Pumpkin Spice Cream Puffs Food

GLUTEN-FREE PUMPKIN SPICE CREAM PUFFS

Steps:

• For the gluten-free flour blend: In a large bowl, whisk together the rice flour, tapioca flour, potato starch, xanthan gum and salt.
• For the puffs: In a small bowl, whisk the granulated sugar, cinnamon and salt together with 1 cup gluten-free flour blend.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter together with the milk and 1/2 cup water. Increase the heat to medium-high and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and gradually whisk in the flour mixture. Using a wooden spoon, stir the dough until a ball forms, about 3 minutes. Transfer the dough to a food processor and pulse about 20 times to cool. With the motor running, stream in the eggs, egg white and baking powder; process until a smooth dough forms. Using a 1 1/2-inch ice cream scoop, drop the dough onto the prepared baking sheet; bake until puffed and golden, about 25 minutes. Using a sharp knife, cut a slit on the sides of each to vent and let cool completely.
• For the filling: Using an electric mixer, beat the cream at high speed until soft peaks start to form. Add the confectioners' sugar, vanilla and spice and beat on medium speed until soft peaks form. Fold in the pumpkin puree. Cut the puffs in half and using an ice cream scoop, place mounds of whipped pumpkin cream on the puff bottoms. Set the tops in place and dust with confectioners' sugar.

PUMPKIN-FILLED CREAM PUFFS WITH MAPLE-CARAMEL SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside.
• To make the Cream Puffs: In a medium saucepan combine water, butter, sugar, and salt. Bring to boiling over medium heat. Add flour all at once, stirring vigorously with a wooden spoon. Cook and stir until mixture forms a ball and pulls away from the side of the pan. Remove from heat; cool for 10 minutes. Add eggs one at a time beating well with a wooden spoon after each addition.
• Drop 8 heaping tablespoons of dough 2 inches apart onto the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until golden brown and firm. Transfer cream puffs to a wire rack and let cool.
• To make the Pumpkin Mousse Filling: using a chilled large mixing bowl beat 1 cup whipping cream, 3 tablespoons sugar, and 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice with the chilled beaters of an electric mixer on medium speed until soft peaks form (tips curl). Fold in 1 cup canned pumpkin. Cover and chill for up to 4 hours.
• To make the Maple-Caramel sauce: In a small heavy saucepan stir together 1/2 cup packed brown sugar and 1 tablespoon cornstarch. Stir in 1/3 cup half-and-half or light cream, 1/4 cup water, 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup, and 1 tablespoon butter.
• Cook and stir over medium heat until slightly thickened and bubbly (mixture may appear curdled before it bubbles). Cook and stir for 2 minutes more. Remove from heat; stir in 1/2 teaspoon vanilla.
• Using a serrated knife, cut each cream puff in half horizontally; remove soft dough from inside. Fill cream puffs with Pumpkin Mousse. Replace tops. Spoon some of the warm Maple-Caramel Sauce onto eight dessert plates; sprinkle with some of the toasted pecans.
• Place a filled cream puff on top of the sauce on each plate. Drizzle each cream puff with remaining sauce and sprinkle with remaining pecans. Cover and chill for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.