Recipe(tried): Incredibly Easy Pumpkin Pie (Easy pumpkin pie, with gingersnap cookie crust)

Well, ok, I meant to post this before...and was sure I had until I tried searching for it today!

This is loosely based on a recipe from the newspaper, back in October before our Thanksgiving. I tried it then, and have reworked into something more to my family's tastes.

I use pumpkin I have prepared myself, that I keep stored in the freezer. Even tho I drain it, it does tend to have a higher water content than the canned variety. I think that's why we like extra spices in it...I am posting what we use, it may be a bit heavy-handed spice-wise for some of you.

Anyway, one package of gingersnaps yeilds enuf crumbs for two pies...so the first pie gets prepped in the food processor, after I have done processing the crumbs...soooo easy!

Enjoy! And happy New Year to all!

Carolyn!

INCREDIBLY EASY PUMPKIN PIE

FOR THE COOKIE CRUST:
1 package of gingersnaps, processed into crumbs
(use have for the recipe, save half for another pie or alternate recipe later)
1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted in the pie plate

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Combine crumbs and melted butter, press up and around the pie plate.

Bake at 350 degrees F for 10 minutes, remove to rack to cool.

Note: This makes a thick and hearty crust! If you want to use less crumbs, feel free...but we just love this crust, it complements the filling nicely!

MEANWHILE, PREPARE FILLING:
1/2 cup half & half cream (coffee cream)
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1 to 1 1/2 cups pumpkin puree
1 tbsp cinnamon
1 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp allspice
couple of pinches of salt

Increase oven temperature to 400 degrees F.

Heat cream in 4 cup measure in microwave for 1 and 1/2 minutes. Add all other filling ingredients, stir to combine. Pour into prepared pie shell.

Bake for 10 minutes at 400 degrees F. Reduce heat to 350 degrees F, then bake 20 to 25 more minutes longer. Pie is done when a knife tip inserted in the centre comes out clean.

Cool on rack, then dig in!