Pumpkin Pie Size

 

Pumpkin pies are traditionally served during Halloween, Thanksgiving and even Christmas celebrations particularly in the United States. 

Pumpkin pie size is no different from other regular pie sizes except if you make yours according to your own specifications. But generally speaking, the size for pumpkin pies start at 5 inches in diameter all the way to 10 inches with a thickness of about 1 and ¼ inches.

The most common however is the 9-inch pie.

There are smaller sizes as well which are perfect serving portions for kids: 3 inches in diameter and still others are made into bite-size dimensions, about 2 inches in diameter. 

The Tradition of Pumpkin Pie

This pie is actually more popular during Thanksgiving celebrations perhaps stemming from the very first Thanksgiving feast celebrated around 1621 by the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag in gratitude of their rich harvest.

While it was not very clear that pumpkin pie was actually served, it was presumed that they did serve some type of pumpkin dish placed inside the pumpkin shell, which makes it look like a pie of sorts.

Today, pumpkin is also regarded as a symbol for good harvest likewise owing to the very fist Thanksgiving feast ever celebrated. 

The importance of pumpkin pie in traditions was emphasized in several literary genres including the 1850 poem “The Pumpkin” by John Greenleaf Whittier and the 1889 opera song “Farewell O Fragrant Pumpkin Pie” which was part of “Leo, the Royal Cadet.”

Several Christmas carols also have references to the pumpkin pie.

Pumpkin Pie Variations

It is said that the first pumpkin “pie” which was also said to be very popular with George Washington consisted of very basic ingredients: pumpkin, eggs, whipped cream, brown sugar, molasses, nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, vanilla extract and butter. This recipe included no pie shell.

As time evolved, so did the pie. What is regarded now as the traditional pumpkin pie includes pie crust, white and brown sugar, evaporated milk, nutmeg and ginger.

You will notice that the molasses, whipped cream, butter and vanilla extract were all taken out of the first pumpkin “pie” recipe. 

Other recipes now also include pecans, marshmallows, gelatin, apples, almonds, caramel, sweet potato and coconut milk. 

Kids’ pumpkin pie bite-size recipes on the other hand, usually just use tartlet crusts and pumpkin pie mix topped with whipped cream. You can also come-up with your own variations depending on what the kids will love.

For those watching their calorie intake, there are also recipes for sugar-free pumpkin pies and these normally use ready-made mixes that you can find in the grocery.