Alright, ready to roll up your sleeves and bring this Autumn Pumpkin-Apple Pie to life? Start by preheating your oven to 375°F because you want a nice, steady heat that’ll cook the filling without turning the crust into a sad, burnt mess.
Now, grab a large bowl and dump in that (15-ounce) can of pumpkin puree. Next up, peel, core, and thinly slice your 2 to 3 medium tart apples Granny Smiths or Honeycrisps make your pie sing with that perfect mix of tartness and crunch. Toss these apple slices right into the pumpkin puree.
Then, sprinkle in 3/4 cup granulated sugar and 1/2 cup packed brown sugar to get those sweet layers started. Don't forget to add the 2 teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice; it’s the cozy hug of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves that really tie the flavors together. Follow with 1/4 teaspoon salt yes, just a pinch helps balance all that sweetness and stir it all up well.
Next, crack in your 2 large eggs and gently beat them before adding to the mix. Pour in 1/2 cup evaporated milk this is the secret behind that luscious creaminess without soggy guilt. To keep things neat and tidy, sprinkle in 1 tablespoon cornstarch. Without it, your filling might throw a slippery party in the pie dish instead of forming that firm, sliceable goodness.
Finally, add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract for a touch of warmth and depth. Give everything a good stir until smooth; the filling should look like thick autumn sunshine ready to be ladled into your waiting pie crust. Speaking of which, set your double pie crust out pre-made or homemade, whichever you prefer and gently press one crust into a 9-inch pie plate.
Now for the layering magic: pour the pumpkin-apple filling into the crust-lined dish, spreading it evenly. Take care to tuck in any apple slices poking out too much; you want that filling cozy under its top crust.
For a perfectly baked pie with a flaky crust, a high-quality Ceramic Pie Dish offers excellent heat distribution.
Place the second crust over the filling, then crimp or flute the edges to seal the deal bonus points if you get fancy with a lattice or leaf pattern, but hey, simple works, too. Cut a few slits or shapes in the top crust to let steam escape; nobody wants a pie volcano erupting in the oven.
Pop that beauty onto the middle rack and bake for about 50 to 60 minutes, keeping an eye as the crust turns golden and the filling firms up. If the crust starts browning too fast, a little foil shield is your best friend.
Let it cool completely before slicing though, let’s be honest, the smell alone might've folks hovering around the kitchen before then. The wait? Totally worth it.