Pecan-Pumpkin Cream Pie

This pie slices beautifully to reveal not one but two fillings: both pumpkin custard and gooey, syrupy pecan. Chef Joanne Chang’s technique ensures the bottom of the pie shell is perfectly cooked and avoids sogginess. Cooling the blind-baked pie shell with weights keeps it hotter, and flatter, longer.

Ingredients

PECAN FILLING

1/3 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup water, plus more for dipping pastry brush

1/2 cup light corn syrup

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

2 large eggs

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1 1/4 cups pecan halves (about 5 ounces), toasted

All-Butter Pie Shell

PUMPKIN FILLING

1  cup canned pumpkin

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

2/3 cup heavy cream

1/4 cup granulated sugar

2 large eggs

WHIPPED CREAM

1 cup heavy cream

2 tablespoons powdered sugar

Directions

Make the pecan filling

Preheat oven to 350°F. Stir together granulated sugar and 1/4 cup water in a medium saucepan. Using a pastry brush dipped in water, brush off any sugar clinging to sides of pan. Bring mixture to a boil over high, taking care not to jostle pan. Continue boiling, undisturbed, until syrup starts to turn a slightly pale brown, 6 to 8 minutes; gently swirl pan to even out caramelization. Continue boiling over high, swirling pan often, until syrup turns golden brown, about 2 minutes. Reduce heat to medium; carefully pour in corn syrup. (Mixture will sputter a bit and turn clumpy.) Cook, whisking occasionally, until clumps have completely melted, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from heat; whisk in butter until melted.

Whisk together eggs, vanilla, and salt in a medium-size heatproof bowl. Gradually pour hot sugar mixture into egg mixture, whisking constantly, until completely combined. Add pecans; stir well to coat.

Pour pecan mixture into cooled pie shell. Bake pie in preheated oven until top is starting to set but filling is still jiggly, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from oven; let cool 5 minutes.

While the pecan filling cools, make the pumpkin filling

Whisk together pumpkin, vanilla, ginger, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg in a small saucepan. Cook over high, whisking constantly, until mixture reduces slightly and starts to darken in color, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from heat; whisk in heavy cream and granulated sugar. Whisk in eggs until well combined.

Pour pumpkin filling over warm pecan filling in pie shell; smooth top. (Cover edges of pie with aluminum foil to prevent overbrowning if crust is getting too dark.) Bake at 350°F until pumpkin filling puffs up and is set, 30 to 40 minutes. Remove from oven; let cool completely on a wire rack, about 2 hours. Gently press plastic wrap onto surface of pie; chill until cold, at least 6 hours or up to overnight.