Recipe: Pumpkin Pie with Spiced Pecan Pie Crust (Cuisinart recipe)

PUMPKIN PIE WITH SPICED PECAN PIE CRUST

1 Spiced Pecan Pie Crust (recipe follows)
1 whole cinnamon stick
1 whole nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon whole cloves
2 cups canned pumpkin
3 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/4 cup light brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
3/4 teaspoon table salt
1/2 cup half-and-half
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 cup pure maple syrup

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Prepare Spiced Pecan Pie Crust as instructed.

MEANWHILE, TO PREPARE THE PIE FILLING:
Place the cinnamon stick, nutmeg and cloves in the bowl of the Cuisinart Spice & Nut Grinder. Pulse 15 times, and then process until finely ground, about 10 seconds. Reserve.

Add all of the ingredients for the filling, including the reserved spices, to a medium saucepan set over medium-low heat. Whisk to completely combine and continue to cook until the temperature of the mixture registers about 140 degrees F.

Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F.

Pour the hot filling into the warm pie crust; bake for about 40 minutes, or until the pie filling is just set. Cool on a wire rack before serving.

SPICED PECAN PIE CRUST
Makes 1 (9-inch) pie crust

"This pairs beautifully with our Pumpkin Pie but would also add a new twist to a New York style cheesecake."

1 whole cinnamon stick
1 whole nutmeg
3/4 cup pecans, toasted and cooled
2⁄3 cup graham cracker crumbs
3 tablespoons light brown sugar
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon table salt
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled (as needed)
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly coat a 9-inch pie plate with nonstick cooking spray. Reserve.

Place the cinnamon stick, nutmeg and pecans in the bowl of the Cuisinart Spice & Nut Grinder. Pulse 15 times, and then process until finely ground, about 10 seconds. Please be sure to grind only 1/2 cup at a time.

Place the spices, pecans, graham cracker crumbs, sugars and salt in a medium bowl. Whisk to combine. Slowly add the butter and vanilla until mixture is moist. (Note: all of the butter may not be needed.) Press the mixture into the prepared pie plate.

Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes.

Makes 1 (9-inch) pie, 10 to 12 servings
Source: Cuisinart Spice and Nut Grinder Manual, Model SG-10