Pumpkin Pie

So its 11:30 and night right now and in a half hour it'll be thanksgiving!! So my mom, sister, and I were full on baking the last few hours (I'll post pics in the morning). And I found this great pumpkin pie recipe and I wanted to show you guys. So here it is.

Ingredients

- 1 (8 ounce) package of cream cheese, softened

- 2 cups canned pumpkin, mashed

- 1 cup sugar

- 1/4th teaspoon salt

- 1 egg plus 2 egg yolks, slightly beaten

- 1 cup half-and-half

- 1/4th cup melted butter (so half a stick)

- 1 tsp vanilla extract

- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

- 1/4 tsp ground ginger, optional

- 1 piece pre-made pie dough

- whipped cream for topping

Procedure

1- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2- Place one piece of the Pre-made pie dough and press down along the bottoms and all side. Pinch and crimp the edges. Put the pie shell into the freezer for an hour to firm up (or a half according to some sources); it just needs to be well- done otherwise it wont hold up. Fit a piece of aluminum foil or parchment paper to cover the shell completely. Fill the shell with pie weights, you can also use rice or beans. Bake for ten minutes. Remove the foil and pie weights, and bake for another ten or until the crust is dried and beginning to turn colors. 

Okay so this seems like a ton of work and it kinda is, so that's why a lot of people generally get pre-made crust at the store. Yes, they do work, but I was committed (and stupid) enough to be stubborn enough to want to make my own. I used Mrs. Kirk's recipe, from Missy's Meanderings :D.  And the good thing is, there are two extra pie shells from that recipe, so my moms already begging for cheesecake:P. 

2- For the filling, in a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese with a hand mixer.

Add the pumpkin and beat until combined. 

Add the sugar, salt, and beat some moreeeee. 

And add the eggs, half and half, and melted butter. Beat until combined. 

So I'm a genius right, and I put the butter in for wayyy too long in the microwave and there was loud bubbling noises and etc..:/ Okay now add the vanilla, cinnamon, and ginger if you're using it. Beat until combined.

okayokay weird filters ik sorry

3- Pour the filling into the prepared pie crust and bake for 50 minutes. The center should be set. Then place the pie onto a wire rack to cool to room temp. Cut into slices and add whipped cream.

4- Enjoy:)

Okay I'll post final product pics tomorrow. And along with all the other things we baked. Oh and have a GREAT thanksgiving...I'll be enjoying my tofurkey....ugh the downsides of being vegetarian...