Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups, finely crushed Graham Crackers (or 250g Digestive Biscuits)
- ¼ cup, packed Light Brown Sugar
- 6 tbsp, melted Unsalted Butter
- ¼ tsp Fine Sea Salt
- 8 oz block, softened Full-Fat Cream Cheese
- 1 cup 100% Pumpkin Puree (Not pumpkin pie filling)
- 1 (14 oz) can Sweetened Condensed Milk
- 1 ½ cups, chilled Heavy Whipping Cream
- ¼ cup Powdered Sugar (Icing Sugar)
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 1 ½ tsp Ground Cinnamon
- ¾ tsp Ground Ginger
- ½ tsp Ground Nutmeg
- ¼ tsp Allspice or Cloves (Optional)
Instructions:
- Prepare the Crust Ingredients: Combine the crushed graham crackers (or digestives), brown sugar, melted butter, and salt in a bowl. Mix until the mixture resembles wet sand.
- Press the Crust: Transfer the mixture to the 9-inch pie dish. Use the bottom of a measuring cup or a flat object to firmly and evenly press the crumbs into the bottom and up the sides of the dish.
- Chill: Place the prepared crust in the freezer for a minimum of 30 minutes to set firmly. This prevents sogginess when adding the filling.
- Whip the Cream: In a chilled large bowl, use the electric mixer to whip the heavy cream and powdered sugar until firm peaks form. Be careful not to over-whip. Set aside.
- Create the Base: In a separate large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until perfectly smooth and lump-free.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Slowly beat in the sweetened condensed milk until fully incorporated and the mixture is silky smooth.
- Flavour the Base: Add the pumpkin puree, vanilla extract, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice/cloves. Mix on low speed until the colour is uniform, scraping down the sides as needed.
- Fold the Cream: Gently fold the reserved whipped cream into the pumpkin mixture in three additions, using a rubber spatula. Use an under-and-over motion to keep as much air in the mixture as possible. Stop mixing the moment the streaks of cream disappear.
- Fill and Smooth: Pour or spoon the lightened pumpkin filling into the chilled crust. Use the spatula to smooth the top.
- Freeze: Cover the pie dish tightly with cling film (plastic wrap) and freeze for a minimum of 4 hours, or preferably overnight, until solid.
- Thaw Before Serving: Remove the pie from the freezer 15–20 minutes before serving. Garnish with whipped cream and cinnamon just before slicing.