Okay, so I was messing around in the kitchen today, and it got me thinking about pumpkin pie. You know, that classic fall dessert we all love? I was whipping up a batch, following my grandma’s old recipe, and it hit me: What spices really go into this thing?
I mean, I know the usual suspects, the ones that give it that warm, cozy flavor. But I started to wonder, what’s NOT in a pumpkin pie?
So, I grabbed the recipe card, all stained with years of pumpkin-y goodness, and took a closer look. Cinnamon, of course. Ginger, yep. Nutmeg, gotta have it. Cloves, a pinch for that little kick. Allspice, sometimes, depending on how fancy I’m feeling. These are the core spices, the ones that scream “pumpkin pie” to me.
My Experiment
- First, I made a basic pumpkin pie filling. Just the canned pumpkin, eggs, sugar, and evaporated milk. No spices yet. I wanted to get that base flavor down.
- Then, I divided the filling into a few small bowls. This is where the fun began.
- In one bowl, I added just cinnamon. A classic for a reason. It smelled amazing, and the taste was spot on.
- In another, I mixed in cinnamon and ginger. Getting warmer, more complex. Still very pumpkin pie-ish.
- Next, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. Now we’re talking. This is the trio that really makes it for me.
- I kept going, adding cloves to the mix in another bowl. A little goes a long way with cloves, but it added a nice depth.
But then I started thinking about spices that just don’t belong. I mean, I love experimenting, but there are lines you don’t cross, right?
I rummaged through my spice rack. Paprika? Nope, that’s going in the chili. Cumin? Save it for taco night. Garlic powder? Definitely not in my dessert, thanks.
It was kind of funny, realizing how many spices just don’t vibe with pumpkin pie. It’s like they’re on a different wavelength. They belong in savory dishes, not a sweet, comforting pie.
In the end, I baked my little experimental pies, and you know what? The ones with the classic spice combo were the clear winners. They tasted like home, like fall, like Grandma’s kitchen.
So, there you have it. My little kitchen adventure answered my question. What’s not in a pumpkin pie? A whole lot of spices that belong somewhere else. Stick to the classics, folks, and you’ll have a pie that’s just right.