If you’re searching for a cozy, show-stopping dessert that’s both elegant and incredibly easy to make, this Mini Pumpkin Crème Brûlée Pies Recipe is exactly what you need. I absolutely love how these little pies combine the creamy richness of crème brûlée custard with the warm spices of pumpkin pie filling — all in a perfectly crisp mini crust. Trust me, once you try these, you’ll wonder why you haven’t made them sooner!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Elegant but Simple: These mini pies look fancy but come together with just a few ingredients and simple steps.
- Perfect Individual Portions: Everyone gets their own little pie, which is great for parties or a cozy dinner treat.
- Irresistible Texture Contrast: Crispy crust meets creamy pumpkin custard and a crisp caramelized sugar topper.
- Versatile & Crowd-Pleasing: Whether it’s the holidays or just a weekend dessert, these pies always disappear fast.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Mini Pumpkin Crème Brûlée Pies Recipe really comes down to the balance of good pumpkin filling, crisp pie dough, and the perfect caramelized sugar topping. I like to stick with reliable store-bought pumpkin pie filling when I’m short on time, but using homemade filling really elevates it if you have the chance.

- All-purpose flour: Just a little for dusting – it keeps your dough from sticking when rolling out.
- Pie dough: You can go homemade (I love a buttery crust) or store-bought for ease.
- Pumpkin pie filling: If you’re up for it, homemade filling gives the best flavor, but store-bought is perfectly fine.
- Superfine or granulated sugar: This is what you’ll sprinkle on top for that signature brûlée crunch.
- Small blow torch: Totally worth the investment! It caramelizes the sugar perfectly and gives that authentic crème brûlée finish.
Variations
I love that this Mini Pumpkin Crème Brûlée Pies Recipe is easy to personalize based on what you have on hand or your flavor preferences. Play around with these tweaks to make it your own!
- Spiced Up: Add a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger to the pumpkin filling for an extra cozy, autumn vibe — my family goes wild for that.
- Dairy-Free Version: Swap out your pie dough with a dairy-free crust and use coconut milk-based pumpkin filling for those avoiding dairy.
- Mini Tart Shells: If you’re short on time, pre-made mini tart shells work just as well and save some prep.
How to Make Mini Pumpkin Crème Brûlée Pies Recipe
Step 1: Roll the Dough and Cut Your Rounds
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and positioning your rack in the center. Lightly dust your clean work surface with some flour — this keeps the dough from sticking without adding too much extra flour as you roll. Roll out your pie dough until it’s about 1/4 inch thick, then use a 3 1/2-inch cookie cutter or a paring knife to cut out 12 perfect rounds. If your dough softens too much, pop it in the fridge for a few minutes to keep it from becoming too sticky.
Step 2: Press and Fill
Gently press each dough round into a cup of your muffin tin — I like to lightly press the dough up the sides, but without stretching it too thin. Then, spoon in about 3 to 4 tablespoons of pumpkin pie filling into each cup, leaving about 1/8 inch from the top to make room for the brûlée topping. This helps keep the filling from bubbling over during baking.
Step 3: Bake to Perfection
Bake your mini pies for around 25 to 35 minutes. You’re looking for the crust to turn a delicious golden brown and the pumpkin filling’s center to still have a tiny jiggle — that assures it won’t be overcooked and stays creamy. Once baked, set them on a wire rack to cool completely before moving on to the brûlée step.
Step 4: Brûlée Your Pies
Sprinkle a light, even layer of superfine or granulated sugar over each pie’s top. Then, using your small blow torch, carefully caramelize the sugar by moving the flame back and forth just until it bubbles and turns a stunning golden brown. This part is honestly my favorite — it adds such an irresistible crunch with that classic crème brûlée finish. Let your pies cool slightly before serving so the sugar topping hardens perfectly.
Pro Tips for Making Mini Pumpkin Crème Brûlée Pies Recipe
- Chill Your Dough: Before cutting, chilling your dough prevents shrinking and helps keep its shape crisp and pretty.
- Don’t Overfill: Leaving just a little gap at the top stops filling from leaking and keeps your pies neat.
- Use Granulated Sugar for Torch: It caramelizes more evenly than brown sugar and creates that signature glassy crust.
- Watch Your Torch Angle: Keep the flame moving to avoid burning spots and hold it a couple inches away for the best caramelization.
How to Serve Mini Pumpkin Crème Brûlée Pies Recipe

Garnishes
I often top mine with a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt right after torching the sugar—it really balances the sweetness and adds a subtle pop of flavor. A dollop of freshly whipped cream or a sprinkle of toasted pecans also brings beautiful texture and richness that pairs perfectly with the pumpkin custard.
Side Dishes
These mini pies are a fantastic standalone dessert, but if you want to turn it into a full autumnal spread, serve alongside spiced apple cider or a warm chai latte. For a festive dinner, a plate of roasted root vegetables and a crisp green salad complement the warm spices of the pumpkin beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
I love arranging these pies on a rustic wooden board, surrounded by mini pumpkins and cinnamon sticks for a charming fall display. For holiday parties, serving each pie in a decorative paper liner makes them easy to grab and adds a pop of color. You could even top them with edible gold leaf for something ultra-special!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually keep any leftover Mini Pumpkin Crème Brûlée Pies refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days. The sugar crust might soften a bit over time, but the flavors stay spot-on. Just be sure to leave enough space so the sugar topping doesn’t get cracked or sticky.
Freezing
Freezing these pies is a bit tricky because the sugar topping doesn’t hold up well frozen, but you can freeze the unbrûléed pies if needed. Wrap each pie tightly in plastic wrap and transfer to a freezer-safe container for up to 1 month. When ready, thaw in the fridge, then torch the sugar fresh before serving.
Reheating
If you want your leftovers warm, I recommend heating the pies in a low 300°F oven for 8-10 minutes to warm the filling and crisp the crust back up—skip the microwave to avoid soggy crusts. After warming, re-sprinkle sugar and brûlée again with your torch for that fresh, caramelized finish.
FAQs
-
Can I use store-bought pie dough for this recipe?
Absolutely! Store-bought pie dough works wonderfully and saves time while still giving you a great flaky crust. Just make sure to roll it out to about 1/4 inch thickness and sprinkle some flour on your surface to prevent sticking.
-
What if I don’t have a blow torch—can I caramelize the sugar another way?
While a blow torch gives the best control and results, you can try broiling the pies in your oven for a couple of minutes—watch closely to avoid burning. However, the torch provides that signature crisp brûlée topping that’s hard to replicate otherwise.
-
Can I make these in advance and then torch just before serving?
Yes! In fact, I recommend baking the pies ahead of time and keeping them refrigerated without the brûlée sugar. Just sprinkle and torch the sugar right before serving to keep that topping perfectly crisp.
-
Is there a good substitute for pumpkin pie filling?
You can use canned pumpkin puree mixed with your favorite spices, sugar, and a bit of cream or condensed milk to mimic pumpkin pie filling. Just make sure your filling is thick enough so it holds up well in the mini crusts when baked.
Final Thoughts
This Mini Pumpkin Crème Brûlée Pies Recipe is truly a game-changer when it comes to holiday desserts or any special occasion. I love how it’s simple enough for a weekday treat but elegant enough to impress guests without stress. Once you get the hang of that brûlée topping, it feels like a little culinary victory every time you serve these beauties. Seriously, give it a try—you’ll be making them over and over, just like I do when I want to wow my family and friends with something sweet and comforting!
Print
Mini Pumpkin Crème Brûlée Pies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Mini Crème Brûlée Pumpkin Pies combine the classic flavors of pumpkin pie with a decadent crème brûlée topping. Individual-sized and baked to perfection with a golden, caramelized sugar crust created using a blow torch, these pies are perfect for festive gatherings or a delightful autumn treat.
Ingredients
Pie Dough
- All-purpose flour, for dusting
- 1 batch homemade or 9 oz. store-bought pie dough
Filling
- 1/2 batch best pumpkin pie filling or 2 1/2 cups store-bought pumpkin pie filling
Topping
- 1/2 cup (95 g) superfine or granulated sugar
- A small blow torch
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dough: Arrange a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350°F (177°C). On a lightly floured surface, roll out the pie dough until it is 1/4 inch thick. Using a cookie cutter or a paring knife, cut out 12 rounds that are 3 1/2 inches in diameter.
- Form Pie Shells and Fill: Press each dough round into the cups of a standard 12-cup muffin tin to form mini pie shells. Spoon 3 to 4 tablespoons of pumpkin pie filling into each shell, filling up to about 1/8 inch from the top edge to allow room for baking expansion.
- Bake Mini Pies: Bake the mini pies in the preheated oven for 25 to 35 minutes, until the centers are slightly jiggly but set, and the crusts turn a golden brown. Remove from oven and let the pies cool completely to set the filling.
- Caramelize the Sugar Topping: Evenly sprinkle superfine or granulated sugar over the surface of each cooled pie. Using a small blow torch, carefully melt and caramelize the sugar until it becomes bubbly and golden brown, approximately 1 minute. Allow the topping to cool slightly so it hardens, forming a crisp brûlée crust.
Notes
- Make sure the pumpkin filling is well chilled before baking for best results.
- If you don’t have a blow torch, you can briefly place the pies under a broiler, watching carefully to avoid burning.
- Use superfine sugar for a smoother caramelized crust.
- These pies are best served the same day to enjoy the crisp brûlée topping.
- Allow pies to cool completely before torching sugar to avoid melting the crust excessively.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 mini pie
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 17g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 30mg

