Category: All Things Pumpkin

Pumpkin Season 2017 Taste Test #6: Pumpkin Pancake Smackdown

Post author By Carma Spence
Post date December 20, 2017

This week’s taste test features three pumpkin pancake mixes: Krusteaz, Foodstirs and Trader Joe’s. Frankly, I liked them all, but for different reasons. That said, I do recognize that each mix will appeal to a different palette. Therefore, this post will compare and contrast each mix by quality, so you can select the pumpkin pancake mix that best meets your needs and taste buds.

Extra Ingredients You’ll Need

Krusteaz Complete Pancake Mix, Pumpkin Spice
If you’re going camping, this is the mix to take. All you need to add is water.
Foostirs Organic Pumpkin Spice Stacks Pancake Mix
You’ll need an egg, melted butter and mil (or mil alternative) for this mix.
Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Pancake and Waffle Mix
Like Foodstirs’ mix, you’ll need an egg, melted butter and mil (or mil alternative) for this mix.

Batter Consistency

Krusteaz Complete Pancake Mix, Pumpkin Spice
Because you are only adding water, the batter can be a bit thin. Just add a bit more mix to get it to the consistency you desire.
Foostirs Organic Pumpkin Spice Stacks Pancake Mix
The batter is thinner than Trader Joe’s but thicker than Krusteaz, and almost creamy smooth.
Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Pancake and Waffle Mix
The batter is thick and bubbly, especially after sitting a bit to wait for its turn at the skillet.

Fluffiness Factor

Krusteaz Complete Pancake Mix, Pumpkin Spice
These pancakes were by far the lightest and fluffiest.
Foostirs Organic Pumpkin Spice Stacks Pancake Mix
These pancakes were slightly denser than the other two but still fluffy.
Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Pancake and Waffle Mix
Not as fluffy as Krusteaz but not as dense as Foodstirs.

Flavor Profile

Krusteaz Complete Pancake Mix, Pumpkin Spice
This mix had the strongest pumpkin flavor, with a nice balance of spice.
Foostirs Organic Pumpkin Spice Stacks Pancake Mix
This mix resulted in pancakes with a nice balance of flavors. They were slightly sweet and the vanilla was notable. I think I liked the flavor of these the best.
Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Pancake and Waffle Mix
If you like a spicier pumpkin pancake, this is the mix for you. The notes of cinnamon, ginger, and allspice were notable.

Overall Thoughts on Pumpkin Pancake Mixes Tested

I liked them all to some degree, but it really comes down to Foodstirs and Trader Joe’s for my money. For a more vanilla-tinted pumpkin pancake, go for Foodstirs. For a more robustly spice pumpkin pancake, go for Trader Joe’s. And for portability, go for Krusteaz.

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[one_third_last] [/one_third_last]

Ratings

Rating these pancake mixes was hard. They were so close, each one offering something worthy of note. The ratings below are purely based on my favorite flavor profile. Your personal taste may differ.

Krusteaz Complete Pancake Mix, Pumpkin Spice
[one_fifth] [/one_fifth]

[one_fifth] [/one_fifth]

[one_fifth_last] [/one_fifth_last]

Foostirs Organic Pumpkin Spice Stacks Pancake Mix
[one_fifth] [/one_fifth]

[one_fifth] [/one_fifth]

[one_fifth_last] [/one_fifth_last]

Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Pancake and Waffle Mix
[one_fifth] [/one_fifth]

[one_fifth] [/one_fifth]

[one_fifth_last] [/one_fifth_last]

Previous Pumpkin Tastings

Forthcoming Pumpkin Tastings

Pumpkin bar mixes: Betty Crocker Limited Edition Pumpkin Spice Bar Mix vs. Krusteaz Supreme Bar Mix Pumpkin Spice
Pumpkin cookie mixes: Betty Crocker Limited Edition Pumpkin Spice Cookie Mix vs. Krusteaz Bakery Style Cookie Mix Pumpkin Spice

Tags pumpkin pancakes, pumpkin taste tests

All Things Pumpkin Taste Tests

Pumpkin Season 2017 Taste Test #5

Post author By Carma Spence
Post date December 12, 2017

This past weekend I baked the remaining bread, muffin and cupcake mixes I had left, as well as tried a couple more products. Frankly, nothing this week really wowed me, but here are my comments on each one.

Exclusive Holiday Edition Foodstirs Organic Chocolate Chippy Pumpkin Bread Mix

I purchased a three-month subscription to Foodstirs’ kits and have been having some fun with them. (I’ll be posting my results later.) Because I’m a customer, they sent me a coupon for a dollar off my next in-store purchase (you can find Foodstirs mixes at grocery stores and Target). Since I had the coupon, I thought I’d check out what they had … and found this pumpkin mix, as well as pumpkin pancakes. You can only get these two products at Target, and by the time I got there they were on clearance. So, you may not be able to get some for yourself until next year. Check your local Target, just in case, though.

This pumpkin bread is different than the ones I tested last week because it has chocolate chips in it. I liked the novelty of it and was impressed that they achieved a nice balance of having just enough chips to add flavor without overpowering the pumpkin bread flavor.

To my tastebuds, this bread didn’t taste much different than banana bread or peanut butter bread (perhaps a fusion of the two?). The pumpkin flavor was light and you can barely discern the spices (cinnamon, vanilla, ginger and other, according to the box).

Of course, this may be a plus since there are a lot of people who are adverse to pumpkin or pumpkin spice flavors. I think this pound cake-like bread would make a great part of a breakfast or brunch. Perhaps lightly toasted with some butter? And, if you get two packages, you could easily make a nice Bundt cake!

[one_half] [/one_half][one_half_last] [/one_half_last]

Rating

[one_fifth] [/one_fifth][one_fifth] [/one_fifth][one_fifth] [/one_fifth][one_fifth] [/one_fifth][one_fifth_last] [/one_fifth_last]

Limited Edition Decadent Duncan Hines Pumpkin Spice Cupcake Spice Cake & Frosting Mix

The box comes with cupcake mix, frosting mix and a bag to pipe the frosting with.

These light and fluffy cupcakes are flavored with a combination of cinnamon, allspice, coriander, ginger, and nutmeg. The texture — and flavor — is light and airy, just as a cupcake should be.

The mix comes with a frosting mix — add butter and touch of water — for an orange, faintly pumpkin-spicy frosting. It was very tasty. Not too sweet, but clearly a buttercream frosting.

In my opinion, these cupcakes strike a nice balance of just the right amount of spice, balanced with the sweet. They are good enough to serve without the frosting.

Note: The instructions suggest you fill the cupcakes with frosting. I found that when I did that, the frosting overwhelmed the cupcake. If I were to do this in future, I’d just top them with frosting.

[one_third] [/one_third]

[one_third_last] [/one_third_last]

Rating

[one_fifth] [/one_fifth][one_fifth] [/one_fifth][one_fifth] [/one_fifth][one_fifth] [/one_fifth][one_fifth_last] [/one_fifth_last]

Krusteaz Supreme Muffin Mix Pumpkin Spice

These simple, lightly spiced muffins underwhelmed me. They are really not that spicy. They are really not that pumpkin-y. In fact, they are kind of nondescript. If I didn’t know they were pumpkin spice muffins, I would think they were ordinary spice muffins.

Again, this might not be a bad thing. Krusteaz is a good brand, so the quality is good. The flavor just didn’t impress me.

Rating

[one_fifth] [/one_fifth][one_fifth] [/one_fifth][one_fifth] [/one_fifth][one_fifth] [/one_fifth][one_fifth_last] [/one_fifth_last]

R.W. Knudsen Limited Edition Sparkling Pumpkin Spice Juice

Tired of sparkling apple juice? Are you looking for a different kind of beverage to serve your guests? Then this could be a nice change of pace.

This is a non-alcoholic, sparkly beverage made from both apple and pumpkin juices. To me, it both smelled and tasted like mulled cider … only a bit different.

Compared to Martinelli’s Sparkling Apple Juice, it has a more mild apple flavor. I’m guessing the pumpkin juice is having that mellowing effect, however I couldn’t identify pumpkin as a flavor. And although it was reminiscent of mulled cider, it was also somehow different.

Frankly, I’m struggling on how to describe this beverage. It was unoffensive without being particularly interesting, either.

Rating

[one_fifth] [/one_fifth][one_fifth] [/one_fifth][one_fifth] [/one_fifth][one_fifth] [/one_fifth][one_fifth_last] [/one_fifth_last]

Trader Joe’s Pumpkin O’s Cereal

Compared to Cheerios, this O’s cereal is larger and lighter in texture. The flavor, however, is just robust enough to get your attention without screaming, “This is spice!”

I enjoyed them with some Oat Milk. If I were a cereal eater, I’d totally buy these again, if only for some variety to my breakfast. If fact, I would choose them over Cheerios, which I felt had a bit too much spice by comparison.

Rating

[one_fifth] [/one_fifth][one_fifth] [/one_fifth][one_fifth] [/one_fifth][one_fifth] [/one_fifth][one_fifth_last] [/one_fifth_last]

Previous Pumpkin Tastings

Forthcoming Pumpkin Tastings

Pumpkin pancake mixes: Foodstirs Organic Pumpkin Spice Stacks Pancake Mix, Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Pancake and Waffle Mix, and Krusteaz Complete Pancake Mix Pumpkin Spice Light and Fluffy
Pumpkin bar mixes: Betty Crocker Limited Edition Pumpkin Spice Bar Mix vs. Krusteaz Supreme Bar Mix Pumpkin Spice
Pumpkin cookie mixes: Betty Crocker Limited Edition Pumpkin Spice Cookie Mix vs. Krusteaz Bakery Style Cookie Mix Pumpkin Spice

Tags cereal, cupcakes, Duncan Hines, Foodstirs, Krusteaz, muffins, pumpkin, pumpkin bread, pumpkin taste tests, R.W. Knudsen, Trader Joe's

All Things Pumpkin Creative Cookery Recipes

What To Do with Leftover Decorative Mini-Squash (Squash Soup Recipe Included)

Post author By Carma Spence
Post date December 11, 2017

Let your roasted squash cool before prepping for puree.

This Thanksgiving, since I was hosting my parents and my husband’s parents, I got fancy with the decor and used some mini-pumpkins and mini-squash. Many people use these small winter squash as decorations and then throw them away. But did you know you can eat them? This year I made mini squash soup!

I purchased four mini pumpkins (one of them went bad before I tried to cook them) and two delicata squash to decorate the buffet and dinner tables. I arranged some in a basket and others elsewhere on the table, with a few extra Granny Smith apples I had. With the addition of some fake fall leaves I picked up at the Dollar Tree, I thought it looked pretty nice.

Now, you could just throw them away when you’re done. But you don’t have to waste your money that way. You can cook and eat them just like any winter squash. I decided to use them to make a squash soup. Here’s how I did it.

Step 1: Roast the Squash

In order to make a squash puree, I needed to cook them. I decided to roast them.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Prepare a large baking dish by lining with aluminum foil and spaying the foil with non-stick spray.
Cut open the squash and deseed.
Cut into 1/4 slices and place in a large bowl.
Toss with enough olive oil to coat all peices evenly.
Arrange squash on the baking sheet.
Bake for 10 minutes. Toss and then bake another 10 minutes. They are done when a fork can be easily stuck into them.

Arrange the olive-oil coated squash pieces on prepared baking sheet.

Let your roasted squash cool before prepping for puree.

Step 2: Puree the Squash

Remove skins/rinds from the squash.
Place squash in a food processor or blender (I used my NutriBullet). Add enough broth or stock (I used homemade turkey broth created from leftover Thanksgiving turkey bones).
Blend until smooth.

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Place squash and broth in a blender to puree.

[/one_third][one_third]

The pureed squash with broth will be thick and creamy.

[/one_third][one_third_last]

This puree method is for a savory soup base, not to be used for desserts.

[/one_third_last]

Step 3: Make Squash Soup!

Mini Winter Squash Soup Ingredients

4 Tbsp butter
1 large onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 tsp fresh sage, minced
1 tsp fresh thyme, minced
1 tsp fresh rosemary, minced
1 tsp fresh parsley, minced
1 tsp fresh basil, minced
1 tsp fresh ginger, crushed
1/2 tsp dried marjarom
1/4 tsp ground white or black pepper
Up to 3 cups your favorite broth
1 3/4 cup pumpkin puree (as prepared above)
1 cup greek yogurt
Sour cream or greek yogurt for garnish

Mini Winter Squash Soup Directions

In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium-high heat. When hot, add the onion and garlic. Saute until softened and the onions are beginning to become transluscent.
Stir in sage, thyme, rosemary, parsley, basic, ginger, marjarom and pepper until fragrant, about 1 minute more.
Stir in broth. Continue to cook over medium-high heat, uncovered, for 15 minutes.
Stir in the pumpkin and yogurt.
Cook over medium heat, stirring, until heated through.
Optional: Transfer to a blender and blend until creamy. Return to saucepan and heat through.
Serve in shallow soup bowls and garnish with sour cream or greek yogurt.

The Recipe in Action — with Commentary

You might call this Thanksgiving Leftover Soup — many of the ingredients were leftover from the holiday. Waste not, want not, right?

[one_third]

I used fresh thyme and sage left over from Thanksgiving. I had some fresh frozen basil, ginger, parsley and rosemary, as well.

[/one_third][one_third]

I used one medium and one small onion, left over from Thanksgiving along with some fresh frozen crushed garlic.

[/one_third][one_third_last]

Once the onions began to become translucent, I tossed in the herbs.

[/one_third_last]

[one_third]

Once fragrant, I added in turkey broth I made from the leftover Thanksgiving turkey bones.

[/one_third][one_third]

Add the squash puree to the simmering soup base.

[/one_third][one_third_last]

You can use sour cream, sour cream alternative, or regular yogurt. I used plain Greek yogurt I had left over from Thanksgiving.

[/one_third_last]

[one_third]

Mix in the puree and yogurt while the soup heats up. You can serve this as is, or blend it like I did.

[/one_third][one_third]

If you like a creamier squash soup, transfer the warm soup to a blender and blend until desired consistency.

[/one_third][one_third_last]

Return the blended squash soup to the pot and heat until desired temperature.

[/one_third_last]

Serve in large, shallow bowls. I didn’t garnish, but you can garnish it with sour cream, yogurt, or a small sprig of parsley.

Carma’s Commentary

I wasn’t sure what to expect because I’ve never eaten mini-pumpkins nor delicata squash before. The resulting squash soup was delicious! The dominant flavors were rosemary and thyme, and I could tell that the roasted squash helped balance those flavors. You can serve the soup without blending it. I chose to blend it because I like a creamy soup better.

You don’t have to roast the squash the way I did, but you do need to cook it until it is tender. You can bake it or even boil it. Each method comes with its own flavor profile. I chose to roast with olive oil for the extra flavor that both the extra virgin olive oil and the roasting process adds to the squash.

When you are pureeing squash, such as pumpkin, to add to a pie, bread, or other such recipes, do not add broth! Purees used in most of those types of recipes require a dryer puree. And you don’t want the savoriness of the broth to change the quality of your dessert. When not adding extra liquid, a food processor is a better choice. Or you can push the squash through a metal sieve. I did it this way because I knew I’d be adding broth to the soup anyway, so it didn’t matter if I added some a bit earlier in the preparation of the recipe.

The beauty of this recipe is that it is highly adaptable. If you are Vegan or Vegetarian, use a vegetable-based broth. If you don’t want dairy, use a nut milk for the soup and garnish with a sour cream substitute, such as plain Greek yogurt (I like The Greek Gods Greek Yogurt) or a homemade substitute such as Cashew Sour Cream or Coconut Milk Sour Cream. If you do eat meat, you can try adding some savory sausage or diced ham to the soup.

Tags soup, winter squash

All Things Pumpkin Product Reviews

Pumpkin Season 2017 Taste Test #4

Post author By Carma Spence
Post date December 4, 2017

This post will be a little different because the bulk of it will be a compare and contrast of two pumpkin bread baking products I tested. But first, I’ll start will a fun beverage I tried while stopping at The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf.

Pumpkin Spiced Chai Tea Latte & Ice Blended

Now, I just want to make this clear up-front: I avoid caffeine. I have ADD and it makes me sleepy. I also have acid reflux, so the acid in most caffeinated beverages upset my stomach. That said, I can occasionally have a caffeinated beverage without ill effects.

So, when I was killing time at a Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf in Los Angeles and saw “Pumpkin Spice” as an option for Ice Blended drinks, I was intrigued. I asked the girl behind the counter what was in it. She told me pumpkin, vanilla powder, and water. That sounded like something I could drink, so I ordered one.

When I tasted it, it was clear there was caffeine in it. I thought it was coffee, but apparently, it was black tea. It was delicious. The melding of the tea, pumpkin and vanilla flavors were refreshing and autumnal at the same time.

I really enjoyed it and, thankfully, suffered no ill effects. Perhaps the chocolate muffin and blueberry scone I had with it helped!

Rating

[one_fifth] [/one_fifth]

[one_fifth_last] [/one_fifth_last]

Pumpkin Bread Mix Compare and Contrast

There are several brands offering a pumpkin bread mix at this time of the year. This year I purchased a box of Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Bread and Muffin Mix and Libby’s Pumpkin Bread Kit with Icing. I chose Trader Joe’s because I wanted to try pretty much every pumpkin offering they had this year. And I picked up Libby’s kit because Libby’s is the only brand of canned pumpkin I’ll use. I figured I’d give their kit a try.

Trader Joe’s mix makes one loaf, while Libby’s kit makes two. I don’t own two loaf pans, so I make Libby’s kit in a Bundt pan, which was one of the options mentioned on the back of the box.

My first impressions of the packaging are that Trader Joe’s looked easy to use and Libby’s kit looked slightly more involved. The Trader Joe’s box gives you options to use one loaf pan or a standard muffin pan. There is also a creative suggestion for “Holiday Bread.” The Libby’s kit gives you options to use two 9” x 5” loaf pans, three 8” x 4” loaf pans, six mini loafs (you can buy a mini loaf pan with six loafs or use disposable aluminum pans), a 13” x 9” pan, a 12-cup Bundt Cake pan, 24 large muffins, 36 standard muffins, or 72 mini muffins. There is also a creative suggestion for Pumpkin Streusel Muffins.

[one_half] [/one_half]
[one_half_last] [/one_half_last]

Pumpkin Bread Mix Compare and Contrast Specifics

[one_third] Quality [/one_third][one_third] Trader Joe’s [/one_third][one_third_last] Libby’s [/one_third_last]

[one_third] Packaging: [/one_third]
[one_third] Simple and small, easy to fit into your pantry. [/one_third]
[one_third_last] Larger, but still relatively compact. [/one_third_last]

[one_third] Extra Ingredients: [/one_third]
[one_third] 2 large eggs, 1/2 cup oil and 1 cup water [/one_third]
[one_third_last] 4 large eggs, 1/2 cup oil and 1 cup water [/one_third_last]

[one_third] Ease of Use: [/one_third]
[one_third] It took me about 3-5 minutes to mix all the ingredients and place the pan in the oven. Baking time was 55 minutes. [/one_third]
[one_third_last] It took me about 4-7 minutes to combine all the ingredients and place the pan in the oven. Baking time was 65 minutes [/one_third_last]

[one_third] Aroma: [/one_third]
[one_third] I could detect the pumpkin, cinnamon, and nutmeg. There was also a touch of baking soda to the aroma. [/one_third]
[one_third_last] I could detect the pumpkin and cinnamon, but not as strongly as with the Trader Joe’s bread. And, like the Trader Joe’s bread, there was a touch of baking soda to the aroma. [/one_third_last]

[one_third] Texture: [/one_third]
[one_third] Moist, crumbly and even. [/one_third]
[one_third_last] Moist and smooth … just like a pound cake. A tad more dense than the Trader Joe’s. [/one_third_last]

[one_third] Flavor: [/one_third]
[one_third] Pumpkin, cinnamon with light notes of cloves. Mild flavored. [/one_third]
[one_third_last] Spicy pumpkin. Strong cinnamon and cloves, with a hint of ginger and nutmeg. [/one_third_last]

What Worked for Me

Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Bread and Muffin Mix was quick and easy to make. It has a light and breezy flavor. I believe this would be a nice option if you need to make some quick breakfast muffins for your Fall guests.

I really liked that I was adding in actual pumpkin pulp (rather than relying powdered pumpkin or pumpkin flavor) to the Libby’s Pumpkin Bread Kit with Icing. It made it feel fresher and more authentic. I believe the pumpkin was what made the pumpkin bread was moister than the Trader Joe’s mix, as well. I also liked that the quantity the kit made was more. I love making Bundt cakes and if I wanted to do that with the Trader Joe’s mix, I’d have to buy two.

Apples to Apples Comparison

On that note, I did the math for you: Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Bread and Muffin Mix retails for $2.99 per box, which, apparently, is how much they’ve charged for this product since 2008. The Libby’s Pumpkin Bread Kit with Icing retails for anywhere from $4.99 (WalMart) to $10 (Amazon), depending on where you buy it.

If you wanted to make the equivalent amount of pumpkin bread using Trader Joe’s mix, you could use two boxes. To achieve the moisture that Libby’s kit had, I would add in 1 can of pumpkin (or the equivalent of fresh pumpkin pulp), while reducing the added water. You can leave off the icing or make your own by mixing powdered sugar with a touch of vanilla and some milk.

In order to get the equivalent Bundt cake using Trader Joe’s mix, you’d need to spend around $8 [2 x $2.99 (mix) = $5.98 + $1.88 (can of pumpkin) = $7.86, plus whatever the cost of your icing ingredients]. Therefore, not only does Libby’s kit provide a better tasting result, it’s more cost-effective, too!

What Didn’t Work for Me

Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Bread and Muffin Mix had a tiny twinge of a baking-soda aftertaste. Not strong, but it may turn off some people.

As for Libby’s Pumpkin Bread Kit with Icing, I’m not a big fan of icing. I could live without it. It makes it look nice. But if I were to make icing for the bread, I’d make it thinner so it was more like a glaze.

Which Product Did I Like Better?

Although I liked how easy the Trader Joe’s mix was to use, the end product of Libby’s mix was clearly superior. The Libby’s pumpkin bread was moister, richer and had a more layered and textured flavor. Interestingly enough, the two pretty much smelled the same to me. It was the taste and mouthfeel that was different.

In addition, as I mentioned in my Apples to Apples Comparison above, the Libby’s Pumpkin Bread Kit with Icing ends up being more convenient and economical. Everything you need (besides the eggs, oil and water) are together in one kit and all for as little as $4.99!

Rating

Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Bread and Muffin Mix

[one_fifth] [/one_fifth]

[one_fifth_last] [/one_fifth_last]

Libby’s Pumpkin Bread Kit with Icing

[one_fifth] [/one_fifth]

[one_fifth_last] [/one_fifth_last]

Libby’s Pumpkin Bread Kit with Icing was the clear winner for me, resulting is a moister cake with a rich, complex flavor.

Previous Pumpkin Tastings

Forthcoming Pumpkin Tastings

Pumpkin pancake mixes: Foodstirs Organic Pumpkin Spice Stacks Pancake Mix, Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Pancake and Waffle Mix, and Krusteaz Complete Pancake Mix Pumpkin Spice Light and Fluffy
Pumpkin bar mixes: Betty Crocker Limited Edition Pumpkin Spice Bar Mix vs. Krusteaz Supreme Bar Mix Pumpkin Spice
Pumpkin cookie mixes: Betty Crocker Limited Edition Pumpkin Spice Cookie Mix vs. Krusteaz Bakery Style Cookie Mix Pumpkin Spice
Krusteaz Supreme Muffin Mix
Foodstirs Organic Chocolate Chippy Pumpkin Bread Mix
Trader Joe’s Pumpkin O’s

Tags Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, Libby's, pumpkin bread, Pumpkin Spiced Chai Tea Latte, pumpkin taste tests, Trader Joe's

All Things Pumpkin

How to Make Pumpkin Pie

Post author By Guest Post
Post date April 13, 2010

There are probably as many ways to make a pumpkin pie as there are people who enjoy eating them. Of course, this isn’t much help if you’re looking for a recipe to use right now. So what I’m going to offer in this article are some questions you should ask yourself before you go searching for that recipe. That way, you’ll be able to find the one that is just right for your needs.

Do you want a warm or cold pumpkin pie?

In other words, do you want a more traditional baked custard type of pie that is often served warm? Or do you want something different? Maybe a chilled or even frozen pie?

What kind of crust are you hankering for?

Do you want a traditional pastry crust? What about a crumb crust made out of graham crackers or gingerbread cookies? There are even crusts made from meringue that might work nicely with a chilled mousse style pie!

What kind of pumpkin do you want to base your filling on?

Do you want to create pumpkin puree from a fresh pumpkin? If so, look for a sugar pumpkin. These are smaller, darker and sweeter than the pumpkins commonly used for Halloween decorations. Or, will canned pumpkin do the trick? I’ve found Libby’s to be the best… generic brands often are lumpier and their flavor is inconsistent. Of course, you could go with a pudding pie filling mix and forget the fresh or canned pumpkin altogether.

What type of filling do you prefer?

Do you want a warm eggy custard-style pie filling? A chilled pudding or mousse style filling? What about a frozen ice cream type of filling? Do you want the filling to be spicy or sweet? I’ve seen one pie recipe that used black pepper to give the pumpkin custard a unique bite.

Will you have a topping for your pie?

Depending on the decisions you made earlier, you may want to have a crust topping… either full or latticed. Or maybe you’ll want whipped topping. You could even go with something exotic like a lemon aspic or toasted caramelized pecans.

How will you garnish your pumpkin pie?

Depending on the flavors you’ve blended, you should select a garnish that not only looks nice but compliments the pie’s flavor mix. Garnishes range from chocolate curls to colored coconut flakes to toasted nuts.

Once you’ve made all these decisions, finding the pumpkin pie recipe you crave should be a whole lot easier.

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[one_fourth] [/one_fourth]
[three_fourth_last] Looking for a few more pie recipes to try? Want to create your perfect, signature pie, but just can’t find the right recipe? Your Perfect Pie just maybe the cookbook for you. Breaking down the mystique of homemade pie, this simple cookbook is sure to please. Learn more and grab your copy at carmascookery.com/yourperfectpie. [/three_fourth_last]

All Things Pumpkin

My Relationship with Pumpkins

Post author By Guest Post
Post date March 25, 2008

I found this article on the web, “Breaking up with Butternut,” and it got me to thinking. I’ve created an entire website dedicated to the pumpkin … I must have a relationship with this fruit. But what is it?

How do you define a relationship? In many ways, it is your collection of memories about it. You know, like the time your Dad helped you write your name in the sand, or the time your grandmother shared cookies over a cup of tea. That kind of thing.

So, what are my memories of pumpkins?

All Things Pumpkin

Is It That Time?

Post author By Guest Post
Post date March 11, 2008

The other day I was at the grocery store and shopping for instant pudding mix. We have a new ice cream maker and I’m experimenting with different recipes, trying to perfect the the consistency and flavor that will make my husband happy. (He’s a big ice cream eater!)

Anyway, I noticed that Jello has their pumpkin spice flavor out. Usually that’s reserved for Fall, especially around Thanksgiving.

So, I wonder is there a pumpkin holiday coming up that I don’t know about?