Now that the holiday season is finally here, you’re probably planning what meals to serve at your Thanksgiving dinner. We all know that the pumpkin dessert is the highlight of the meal.
You’ll never go wrong with having the classic pumpkin pie as your last course. However, you can always step up your dessert game by trying new recipes.
A new delicious way to enjoy pumpkin dessert is to have pumpkin chiffon pie, and it may become the new-most awaited pastry of your holiday dinner.
If you’re unsure which is better between pumpkin chiffon pie vs. pumpkin pie, keep reading to find out. We’re here to help you make the right choice for your menu.
Pumpkin Chiffon Pie vs. Pumpkin Pie
Here’s an overview of the difference between serving pumpkin chiffon pie and traditional pumpkin pie.
Pumpkin Chiffon Pie
This pumpkin chiffon pie is a lighter and fluffier version of the traditional pumpkin pie. It has a silky smooth texture that will definitely make anyone crave it.
Chiffon pie is typically cold custard mixed with meringue and a whisk of egg whites that are beaten with sugar. The pudding-like filling mounded into a buttery gingersnap crust will absolutely satisfy your sweet tooth.
This dessert is perfect for those who aren’t big fans of traditional pumpkin pie.
Classic Pumpkin Pie
The classic pumpkin pie is a traditional dessert with an open-faced single-crust pie shell. It’s a custard-filled pie baked in an oven which requires time and patience.
The smooth pumpkin filling guarantees every bite bursting with pumpkin spice flavor.
Differences in Texture
Each of these desserts has a distinct texture that no one can resist.
Pumpkin Chiffon Pie
Chiffon often contains gelatin to maintain its fluffiness. It has a light texture that gives the pumpkin chiffon pie a flimsy appearance.
This dessert is usually cooked over a double broiler before mixing whipped cream for a sumptuous texture.
Classic Pumpkin Pie
The traditional pumpkin pie has a soft and silky texture. It’s tender, creamy, and has a flaky crust.
Differences in Filling
The filling is the key ingredient of the pumpkin pie. It gives color and taste to the pastry, whether you’re serving chiffon pie or the traditional one.
Pumpkin Chiffon Pie
The pumpkin chiffon pie filling is actually just the same as the traditional one, except for one thing. This filling requires a mixture of gelatin that makes it soft but still stable enough to slice neatly.
Classic Pumpkin Pie
The traditional pumpkin pie is a custard-filled pastry. The filling is made from pumpkin puree, eggs, sugar, and cream or milk.
It’s mostly flavored with pumpkin spice – a combination of nutmeg, cloves, ginger, and cinnamon. The custard filling is then mixed with pumpkin spice and poured into a pie crust.
Differences in Cooking Methods
The cooking method used for the two desserts is what makes them different.
Pumpkin Chiffon Pie
To avoid soggy pumpkin chiffon pie, you need to blind-bake the crust. When you’re finished with the pumpkin pie filling, add dissolved gelatin to stabilize the fluffiness of the chiffon.
Once finished, let the pumpkin filling cool down, then pour it into the pre-baked crust. Refrigerate the pumpkin pie until it has settled down perfectly.
The best thing about pumpkin chiffon pie is you can serve them straight from the fridge.
Classic Pumpkin Pie
Unlike the pumpkin chiffon pie, it’s not recommended to blind-bake the crust of the traditional pumpkin pie. Just pour the custard filling into the pie crust and start baking.
However, overbaking is possible in traditional pumpkin pies so it’s essential to check the oven often. We don’t want to ruin the creamy texture of the custard filling.
You can perform a jiggle test or a knife test to know if the pumpkin pie is already cooked.
Final Thoughts
Choosing between pumpkin chiffon pie vs. pumpkin pie is a tough decision. However, when it comes to the cooking procedure, pumpkin chiffon pie is the winner.
The pumpkin chiffon pie is a no-bake pie. You just have to properly prep the pie crust and assemble the pumpkin filling. After that, you can leave it in the refrigerator to properly set it.
Unlike the traditional pumpkin pie, you don’t have to keep watch over the pumpkin chiffon pie. There’s no overbaking. This means you have more time to prepare other food!
Of the two, you can serve both with some sprinkled cinnamon, top the pie with whipped cream, or just serve it plain.
Sarah is the founder of Baking Kneads, LLC, a blog sharing guides, tips, and recipes for those learning how to bake. Growing up as the daughter of a baker, she spent much of her childhood learning the basics in a local bakery.