Butternut Squash Pie: The Unexpected Star of Your Holiday Dessert Table

A new contender is vying for the coveted spot of favorite holiday dessert. With its creamy texture and warm, spicy flavors, butternut squash pie is poised to dethrone the classic pumpkin pie. 

The rise of Butternut Squash Pie can be attributed to its versatility and depth of flavor. While pumpkin pie can sometimes fall flat, butternut squash offers a natural sweetness and velvety smooth consistency that elevates the humble custard pie to new heights.

With hints of brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg, this pie will surely become a new family tradition.

What’s in Butternut Squash Pie?

Butternut Squash Pie: The Unexpected Star of Your Holiday Dessert Table - Butternut Squash Pie Pin
Image Credit: Davin Eberhardt

Butternut squash pie is a delightful twist on the classic pumpkin pie, featuring a smooth and creamy filling made from butternut squash puree. The star ingredient, butternut squash, is roasted and pureed to create a velvety base that is then combined with eggs, sugar, and a medley of warm spices, including cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and ginger.

These spices infuse the filling with the quintessential flavors of fall while complementing the squash’s natural sweetness.

To achieve the perfect texture, evaporated milk is added to the mixture, creating a rich and silky custard-like consistency. The filling is then poured into a pre-baked pie crust and baked until set, resulting in a delectable dessert that will impress.

With its irresistible combination of flavors and creamy texture, butternut squash pie is a must-try for anyone looking to switch up their holiday dessert game.

A Healthier Alternative Without Sacrificing Flavor

Butternut Squash Pie: The Unexpected Star of Your Holiday Dessert Table - Butternut Squash Pie Ingredients
Image Credit: Nature of Home

In addition to its delicious taste, butternut squash pie also boasts some impressive health benefits. This orange-hued squash is a nutrient powerhouse packed with vitamins A and C, potassium, and fiber.

Substituting butternut squash for pumpkin in your favorite pie recipe can add an extra boost of nutrition to your holiday dessert spread.

But don’t worry—this healthier alternative doesn’t compromise on flavor. Butternut squash’s natural sweetness means you can often reduce the amount of sugar in your recipe without sacrificing taste.

This makes butternut squash pie a smart choice for those who indulge mindfully during the holiday season.

Butternut Squash Pie: The Unexpected Star of Your Holiday Dessert Table - Butternut Squash Pie

Butternut Squash Pie

Butternut Squash Pie is a delightful and comforting dessert with its unique twist on the classic pumpkin pie. This recipe showcases the natural sweetness and creamy texture of butternut squash, enhanced by a blend of warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. The smooth and velvety filling is nestled in a flaky, buttery crust, creating a perfect balance of flavors and textures.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 8
Calories 282 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 9-inch deep dish pie crust

Ingredients
  

  • 1 3/4 cup butternut squash puree or 1 can pumpkin
  • 3 eggs slightly beaten
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp cloves
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp ginger
  • 1 cup evaporated milk

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 450°F.
  • Mix the beaten eggs, sugar, salt, and spices in a large bowl until well combined. Add the butternut squash puree and blend. Gradually pour in the evaporated milk and mix until the filling is smooth.
  • Pour the filling into an uncooked pie crust, distributing it evenly.
  • Bake the pie at 450°F for 10 minutes, then reduce the temperature to 350°F and continue baking for another 60 minutes.
  • Check if the pie is done by inserting a knife into the center of the filling. If it comes out clean, the pie is ready. If not, bake for a few more minutes and check again.
  • Once done, remove the pie from the oven and allow it to cool completely at room temperature before slicing or refrigerating. Serve and enjoy your homemade butternut squash pie!

Notes

You can substitute canned pumpkin for the butternut squash in this pie recipe. Pumpkin and butternut squash have similar flavors and textures, making them interchangeable in most recipes. However, butternut squash puree tends to be slightly runnier than canned pumpkin. To account for this difference, you may need to reduce the cooking time by a few minutes.

Nutrition

Calories: 282kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 6gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 290mgPotassium: 319mgFiber: 2gSugar: 29gVitamin A: 5662IUVitamin C: 11mgCalcium: 119mgIron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
davin
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Davin is a jack-of-all-trades but has professional training and experience in various home and garden subjects. He leans on other experts when needed and edits and fact-checks all articles.