Pumpkin Dessert Recipes

Pumpkin Pie

For the best flavor, use a sugar pumpkin to make a homemade Pumpkin Puree. This variety of pumpkin, also known as "New England Pie" and "Sugar Pie" weighs from five to eight pounds and is known for its sweet, fine-grained flesh.

Ingredients
Makes one 9-inch pie

1 cup packed light-brown sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1 1/2 cups fresh Pumpkin Puree, or canned
3 large eggs, lightly beaten, plus 1 egg for glaze
1 1/2 cups evaporated milk
Pate Brisee (Pie Dough)
1 tablespoon heavy cream

Directions
1.Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside. In a large bowl, combine sugar, cornstarch, salt, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, pumpkin puree, and 3 eggs. Beat well. Add evaporated milk, and combine. Set aside.
2.Between two pieces of plastic wrap, roll pate brisee into a 12-inch circle. Fit pastry into a 9-inch glass pie plate; trim dough evenly along edge, leaving about a 1/2-inch overhang. Pinch to form a decorative edge. If the dough begins to soften, chill for 15 minutes.
3.Make the glaze: Beat the remaining egg, and combine with heavy cream. Brush glaze very lightly on edges of pie shell. Fill pie shell with pumpkin mixture. Transfer to prepared baking sheet.
4.Bake for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees and continue baking for 30 minutes more. Cool on a wire rack.

Pumpkin Dessert Recipes

Pumpkin Spice Cake With Honey Frosting
Be sure to use canned pumpkin puree -- not pumpkin pie filling or fresh pumpkin puree.

Note: You can also use a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan: Increase baking time by 25 to 30 minutes (tent loaf with foil if it browns too quickly).

Prep: 25 minutes
Total: 2 hours 30 minutes



Ingredients
Serves 9
FOR THE CAKE
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted, plus more for pan
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon pumpkin-pie spice (or 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon, 3/4 teaspoon ginger, 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg, and 1/8 teaspoon each allspice and cloves)
2 large eggs
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 can (15 ounces) solid-pack pumpkin puree
FOR THE HONEY FROSTING
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, very soft
1 bar (8 ounces) regular (or reduced-fat) cream cheese, very soft
1/4 cup honey

Directions
1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9-inch square baking pan.
2.In a medium bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, salt, and pumpkin-pie spice. In a large bowl, whisk eggs, sugar, butter, and pumpkin puree until combined. Add dry ingredients to pumpkin mixture, and mix gently until smooth.
3.Turn batter into prepared pan, and smooth top. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out with just a few moist crumbs attached, 45 to 50 minutes. Cool cake 10 minutes in pan, then turn out of pan, and cool completely, right side up, on a rack.
4.Make Honey Frosting: In a medium bowl, whisk butter, cream cheese, and honey until smooth.
5.Spread top of cooled cake with honey frosting. Cut cake into squares to serve.

Pumpkin Dessert Recipes

Pumpkin Mousse Pie

Ingredients
Serves 8 to 10
9 ounces graham crackers
3/4 cup plus 1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
3 tablespoons Dutch-process cocoa powder
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, plus 1 tablespoon for dusting
1/4 teaspoon plus a pinch ground nutmeg
12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
1/4 cup brandy
2 tablespoons unflavored powdered gelatin
3 large eggs, room temperature
1 1/2 cups homemade Pumpkin Puree, or canned
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup sour cream
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
2 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions
1.Heat oven to 325 degrees. In a food processor, combine graham crackers, 1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, cocoa powder, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, and pinch nutmeg; process until finely ground. Transfer to a medium bowl; mix in butter with a wooden spoon. Press mixture onto bottom and sides of a 10-inch tart pan. Bake until set, 12 to 15 minutes. Set crust aside to cool.
2.In a small bowl, place brandy and 2 tablespoons water. Sprinkle gelatin powder over liquid; set aside to soften, 10 minutes. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat eggs on medium-low speed until fluffy. While the mixer is running, combine remaining 3/4 cup sugar and 1/4 cup water in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until temperature registers 245 degrees (firm-ball stage) on a candy thermometer, about 5 minutes. Immediately turn mixer to high speed. Carefully drizzle sugar mixture into eggs in a thin stream; continue to beat until mixture increases in volume and is pale yellow, about 5 minutes. Meanwhile, place bowl with softened gelatin over a saucepan of simmering water; stir until gelatin has dissolved.
3.Turn mixer to low; add gelatin mixture to egg mixture. Add pumpkin puree, remaining 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, the allspice, ginger, salt, and sour cream; combine. Pour filling into pie crust; refrigerate until set, 4 hours or overnight.
4.To serve, whisk heavy cream, confectioners' sugar, and vanilla in a medium bowl until stiff. Using an Ateco #864 star tip, pipe whipped cream in rosettes onto pie (or spread the whipped cream evenly over the top of the pie with a spatula). Sift remaining tablespoon cinnamon on top. Serve chilled.

Pumpkin Dessert Recipes

Pumpkin-Swirl Brownies

Chocolate and pumpkin make a frightfully gooey pair in these creamy pumpkin-swirl brownies.

Ingredients
Makes 16
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, plus more for pan
6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 3/4 cups sugar
4 large eggs
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups solid-pack pumpkin
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 cup chopped hazelnuts or other nuts

Directions
1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9-inch square baking pan or dish. Line bottom of pan with parchment paper; butter lining.
2.Melt chocolate and butter in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water, stirring occasionally until smooth.
3.Whisk together flour, baking powder, cayenne, and salt in a large bowl; set aside. Put sugar, eggs, and vanilla in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment; beat until fluffy and well combined, 3 to 5 minutes. Beat in flour mixture.
4.Divide batter between two medium bowls (about 2 cups per bowl). Stir chocolate mixture into one bowl. In other bowl, stir in pumpkin, oil, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Transfer half of chocolate batter to prepared pan smoothing top with a rubber spatula. Top with half of pumpkin batter. Repeat to make one more chocolate layer and one more pumpkin layer. Work quickly so batters don't set.
5.With a small spatula or a table knife, gently swirl the two batters to create a marbled effect. Sprinkle with nuts.
6.Bake until set, 40 to 45 minutes. Let cool in pan on a wire rack. Cut into 16 squares.

Pumpkin Dessert Recipes

Pumpkin Patch Cupcakes

Ingredients
Makes 22

1 sugar pumpkin, (about 1 1/2 pounds), peeled and seeded
1/2 cup Pumpkin Puree, or canned pumpkin puree
1 cup pecans
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/4 cups sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Pinch of ground cloves
3/4 cup vegetable oil
4 large eggs
2 seven ounce packages almond paste
Gel food color, orange, brown, and green
Cream Cheese Frosting

Directions
1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line two muffin tins with paper liners. Grate pumpkin in a food processor or on the large holes of a box grater (you should have about 2 1/2 cups). Transfer to a medium bowl, and add pumpkin puree and pecans.
2.In the bowl of a food processor fitted with the metal blade, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves; pulse to combine. With machine running, add oil and eggs; process until smooth, scraping sides of bowl as needed. Add pumpkin mixture; pulse to combine.
3.Spoon about 1/3 cup batter into each cupcake liner. Bake until a tester inserted in the center comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.
4.Make the marzipan pumpkins: Tint two-thirds almond paste orange, adding food color a dab at a time until desired color is reached. Tint a quarter of remaining paste brown and the rest green. Shape into leaves, stems, and pumpkins (see instructions below).
5.Decorate cupcakes with frosting and marzipan pumpkins. Store in airtight containers at room temperature up to 2 days
6.Marzipan Pumpkin How-To: Using a small rolling pin, roll out green almond paste about 1/8 thick; use a leaf cutter to cut out leaf shapes. Roll brown into small ropes; cut and shape into stems. Using the palms of your hand, shape orange into three-quarter-inch globes. Use a toothpick to poke holes in tops of pumpkins and to press creases from top to bottom. Attach leaves and stems to tops with a bit of frosting.

Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipes

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

To make ahead (up to two hours), complete recipe, then top with a thin layer of milk. Cover; set aside in a warm place. When ready to serve, stir to combine.

Prep: 15 minutes
Total: 50 minutes

Ingredients
Serves 8

8 medium russet potatoes (about 4 pounds)
1 head peeled garlic cloves (about 15)
Coarse salt
1 1/2 cups milk
1/2 cup butter (1 stick), cut into small pieces

Directions
1.Peel potatoes and quarter lengthwise; cut crosswise 1/2 inch thick. In a 5-quart saucepan, combine potatoes and garlic cloves; cover with water (about 8 cups) by 1 inch. Add 1 tablespoon salt.
2.Bring to a boil; reduce heat, and simmer until potatoes are easily pierced with the tip of a paring knife, 25 to 30 minutes.
3.Drain; return garlic and potatoes to pan. Stir over medium-high heat until dry, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
4.In a small saucepan, bring milk to a boil; pour over potatoes. Add butter and 1 teaspoon of salt. Mash until smooth and creamy.

Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipes

Mashed Sweet and Russet Potatoes with Herbs

In this healthful mash, the sweet potatoes meet russets, which contain about 30 milligrams of vitamin C per eight-ounce spud.



Ingredients

Serves 4


4 garlic cloves (do not peel)
1/2 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
2 medium sweet potatoes, pricked with a fork (about 1 pound total)
2 medium russet potatoes, pricked with a fork (about 1 pound total)
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, plus a sprig for garnish
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh sage
1 3/4 teaspoons coarse salt
Pinch of freshly ground pepper
1/2 cup plain low-fat yogurt

Directions
1.Preheat oven to 400 degrees, with racks in center and lower thirds. Put garlic on a small piece of foil; drizzle with oil. Fold to form a packet, and crimp edges to seal. Place garlic packet and the potatoes on center rack; place a baking sheet on lower rack to catch the juices.

2.Bake, flipping halfway through, until the sweet potatoes are very tender when pierced with the tip of a knife, about 45 minutes. Remove sweet potatoes and garlic from oven; set aside. Continue to bake russet potatoes until very tender, about 15 minutes more. Remove from oven; let cool slightly, about 5 minutes.

3.Peel potatoes. Pass through a ricer or a food mill into a medium bowl. Squeeze garlic from skins into bowl with potatoes. Stir in butter, parsley, sage, salt, and pepper. Stir in yogurt, and serve.

Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipes

Butter-Pecan Sweet Potatoes

To make ahead (up to five hours) prepare recipe through step 2. Cool; cover and refrigerate. About 15 minutes before ready to serve, proceed with recipe.

Prep: 10 minutes
Total: 50 minutes







Ingredients

Serves 8

8 medium sweet potatoes (5 pounds)
2 tablespoons olive oil
Coarse salt
2 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces
2 tablespoons light-brown sugar
1/3 cup pecan pieces
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Directions
1.Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Peel potatoes and halve lengthwise; slice crosswise 1/2 inch thick. On a baking sheet, toss potatoes with olive oil; season with coarse salt.
2.Transfer half the potatoes to a second baking sheet; cook both sheets until potatoes are tender, tossing occasionally, 25 to 30 minutes.
3.Sprinkle with butter, brown sugar, pecan pieces, and cayenne pepper, dividing evenly. Bake until sugar is caramelized and hard, about 10 minutes. Gently toss; serve immediately.

Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipes

Potato-Mushroom Pie

Use a mandoline to make thin, even potato slices.










Ingredients

Serves 10 to 12

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for dish
1 medium onion, cut into 1/2-inch dice
2 pounds assorted wild mushrooms, such as chanterelle, oyster, or black trumpet, coarsely chopped
1/4 cup dry white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc
1 1/2 teaspoons coarse salt
Freshly ground pepper
1 cup finely grated Gruyere cheese (about 4 ounces)
1 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese, about 3 1/2 ounces
2 pounds Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/8-inch-thick rounds
1 tablespoon finely chopped thyme leaves
3/4 cup whole milk
1/2 cup heavy cream

Directions
1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 13-by-9-inch baking dish; set aside. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion; cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add half of the mushrooms; cook until they are slightly softened. Add remaining mushrooms; cook, stirring occasionally, until mushrooms have released their juices and most of the liquid has evaporated, 8 to 10 minutes. Add wine; cook, stirring occasionally, until liquid has evaporated, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Season with salt and pepper.
2.Combine cheeses in a small bowl; set aside. Cover bottom of prepared dish with potato slices, slightly overlapping them. Sprinkle with half of the thyme and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Sprinkle with 1/3 of the cheese and half of the mushroom mixture. Repeat layering process, using all but 2 tablespoons cheese. Arrange remaining potato slices, slightly overlapping, around the edge of the dish. Stir together milk and cream in a bowl, and pour over top. At this point, dish can be refrigerated, covered, up to 1 day; let stand at room temperature 30 minutes before baking.
3.Cover loosely with foil, and bake until bubbling, about 1 hour. Remove foil, and sprinkle with reserved cheese. Bake until top is golden, 20 to 30 minutes more. Transfer dish to a wire rack; let cool 10 minutes before serving.

Easiest Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipes

Butternut Squash

Butternut Squash With Sage

Prep: 10 minutes
Total: 20 minutes

Ingredients

Serves 4
2 tablespoons butter
2 pounds butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cut into 3/4-inch chunks
Coarse salt and ground pepper
1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage, (or 1/2 teaspoon dried)

Directions

1.Melt butter in a 12-inch skillet over medium heat. Add butternut squash. Season with salt and pepper. Cook, tossing frequently, until squash is lightly browned, 5 to 6 minutes.
2.Add 1/4 cup water, and reduce heat to a simmer. Cover, and cook until squash is fork-tender, 8 to 10 minutes.
3.Toss with sage.

Easiest Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipes

Sauteed Apples with Thyme

Turn fruit into a seasonal side dish with this easy recipe.

Prep: 10 minutes
Total: 10 minutes








Ingredients

Serves 4

3 McIntosh apples, or Golden Delicious apples (or a mix of both)
2 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
Coarse salt and ground pepper

Directions

1.Core apples. Cut each apple into 8 wedges; halve wedges crosswise.
2.Heat 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add apples and 1 teaspoon each fresh thyme leaves and grated lemon zest; season with coarse salt and ground pepper. Cook, tossing occasionally, until apples are just tender when pierced with the tip of a paring knife, 3 to 5 minutes.

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