The Ultimate Pumpkin Pie Taste Test: Which Famous Recipe Is Best?

There are few Thanksgiving desserts more beloved than pumpkin pie. But with so many recipes out there, it's hard to know which one is worth trying. To help you choose the very best pumpkin pie recipe, we put six iconic recipes to the test. Turns out, there's a pumpkin pie recipe here to fit every flavor, gathering, and menu. After all, there's no such thing as too much pie.

The 6 Celebrity Pumpkin Pie Recipes We Tried

Frank Sinatra's Spicy Pumpkin Pie

Frank Sinatra's recipe for Spicy Pumpkin Pie was first published by his wife, Nancy, in 1945. The dessert gets its spiced flavor from a blend of cinnamon and ginger. And like many pie recipes of the time, the crust is made with shortening rather than butter. The filling is also made with molasses, sugar, eggs, and salt. Our tasters loved the spiced flavor of this cake, but you've really got to love molasses. If you'd prefer a lighter molasses flavor, choose a light molasses or sub in maple syrup for half the amount.

Bottom line: If you love the spicy flavor cinnamon and ginger add to baked goods, this is the pumpkin pie recipe you should try. It's a nice balance of sweetness and bitter molasses flavor that our recipe tasters enjoyed, especially with a mound of sweet whipped cream on top.

Claire Saffitz’s Caramelized Honey Pumpkin Pie

This internet-famous pumpkin pie recipe starts with a flaky all-butter pie crust and ends with a rich brown butter and honey pumpkin filling. The result is a luscious pumpkin pie that's rich and flavorful. This deep-dish dessert is a labor of love. There are multiple method steps, including some lengthy chill times. That being said, the finished pie is worth the time commitment. Our tasters unanimously loved it.

Bottom line: If you're looking to tackle a baking project this Thanksgiving, this is the pumpkin pie recipe to try.

Julia Child’s Pumpkin Pie

Julia's recipe for pumpkin pie is one of those timeless desserts that you'll come back to year after year. Her filling includes spices, molasses, and a touch of bourbon for big flavor. Perhaps the most unique aspect of this pie is the whipped egg whites in the filling. This extra step helps ensure the finished pie is light and moist. Our recipe tasters loved this pie and felt the flavor perfectly captured memories of holidays past.

Bottom line: If you want a pumpkin pie that tastes both modern and nostalgic, try Julia's recipe. A few simple additions help set it apart from the rest.

Bobby Flay's Throwdown Pumpkin Pie

This was the only celebrity pumpkin pie recipe we tried with a graham cracker crust, and our tasters loved the combination. Bobby's filling is pretty classic but includes a split vanilla bean for flavor. We loved the perfectly balanced combination of flavors, and I'll absolutely be making a graham cracker crust moving forward. As one 5-star reviewer raved, "I've made this pumpkin pie recipe twice for Thanksgiving. This is by far the best recipe I've found."

Bottom line: If you want a really great version of the classic filling with a unique crust, this is the pie to make this year. Bobby's recipe for bourbon-maple whipped cream is the perfect finishing touch.

Ina Garten's Ultimate Pumpkin Pie

Ina's pumpkin pie recipe has two special ingredients in the filling: dark rum and orange zest. Each gives the pie a unique, unexpected flavor that complements the earthiness of the pumpkin. Our editors loved the brightness of the orange zest, especially when paired with the rum. Ina's perfect pie crust recipe is the one I use most often. It adds just the right amount of flakiness to contrast the creamy filling.

Bottom line: If you want a pumpkin pie that tastes both fresh and light, try Ina's. It's ideal for serving after the rich Thanksgiving meal.

Libby's Pumpkin Pie

For many of us, it wouldn't be Thanksgiving dinner without a Libby's pumpkin pie on the table. It's the back-of-can recipe that my mom used, and the one I still make today. Our tasters loved the mild flavor and creamy texture of this pie. It's a classic, and for good reason.

Bottom line: If you want a pumpkin pie that tastes like childhood, it's got to be Libby's. It doesn't get much better.