It’s difficult to picture a full Thanksgiving menu without the spiced custard pie known as pumpkin pie, whether you love it or hate it. If you are making my holiday desserts a day or two in advance, you may wonder does pumpkin pie need to be refrigerated.
The quick and simple response is: Yes, pumpkin pie needs to be kept in the fridge. The USDA advises that all “egg-rich pies” must be kept refrigerated after baking and cooling. This group includes pumpkin pies as well as custard, pecan, and meringue pies.
You can find out more about storing pumpkin pies by reading on.
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Does Pumpkin Pie Need To Be Refrigerated?
Pumpkin pie does, in most cases, need to be refrigerated. While items like pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice can be kept on the shelf, homemade pumpkin pie is typically made with eggs and some kind of milk or cream, so it needs to be kept in the refrigerator. When your pie is finished baking, let it cool completely (this shouldn’t take more than two hours), then cover it loosely with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place it in the refrigerator.
Up to two hours before serving, homemade pumpkin pie can be left at room temperature. Because of this, you can leave the pie out before cutting and serving if there won’t be enough room in the fridge on the big day or if you just like the flavor of room-temperature pie.
Why Are Pumpkin Pies From Stores Not Refrigerated?
The exception to the rule is this. Preservatives are frequently used in commercially produced pumpkin pies to extend their shelf life at room temperature. The majority of store-bought pies will have a sell-by date, which gives you an idea of how long they will stay edible—even when kept at room temperature. It’s a little more difficult to store pumpkin pies you buy from a bakery; if they’re made with only fresh ingredients, like a homemade pie, you should put them in the refrigerator, but if preservatives are used, treat them like pies you’d buy from the grocery store. Ask to be certain of both your safety and the safety of your visitors.
How Long Does Pumpkin Pie Last?
When kept in the refrigerator, pumpkin pie can keep for up to four days. To keep it fresh, simply place it in an airtight container or wrap it in plastic wrap.
Pies may also be frozen. Pies should be completely cooled before being wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and placed in an airtight container or zip-top bag.) and then popped into the freezer. Pumpkin pie that has been frozen should be eaten within a month.
Unwrap it and place it in the refrigerator to defrost until you’re ready to eat a slice. Don’t forget to garnish with homemade whipped cream.
How Long Can Pumpkin Pie Be Left At Room Temperature?
Pumpkin pies can occasionally be kept at room temperature, but for long-term storage, you should keep them in the refrigerator.
First, after being taken out of the oven, pumpkin pie should be kept at room temperature. On a wire rack, let it cool completely before storing it in the refrigerator.
The FDA advises keeping pumpkin pie at room temperature for up to two hours. So feel free to take the pie out of the fridge a little bit before cutting a slice.
How To Store Pumpkin Pie?
When you get home, simply put any pumpkin pie you bought at the store in the refrigerator. You can either keep it in the box or container you purchased it in, or you can wrap it loosely in plastic wrap. You must properly cool a pumpkin pie that has just been baked.
To store a homemade pumpkin pie after baking:
- On a cooling rack, remove the pumpkin pie from the oven.
- For up to two hours, allow the pumpkin pie to cool at room temperature.
- Wrap loosely in plastic wrap after the pumpkin pie has reached room temperature.
- Refrigerate pumpkin pie and keep it there for up to 4 days.
An important cooling tip: Before covering, make sure your pumpkin pie is completely cool. If the pumpkin pie is wrapped or covered while it is even just a little bit warm, condensation will form after wrapping, resulting in a soggy crust. You can certainly store your pumpkin pie in the refrigerator uncovered and wrap it later to avoid this.
You can easily freeze pumpkin pie to extend its shelf life if you know you won’t be serving it within a few days. Any portion of the pie, including a slice or two, can be frozen.
How To Determine Whether My Pumpkin Pie Is Still Fresh?
Even though the recommended window for freshness is two to four days, if you don’t like to throw food away, you might be tempted to keep your pie for longer. Check it carefully for strange smells or odd appearances like excessive weeping or separation; of course, throw any pies with mold away.
Can I Freeze Pumpkin Pie?
Pumpkin pie can be frozen for up to a month if you really want to get a head start on your holiday baking. (Additionally, this is fantastic if you want to freeze extra pumpkin pie to eat a few weeks after Thanksgiving.) Use a disposable aluminum foil pan to bake your pie for the best results. The thin pan makes it possible for the pie to freeze more quickly, which reduces the likelihood of the filling developing large ice crystals, which can change the texture of your pie. Using an aluminum pan frees up your glass or ceramic pie dish so you can bake an apple or pecan pie in it.
After it has finished baking, let the pie cool completely before wrapping it tightly in three layers of plastic wrap and a layer of aluminum foil. Once frozen solid, store the pie in the freezer for up to a month.
How To Defrost Pumpkin Pie?
Slow and steady is the way to go when defrosting your pie. The pie should be thawed in the refrigerator at least 12 hours in advance (room-temperature defrosting almost always results in a soggy crust!). Remove all plastic wrap except the layer closest to the pie.). Gently dab it with a paper towel if you notice any liquid on the pie’s surface. Do you notice any stains or cracks? Whipping cream is used for this.
How To Serve Pumpkin Pie After Storing It?
You have choices when it comes to serving pumpkin pie that has already been made. A dollop of whipped cream can be added after the pumpkin pie has been taken from the fridge to the table because many people prefer it cold. If you prefer your pie at room temperature, remove it from the refrigerator to remove the chill before serving, but only leave it out for up to two hours. Want it warm? Whether you’re reheating a slice, several slices, or a whole pie, loosely wrap the pie in foil and place it a 350°F until heated through. Check by sliding a knife through the center; if the pie is warm throughout, the knife will feel warm to the touch. Depending on how much pie you’re warming, this process could take anywhere between 10 and 15 minutes. After being reheated, pumpkin pie cannot be frozen or refrigerated once more.