Directions

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. If using fresh pumpkin, roast pumpkin, cut sides down, on a rimmed baking sheet until soft, 50 to 60 minutes. Let cool completely. Roasted pumpkin can be refrigerated in an airtight container overnight.
2. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the larger disk of dough into a 14-inch round. Fit round into a 10-inch pie plate; trim and fold dough under flush with rim of pie plate. Freeze until firm, about 15 minutes.
3. Reduce the oven temperature to 375 degrees. Roll out remaining disk of dough to 1/8 inch thick. Whisk 1 egg and heavy cream in a small bowl; set aside. Using a 1-inch leaf-shaped cookie cutter, cut out leaves. Brush edges of pie shell with egg wash. Arrange leaves around edges, pressing to adhere. Brush leaves with egg wash. Cut a large circle of parchment paper; fit into pie plate, extending about edges. Fill with pie weights. Freeze until cold, about 10 minutes. If desired, cut out additional leaves and place on a small parchment paper-lined baking sheet. These may be baked and used to garnish pie slices.
4. Bake pie shell 10 minutes. Remove weights and parchment; bake 5 minutes more. Let cool completely on a wire rack.
5. If using fresh pumpkin, discard seeds. Scoop out flesh using a large spoon; transfer to a food processor. Process until smooth, about 1 minute. Transfer pumpkin to a large bowl. Add brown sugar, cornstarch, salt, cinnamon, ginger, vanilla, nutmeg, remaining 3 eggs, and evaporated milk; whisk until combined.
6. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees. Place pie on a rimmed baking sheet. Transfer pumpkin mixture to pie shell. Bake until all but the center is set, 50 to 60 minutes. Let pie cool completely on a wire rack. Cut into wedges, and serve with whipped cream.

First published: November 2005