Valeries Pumpkin Pie Food

VALERIE'S PUMPKIN PUDDING (FOR WOLFIE)

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, combine three cups of the milk, the pumpkin puree, cinnamon, allspice, cloves and ginger. Whisk to combine and then set over medium-low heat and bring to a gentle simmer.
• Whisk together the sugar, cornstarch and salt in a large bowl. Whisk in the egg yolks and the remaining 1 cup milk.
• Whisk half of the hot milk-pumpkin mixture into the egg mixture until smooth, then gradually whisk the egg-milk-pumpkin mixture back into the saucepan. Continue to cook, now over medium heat, whisking constantly, until the mixture boils. Continue to cook, whisking constantly, until it has thickened, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla and butter.
• To assemble, layer the cookies and pudding mixture in a serving dish or parfait glasses. Cover the pudding with plastic wrap and refrigerate until cold (at least 2 hours).

PUMPKIN LOVE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour a 9-by-13-inch baking pan.
• Prepare the cake batter according to the package directions. Spoon evenly into the prepared pan. Set aside.
• Combine the ricotta, 4 ounces of the mascarpone, sugar, vanilla and eggs in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat until smooth. Gently scoop the filling onto the batter and spread so the top is completely white.
• Bake until a skewer inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean and the spice cake layer has risen to the top, 50 to 60 minutes. Let cool completely in the pan on a cooling rack.
• Combine the instant pudding, milk and the rest of the mascarpone in a stand mixer. Beat until thick and smooth. Spread the frosting evenly over the entire cake.

PUMPKIN TARTLETS WITH BRULEED MARSHMALLOWS

Steps:

• For the crust: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Pulse the flour, granulated sugar and salt in a food processor until mixed. Drizzle in the butter and 1/4 cup water and pulse until all the flour is moistened and the mixture looks crumbly. Turn the dough out onto a surface and knead it with your hands until it just comes together. Divide the mixture evenly into 12 balls. Put 1 dough ball into each cup in a nonstick muffin pan, then press the dough into the bottoms and up the sides of the cups, trying to keep the thickness as even as possible. Refrigerate the muffin pan until the dough is firm, about 30 minutes.
• For the filling: Whisk the pumpkin puree, half-and-half, brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, salt, allspice and egg together in a large bowl until smooth.
• Fill the dough-lined muffin cups about two-thirds full with the pumpkin puree, then bake until the crust is light golden brown and the custard is set, about 35 minutes. Cool the tartlets in the pan for 15 minutes, then carefully remove each tartlet with an offset spatula. Finish cooling the tartlets completely on a rack.
• Top each tartlet with 5 or 6 mini marshmallows and lightly toast them with a creme brulee torch. (If you do not have a torch, you can set the tartlets on a baking pan and toast them under the oven broiler.