Spiced Pumpkin Pie Brûlée: Bourbon Vanilla Dream Recipe

Fall’s golden embrace meets decadent dessert magic in this pumpkin pie brûlée with bourbon vanilla whipped cream.

Silky pumpkin custard nestles beneath a crackling caramelized sugar top that shatters with the gentlest tap of a spoon.

Rich bourbon-infused whipped cream adds a sophisticated twist to the classic autumn favorite.

Layers of warm spices dance through each luxurious bite, promising a dessert that’s both comforting and elegant.

The contrast between the creamy pumpkin base and the crisp caramel crust creates a sensory experience that lingers long after the last spoonful.

Seasonal ingredients transform this recipe from simple to spectacular, making it a showstopping finale for any gathering.

Dive into this decadent dessert and let your taste buds celebrate the essence of autumn.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 3 hours (including chilling)

Calories: 430 kcal

Servings: 9

Pumpkin Pie Brûlée Ingredient Highlights

• All-Purpose Flour: Foundational ingredient for creating a tender, flaky pie base that holds the luscious filling.
• Unsalted Butter: Provides rich flavor and creates delicate, layered texture in the pie crust.
• Sugar, Cinnamon: Adds sweet warmth and creates a delightful decorative sprinkle for the leaf cutouts.
• Egg, Water: Creates a golden, glossy egg wash that helps leaves adhere and gives a beautiful sheen.

• Pumpkin Puree: Delivers the classic autumn essence and creamy base for the pie.
• Pumpkin Pie Spice: Blends warming spices that create depth and traditional pumpkin pie flavor.
• Orange Zest: Introduces bright, citrusy notes that lift the entire dessert's complexity.
• Sweetened Condensed Milk: Provides silky smoothness and rich sweetness to the filling.
• Eggs: Bind the filling and create a luxurious, custard-like texture.
• Salt: Balances and enhances all the other flavors in the pie.

• Granulated Sugar: Transforms into a crisp, crackling brûlée layer that adds textural contrast.
• Heavy Cream: Creates a cloud-like, decadent whipped cream base.
• Confectioners Sugar: Provides subtle sweetness and helps stabilize the whipped cream.
• Vanilla Bean Paste: Delivers intense, authentic vanilla flavor with beautiful specks.
• Bourbon: Adds sophisticated, warming undertones to the whipped cream.
• Fresh Nutmeg, Orange Zest, Mint Leaves: Provide elegant, aromatic finishing touches.

Tools to Make Pumpkin Pie Brûlée at Home

• Pie Plate: Essential for shaping and baking the pie crust.
• Fork: Used for docking the pie shell before freezing.
• Decorative Cutters: Perfect for creating beautiful leaf shapes from pie dough.
• Microwave-Safe Bowl: Helps blend pumpkin puree and spices quickly.
• Whisk: Great for mixing filling ingredients smoothly.
• Silicone Mat or Parchment Paper: Prevents sugar from sticking during caramelization.
• Food Processor: Grinds caramelized sugar into fine powder.
• Kitchen Torch: Creates the signature crispy brûlée top.
• Mixing Bowl: Ideal for whipping cream and creating the bourbon vanilla topping.
• Aluminum Foil: Supports leaf shapes and protects pie crust from burning.
• Baking Sheet: Used for caramelizing sugar and creating shards.

Directions for Pumpkin Pie Brûlée with Bourbon Whip

• Dough Preparation

Create decorative leaf shapes using pie dough cutters. Brush leaves with egg mixture and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Line pie plate with dough, gently pressing into corners. Attach leaves around pie crust edges, using foil balls to support their shape.

• Pumpkin Filling Creation

Blend pumpkin puree with spices and orange zest in microwave. Cool mixture and incorporate sweetened condensed milk and eggs until smooth. Pour into prepared pie shell.

• Baking Process

Start at high temperature to set crust, then reduce heat for thorough cooking. Bake until center is slightly wobbly but set. Allow pie to cool completely and chill for several hours.

• Caramelized Sugar Topping

Spread sugar on baking sheet and carefully caramelize in oven. Process cooled sugar into fine powder. Before serving, sprinkle sugar layer over pie and torch until golden and crisp.

• Bourbon Vanilla Cream

Whip cream until soft peaks form. Gently fold in vanilla and bourbon for elegant flavor. Add a touch of powdered sugar for sweetness.

• Final Presentation

Garnish with fresh nutmeg, orange zest, and mint leaves. Serve chilled with dollops of bourbon cream on top.

Flavor Tips for Pumpkin Pie Brûlée with Cream

• Achieve the perfect caramelized sugar crust by moving the kitchen torch slowly and evenly across the surface, keeping it about 2 inches away to prevent burning.
• Prepare the pie and whipped cream up to 2 days in advance, storing the pie refrigerated and the whipped cream in a sealed container. Add the brûlée topping just before serving to maintain its crisp texture.
• Swap bourbon for rum or brandy in the whipped cream for a different twist. Experiment with maple syrup or dark brown sugar in the filling for deeper, richer flavors.
• Create custom leaf patterns using various cookie cutters or hand-cut designs. Play with different herb or flower-shaped cutouts to personalize the pie's edge decoration.
• Replace traditional pie crust with a gluten-free graham cracker or nut-based crust. Use alternative milk options like coconut condensed milk for a dairy-free version that doesn't compromise on taste.

Pumpkin Pie Brûlée Serving Ideas

• Festive Pie Plating Perfection: Arrange each slice on elegant white plates with gold rimming for a sophisticated touch.
• Cozy Gathering Companion: Pair this dessert with warm mulled cider or spiced bourbon cocktails to enhance the seasonal flavor profile.
• Textural Contrast Magic: Create delightful layers by adding candied pecans or crisp almond slivers around the pie slice for extra crunch and nutty undertones.
• Holiday Gift Potential: Package individual pie slices in clear gift boxes with a rustic twine bow, perfect for thanksgiving hostess presents or potluck contributions.

Storage Suggestions for Pumpkin Pie Brûlée

• Culinary Companion Strategy: Keep your pumpkin pie brûlée refrigerated in an airtight container for optimal freshness, lasting up to 3-4 days without losing its delightful texture and flavor profile.
• Slice Separation Technique: Place small parchment paper sheets between individual pie slices when storing to prevent sticking and maintain the crisp caramelized sugar top during refrigeration.
• Temperature Transition Wisdom: Remove the pie from the refrigerator 15-20 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to soften and develop a more luxurious taste experience at a mild room temperature.
• Whipped Cream Quick Care: Store bourbon vanilla whipped cream separately in a sealed container, keeping it chilled and consuming within 24 hours for the most vibrant and fresh taste sensation. Whip briefly before serving to restore its original fluffy texture.

Velvety Pumpkin Pie Brle with Bourbon Vanilla Whipped Cream Recipe

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4.7 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 3 hours (including chilling)
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Silky pumpkin pie brûlée delivers classic autumn dessert with a luxurious French twist. Caramelized sugar crust and bourbon-infused whipped cream elevate this seasonal classic you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 (15 oz / 425 g) can pumpkin puree
• 1 (14 oz / 397 g) can sweetened condensed milk
• 3 eggs
• 1 package (2 circles) pie dough
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup granulated sugar for brûlée topping
• ½ cup heavy cream
• 1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice
• 1 tbsp water
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp orange zest
• 2 tsp confectioners sugar
• ½ tsp vanilla bean paste
• ½ tsp bourbon
• Freshly grated nutmeg
• Orange zest
• Small mint leaves

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Instructions

1. Dough Preparation: Blend cinnamon and sugar, create egg wash by whisking egg with water. Stretch pie dough into plate, pressing into corners with fluted edges.
2. Decorative Elements: Craft leaf shapes using cutters, brush with egg wash, dust with cinnamon sugar. Attach leaves along crust edges, supporting with aluminum foil.
3. Pie Shell Preparation: Pierce shell with fork tines, freeze while preparing filling. Preheat oven to 425°F.
4. Filling Creation: Combine pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, orange zest, and salt in microwave-safe bowl. Heat for one minute to intensify flavors, then cool.
5. Mixing and Baking: Incorporate sweetened condensed milk and eggs, whisking to smooth consistency. Transfer to chilled pie shell. Bake at 425°F for 15 minutes, then reduce to 350°F for 35-40 minutes until center sets with subtle wobble.
6. Cooling and Caramelization: Cool pie for 20 minutes, refrigerate for two hours. Create sugar shards by spreading sugar thinly on lined baking sheet, bake at 400°F. Pulverize cooled shards into fine powder.
7. Whipped Cream Preparation: Whip heavy cream, gradually add confectioners sugar until soft peaks form. Fold in vanilla bean paste and bourbon.
8. Final Touches: Sprinkle caramelized sugar powder across pie surface. Use kitchen torch or broiler to create golden, crisp caramelized layer. Garnish with bourbon vanilla whipped cream, freshly grated nutmeg, orange zest, and mint leaves.
9. Serving: Present immediately to preserve textural integrity.

Notes

• Chill Dough Strategically: Freezing pie shell before filling helps prevent soggy bottom and ensures crisp, flaky crust texture.
• Flavor Intensification Technique: Microwaving pumpkin mixture briefly activates spices and deepens overall taste profile.
• Caramelization Pro Tip: Watch sugar shards closely during baking to prevent burning, as caramelization happens quickly and can turn bitter.
• Torch vs. Broiler Hack: Kitchen torch provides more precise, even caramelization compared to broiler method, giving better control over sugar crust.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 430
• Sugar: 36 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg