How to Substitute Plain Canned Pumpkin for Pumpkin Pie Filling

Pumpkin pie filling contains the spices and seasonings needed to fill a pumpkin pie once you add the eggs and evaporated milk. Canned pumpkin only contains the pureed vegetable itself. If your recipe calls for pumpkin pie filling but you only have canned pumpkin on hand, you can use the canned pumpkin if you add your own seasonings and sugar and proceed as directed with the rest of the recipe.

Things You'll Need

• 1 15 oz. can pureed pumpkin
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

Instructions

1. Empty canned pumpkin into a large bowl.

2. Add sugar, salt and seasonings. Use more or less pumpkin pie spice to taste.

3. Substitute the pumpkin mixture measure for measure for pumpkin pie filling in your recipe.

Tips & Warnings

• If you don't have pumpkin pie spice, substitute cinnamon, ginger and cloves. Some people may also enjoy nutmeg in a pumpkin pie.

• Do not substitute regular canned pumpkin directly for pumpkin pie filling in your recipe without adding the spices and sugar. Not only will it taste different, the pie will not come out correctly without the sugar, which creates a chemical reaction with the other ingredients to brown during baking.

References

• Pillsbury.com: Pumpkin Pie Ingredients
• Nestle Very Best Baking.com: Commonly Asked Questions

Resources

• MIT.edu: Pumpkin Pie Recipes