Spiced Pumpkin Tart
A cozy Spiced Pumpkin Tart that perfectly captures the essence of fall with a creamy pumpkin filling infused with warm cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, set in a flaky buttery crust. This versatile dessert is easy to prepare, customizable to dietary needs, and ideal for festive gatherings or casual autumn treats.
- Author: Mary
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45-50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free (with gluten-free crust option)
Filling Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups fresh pumpkin puree
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- Pinch of salt
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup heavy cream or evaporated milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Crust
- 1 prepared pie crust (store-bought or homemade)
Optional Toppings and Variations
- Chopped pecans or walnuts, for sprinkling on top
- Gluten-free crust as a substitute for traditional crust
- Maple syrup instead of brown sugar
- Coconut cream and flax eggs for vegan version
- Alternative spices such as ginger, cardamom, or allspice
- Prepare the crust: Start with your favorite pie crust recipe or a store-bought one. Roll it out evenly and gently press it into a tart pan, trimming the edges to fit. Chill the crust in the refrigerator while you prepare the filling to prevent shrinking during baking.
- Mix the filling: In a large bowl, combine the fresh pumpkin puree with brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and a pinch of salt. Beat in the eggs, followed by the heavy cream and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Assemble the tart: Pour the spiced pumpkin filling into the chilled crust, smoothing the top with a spatula to ensure an even layer. If you like, sprinkle chopped nuts on top for extra texture.
- Bake to perfection: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake the tart for about 45 to 50 minutes, or until the filling is set but still slightly jiggly in the center. A toothpick inserted should come out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool and serve: Let the tart cool completely on a wire rack to allow the filling to firm up. Serve at room temperature or chilled, garnished as you prefer.
Notes
- Use fresh pumpkin puree for a brighter and fresher flavor compared to canned.
- Chill the crust before baking to prevent shrinking and achieve a crisp edge.
- Do not overbake the filling; leave a slight jiggle in the center to ensure creamy texture after cooling.
- Adjust the spices to your taste, starting mild and increasing as preferred without overpowering the pumpkin.
- Allow adequate cooling time to aid in cleaner slicing and presentation.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 of tart)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: spiced pumpkin tart, pumpkin dessert, fall dessert, autumn tart, pumpkin pie alternative, gluten-free pumpkin tart, vegan pumpkin dessert, holiday dessert