Serves: 8
Prep time: 15 minutes
Bake time: 60 minutes
Total time: ~1 hour 15 minutes
A wickedly smooth pumpkin custard kissed with golden Manuka honey and autumn spices.
Ingredients:
For the Crust:
- 1 x 23 cm short crust pastry shell (ready-made or homemade)
For the Filling:
- 150 g Manuka honey (preferably MGO 25+ or 40+)
- 3 large eggs
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt (1 g)
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon (2 g)
- ½ tsp ground ginger (1 g)
- ¼ tsp ground cloves (½ g)
- 425 g pure pumpkin purée
- 180 ml fresh cream
To Serve (Optional):
- whipped cream or vanilla yoghurt
Directions:
Pre-heat to 220 °C (fan 200 °C). Place a baking tray on the lower rack to pre-warm; this helps the base cook evenly.
Prepare the crust:
- Line the pie tin with pastry, pressing it gently into the edges. Trim excess and chill the shell in the fridge while you make the filling.
Mix the potion:
- In a large bowl, whisk together the Manuka honey, eggs, salt and spices until the mixture is smooth and slightly foamy.
Summon the pumpkin:
- Stir in the pumpkin purée until completely blended. Pour in the cream and whisk until silky. The filling should flow easily but not be watery.
Fill and bake:
- Pour the mixture into the chilled crust. Bake for 15 minutes at 220 °C, then reduce the heat to 180 °C (fan 160 °C) and continue baking for 45 minutes, or until the center is just set and the edges are lightly bronzed.
Cool the spell:
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool at room temperature for at least 1 hour before slicing. Serve at room temperature or chilled with whipped cream.
💀 Witch’s Notes:
For extra flavor:
- Add a few drops of vanilla extract or orange zest to lift the Manuka’s floral notes.
For a dairy-light version:
- Replace half the cream with coconut milk; it gives a subtle tropical finish.
For spooky flair:
- Dust the top with cinnamon in a bat-shaped stencil before serving.
Storage:
- Keep refrigerated for up to 3 days.
🌕 Story Behind the Slice
This “Haunted Harvest” pie turns the familiar pumpkin classic into something unmistakably New Zealand. Manuka honey’s earthy sweetness deepens the pumpkin’s natural flavor and adds a rich amber hue — proof that a Halloween dessert can be both indulgent and good-natured.
