Rum Pumpkin Chiffon Pie

Ingredients

• 9 graham crackers (broken into 1-inch pieces)
• 3 tbsp granulated sugar (for the crust)
• 0.5 tsp ground ginger
• 5 tbsp unsalted butter (melted)
• 1 tbsp unflavored gelatin
• 0.25 cup dark rum
• 1 can unsweetened pumpkin puree (15-ounce can)
• 0.33 cup dark brown sugar (packed)
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 0.75 tsp Salt
• 0.5 cup heavy cream (for the filling)
• 4 egg whites (large)
• 0.33 cup granulated sugar (for the meringue)
• 1 cup heavy cream (chilled, for the topping)
• 1 tbsp granulated sugar (for the topping)
• 0.5 tsp vanilla extract
• 4 gingersnap cookies (crushed into 1/4-inch pieces)

Steps

1. 1

   Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 325 degrees.

2. 2

   Process graham cracker pieces, 3 tablespoons sugar, and ginger in food processor until finely ground, about 30 seconds.

3. 3

   Add melted butter and pulse until combined, about 8 pulses.

4. 4

   Transfer crumbs to 9-inch pie plate. Using bottom of dry measuring cup, press crumbs into bottom and up sides of plate.

5. 5

   Bake until crust is fragrant and beginning to brown, 14 to 16 minutes.

6. 6

   Let crust cool completely on wire rack, about 30 minutes.

7. 7

   Sprinkle gelatin over rum in large bowl and let sit until gelatin softens, about 5 minutes.

8. 8

   Microwave until mixture is bubbling around edges and gelatin dissolves, about 30 seconds. Let cool until slightly warm, about 110 degrees. (It will be syrupy.)

9. 9

   Meanwhile, microwave pumpkin until heated to 110 degrees, 30 to 60 seconds.

10. 10

    Process pumpkin, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt in food processor until completely smooth, about 1 minute.

11. 11

    Scrape down sides of bowl and process until no streaks remain, 10 to 15 seconds.

12. 12

    Transfer pumpkin mixture to bowl with gelatin mixture and stir to combine. Stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream.

13. 13

    Using stand mixer fitted with whisk, whip egg whites on medium-low speed until foamy, about 1 minute.

14. 14

    Increase speed to medium-high and whip whites to soft, billowy mounds, about 1 minute.

15. 15

    Gradually add 1/3 cup granulated sugar and whip until glossy, stiff peaks form, 2 to 3 minutes.

16. 16

    Whisk one-third of meringue into pumpkin mixture until smooth.

17. 17

    Using rubber spatula, fold remaining meringue into pumpkin mixture until only few white streaks remain.

18. 18

    Spoon filling into center of cooled crust. Gently spread filling to edges of crust, leaving mounded dome in center.

19. 19

    Refrigerate pie for at least 4 hours or up to 24 hours.

20. 20

    Using stand mixer fitted with whisk, whip 1 cup chilled heavy cream, 1 tablespoon sugar, and vanilla on medium-low speed until foamy, about 1 minute.

21. 21

    Increase speed to high and whip until soft peaks form, 1 to 3 minutes.

22. 22

    Spread whipped cream evenly over pie, following domed contours.

23. 23

    Sprinkle gingersnap pieces over top. Serve.

Notes

If you prefer to use pasteurized egg whites in the filling, use 1/2 cup and increase the whipping time to 5 to 6 minutes. For a well-mounded pie, be sure to fully whip the egg whites to glossy, stiff peaks. This pie needs to be chilled for at least 4 hours before serving.

Nutrition per serving

• dessert
• pie
• pumpkin
• holiday
• thanksgiving
• chiffon pie
• baked
• no-bake filling