How to Finish a Pumpkin Pie

Finish your pumpkin pie with a decorative topping.

Buy a pumpkin pie in the grocery store and you'll get a plain looking custard in a light brown pie shell. Nothing could look more uninspired. It's a natural canvas for piling on tons of whipped cream. If you're going to take the time to make homemade pumpkin pie, give the pie a polished and decorative finish that will please your guests. Your pumpkin pie will be attractive enough to stand on its own, with no whipped cream needed. Does this Spark an idea?

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Measuring cups
Walnuts
Brown sugar
Cinnamon
Salt
Bowl
Melted butter
Maple syrup
Pecans

Instructions

Brown Sugar Walnut Topping
- 1
  
  Make your pie recipe normally and bake it in the oven until the filling is firm but not entirely set.
- 2
  
  Mix together 1/4 cup of brown sugar, 1/2 cup of chopped walnut bits, 1/2 tsp. of cinnamon and a dash of salt.
- 3
  
  Remove the pie from the oven. Sprinkle the mixed dry ingredients over the almost-done pie. Put the pie back in the oven and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the pie is completely firm.
Maple Pecan Topping
- 4
  
  Make your usual pumpkin pie recipe and bake it until there are about 20 minutes left until it's finished. Remove the pie from the oven.
- 5
  
  Mix together 1 tbsp. of melted butter, 3 tbsp. of maple syrup, 3 tbsp. of brown sugar, a dash of cinnamon and 1 cup of pecan halves. Stir the mixture gently, trying not to break any of the pecan halves.
- 6
  
  Spread the pecan topping over the entire top of the pie. Arrange the pecans in a decorative design or leave them in a more casual, jumbled arrangement.
- 7
  
  Place the pie back in the oven and bake it for another 20 minutes or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.