I absolutely love this Mini Pumpkin Pies Recipe because it captures all the cozy flavors of fall in a perfectly portioned, handheld pie. These little beauties are ideal for gatherings where everyone wants just a bite of pumpkin goodness without committing to a whole slice. Once you make them, you’ll find they disappear faster than you can say “pumpkin spice”!
When I first tried this Mini Pumpkin Pies Recipe, I was amazed at how simple it was to turn basic ingredients into something so festive and charming. The balance of spices and the creamy pumpkin filling wrapped in flaky crust makes it a fantastic treat any time of year, especially for holiday parties or casual weekend baking.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfect portion sizes: These mini pies are ideal for parties, letting everyone enjoy without overindulging.
- Easy to make: The steps are straightforward, even if you haven’t made pies before.
- Classic fall flavors: The blend of pumpkin, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg hits all those warm notes we crave.
- Impresses every time: Whether casual or festive, these mini pies always get compliments and go fast.
Ingredients You’ll Need
All the ingredients blend effortlessly to create a luscious pumpkin filling wrapped in tender pie dough. I recommend using fresh or good quality canned pumpkin puree for the best flavor.
- Cooking spray or melted butter: For greasing your mini muffin tin so pies don’t stick and come out easily.
- Basic pie dough: Homemade or store-bought works fine; just roll it thin so the crust stays delicate but sturdy.
- All-purpose flour: For rolling out dough without sticking—light dusting is all you need.
- Pumpkin puree: Pure pumpkin, no added sugar or spices, to keep your filling smooth and natural.
- Sweetened condensed milk: This adds sweetness and creaminess that pairs perfectly with pumpkin’s earthiness.
- Large egg: Helps bind the filling and adds richness.
- Pure vanilla extract: Enhances the flavors and adds a lovely aromatic touch.
- Ground cinnamon: The star spice that gives pumpkin pie its unmistakable warmth.
- Ground ginger: Adds a subtle spicy kick that brightens the flavor.
- Kosher salt: Balances sweetness and boosts all other flavors.
- Ground nutmeg: Just a pinch for that classic pumpkin pie depth.
- Heavy whipping cream: Whipped for topping, giving those mini pies an elegant finishing touch.
- Milk chocolate bar (optional): Chilled and shaved on top for a little extra indulgence and pretty presentation.
Variations
One of the best things about this Mini Pumpkin Pies Recipe is how versatile it is — I love tweaking the spices or toppings depending on the season or my mood. Feel free to customize it to your taste and dietary needs.
- Spice swap: I sometimes add a pinch of cloves or allspice for a deeper fall flavor.
- Dairy-free option: Use coconut cream instead of heavy whipping cream and a dairy-free condensed milk alternative if needed.
- Crust variations: Swap the traditional pie dough for a graham cracker crust to give a sweeter, crunchier texture.
- Topping twists: Try toasted pecans or a drizzle of caramel sauce on top for extra indulgence.
How to Make Mini Pumpkin Pies Recipe
Step 1: Prep the Muffin Tin and Oven
Start by arranging the rack in the center of your oven and preheat it to 375°F. Then, grease your 24-cup mini muffin tin really well with cooking spray or melted butter. This step is key — it’ll help your tiny pies pop out cleanly later without any tears or stickiness.
Step 2: Roll and Cut the Dough
On a lightly floured surface, roll out your pie dough to about 1/8-inch thickness. You’ll want it thin enough to be delicate but thick enough to hold the filling. Use a 3-inch cutter to cut round circles; reroll scraps to get a full 24 in total. This part usually goes quick if you keep your surface lightly floured and don’t overwork the dough.
Step 3: Shape Dough in Muffin Tin and Chill
Press each dough round gently into the muffin cups, shaping it up the sides like a tiny pie shell. Then pop the tin into the fridge for about 15 minutes so the dough firms up and won’t shrink as it bakes. This little chill time makes a big difference for crust texture.
Step 4: Mix the Pumpkin Filling
In a large bowl, whisk together pumpkin puree, sweetened condensed milk, egg, vanilla extract, cinnamon, ginger, salt, and nutmeg until smooth and creamy. I always taste a little bit to check the spice balance here — feel free to adjust cinnamon or ginger to your liking before filling the pies.
Step 5: Fill the Mini Pies
Spoon or gently pour the filling into each dough cup, filling almost to the top. I use about a heaping tablespoon per pie, which gives them that satisfying little mound that bakes evenly without spilling over.
Step 6: Bake and Cool the Pies
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until the centers are set and puff slightly with golden edges. You’ll notice the pies puff up in the oven but then deflate as they cool — that’s totally normal! Let them cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then carefully lift them out with a small offset spatula or spoon onto a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 7: Whip Cream and Garnish
Whip your heavy cream until soft peaks form, then dollop a little onto each mini pie. If you’re using, shave chilled milk chocolate over the top with a vegetable peeler and sprinkle a pinch of cinnamon for a beautiful and tasty finish. This step always feels extra special when I’m serving guests!
Pro Tips for Making Mini Pumpkin Pies Recipe
- Keep dough cold: Chilling the dough before and after shaping helps avoid shrinking and keeps crust flaky.
- Avoid overfilling: Filling the pies just right prevents spillage and ensures they bake evenly.
- Use an offset spatula: It’s perfect for gently lifting pies out without breaking the crust.
- Watch the baking time: Oven temps vary — check at 25 minutes to prevent overbaking and dry filling.
How to Serve Mini Pumpkin Pies Recipe
Garnishes
I’m a big fan of finishing these mini pies with a soft dollop of freshly whipped cream and a simple sprinkle of cinnamon. The whipped cream adds a dreamy lightness that pairs beautifully with the denser pumpkin filling. For a touch of decadence, a few chocolate shavings on top never hurt!
Side Dishes
These mini pies shine as a dessert on their own, but I love pairing them with a warm chai tea or a simple scoop of vanilla ice cream. For a seasonal touch, they’re great alongside a crisp green salad with a tangy vinaigrette — a little contrast to the richness makes the meal feel complete.
Creative Ways to Present
For gatherings, I like arranging the mini pies on a festive wooden board, surrounded by cinnamon sticks and tiny gourds for ambiance. Got a special occasion? Try placing each mini pie in a decorative paper liner or gift box to wow guests and make it easy for everyone to grab a treat.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store any leftover mini pumpkin pies in an airtight container in the fridge. They keep well for up to 3 days, which is usually enough time because they get eaten fast! Make sure to add whipped cream just before serving, as it doesn’t hold well overnight.
Freezing
I’ve had good results freezing these pies before baking — just shape and fill them, then freeze on a tray. Once solid, transfer to a freezer bag and bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the bake time. Freezing after baking and cooling works too, but the crust can get a bit soggy.
Reheating
To reheat, I pop the pies in a 325°F oven for about 10 minutes until warmed through. Avoid the microwave if you can—it tends to make the crust chewy. Add fresh whipped cream after reheating for the best experience.
FAQs
-
Can I use canned pumpkin for this Mini Pumpkin Pies Recipe?
Yes! Canned pumpkin puree works perfectly and is actually my go-to for convenience. Just be sure to use pure pumpkin puree and not pumpkin pie filling, which contains extra sugar and spices.
-
How do I prevent the pie crust from shrinking during baking?
Keep the dough well chilled before and after placing it in the muffin tin. Also, avoid overstretching the dough when lining the tin. I find chilling for 15 minutes before baking helps immensely to keep the shape intact.
-
Can I make the filling ahead of time?
Absolutely! The pumpkin filling can be mixed up to a day in advance and stored in the fridge. Just give it a quick stir before filling the dough shells.
-
How do I get perfect whipped cream toppings?
Use cold heavy cream, a chilled bowl, and beat at medium-high speed until soft peaks form. Don’t overwhip, or it can turn grainy and eventually become butter!
Final Thoughts
Honestly, this Mini Pumpkin Pies Recipe has become one of my favorite go-to desserts when I want something that feels special but is surprisingly easy to pull off. They’re perfect for sharing, gifting, or just savoring alongside a hot cup of coffee on a crisp day. Give this recipe a try — I promise once you do, it will become a beloved staple in your baking rotation just like it is in mine.
PrintMini Pumpkin Pies Recipe
- Prep Time: 25 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Total Time: 55 mins
- Yield: 24 mini pumpkin pies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Mini Pumpkin Pies are delightful single-serving treats perfect for fall gatherings or holiday celebrations. Made with a buttery pie crust and a smooth, spiced pumpkin filling, these bite-sized pies are baked to golden perfection and topped with fluffy whipped cream and optional chocolate shavings for an irresistible dessert.
Ingredients
For the Pie Crust
- Cooking spray or melted butter, for muffin tin
- 1 batch basic pie dough
- All-purpose flour, for surface
For the Pumpkin Filling
- 1 1/3 cups (300 g) pumpkin puree
- 1 cup (235 ml) sweetened condensed milk
- 1 large egg
- 1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon, plus more for serving
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1/4 tsp kosher salt
- 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
For the Topping
- 3/4 cup (175 ml) heavy whipping cream
- Milk chocolate bar, chilled, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prep: Arrange a rack in the center of your oven and preheat it to 375°F (190°C). Prepare a 24-cup mini muffin tin by spraying the bottoms and sides with cooking spray or brushing them with melted butter.
- Roll Out Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the basic pie dough to about 1/8 inch thickness. Using a 3-inch round cutter, cut out 24 rounds. Reroll scraps as needed to get enough rounds.
- Shape Crusts: Transfer the dough rounds to the prepared muffin tin, pressing them gently into the bottoms and up the sides of each cup. Refrigerate the filled tin until the dough is firm, approximately 15 minutes.
- Make Filling: In a large bowl, whisk together pumpkin puree, sweetened condensed milk, egg, vanilla extract, cinnamon, ground ginger, kosher salt, and nutmeg until the mixture is smooth and evenly combined.
- Fill Pies: Spoon or pour the pumpkin filling into the prepared dough-lined muffin cups, filling them almost to the top with about 1 heaping tablespoon of filling each.
- Bake: Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the centers are set and puffed and the crust edges are golden. Allow the pies to cool in the pan for 10 minutes; they will deflate slightly as they cool.
- Remove and Cool: Using a small offset spatula or spoon, carefully lift the pies out of the tin and transfer them to a wire rack. Let them cool completely to room temperature.
- Prepare Whipped Cream: In a large bowl, whip the heavy cream to soft peaks. Dollop a spoonful of whipped cream on top of each cooled pie.
- Add Final Touches: If desired, shave chilled milk chocolate over the pies using a vegetable peeler. Finally, sprinkle each pie with additional ground cinnamon for garnish and flavor.
Notes
- Use chilled pie dough for easier handling and better shape retention.
- Make sure the pumpkin filling is smooth to avoid lumps in the final pies.
- These mini pies can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Optional chocolate shavings add a nice touch but can be omitted for a simpler version.
- Serve chilled or at room temperature depending on preference.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 mini pumpkin pie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 110mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 35mg