whole Wheat.

Enjoy, my Lovelies!

Oh, and I must thank Kim over at The Ungourmet for reintroducing me to Xylitol, a natural sugar taken from wood and corn that does not affect blood insulin levels (amazing, no?). I never used Xylitol in baking due to reading that it just didn't work well in baked goods. Since I saw Kim's Sugar Free Almond Cornmeal Blueberry Shortcake's, I knew something had to be wrong with that information. And there certainly was, as my pumpkin pie is perfect. Take a look at Kim's beautiful shortcakes too if you please...

49 comments:

  1. Stella, I have a confession: I don't have a go-to pumpkin pie recipe. But perhaps I do now? :D I think this one looks amazing (gorgeous natural color.) Thanks for sharing!

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  2. I could eat pumpkin pie at any time of year! My go-to recipe contains pure maple syrup as sweetener, but I'd love to give this version a try too! It looks perfect, and absolutely delicious.

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  3. So glad to see I am not the only one making pumpkin pie so early. Yours looks beautiful! : ]

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  4. Pumpkin pie is the best! Now you have me so excited for fall Stella! And a sugar from wood? Really that exists? I'm going to have to try it. And this healthier pumpkin pie recipe.

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  5. Do you know....we have a savory pumpkin cake in parts of Asia? It looks like this. And hey, you are early for Fall.

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  6. So luscious and wonderful that it is made with this natural sugar ingredient!

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  7. hey Stella!

    this indeed is a perfect pumpkin pie! look at the perfected texture and consistency...mmm mmm mmm. i don't care how early you are, i'd eat this any time of the year.

    thank you for introducing me to Xylitol. that's so awesome that it doesn't affect blood insulin levels. can i buy this at my local grocery store or in an organic foods store? i'm quite intrigued by this. im going to look for it next time i'm shopping. thank you for this info. i also stopped by Kim's blog (haven't left a comment yet) and my oh my you were right, those are beautiful shortcakes!

    also loved that you used Denise's cookbook in your background - genius! i think i need to borrow some plates and forks and maybe even a camera, lol. you make even a simple piece of pumpkin pie look sexy. by the way, i thought those were blueberries on your plate at first...teehee. have a super weekend, dear!

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  8. I just bought a butternut pumpkin two days ago and thought I might just start some autumn desserts..:-))
    Your pumpkin pie looks perfectly perfect!

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  9. Oh, this recipe sounds so nice. I have been playing with my pumpkin pie recipe for a few years, and have a secret ingredient in mine - a sweet potato! Give it a try sometime, it's great.

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  10. Oh, my Stellita....your pie is really perfection...look at that crust! the photos are great....and then I feel so guilty when you make such healthy things, yet appealing to the eye and palate....
    Great job!!
    PS: I think one day I'll go to Florida for a detox week....if you cook for me!
    ;D

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  11. I promise that I'll do it this autumn :) you have really great blog!

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  12. looks gorgeous! i love the color! for some reason i've never been a huge pumpkin pie fan, but now i'm craving one!!! looks great.

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  13. This is perfect for me (pre-diabetic). I've used xylitol before. It can be hit or miss. Didn't work very well in some brownies I made, but was very good in low carb Ice Cream and one kind of cookie. I also like working with erythritol, another sugar alcohol that is naturally occuring in our bodies during digestion. It doesn't even register a blip on my sugar levels! It can be bought at Whole Foods under the brands ZSweet or Wholesome Sweeteners Organic Zero. You should try it, I think it works a bit better than xylitol in most baked goods.

    I am bookmarking this recipe for the fall!

    http://dreamaboutfood.blogspot.com

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  14. This seems like such a delicious pumpkin pie... craving autumn now.

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  15. that does look like a perfect pumpkin pie Stella! I am intrigued with your new sweetner, I think we could all use something that doesn't affect blood glucose levels. Thanks for the heads up on this one!

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  16. Stella your pumpkin Pie look fantastic, I lve it, and nice and yummy pictures, x gloria

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  17. Hey, thanks for the shout out! I'm definitely going to try my Xylitol in your pumpkin pie recipe!! Pumpkin pie is my most favorite for autumn time and Thanksgiving dinner. I'm so glad it turned out.

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  18. I'd love to try this! I've been trying so many recipes with pumpkin lately so this one would be right up my alley! Thanks for sharing!

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  19. Pumpkin pie is my favorite dessert of all time; ever since I was a little girl. Can't wait to make it again, soon.

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  20. Well this is one of my very favorites. But to have this so fresh and healthy as this is made I am so glad you have shared this one...sounds marvelous. Amazing!

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  21. Perfect timing Stella :)
    The pumpkins started showing up at the farmer's market a couple of weeks ago where I live. I made pumpkin pie a few times last year (trying find the perfect recipe) from fresh pumpkin. These days time is tougher to find, so I may go the canned route... sounds like it's worth trying the organic stuff. Your pie looks sooo good!

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  22. We Aussies are not big on the old Pumpkin Pie, but I got addicted to it when I was in the US for a summer camp season & brought home a couple of recipes & you know...., I haven't made a pumpkin pie for ages. I too am really intrigued with your new sweetener, although the maple syrup might be hard to give up. Siiighhh!

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  23. Xylitol is completely new to me, it sounds like it's well worth a try. I love pumpkin pies, I look forward to it all year round. This looks like a terrific recipe.

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  24. Orange is definitely my favourite colour! If you make an orange cake, I can only be very, very tempted to try (Shall I confess that I have never had pumpkin pie?)
    Do you think I can use fresh pumkin,I have never seen canned pumpkin here. I should probably steam it and mash it? What do you think?

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  25. A healthy and delicious pumpkin pie! That filling looks so smooth.

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  26. It's never too early for pumpkin pie. Ever. I've never used xylitol in baking before but I chew gum with it all the time! Sounds fantastic.

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  27. See, xylitol freaks me out a bit just because of the name. Does it not sound like some sort of man-made synthetic chemical? ;) But your recipe looks absolutely wonderful and I think I saw xylitol a while back at my favorite middle-eastern grocery store (of all places). My family is more of an apple pie kind of a group but I don't see why I couldn't try this out this fall (if they let me haha). :) Because it's truly beautiful!

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  28. My poor dad, who cannot eat sugar thanks to being borderline diabetic would LOVE this recipe. I may just make it for him since I'm feeling rather charitable.

    I'm going to see if I can find "The Dumbest Generation" at the library. I can't wait to read it!! Thanks for the suggestion Stella!

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  29. I just saw a lovely pumpkin the other day; I got tempted, but now you are positively pulling me in with this xylitol idea! Wonder if I have to wait to be in the US to find it! in any case, yours looks so good and a wonderful alternative to the classic one with sugar.

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  30. What a great recipe for pumpkin pie! xylitol is new for me; I am really really trying to cut down on sugar so...keeping this one.
    Love your blog!
    Rita

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  31. Having never made pumpkin pie before, this recipe really speaks to me because you said it's HEALTHY! Just have to find some organic canned pumpkin (if only there was a fairy godmother to turn that pumpkin coach into a couple of cans!)

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  32. Here again Stella, not JUST a great read and recipe, but an education on ingredients I'm totally unfamiliar with! I usually rebel against sugar substitutes, but this xylitol sounds very intriguing! I will look around for it!

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  33. I'll have to check out that xylithol. It's new to me. Your pumpking pie sure looks good. I'll have to make my egg-free version soon :)

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  34. That looks wonderful, Stella! I've never used xylithol, but I'm sure going to look into it now!

    I smiled re your comment about pumpkin, because I was thinking it was nearly time to get out all my pumpkin recipes and see what was new and different! I love pumpkin anything.

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  35. perfect pumpkin pie, I love your healthier version, I saw the blueberry shortcake post and loved it, thanks fro reminding me about xylithol, I have been using agave more and would love to find another sweetner. is that denise in the background? great recipe I can imagine chuls excitement when i show this to her, and pumpkin is truly loved at our house..great recipe

    sweetlife
    forgive my comment on your egg rolls, i think i mispelled every word, my comp is running slow

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  36. Stella! What a great looking pie! Oh, I also love the background book from Denise (wink wink). I've heard of Xylitol before. It's one of the ingredients in Japanese gum named Lotte. It helps prevent teeth cavity from chewing gums :D. I feel like this msg is for me as I've never made pumpkin pie neither nor owned my own family recipe. Halloween is coming up and I know what to do with this.

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  37. Nice job Stella - the pie looks delicious and I ♥ how you crafted something so delicious without all of the "naughty" ingredients - I am a Halloween baby so I never find it too early for the big P. Pie!

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  38. Such a wonderful looking pie and I think most of us are more than okay to miss a little sugar from our diets!

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  39. I love pumpkin pie! This looks like a great recipe! I bought a TON of organic canned pumpkin last year. Hope to stock up again this season!

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  40. Yum! Pumpkin pie is definitely my favorite. And I now want to cook something with xylitol--because it sounds like it should be part of some sort of witchy chemistry experiment!

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  41. Hi Stella :)

    Sorry I have been away so long, but I hope it's better late than never! I had to see what my favourite kitchen witch was up to and I am not disappointed :)

    Your pie is absolute perfection - whenever I make an open pie or tart, my edges are often browned to the point of almost burnt LOL I am too lazy to use a crust protector or foil, but seeing your beautiful pie has made me think maybe I should put myself out a bit and give it a try! ;)

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  42. I'm so glad you're early because seeing a pumpkin pie recipe is just what I needed right now. I love the fall and I just can't wait for it be here!

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  43. Hi Stella. Love the blog - you have bags of personality and beautiful food photos. I'll be back soon!

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  44. It looks great - love the pumpkin filling

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  45. Hi Stella, the pumpkin pie looks SO good, I can tell from the picture that it has a really nice texture too, I'll try it soon. Thank you for sharing.

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  46. I could not believe that this pie was sugar free when I tasted it. The taste, consistency, and the way it satisfies my pumpkiny needs is A1 authentic. Kitchen Witch, you rock my world!

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  47. Made this for Thanksgiving and everyone loved it! My grandma couldn't stop eating the pie!

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  48. Hey Anonymous, thanks! I never think of myself as a witch that can rock, but maybe I need to not underestimate myself *wink*...

    Hi P, thanks for trying the pie! And I'm so glad you guys liked it:)

    XO,
    Stella

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