Step 1

Preheat oven to 400°F. Stir together 1/4 cup sugar and 1/2 teaspoon five-spice powder. Brush 1 sheet of phyllo with butter (as you work, keep remaining phyllo covered with a kitchen towel); sprinkle evenly with 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar mixture.

Step 2

Starting at one short end, fold in half to enclose butter and sugar mixture; brush top with more butter. Transfer to a 9-inch springform pan, buttered-side-down, gently pressing into bottom and sides.

Step 3

Repeat with remaining phyllo, butter, and sugar mixture, arranging in overlapping layers to completely and evenly cover bottom and sides of pan.

Step 4

Bake until crust is crisp and golden, 15 to 18 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack and let cool completely. (The baked cooled crust can be wrapped and stored at room temperature up to 1 day.)

Step 5

Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk together eggs, pumpkin, milk, syrup, vanilla, flour, salt, and remaining 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 teaspoon five-spice powder until smooth. Pour mixture into crust and bake 20 minutes.

Step 6

Reduce oven temperature to 350°F and continue baking until custard is just set in center, 40 to 50 minutes more. Transfer pan to wire rack; let cool completely. Remove pie from pan, cut into wedges, and serve with whipped cream.