Pumpkin Pie Calculator
Enter how many guests and how generous your slices are, and this calculator converts it to the shopping list: pies, cups of puree, 15-oz cans, eggs and sugar, all from one standard recipe - a 9-inch pie feeds eight polite slices and drinks 2 cups of puree. The slice slider settles the eternal holiday argument between one polite slice and seconds.
Most pie pages give one recipe and wish you luck scaling it; the classic failure is eleven guests and two pies where one would do, or one can short on the morning of. This page does the arithmetic both directions and says plainly which pumpkin to buy: baking sugar pumpkins roast down to better flavor, but canned puree has standardized moisture and is the reliable pick for a first crust.
How to use
- Enter your guest count.
- Pick the slice generosity - the slider is the honesty control.
- Read pies, cans and the rest of the shopping list.
Frequently asked questions
How many people does a pumpkin pie feed?
One 9-inch pie cuts into 8 polite slices; the slider lets you budget 1.5 or 2 slices per guest for holiday appetites, which is usually the safer plan.
How much puree is in a 15-oz can?
About 1.75 cups, and one 9-inch pie needs 2 cups - so one can plus a little fresh roasted, or round up cans; leftover puree freezes well for the next batch.
Can I use a carving pumpkin for pie?
Technically yes, but flavor and texture lose: buy small baking (sugar) pumpkins, 3-4 lbs each, which roast down to about 2 cups of denser, sweeter flesh than a stringy jack-o-lantern.
Why is my pumpkin pie filling soggy or watery?
Usually moisture: canned puree is standardized, fresh roasted varies a lot - strain fresh puree through a cloth, and pre-bake or blind-bake the crust so the filling does not soak it.