Step 1: Begin by preparing your deep-dish pie crust. If using a homemade crust, roll it out and carefully fit it into a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate. Crimp the edges decoratively. For a perfectly crisp bottom crust, blind baking is highly recommended. Prick the bottom and sides with a fork, line with parchment paper, and fill with pie weights or dried beans. Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 15 minutes, then remove the weights and paper and bake for another 5-7 minutes until lightly golden. Let it cool completely.
Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar and brown sugar until no clumps remain.
Step 3: Add the cinnamon, ground ginger, nutmeg, ground cloves, and salt to the sugar mixture. Whisk well to ensure the spices are evenly distributed.
Step 4: Add the pure pumpkin puree to the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
Step 5: Gradually add the lightly beaten eggs to the pumpkin mixture, stirring continuously until fully integrated.
Step 6: Slowly pour in the evaporated milk while stirring. Continue to mix until the filling is smooth and uniform. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure all ingredients are well-blended.
Step 7: Carefully pour the pumpkin filling into your pre-baked and cooled pie crust. Be mindful not to overfill.
Step 8: Place the pie on a baking sheet to catch any potential drips. You can also create a foil shield for the crust edges to prevent over-browning.
Step 9: Bake the pie in a preheated oven at 425°F (220°C) for the first 15 minutes. Then, reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) and continue to bake for another 50-65 minutes, or until the center is just set (a slight jiggle in the very center is okay, but the edges should be firm). A knife inserted about an inch from the crust should come out clean.
Step 10: Once baked, remove the pie from the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack for at least 2-3 hours. For best results, chill the pie in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, or ideally overnight, before slicing and serving. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.