This adorable Turkey Crust Pumpkin Pie is easy to recreate and will amaze your family and friends this holiday season. Let me show you how easy it is to assemble and bake this fun Thanksgiving holiday treat.
Jump to:
- The ingredient list:
- Kitchen tools and equipment needed:
- Why this recipe works?
- What is the key to assembling this turkey pumpkin pie?
- Is homemade or store-bought pie dough better for this recipe?
- Can this turkey pie crust design be done on a store-bought pumpkin pie?
- Can I assemble and bake the turkey crust by itself first?
- View some of the turkey crust pumpkin pies made by readers like you!
- Can this turkey crust pumpkin pie be made in advance and frozen?
- The step-by-step photo instructions for making a pumpkin pie with a turkey crust:
- Popular homemade pie crust recipes from around the web:
- Alternative pumpkin pie recipe:
- My turkey pumpkin pie has been featured in the following publications:
- A full Thanksgiving menu
- Printable Recipe Card
The ingredient list:
**Note - The following lists of ingredients plus kitchen tools and equipment contain affiliate links (highlighted in blue) for your consideration and shopping convenience.
- 2 - 9" round pie crust (store-bought or homemade)
- all-purpose flour (for rolling the pie dough)
- pumpkin puree
- granulated sugar
- ground cinnamon
- grated nutmeg
- eggs
- evaporated milk (not sweetened condensed milk)
- pure vanilla extract
- ground ginger
- ground cloves
- kosher salt
Kitchen tools and equipment needed:
- large mixing bowl
- whisk
- cardboard or cardstock (for making the pattern)
- scissors
- pen or pencil
- rolling pin
- paring knife (for cutting out the pie dough pattern)
- spatula or offset spatula
- measuring cups and spoons
- baking sheet
- parchment paper
- pie pan (if using homemade crust)
- small round bowl (4" circumference)
- nutmeg grater (optional)
- cake lifter (optional)
Why this recipe works?
Because the pie is tasty, and the decorations are not difficult or intimidating.
I've done my best to give you easy step-by-step instructions and descriptions but the best pies are the ones that are unique with your own style and personality.
Have fun with this and you'll be as proud as a peacock (um, make that turkey) with how your pie turns out.
Oh, don't forget to tag me across all the social media platforms (@kudoskitchen) with a photo of your turkey crust pie because I'd love to see your edible work of art!
GO YOU!
What is the key to assembling this turkey pumpkin pie?
The major key to assembling the turkey crust (so he doesn't drown in all that luscious pumpkin filling) is to bake the pumpkin pie partially before adding Mr. Tom Turkey on top.
That way the custard pie will be set enough so the turkey crust will sit on top of the pie and won't be eaten up and fall to the bottom of the pie, rendering him invisible.
That would be no fun at all!
Is homemade or store-bought pie dough better for this recipe?
That depends on you!
To simplify the process of making this pumpkin pie with a turkey crust, I used some store-bought pie crust that can be found in the refrigerator section of the grocery store.
However, if you have a penchant for making your own crust, by all means, use your favorite recipe, but be sure you make enough for a double-crust pie.
Can this turkey pie crust design be done on a store-bought pumpkin pie?
Sure thing!! Whatever is easier for you!
If using a store-bought pumpkin pie (as shown in the video), start by baking the pie halfway before adding the turkey crust.
OR, you can pre-bake the turkey and add him to the fully baked pie as described below.
Can I assemble and bake the turkey crust by itself first?
You sure can!
I've heard of a lot of people who prefer to bake their turkey crust and pumpkin pie separately and then lay the baked turkey crust on top of the finished pumpkin pie.
If this sounds like a method you'd like to try, make sure to watch the baking of the turkey closely.
I suggest assembling him on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and sprayed lightly with baking spray.
Bake him in a preheated oven for 12-15 minutes (keeping a close eye on him so he doesn't burn).
Once he is golden brown, remove him from the oven and allow him to cool completely before adding him to the top of the cooked pumpkin pie. A large cake mover works well for this.
View some of the turkey crust pumpkin pies made by readers like you!
Can this turkey crust pumpkin pie be made in advance and frozen?
YES!! I've done it several times!
- Cool the pie completely after baking.
- Once fully cooled, wrap the pie well in 2 - 3 layers of cling wrap and freeze for up to 2 months.
- Thaw at room temperature for 1 hour and unwrap the pie. Continue thawing until no longer frozen.
The step-by-step photo instructions for making a pumpkin pie with a turkey crust:
- Roll out one pie crust to fit a 9" pie plate.
- Roll the dough loosely onto the rolling pin and transfer it to a waiting 9" pie plate.
- Carefully unroll the dough...
- Gently press the dough into the corners of the plate and up the sides.
- Crimp the top of the crust however you like.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together granulated sugar, cinnamon, salt, ground ginger, grated nutmeg, and cloves.
- In a large bowl, whisk together 2 eggs, pumpkin puree, evaporated milk, and vanilla.
- Add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and whisk well to combine.
- Pour the filling into the prepared pie crust.
- Once the pie is filled, partially bake it in a preheated 375-degree oven for 40-45 minutes.
- While the pie is baking, roll out the second pie crust and start trimming the pie crust pieces to form the turkey body.
- Use water on your finger to "glue" the turkey beak and waddle to the neck and head.
- Using more water, carefully transfer the turkey neck to the body (a spatula works well for this).
- Use a small piece of cardboard (from the back of a small note pad), and draw out two sizes of feathers, one longer, and one shorter.
- Cut out the cardboard feathers to use as a pattern.
- Use a paring knife to trim at least 15 feathers (both sizes) from the remaining pie crust.
- Carefully use the blade of the paring knife to score lines into the dough to resemble feathers.
- If needed, use the paring knife to gently fraction the body of the turkey to more easily determine the placement of the feathers.
- Once the pie is partially baked, it's time to start assembling the turkey on top of the pie, starting with his body.
- Use a touch of water to add the feathers, one at a time to the body of the turkey until you like the way he looks.
- Use a skewer or toothpick to make the holes for the eyes.
- When the turkey is completely assembled, return the pie to the oven and continue baking until the center of the pie is completely set and the turkey crust is lightly brown and golden.
- Cool completely before cutting and serving.
Popular homemade pie crust recipes from around the web:
*Art of the Pie Dough Recipe from Kate McDermott
*Homemade Buttery Flaky Pie Crust from Sally's Baking Addiction
*The Best Homemade Pie Crust from Cookies and Cups
*Mom's Homemade Pie Crust from (yours truly) Kudos Kitchen
Alternative pumpkin pie recipe:
Easy Pumpkin Pie from Wonderful Cook - This pumpkin pie recipe is bursting with an incredible profile flavor and is super easy to make! Add the turkey crust topper and you'll please and delight everyone at the table!
My turkey pumpkin pie has been featured in the following publications:
Since his original creation, I'm as pleased as pie that this Tom turkey-decorated dessert has been featured in the following publications -
Blu Ridge Vintage
Tip Hero
XO Katie Rosario
Country Living Magazine (yes, twice!)
This recipe post for my pumpkin pie with a turkey crust is also proudly featured on Meal Plan Monday.
A full Thanksgiving menu
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When you make this recipe (and I hope that you will), I'd appreciate it if you'd take the time to come back and give it a star rating along with a comment on why you rated as you did. Google appreciates ratings on recipes and, in turn, will show my recipes to more people. Thank you!!
Printable Recipe Card
Turkey Crust Pumpkin Pie
Equipment
- Offset spatula optional
- kitchen timer optional
- pie pan if making homemade pie crust
- Rolling Pin if making homemade pie crust
- cardboard or cardstock
- ruler
Ingredients
- 1 deep dish pie crust store-bought or homemade
- 1 9-inch round pie crust store-bought or homemade
To make the pumpkin pie filling:
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- pinch freshly grated nutmeg
- 2 large eggs
- 1 can (15 ounces) pumpkin purée Not pumpkin pie filling
- 1 can (12 ounces) evaporated milk
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Use card stock or cardboard and scissors to cut out two thin sizes of feathers. One longer (approximately 2") and one shorter (approximately 1½"). Set aside.
If you are making homemade crust, start here:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius)
- Roll out one of the pie crusts to fit slightly larger than a 9" deep dish pie plate.
- Loosely roll the pie crust upon the rolling pin and transfer it to a waiting 9" pie plate.
- Gently unroll the crust and evenly press the crust into the corners and up the sides of the plate.
- Crimp the edge of the crust with your favorite method of decoration.
If using store-bought crust, start here:
- Whisk together the sugar, cinnamon, salt, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg in a medium bowl.
- Whisk together the eggs, pumpkin puree, evaporated milk, and vanilla in a large bowl.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and whisk to thoroughly combine the pie filling so that it's creamy with no lumps.
- Carefully pour the pie filling into the waiting pie crust in the pie plate.
- Partially bake in a preheated oven for 30-35 minutes.
- While the pie partially bakes, roll out the second pie crust.
- Roll out the second pie crust and use the paring knife to cut the round body from the 4-inch bowl.
- Use the round body as a size reference and cut out the turkey's neck, head, beak, and thin waddle with the paring knife.
- Use a fingertip and water (sparingly) to "glue" the pie crust pieces together.
- Use an offset spatula to carefully transfer the turkey's body onto the partially baked pie crust.
- Cut 14 feathers (both sizes) from the remaining dough and carefully, with a light hand, use the back of the paring knife to score the crust to resemble feathers lightly.
- Add the feathers to the turkey's body in a pleasing design using water.
- Return the turkey crust pie to the oven to finish baking until the custard center is no longer jiggly (approximately 20 minutes, observing so the turkey doesn't get too dark). *Note - if needed, loosely cover the pie with foil if the crust is browning too quickly and the center of the pie is still uncooked.
- Once fully cooked, remove the turkey crust pumpkin pie from the oven and cool on a cooling rack.
- Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
I sincerely hope you've enjoyed today's recipe for Turkey Crust Pumpkin Pie as much as I've enjoyed bringing it to you!
Thank you so much for visiting me today in my Kudos Kitchen. I hope you found something you'll love and that you will come back and visit me often. Please know that there is always room for you around my kitchen table!
Should you have any questions or comments regarding anything you've seen on my site, please don't hesitate to reach out to contact me. It is always my distinct pleasure to get back with you just as soon as I possibly can!
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Until we eat again, I hope you have a delicious day!
Holly says
This might be a silly question, but do you think this would work with a cherry pie?
Renée says
Hi Holly! Not silly at all. The only thing that would probably happen is that the Turkey would conform to the shape of the cherries as they cooked down. I couldn't guarantee how he'd look after that, but I'd give it a try if I was you. Let me know how it works for you if you do it. Happy Thanksgiving!
Renee
Breann says
Hello, so I've never made a pie before but I want to do this. I was wondering what is the best way to transport this pie from my house to another with out it getting messed up? Also does it have to be fresh spices or can I get everything out of a jar?
Renée says
Thanks for your question, Breann. The best spices are always the fresh ones. However, jarred spices will work too. Use whatever you have, or whatever is most available to you. Regarding the transportation, a pie carrier is your friend. Check them out on Amazon.com or most likely any major retailer. Or, in a pinch, use a shallow cardboard box that is only slightly larger around then the circumference of the pie plate. Carefully lower the pie in the box and you're ready to go. Oh, cover the pie loosely with tin foil first 🙂
Hope this helps!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Renee
Jillene C. Hribar says
This is so cute! I'm wondering...do you think the turkey could be baked separately then laid on top of the pie afterwards?
Renée says
Hi Jillene. I really have no idea because I haven't tried it, but I honestly don't see why not. The only problem my be that he wouldn't actually be attached to the pie, and may slide.
Other than that, I can't really think it would be a problem. If you do it, let me know how it works for you.
Renee
jeridee burnett says
Looks great! however, I'm wondering why such a long cooking time at such a high temperature? It seems like the crust would burn and the custard over done at that temperature. Thoughts?
Renée says
Hello Jeridee,
Thanks for the question. I wrote the recipe with how long it took me in my home oven. If you're worried that the temperature is too high, feel free to turn the oven down to 375-400 and then keep an eye on it. The actual baking time is really only 1 hour and 15 minutes, but if you're worried the crust will burn and the custard will be overdone, feel free to cover the pie at some point. Of course this will hinder the browning of the turkey on top.
I hope this helps.
Renee
raechef1 says
Stunning!
Renée says
Thank you so much!!!
Marisa says
I love this idea, and I wanted to try a slightly simplified (just less feathers) mini version on some mini apple pies I'm making in a cupcake tin. Because these will take less time to bake than a full size pumpkin pie, at what point do you think I should add the crust? Thanks so much!
Renée says
Since you'll be adding the turkey crust to an apple pie that has more structure than a custard pumpkin pie, I'd go ahead and add the crust right away. The only reason I added the turkey crust to the custard pie after partially baking was so the custard had a chance to partially set so the turkey crust wouldn't sink to the bottom of the custard. The only thing I will caution you when adding the crust to an apple pie, is that the crust will conform to the shape of the apples upon baking, thereby making your turkey (possibly) lumpy. I can't say that for 100% fact, but it's just something I think I need to caution you about.
I hope this answers your question. Thanks for asking.
Renee
Caleb says
Very festive pie for the Holidays!
Renée says
Thank you, Caleb! I'm so glad you like it!!
Kristin says
Do you recommend making this Thanksgiving Day? Could it be made the night before? Thanks!
Renée says
Hi Kristin,
Thanks for the question. You can definitely make this the day before. After the pie has cooled, remember to refrigerate it. Take the chill off the pie for about 30 minutes before serving by sitting it out on the kitchen counter.
Enjoy your pie!
Renee
magilla71 says
Do you brush the turkey cutout with anything before you put it back in the oven? Thanks!
Renée says
I did not. However, if you'd like to you can give him a quick egg wash (brush him with an egg mixed with 1 tablespoon water). But if you do that, be careful to only brush the turkey, and not the pumpkin pie custard. Thanks for your question 🙂
Renee
Malene (from Denmark) says
This s so cute! I am doing this on the next pie I bake (even though it probably will be a wonderful chicken pot pie (Donal Skehan has a great recipe) and not a pumpkin pie 😉 ) Have a nice day!
Renée says
Okay, I love, love, love that you're going to put this on a savory pie! I'm going to have to do that too. Thanks for the inspiration, Malene (and thanks for stopping by)!
Renee
Mayra says
Thank u so much. It is gorgeous. I'm going to give it a try this year! I love it. Thanks.
Renée says
That's wonderful, Mayra. I know you'll be successful with it and that you'll surprise your friends and family with how creative you are!
Have a wonderful holiday season!
Renee
Julie is Hostess At Heart says
Renee, this is just gorgeous. It appeals to my artistic side (as a decorative painter) too.
Renée says
Very cool, Julie. We are kindred spirits then! Very good to know!
Lynne says
I cannot wait to try this! It is soooo adorable.
Renée says
Thank you, Lynne! I know your family and friends will be impressed! Have fun with it and make it your own!
Stacia says
This is adorable! I plan to make this but I was wondering if you think it could be made ahead and frozen? I want to do some special recipes like this but I need to get as much as possible done ahead of time. Thank you for sharing this!❤️
Renée says
I definitely think you can make it ahead and freeze it. However, I've not done it so I'm not 100% positive.
My thoughts are this:
If you plan on reheating the pie before serving, I'd make sure to bake it uncovered for only like 15 or 20 minutes at 350. I would also thaw the pie first.
If you plan on thawing it (after it's already been fully baked) and then serving it at room temperature, I'd uncover it while it's thawing so condensation doesn't make the pie soggy.
I hope this all makes sense.
Remember when you're first making the pie, as the recipe states, partially bake the pie first so the pumpkin custard is somewhat set before you start assembling the turkey on top so he doesn't sink in the filling.
Please let me know if you have additional questions, I'll be happy to help. And thanks so much, Stacia for visiting, and for your great question.
Renee
Liz Yang says
Wow. This is absolutely amazing. At first glance, I gasped. So originally delightful and creative. I looove it.
Renée says
What a lovely thing to say. Thank you so much, Liz. I'm happy you like it, and I'm thrilled that you stopped to visit me here in my Kudos Kitchen.
Renee
Laura Adams says
Oh Renée, thanks so much for this cute idea to make the Thanksgiving meal even a little more special! I use my husband's grandmother's handwritten recipe for pumpkin pie, and it is killer! It makes THREE pies, which my grown children love, because it means there's always pie for them to take home, along with all the other leftovers. Can't wait to surprise them with this! Adorable!
Renée says
Thank you so much for sharing your story with me, Laura! I'm sure your husband's grandmother's pies are incredible! I'm so glad you're going to surprise your family with this new turkey crust topping. I hope they love it! Thanks for the comment, and for visiting my blog 🙂
Renee