Trying to make a pie and discover you have no canned evaporated milk on hand?  Maybe you just want a more natural alternative?  What can substitute for evaporated milk?

My family is moving away from using canned foods due to BPA and other issues, but there are a few ingredients that stumped me.  I need evaporated milk for my Apple Butter Pumpkin Pie, but I don’t want milk from a can that’s been sitting in my pantry since last year’s post-Thanksgiving sales.

Happily, the solution is easy.

Just use heavy cream, which I have on hand to make whipping cream anyway.  Problem solved!

In a real pinch, you could use half and half or whole milk, though the pie may not taste as rich.

Don’t forget you can make pumpkin puree, too!  Thank goodness my other pie, Maple Bacon Pecan Pie, doesn’t need any canned ingredients!

What’s your favorite Thanksgiving real food tip?

Photo credit: Solange Hooks at Shaggy Sheep Home