Pumpkin Gingersnap Pie Recipe

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. place a rack in center of oven. Combine cookie crumbs, walnuts, and salt. Stir in butter and transfer to a 9-inch deep-dish pie pan.

Press crumb mixture firmly and evenly into bottom and sides of pan (put a piece of plastic wrap on top of crumbs to keep crust from sticking to hands). Bake 10 minutes; transfer to a cooling rack.

In a large bowl, gently whisk salt with rest of ingredients except ¼ cup sugar, cranberries, and orange juice. The mixture should be smooth and have no bubbles.

Place cooled pie crust on a baking sheet; pour in pumpkin filling. Use an offset spatula or the back of a large spoon to smooth the top; transfer to oven.

Bake for 60 to 75 minutes, until pumpkin filling is set but still has some wiggle in the center. (If edges of pie get too dark toward the end of baking, cover them with aluminum foil.) Cool on a rack.

Meanwhile, set aside a few whole cranberries for garnish (optional). Boil remaining cranberries with ¼ cup sugar, orange juice, and ¼ cup water until berries pop.

Reduce heat and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes. Press berries and cooking liquid through a fine strainer. While sauce is warm (not hot), spread across cooled pie with an offset spatula.

Roll reserved berries in sugar (if using) and place on pie. Serve pie at room temperature or cold; it can be refrigerated for up to 1 day.