
A historical dessert from The White House cook book; a comprehensive cyclopedia of information for the home .. (1913).
Preserved exactly as written in the original source
Modern guidance to help you succeed with this vintage recipe
Separating and beating eggs creates two distinct structures: beaten yolks emulsify the milk and pumpkin into a smooth custard, while whipped egg whites incorporate air that lightens the dense filling and creates a soufflé-like texture when baked. The high egg-to-pumpkin ratio (nine eggs to one quart) ensures proper setting through protein coagulation, while the sieved pumpkin removes fibrous strands that would interfere with the custard's silky texture. The abundant milk dilutes the mixture enough to prevent a rubbery texture while still allowing the proteins to form a tender gel structure.
Due to the incomplete recipe and the soufflé-like nature of beaten egg whites, this filling should be prepared and baked immediately. The stewed and sieved pumpkin can be prepared up to 2 days ahead and refrigerated in an airtight container. Pre-bake pie crusts up to 1 day ahead, cool completely, and store wrapped at room temperature.
Store baked pie covered loosely with aluminum foil in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The texture will deflate somewhat as the egg whites lose their structure, becoming more like a traditional custard pie. Serve chilled or bring to room temperature for 30 minutes before serving. Do not freeze, as the egg-white structure will break down and become watery upon thawing.
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Due to the incomplete recipe and the soufflé-like nature of beaten egg whites, this filling should be prepared and baked immediately. The stewed and sieved pumpkin can be prepared up to 2 days ahead and refrigerated in an airtight container. Pre-bake pie crusts up to 1 day ahead, cool completely, and store wrapped at room temperature.
Store baked pie covered loosely with aluminum foil in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The texture will deflate somewhat as the egg whites lose their structure, becoming more like a traditional custard pie. Serve chilled or bring to room temperature for 30 minutes before serving. Do not freeze, as the egg-white structure will break down and become watery upon thawing.