Description
This layered pumpkin caramel pie is inspired by the iconic NYC Milk Bar dessert that took the internet by storm. It begins with a buttery homemade crust, followed by a rich salted caramel layer, a silky pumpkin white chocolate ganache, and finishes with fluffy whipped cream and a crunchy spiced streusel. Every bite delivers sweet, salty, creamy, and crisp textures all at once.
Ingredients
Pumpkin White Chocolate Ganache
- 2 cans (15 oz each) plain pumpkin purée (not pumpkin pie filling)
- 1¼ cups heavy cream
- Just under ⅓ cup corn syrup
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 12–16 ounces high-quality white chocolate, finely chopped
- 3 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- ½ teaspoon salt
Soft Salted Caramel
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup heavy cream
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ¼ cup water
- 2 tablespoons corn syrup
- 1–2 teaspoons salt, to taste
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Homemade Pie Crust
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 12 tablespoons cold unsalted butter
- ½ cup finely ground cornmeal
- 1 heaping tablespoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼–⅓ cup ice-cold water
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
Streusel Topping
- ½ cup flour
- ⅓ cup light brown sugar
- ⅓ cup rolled oats
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon cardamom
- Small pinch of salt
Fresh Whipped Cream
- 2 cups cold heavy cream
- 3 tablespoons powdered sugar
Instructions
- Make the Pumpkin Ganache
- Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C). Spread pumpkin purée evenly onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Roast for 20–30 minutes, stirring once, until darker in color and reduced to about 2 cups total. Cool completely.
- Place chopped white chocolate in a large heatproof bowl.
- In a saucepan, heat cream, corn syrup, and butter until just boiling. Pour over the chocolate and let sit for 1 minute.
- Add roasted pumpkin, spices, and salt. Blend with an immersion blender (or regular blender) until perfectly smooth.
- Refrigerate until ready to use. Rewarm gently in short microwave bursts until pourable.
- Prepare the Salted Caramel
- Measure cream and butter ahead of time and keep chilled. Keep salt and vanilla nearby.
- In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, water, and corn syrup. Stir until sugar dissolves, then heat over medium.
- Once bubbling and clear, stop stirring and gently swirl the pan occasionally.
- When the mixture turns deep golden, remove from heat.
- Whisk in butter one tablespoon at a time (careful—it will bubble).
- Slowly whisk in cream, then add vanilla and salt.
- Transfer to a heat-safe container and cool completely before chilling.
- Make the Pie Crust
- Combine flour, cornmeal, sugar, and salt in a large bowl.
- Add cold butter pieces and coat with flour.
- Press and pinch butter into the flour until pea-sized chunks remain.
- Stir vinegar into ice water, then add gradually until dough holds together when pressed.
- Shape into a disc, wrap tightly, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- Roll dough out, fold letter-style twice to build layers, then roll into a circle large enough for your pie pan.
- Fit into pan, crimp edges, and chill again.
- Blind bake at 350°F (175°C):
- Bake with weights for 30–35 minutes
- Remove weights, prick bottom, bake 15–20 minutes more until golden
- Cool completely before filling.
- Make the Streusel
- Mix all streusel ingredients with your hands until crumbly.
- Spread on a lined baking sheet and bake at 325°F for 15 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes.
- Cool and store airtight until needed.
- Whip the Cream
- Just before serving, whip cream and powdered sugar until soft peaks form.
- Assemble the Pie
- Spread cooled caramel evenly across the baked pie shell. Chill 20–25 minutes until set.
- Pour pumpkin ganache over caramel and smooth the top.
- Cover and refrigerate overnight (minimum 8 hours) until fully firm.
- Serve cold, topped with whipped cream and streusel.
- Storage
- Keep refrigerated. Best enjoyed within 3–4 days.
Notes
- Swap in store-bought caramel or dulce de leche to save time
- Use a deep-dish store-bought crust if needed
- Reduce white chocolate to 12 oz for a less sweet filling—just be sure the pumpkin is well-roasted so the ganache sets properly
- Prep Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Desserts