Gingersnap Pumpkin Pie With Candied Pumpkin Seeds

Crust: Makes crust for one 9-inch pie.

• 9-inch pie pan or springform pan
• 10 ounces gingersnap cookies (about 2 1/2 cups)
• 6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter, melted

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly butter the 9-inch pie pan or springform pan and set aside.

Crush the gingersnaps either by pulsing them in a food processor or placing them in a plastic freezer bag and rolling over them with a rolling pin.

Combine the crushed gingersnaps and melted butter in a medium-size bowl. Stir until fully mixed.

Press the mixture into the pan, covering the bottom fully and pressing the crumbs halfway up the sides.

Bake the crust for 10 minutes, then remove from the oven and cool completely before filling.

Filling:

• 2 cups pumpkin puree (see tip)
• 3/4 cup (packed) light brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 3/4 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Prepare The Filling:

Combine all the filling ingredients in a medium-size bowl and whisk to blend well.

Pumpkin Seed Topping:

• 1/2 cup toasted pumpkin seeds (to toast, bake at 275°F for 4 to 5 minutes)
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons minced crystallized ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

Prepare The Pumpkin Seed Topping:

Combine all the topping ingredients in a small bowl. Using a large spoon, stir until the pumpkin seeds are evenly coated with the butter, sugar, and spices.

Assemble The Pie:

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Pour the filling into the prepared gingersnap crust and bake for 40 minutes.

Remove the pie from the oven, leaving the oven on. Sprinkle the pumpkin seed topping evenly over the pie, then return it to the oven and bake another 20 minutes, until the pumpkin seeds have browned slightly and the filling has set.

Cool for at least 1 hour before serving.

TIP: For pumpkin puree, cut a 5 to 6 pound baking pumpkin in half. Place flesh side down on a rimmed baking sheet and roast at 425°F until the flesh has softened, about 45 to 50 minutes. Cool slightly, then remove the seeds, scoop the flesh out of the skin, and puree in a food processor until smooth. You can also simply use solid-pack canned pumpkin.