ULTIMATE PUMPKIN PIE

Makes: 8 servings

Total time: About 2 hours, plus 1 ½ hours chilling

2 pounds butternut squash (1 small squash), peeled, seeded and cut into 1 ½-inch chunks (about 3 cups)

1 cup heavy cream

2 tablespoons granulated sugar 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

All-purpose flour, for rolling out the dough

Dough for a single 9-inch pie crust 3 large eggs

⅔ cup light brown sugar

1 ½ teaspoons ground ginger

1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon

½ teaspoon grated nutmeg

⅛ teaspoon ground allspice or pinch of ground cloves 1 tablespoon bourbon or dark rum, or use 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

½ teaspoon fine sea salt

1. Place two racks in the oven: one in the lower third and one in the upper third. Place a rimmed baking sheet on lower oven rack and heat oven to 400 degrees.

2. Line another rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and spread butternut squash on it. Drizzle squash with 2 tablespoons of the heavy cream, sprinkle with granulated sugar and dot the top with butter. Roast on upper rack, stirring once or twice, until squash is very tender, 40 to 50 minutes.

3. Meanwhile, on a lightly floured surface, roll pie dough into a 12-inch circle. Transfer to a 9-inch metal pie pan. Fold over any excess dough, crimping the edges. Transfer to the freezer for at least 30 minutes and up to 24 hours. (This helps the crust hold its shape so the edges don’t slump.)

4. When the squash is soft, transfer the pan to a wire rack to cool for at least 10 minutes (and up to a few hours). Raise the oven temperature to 425 degrees.

5. In a food processor or blender, puree the squash with the remaining cream until smooth. Add eggs, brown sugar, spices, bourbon and salt, and pulse to combine. The mixture should be very smooth.

6. Pour mixture into the chilled pie shell. Carefully transfer pie to the hot baking sheet on the bottom rack. Bake for 10 minutes, then lower the oven temperature to 300 degrees and continue to bake until the crust is golden and the center jiggles slightly when shaken, 35 to 45 minutes longer. Transfer pie to a wire cooling rack and allow to cool completely before serving. Pie can be baked up to 24 hours ahead of serving; do not refrigerate before serving. Note: If you are buying peeled, cubed squash, you will need 1 ¼ pounds. If you want to substitute canned pumpkin, you will need 1

½ cups.