Alternative crusts for pumpkin pie

[Thanks4Food]

Okay, there's regular pie crust and there's graham cracker crust. I've also seen chocolate cookie and gingersnap crusts. Got any other ideas? I'm not that fond of pie crust myself and would happily eat pumpkin flan, but I don't want to disappoint the pie lovers (too much).

I'm considering Martha Stewart's "Press-in Shortbread Pie Crust" http://www.marthastewart.com/319153/p..., but would like other ideas from y'all first.

Thanks!

[Emme]

if not an almond or pecan crust...
i'd think a oatmeal cookie based crumb crust would pair nicely as well.

[goodhealthgourmet]

good call - i've done oats in the past and it went over very well.

[JudiAU]

I'd either choose a traditional crush or make a flan. First, you are going to annoy the same people you are trying to please. Thin custards don't bake well in alternative crusts and your filling will likely seep through the bottom and be ruined or you'll get a soggy mess. Par-baking a regular crust makes a huge difference with pumpkin pie.

If you want something alternative do a pumpkin chiffon, which would allow you to to use a nut/cookie whatever crust.

[Dee S]

I've done pumpkin pie with a shortbread crust with mixed results. The shortbread needs to be crispy or it just gets mushy. Even if you prebake the shortbread, the pie filling will seep and make it squishy.

I like the idea of a crushed nut crust but would probably mix it with some graham crackers to give it a little bit of body. Depending on your spices, using ginger snaps in place of graham crackers would be good too.

[ipsedixit]

I would do a savory pie crust made with pretzels and salt & vinegar potato chips.

Crush and pulverize the pretzels and potato chips, add melted butter, combine, and then press into pie tin and bake.

[Thanks4Food]

Er....

[ipsedixit]

Don't knock it until you've tried it.

I've done it with banana creme pie to much applause.

[Thanks4Food]

I don't think you could seriously suggest something so radical and not expect people to be taken aback. "Er" doesn't mean I'm knocking it--but since we dislike salt and vinegar chips, we certainly aren't going to add them to our Thanksgiving Day lineup.

[ipsedixit]

Fair enough.

How about crushed Chinese Almond Cookies?

[Thanks4Food]

My husband likes the sound of that one. :-) So are you saying just crush and add melted butter?

[ipsedixit]

Yup. Same way you would do for a typical Graham Cracker Crust, but just use Almond Cookies instead.

[hotoynoodle]

i've been using pretzels in stuff lately, like brownies, and they are a big hit. the pretzel crust would be great, maybe with ground peanuts.

btw, i HATE pumpkin pie, lol.

[tzurriz]

I really respect you Ipsedixit, and usually think your ideas are brilliant. Tonight however, maybe you need to take a break . . .

;)

[ipsedixit]

Like I said up above, don't knock it until you've tried it.

[jbsiegel]

I was going to suggest pretzels, but really not sure about those S&V chips. Regular chips...probably fine!

[todao]

I'll join hotoynoodle's club. A crushed pecan crust would be fantastic.

[goodhealthgourmet]

it is - i've done it. macadamia is also pretty fantastic with pumpkin.

[greygarious]

You can grind up whatever kind of non-sticky cookies or dry cereal or nuts you like, or a combination, and add melted butter or coconut oil, press into a pan, and bake. Since coconut oil is very firm when chilled, any leftovers won't get soggy. There's probably a pumpkin version of Bisquick's "impossible" pie recipe, which would be a compromise between flan and crust.

[hotoynoodle]

ground nuts -- either almonds or pecans.

or ground up chocolate cookies.

[pinehurst]

Thumbs up to the ground nuts!

[magiesmom]

I always make a toasted pecan crust for pumpkin pie. Sometimes add coconut to good reviews.

[Thanks4Food]

Could you provide a recipe? I was hoping for recipes since any attempts at experimenting on my own are usually disastrous.

[weezieduzzit]

Another thumbs up! Almond meal/butter/sugar makes an awesome press in crust.

[Thanks4Food]

Got any specific recipes? I love pecans!

[keepquiet]

Could try a Yeasted crust, I think nytimes has one, (basically a deep dish pizza, but sweet and with pumpkin)
or rise krispies crust ,
Or filo /puff pastry crust
Or make a crust w granola