Pumpkin Chiffon Dessert Recipes

PUMPKIN CHIFFON PIE

Steps:

• Mix the gelatin and water in a small bowl, and set aside.
• In a medium bowl, beat the egg yolks until thick. Mix in 3/4 cup sugar, pumpkin, evaporated milk, salt, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg and ginger.
• In a double broiler, cook the mixture over boiling water, stirring constantly, until thick. Mix in the gelatin. Stir to dissolve. Remove from heat and allow the mixture to thicken until it mounds when dropped by the spoonful.
• In a clean, dry medium bowl, beat the egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually mix in the remaining 1/2 cup sugar, and continue beating until firm. Fold in the pumpkin mixture. Transfer to the pie crust. Chill until firm, about 1 hour.

ORANGE PUMPKIN CHIFFON DESSERT

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, sprinkle gelatin over orange juice; let stand 1 minute. Add pumpkin, 1/2 cup sugar, milk, orange zest, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger. Heat over low heat, stirring until gelatin and sugar are completely dissolved., In a small bowl, whisk a small amount of hot mixture into egg yolks; return all to pan, whisking constantly. Bring to a gentle boil; cook and stir 2 minutes. Remove from heat; refrigerate 1 hour or until chilled., In a small heavy saucepan, combine egg whites and remaining sugar over low heat. With a portable mixer, beat on low speed over low heat until mixture reaches 160°, 12-15 minutes. Remove from heat. Add vanilla; beat on high until stiff peaks form. Fold into pumpkin mixture. Spoon into dessert dishes. Refrigerate, covered, 1 hour before serving. If desired, serve with whipped topping and cinnamon.

PUMPKIN CHIFFON PIE

Steps:

• Make the crust: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Process gingersnaps, granulated sugar, and salt in a food processor until finely ground. Add butter, and process until combined. Divide mixture among six 5-inch pie plates, pressing into bottom and up sides. Place on a baking sheet, and bake until darkened and firm, 11 to 13 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes. Using an offset spatula, carefully unmold crusts, and return to sheet to cool. (Crusts can be stored in pie plates in airtight containers for up to 2 days.)
• Make the filling: Sprinkle gelatin over cold water in a bowl. Let stand until softened, about 5 minutes.
• Combine pumpkin, egg yolks, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, milk, salt, and spices in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring, until mixture begins to thicken, about 8 minutes. Do not boil. Remove from heat. Stir in gelatin mixture until dissolved. Let cool completely.
• Beat egg whites with a mixer until soft peaks form. Gradually add remaining 1/2 cup granulated sugar, beating until stiff peaks form. Whisk one-third of beaten egg whites into cooled pumpkin mixture. Gently fold in remaining whites. (Filling can be refrigerated, covered, overnight.) Spoon into pie shells, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or up to 2 hours).
• Make the garnish: Using a vegetable peeler, shave pumpkin into thin, wide ribbons. Bring water, brown sugar, cinnamon sticks, and ginger to a boil in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook until reduced by half, about 5 minutes. Add pumpkin pieces, and reduce heat. Simmer gently until tender and translucent, about 8 minutes. Pour into a bowl, and let cool completely. (Garnish can stand at room temperature for up to 3 hours.) Top each pie with 3 or 4 pumpkin pieces, discarding syrup. Serve immediately.
• Variation: This recipe also can make two 8-inch pies; be sure to leave the crust in the pie plate before adding the filling.