A light and creamy caramel pudding pie with a gingersnap pecan crust. It’s a perfect pie for fall!

Creamy caramel pudding pie with gingersnap and pecan crust - so decadent and stunning!

There’s just a little over two weeks till Thanksgiving, folks! I have been dreaming about pie for weeks now— apple pies, pumpkin pies, nutty pies, fruity pies, and creamy pies like this caramel pudding pie. There are so many options when it comes to choosing a pie (or two) for Thanksgiving, how do you decide?

There are a few staples I make every year, like my mile high apple pie and my classic pumpkin pie, and then I usually throw in something fun and new or different. This creamy caramel pie with gingersnap pecan crust is something I came up with a few years ago and I’m thinking it deserves to be on our dessert table again this year.

Gingersnaps and pecans make a delicious pie crust!

Creamy caramel pudding

This pie starts with homemade caramel pudding, with some fluffy whipped cream folded in, and all of it spread into a fun crust made from gingersnaps and pecans. Gingersnaps and pecans are a match made in heaven all by themselves, but add to that a creamy caramel filling and a topping of fluffy whipped cream? It’s pretty amazing, and a creamy dream, to be sure.

From now on, other cream pies just won’t compare.

Creamy caramel pudding pie with gingersnap and pecan crust - so decadent and stunning!

baking tip:How to cut perfectly clean slices of pie

Cream pies can be especially challenging to cut into clean slices. Here are a few tips to help you get beautiful slices every time:

  • Chill the pie completely according to recipe instructions. Whenever possible, I actually like to make my cream pies a day in advance so the pie is as firm as possible.
  • Use a sharp hot knife. Dip your knife into hot water for 15-30 seconds, then wipe dry and make a cut in your pie. Repeat this after each cut.
  • Run your knife through a few times. Really make sure you’ve cut all the way through the crust.
More Baking Tips »

Creamy caramel pudding pie with gingersnap and pecan crust - so decadent and stunning!

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Caramel Cream Pie with Pecan Gingersnap Crust

Servings: 12 slices
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Chill Time: 6 hrs
Total Time: 6 hrs 50 mins
A light and creamy caramel pudding pie with gingersnap and pecan crust. A perfect pie for fall!
Creamy caramel pudding pie with gingersnap and pecan crust - so decadent and stunning!
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Ingredients

For the crust:

  • 5 ounces gingersnap cookies (140 grams, about 20)
  • 1/2 cup pecans (57 grams)
  • 2 tablespoons light or dark sugar
  • Pinch of salt
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter , melted

For the filling:

  • 1 cup granulated sugar (200 grams)
  • 4 cups whole milk (1 quart, 950 ml), divided
  • 1/3 cup cornstarch (40 grams)
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream (250 ml)

For the topping:

  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream (250 ml)
  • 1/4 cup powdered sugar (30 grams)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Chopped pecans , for garnish

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter 9-inch pie dish.
  • In food processor, pulse cookies and pecans until reduced to crumbs. In medium bowl, combine cookie and nut mixture with sugar, salt and butter. Press into prepared pie dish and bake until crust is golden, 8-10 minutes. Let cool completely.
  • To make filling, whisk together 1/2 cup milk with cornstarch. Set aside.
  • In heavy bottomed saucepan, place sugar over medium heat. Let sugar melt and caramelize, swirling pan if necessary to make sure it caramelizes evenly. Keep close watch to make sure it doesn't burn.
  • When sugar has completely caramelized, remove from heat and slowly pour in remaining 3 1/2 cups of milk, whisk whisking constantly. Caramel will bubble and steam violently at beginning. Once all milk has been added, return pan to medium heat and whisk to dissolve any caramel that may have hardened. Boil for a few minutes until slightly thickened.
  • Slowly whisk in milk and cornstarch mixture, vanilla and salt and stir until pudding is thickened.
  • Remove from heat and cool over an ice water bath to room temperature. Alternately, refrigerate for 1 hour.
  • In bowl of electric mixer, beat heavy cream to soft peaks, and then fold it into cooled caramel mixture. Pour into pie crust and chill for 2 hours or more before serving. For cleanest slices, let the pie chill completely for at least 6 hours (I like to make mine the night before serving).
  • To serve, beat whipping cream, powdered sugar and vanilla to soft peaks. Spread on top of pie and top with chopped pecans.

Nutrition

Calories: 387kcal, Carbohydrates: 39g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 24g, Saturated Fat: 13g, Cholesterol: 70mg, Sodium: 159mg, Potassium: 195mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 28g, Vitamin A: 802IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 132mg, Iron: 1mg
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Author: Annalise
Have you tried this recipe?I’d love to hear about it! Leave a review below or take a photo and tag it on Instagram @completelydelicious with #completelydelicious.

This recipe was originally published in October 2014 in partnership with Go Bold With Butter.