User post: Doctored (Frozen) Pumpkin Pie Recipes

The popular book, I Don't Know How She Does It opens with a scene that any busy mom will appreciate. It is midnight, and the main character, a high-powered executive, is taking frozen pies out of the tin pie pans and hitting them with a rolling pin in an effort to make them appear not quite so perfect. Desperate to fit in with the Martha Stewart-esque moms in her daughter's school, she wants to bring a dessert to the school Christmas party that appears homemade.

You may find yourself in a similar situation this Thursday -- and not because you want to be Martha Stewart or fit in with the school moms, but because it is, after all, Thanksgiving, and you may have one or two other things to do besides making pumpkin pie.

Should that situation occur, rest assured there are many ways to make frozen pumpkin pie appear homemade. And none involves slapping the pies with rolling pins. Even better: These doctored pumpkin pies taste amazing.

Here are three of my favorite doctored pumpkin pie recipes.

Streusel-Topped Pumpkin Pie

Thaw pie crust according to package directions. Combine 1/4 cup melted butter with 1/4 cup brown sugar, 2 Tbsp. flour and 3/4 cup chopped walnuts. Sprinkle over pumpkin pie, pressing in lightly with your fingers. Bake as directed on package.

Turtle Pumpkin Pie

Bake pie according to package directions. While pie is baking, thaw frozen whipped topping. When pie is done, spread with whipped topping. Sprinkle with chopped pecans, and drizzle with caramel sauce.

Sweet and Spicy Pumpkin Pie

Bake pie according to package directions, removing it from the oven 5 minutes before finished. Top with a mixture of 2 tsp. finely-chopped crystallized ginger mixed with 1/2 cup finely chopped hazelnuts and 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips. Return to oven to bake the remaining 5 minutes.

Want the real thing? Check out some of my favorite homemade pumpkin pie recipes:

Pumpkin Pecan Pie -- Why choose between the two when you can have both?
Pumpkin Ice Cream Pie -- So simple, so tasty.
Double Layer Pumpkin Pie - Pumpkin pie meets cheesecake in one dish. Yum!

Related: thanksgiving, pumpkin recipes, pies