As the vibrant hues of autumn emerge and a refreshing crispness fills the air, there’s nothing quite like the comforting aroma of a classic pumpkin pie baking in the oven. But when it comes to hosting large family gatherings or a festive Thanksgiving crowd, a traditional round pie often falls short in terms of serving convenience and quantity. This is where the **Easy Pumpkin Slab Pie** shines! This magnificent, generously sized dessert is designed to be a true holiday showstopper, offering abundant, perfectly portioned slices for everyone. Imagine a perfectly flaky, golden-brown pie crust embracing a luscious, warmly spiced pumpkin filling, all elegantly crowned with swirls of homemade, pipeable whipped cream. This recipe not only simplifies holiday baking but also guarantees a delightful treat that everyone will adore, making it an indispensable addition to your fall dessert repertoire.

Why This Easy Pumpkin Slab Pie Recipe Will Become Your Holiday Favorite

---

This easy pumpkin slab pie recipe is much more than just a delicious dessert; it’s a smart solution for holiday entertaining. We’ve carefully crafted this recipe to minimize fuss while maximizing flavor and convenience. By using readily available refrigerated pie crusts, we eliminate the time-consuming step of making dough from scratch, allowing you to focus on the truly delightful filling. The rich, velvety pumpkin filling combines pure canned pumpkin with an expertly balanced blend of warm autumn spices, further deepened by the sophisticated notes of bourbon and vanilla. The result is an unforgettable fall dessert that’s perfectly suited for feeding a large gathering, designed for both ease of preparation and ultimate enjoyment. Imagine a dessert that allows you more time to savor moments with family and friends, rather than being tied to the kitchen.

I absolutely adore serving slab pies at parties and festive holiday gatherings, especially when my guest list is extensive. Their ingenious rectangular shape, baked in a standard jelly roll pan, makes them remarkably simple to prepare and even easier to slice into neat, perfect portions. Unlike a thicker, traditional round pie, slab pies are inherently thinner. This characteristic makes them the ideal sweet finish after a hearty, satisfying meal – you get all the delightful flavors of pumpkin pie without feeling overly stuffed. Another significant advantage is their make-ahead potential; you can prepare and bake this pie a day in advance, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully. In fact, I often have enough time to whip up two different slab pies for Thanksgiving dessert – this magnificent pumpkin version and a classic apple slab pie – ensuring there’s a beloved option for every palate with both ease and elegance.

Essential Ingredients for Your Perfect Pumpkin Slab Pie

---

Crafting this magnificent pumpkin slab pie begins with gathering the right ingredients. While you’ll find the complete list with precise measurements and comprehensive instructions in the printable recipe card at the very end of this post, here’s a helpful overview of what you’ll need. The beauty of this recipe truly lies in its approachable ingredient list, proving that you don’t need any obscure or hard-to-find items to achieve an extraordinary and deeply satisfying fall dessert that will impress everyone.

Ingredient Breakdown & Expert Substitution Tips for Your Pumpkin Pie

---

Understanding the role of each ingredient and knowing when and how to make smart substitutions can significantly enhance your baking success and confidence. Here’s a more detailed look at the core components of our delicious pumpkin slab pie, along with useful insights:

• PUMPKIN – For the richest, creamiest, and most consistently textured pumpkin slab pie, the choice of your pure pumpkin puree is absolutely critical. It’s important to note that not all canned pure pumpkin is created equal. I highly recommend opting for a widely recognized and trusted brand such as Libby’s. Their pumpkin puree is renowned for its thick, dense consistency, which is fundamental for ensuring a firm, beautifully set pie filling. Many lesser-known brands tend to have a higher water content, which can unfortunately lead to a runny or watery pie, ultimately compromising both the desired texture and the depth of flavor. Always make sure you are purchasing “pure pumpkin” puree, not “pumpkin pie filling,” as the latter typically contains added spices and sweeteners that could alter the recipe’s balance.
• BOURBON or RUM – This particular ingredient acts as a fantastic secret weapon, masterfully intensifying the warm, comforting, and complex flavors of your pumpkin slab pie. The subtle, sweet, and often smoky notes of bourbon or the rich, dark notes of amber-colored rum beautifully complement the autumn spices. It adds an exquisite layer of sophisticated depth and a delicate hint of caramel that truly elevates the overall taste profile, making each bite more memorable. While strongly recommended for an unparalleled flavor experience, if you prefer to avoid alcohol or simply don’t have it available, you can substitute the bourbon or rum with 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract. This alternative will still impart a lovely, familiar aromatic quality to the filling.
• CRUST – To maintain the “easy” promise of this pumpkin slab pie recipe, we’ve deliberately chosen the convenience of premade refrigerated pie crusts. This choice significantly saves time and effort, allowing you to dedicate your focus to perfecting the delectable filling. You will need two standard-sized rolls of refrigerated pie crusts to create the expansive base required for a slab pie. For those who enjoy the artistry of baking from scratch or prefer a homemade touch, you are certainly welcome to prepare your own pie crust from scratch. However, if you choose this route, please be aware that you will very likely need to double a standard single-crust recipe. This is essential to ensure you have enough dough to cover the larger surface area of a jelly roll pan adequately, and to form those beautiful, decorative fluted edges that add to the pie’s visual appeal.
• OTHER KEY INGREDIENTS – Each component plays a vital role:
  • Eggs: These are indispensable for binding the filling ingredients together and providing the necessary structure, ensuring your pie sets perfectly and slices cleanly.
  • Brown Sugar: Beyond sweetness, brown sugar brings a rich, deep molasses-like flavor and contributes significantly to the moist texture of the filling, perfectly harmonizing with the pumpkin and spices.
  • Cornstarch: This acts as a crucial thickening agent, helping to achieve that desirable firm yet incredibly creamy and smooth consistency in your pumpkin filling.
  • Pumpkin Pie Spice: This convenient, pre-mixed blend (typically containing cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves) is the very heart of classic pumpkin pie flavor, infusing the dessert with warmth and aromatic notes.
  • Salt: A small but mighty ingredient, salt plays a critical role in balancing the sweetness of the pie and enhancing all the other wonderful flavors, making them pop.
  • Evaporated Milk: This ingredient provides a luxurious, rich, and creamy base for the filling without adding excessive moisture. It contributes to a silky-smooth texture that melts in your mouth.
  • Vanilla Extract: A common yet essential component in most desserts, vanilla extract enhances the overall sweetness profile and adds a comforting, universally loved aroma.
  • Heavy Whipping Cream & Cream Cheese (for garnish): These two ingredients are vital for making our incredibly stable and beautifully pipeable homemade whipped cream. The cream cheese, in particular, helps to stabilize the whipped cream, preventing it from weeping or deflating, thus ensuring a luxurious and long-lasting finish to each slice.
  • Powdered Sugar (for garnish): Used to sweeten the whipped cream, powdered sugar dissolves effortlessly, contributing to a wonderfully smooth and airy texture.

Step-by-Step Guide: Crafting Your Easy Pumpkin Slab Pie from Scratch

---

Embarking on the journey to make this pumpkin slab pie is a truly rewarding experience. To ensure your success, these detailed step-by-step photos and comprehensive instructions are here to guide you visually through each stage of the process. For your convenience, a ready-to-print version of this entire recipe, complete with precise measurements and all instructions, is available if you simply Jump to Recipe at the bottom of this post. Let’s get started on creating this delightful autumn treat!

Preparing the Flaky Slab Pie Crust

1. Begin by carefully removing the two refrigerated pie crusts from their individual packaging. Lay them out side-by-side on a lightly floured work surface or on a clean piece of parchment paper. Arrange the two circular crusts so that their edges overlap in the center by approximately 1 inch. This overlap is a critical step for seamlessly forming a single, expansive base for your slab pie.

   

2. Next, take a knife or pastry wheel and carefully trim about one inch from the outer two straight sides of each circular crust where they don’t overlap. Now, take these trimmed scraps of dough and strategically place them into the empty spaces at the top and bottom edges of your combined crust. Gently press all the seams and edges together to seal them, forming a cohesive, rough rectangular shape that will soon become your slab pie crust.

   

3. With your rolling pin, carefully roll out the now-combined dough. Your objective is to create a single, uniform rectangle that is approximately 3 inches larger than your jelly roll pan (in both width and height). This generous extra margin is essential for creating those beautiful, decorative fluted edges later. Once you’ve achieved the desired size, use your knife to trim the edges to be straight and even, creating a perfect rectangle. Any small scraps of dough that remain can be set aside; they might prove useful for patching any tiny holes that could appear later.

   

4. Now, with utmost care, drape the large, rolled-out dough rectangle over your rolling pin. This technique makes it easier to transfer the dough to a lightly greased jelly roll pan. Once positioned, allow the dough to gently sink into the pan. Use your fingertips to carefully guide it into all the corners, pressing it softly without stretching or tearing, as the dough will be quite thin. If any small tears or holes unexpectedly appear, use your previously reserved dough scraps to patch them up, gently pressing to seal securely.

   

5. To create those beautiful, signature fluted edges, gently fold the dough that’s hanging over the pan’s edges back in on itself. This folding action creates a thicker, more robust border, which provides essential support for shaping. Now, with your thumb and two index fingers, delicately pinch along the outer edges of this thickened dough to form a charming scalloped or fluted pattern all around the perimeter of the pan. Finally, use a fork to prick the bottom of the dough liberally across the entire surface. This crucial step, part of the blind baking process, helps prevent the crust from puffing up excessively and creating large air bubbles during baking.

   

6. Once the pie crust is perfectly formed and its edges are beautifully fluted, carefully place the entire jelly roll pan into the refrigerator. It needs to chill for a minimum of 2 hours, or for optimal results, ideally overnight. This extended chilling period is absolutely vital as it allows the gluten in the dough to relax fully, which is crucial for preventing excessive shrinkage during the subsequent baking process and helps ensure those delicate fluted edges maintain their elegant shape. Do not skip or rush this essential step for the best possible crust.

Crafting the Rich Pumpkin Filling and Assembling Your Masterpiece

1. Preheat your oven to a precise 425°F (218°C). As your oven begins to heat up, place a sturdy baking sheet – one that is notably larger than your jelly roll pan – directly inside the oven. This preheated baking sheet plays a crucial role in ensuring that your pie crust bakes evenly from the bottom up, effectively preventing any potential sogginess and guaranteeing a perfectly crisp base.

2. Carefully take one large egg and separate the yolk from the white. Place the egg yolk in one small bowl and the egg white in another. Set both aside, as they will be utilized in distinct steps later in this recipe to achieve different desired effects.

3. While the oven is still diligently preheating, turn your attention to preparing the luscious, flavorful pumpkin filling. In a spacious mixing bowl, combine the pure pumpkin puree, the packed light brown sugar, three whole large eggs, the previously separated egg yolk, cornstarch, the fragrant pumpkin pie spice, and a small but important pinch of salt. Using a whisk, thoroughly combine all these ingredients until they are perfectly integrated, resulting in a smooth, homogenous, and completely lump-free mixture.

   

4. Once the initial dry and wet ingredients have been thoroughly combined into a smooth base, proceed to add the evaporated milk, along with the bourbon or rum (if you have opted to include it for that extra layer of flavor), and the pure vanilla extract. Continue to whisk vigorously until all these components are thoroughly incorporated, and the filling achieves a uniform, beautifully creamy consistency. At this point, your delightful pumpkin filling is officially ready for assembly!

   

5. Retrieve your thoroughly chilled pie crust from the refrigerator. Carefully lay a sheet of parchment paper directly over the base of the pie dough within the jelly roll pan. Then, evenly distribute pie weights on top of the parchment paper. This crucial step provides necessary weight, helping to keep the crust flat and preventing it from bubbling up or shrinking excessively during the blind baking process.

   

6. Now, it’s time to par-bake the crust. Carefully place the jelly roll pan (containing the pie weights and parchment) onto the preheated baking sheet inside your oven. Bake for approximately 10-15 minutes, or until the edges of the crust are just beginning to turn a light golden color. Remove the pan from the oven and transfer it to a wire rack to cool slightly. Once it’s cool enough to safely handle, carefully remove the parchment paper and pie weights. Immediately reduce your oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for the final baking stage.

   

7. In the small bowl with the reserved egg white, add 1 tablespoon of water and whisk the mixture thoroughly to create a simple egg wash. Using a pastry brush, lightly and evenly brush this egg wash onto the exposed edges of your par-baked pie dough. This step is not just for aesthetics; it helps create a beautiful, rich golden-brown finish and adds a delicate sheen to the crust edges, making your pie look even more inviting.

8. Carefully and slowly pour the prepared pumpkin filling evenly into the par-baked crust. Ensure the filling is spread uniformly across the entire crust to guarantee even baking and a consistent texture in every slice. It’s important to be mindful not to overfill the crust; the filling should ideally sit just below the level of your decorative fluted edges. Remember, the filling will naturally puff up slightly during baking, and overfilling can lead to unsightly spills and a messy oven.

   

9. Gently transfer the jelly roll pan with your now-filled pie back into the oven, placing it directly onto the preheated baking sheet. Bake for approximately 40 minutes at 350°F (175°C). The pie is perfectly baked when the edges of the filling appear set and firm, yet the very center still exhibits a slight, gentle jiggle when the pan is carefully shaken. It should not be watery or overly wobbly. Crucially, avoid the temptation to overbake, as this can lead to cracks in the filling and a dry, less desirable texture. Once baked to perfection, remove the pan from the oven and carefully transfer it to a wire rack. Allow it to cool completely at room temperature, which is an essential step for the pie to fully set and firm up before slicing.

   

The Perfect Companion: Crafting Delicious Homemade Whipped Cream

While this pumpkin slab pie is undeniably delectable on its own, a generous dollop of fresh, homemade whipped cream truly elevates the entire dessert experience. Our recipe for whipped cream includes a special ingredient – cream cheese – which acts as a stabilizer, ensuring the whipped cream holds its beautiful shape longer without weeping or deflating. Here’s how to create this delightful and essential topping:

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine ½ cup of the heavy cream with the softened cream cheese. Using a handheld mixer (or the whisk attachment of a stand mixer), beat these two ingredients together until the mixture is completely smooth, velvety, and entirely free of any lumps. This initial step is vital for ensuring your whipped cream has a silky-smooth texture. Next, add the powdered sugar and the remaining heavy cream to the bowl. Increase the mixer speed to medium-high and continue to beat until soft, billowy peaks gracefully form. Be vigilant and careful not to overmix, as exceeding this point can cause the cream to become grainy or even turn into butter.

   

2. Once your pumpkin slab pie is completely cooled to room temperature and ready for serving, generously top each individual slice with this exquisitely fluffy and stable homemade whipped cream. You can either use a spoon to dollop it on for a charmingly rustic aesthetic or employ a piping bag with a decorative tip for a more elegant and refined presentation. The pie is best enjoyed chilled, with the creamy whipped topping complementing its rich, spiced flavors. Serve immediately and delight in every bite!

Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips for Pumpkin Slab Pie Success

---

To help you achieve the absolute best results with your pumpkin slab pie and answer any common queries, here are some frequently asked questions and invaluable expert tips:

Pro Tips for an Unforgettable and Flawless Pumpkin Slab Pie

---

• Chill the Dough Thoroughly: After you’ve carefully shaped and beautifully fluted your pie dough, it will inevitably be slightly warm from the heat of your hands. It is absolutely essential to refrigerate it for a minimum of 2 hours, but for truly optimal results, leaving it overnight is best before you proceed with the blind baking stage. This prolonged chilling period allows the gluten in the dough to fully relax, a critical step for preventing excessive shrinkage during baking and helping those delicate fluted edges to hold their exquisite shape beautifully. If you find yourself truly pressed for time, you can also accelerate the chilling process by placing the dough in the freezer for about 30-45 minutes.
• Maintain Fluted Edges: Those elegant, decorative fluted edges are prone to ‘relax’ or soften during the par-baking process due to the heat. To maximize their retention and keep them looking sharp, ensure your dough is properly chilled as described above. Additionally, it is paramount that your oven is preheated to its exact optimal temperature before the pie enters. An inexpensive, accurate oven thermometer is truly a baker’s best friend, as it can reliably confirm your oven’s actual internal temperature, which can often vary significantly from the dial setting.
• Achieve an Evenly Baked Crust: To proactively prevent a common baking woe – the dreaded soggy bottom crust – and to ensure uniformly baked perfection, I highly recommend placing a heavy-duty baking sheet (one that is noticeably larger than your jelly roll pan) into the oven during the entire preheating phase. As the oven heats up, so too does this metal sheet, creating a consistently hot surface. When you then place your jelly roll pan directly onto this preheated sheet, it efficiently conducts heat to the bottom of the pie, allowing your crust to cook effectively and resulting in a perfectly crisp and flaky base every time.
• Blind Baking with Ease: When preparing your crust for blind baking, take a sheet of parchment paper and crinkle it into a tight ball a few times before gently flattening it out. The strategic wrinkles you create will allow the parchment paper to sit much more snugly and effectively within the contours of your pie pan, ensuring it presses against the dough evenly. When you are laying the parchment paper over your dough, exercise extra caution and gentleness to avoid accidentally damaging those delicate fluted sides that you meticulously created.
• Avoid Overfilling: It’s important to remember that jelly roll pans can come in slightly varying dimensions, particularly in depth. Depending on the specific measurements of your pan, you might find yourself with a small amount of extra filling. It is absolutely crucial not to overfill your pie crust. You should only pour enough filling so that it rests just below the level of the fluted edges. The pumpkin filling will naturally puff up slightly during the baking process, and overfilling can lead to it bubbling over the sides, creating an unsightly mess in your oven and potentially burning the overflow.
• Perfect Cooling for Perfect Slices: Once your delicious pumpkin slab pie emerges from the oven, resist the strong urge to slice into it immediately. It is vital to allow it to cool completely and undisturbed on a wire rack at room temperature. This slow and gradual cooling process is absolutely critical for the filling to fully set, firm up, and achieve its ideal, smooth texture. Rushing this essential step can very easily result in a soft, unset, or even crumbly filling when you attempt to cut it, compromising the beautiful presentation and delightful texture.

Creative Serving Suggestions for Your Delicious Pumpkin Slab Pie

---

While a simple dollop of our homemade, stable whipped cream is always a fantastic and perfectly fitting choice, there are numerous creative ways to elevate your pumpkin slab pie and cater to various tastes and preferences. Here are some delightful serving suggestions to make your dessert truly unforgettable:

• Classic Whipped Cream: Our specially prepared, stable cream cheese whipped cream is the ultimate pairing. Feel free to dollop it generously onto each slice for a rustic charm or, for a more refined touch, pipe elegant swirls using a pastry bag and decorative tip just before serving.
• Spiced Whipped Cream: For an extra layer of aromatic flavor, lightly dust your freshly made whipped cream with a delicate pinch of cinnamon, a touch of nutmeg, or even a dash of fragrant pumpkin pie spice. This simple addition beautifully complements the pie’s existing flavors.
• Warm Caramel Drizzle: A luscious swirl of warm caramel sauce artfully drizzled over the top of each slice introduces a rich, sweet counterpoint that harmonizes exquisitely with the spiced pumpkin filling.
• Crunchy Candied Pecans or Walnuts: For an inviting textural contrast and a delightful nutty flavor, sprinkle some crunchy candied pecans or walnuts over the whipped cream. These add a sophisticated crunch that enhances every bite.
• A Scoop of Premium Ice Cream: For a truly indulgent and satisfying treat, serve a slightly warm slice of your pumpkin slab pie alongside a generous scoop of high-quality vanilla bean ice cream. The exquisite contrast of the warm, spiced pie and the cold, slowly melting ice cream is a heavenly combination.
• Thoughtful Coffee or Tea Pairing: This comforting dessert pairs wonderfully with a freshly brewed cup of hot coffee, a creamy and invigorating latte, or a fragrant, spiced chai tea. These beverages perfectly complement the rich flavors of the pie.
• Autumn Fruit Garnish: Add a vibrant visual appeal and a burst of freshness by garnishing your plate with a few fresh cranberries or a delicate sprig of mint. This small addition adds a beautiful pop of color, especially during the festive holiday season.

Regardless of how you choose to present and serve it, always remember that this easy pumpkin slab pie is best enjoyed chilled. Allowing it to thoroughly cool ensures the flavors have ample time to fully develop and deepen, and the filling achieves its ideal, custardy texture, making each slice a delightful experience.

More Delightful Fall & Holiday Dessert Recipes You’ll Love

---

If you’ve thoroughly enjoyed the effortless convenience and irresistible deliciousness of our pumpkin slab pie, you’ll be excited to explore even more of our favorite crowd-pleasing dessert recipes. These are perfect for any gathering, especially during the enchanting autumn and winter months. Expanding your collection of easy-to-make, shareable treats is a wonderful way to bring joy to any occasion and impress your guests. Here are some other fantastic recipes from our kitchen that we believe you’ll absolutely love:

• Apple Slab Pie: A wonderful alternative to pumpkin, this slab pie is bursting with the sweet and tart flavors of tender baked apples, perfect for fall.
• Mini Pumpkin Pies: Ideal for individual servings or a dessert buffet, these adorable bite-sized pumpkin pies are both charming and utterly delicious.
• Strawberry Slab Pie: For a lighter, fruitier option, this delightful spring or summer take on the slab pie features an abundance of fresh, juicy strawberries.
• Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes: For those who adore cheesecake, these individual pumpkin cheesecakes offer a rich, creamy, and perfectly portioned alternative.
• Pecan Pie Brownies: A truly decadent fusion of two beloved desserts, combining fudgy, rich brownies with the classic, nutty goodness of pecan pie – a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

I absolutely cherish the art of baking and cooking, and it brings me immense joy to share my kitchen experiences and perfected recipes with all of you! Remembering to come back each day for new culinary inspiration can sometimes be a challenge, which is precisely why I offer a convenient newsletter delivered straight to your inbox every time a new recipe is published. Simply subscribe today and start receiving your free daily recipes, ensuring you never miss out on another delicious creation!