Pumpkin Napoleons With Sugared Pecans And Caramel Sauce Recipes

PUMPKIN NAPOLEONS

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, combine the sugar, flour and salt; stir in milk until smooth. Cook and stir over medium-high heat until thickened and bubbly. Reduce heat; cook and stir 2 minutes. Remove from the heat. Stir a small amount of hot filling into egg yolks; return all to the pan, stirring constantly. Bring to a gentle boil; cook and stir 2 minutes longer. , Remove from the heat. Stir in the pumpkin, vanilla, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg. Transfer to a bowl. Press plastic wrap onto surface of custard. Refrigerate until cool, 2 hours., Preheat oven to 375°. On a lightly floured surface, roll out pastry into a 12-in. x 10-in. rectangle. With a sharp knife, cut into 15 rectangles, 4 in. x 2 in. Place 1 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake until puffed and golden brown, 15-20 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool. , To assemble, split pastries in half horizontally. Place 10 bottom layers on a work surface; spread each with a scant 2 tablespoons pumpkin custard. Top with 10 pastries, remaining custard and remaining pastries. Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar. Refrigerate for 1-2 hours before serving.

PUMPKIN AND PECAN SEMIFREDDO WITH CARAMEL SAUCE

Steps:

• For semifreddo:
• Line 9 1/4x5 1/4x3-inch metal loaf pan with plastic wrap. Blend gingersnap crumbs and brown sugar in processor until combined. With machine running, slowly add butter; process until moist crumbs form. Press crumb mixture onto bottom and 2 inches up sides of prepared loaf pan. Chill 10 minutes.
• Whisk pumpkin, honey, and spices in large bowl to blend. Set aside.
• Stir 1 cup sugar, 1/4 cup water, and corn syrup in heavy medium saucepan over low heat until sugar dissolves. Increase heat and boil syrup without stirring until candy thermometer registers 248°F, about 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, using electric mixer, beat egg whites in medium bowl to soft peaks. Gradually beat in hot sugar syrup; beat until mixture is cool, about 7 minutes.
• Fold 1/3 of egg white mixture into pumpkin-spice mixture to lighten. Fold in remaining egg white mixture. Fold in pecans and toffee bits. Spoon mixture into prepared crust. Cover with plastic wrap and freeze until frozen, about 8 hours. (Can be made 3 days ahead. Keep frozen.)
• For caramel sauce:
• Stir sugar, 1/4 cup water, and corn syrup in heavy medium saucepan over low heat until sugar dissolves. Increase heat and boil without stirring until syrup is deep amber color, occasionally brushing down sides of pan with wet pastry brush and swirling pan, about 8 minutes. Remove from heat. Whisk in 1/2 cup cream, butter, and then crème fraîche (mixture will bubble). Stir in vanilla and salt. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Stir over medium heat to rewarm before serving.)
• Wipe sides of loaf pan with hot wet cloth. Invert semifreddo onto platter; remove plastic. Cut into 1-inch-thick slices and serve with warm caramel sauce and whipped cream.

PUMPKIN NAPOLEONS WITH SUGAR SUBSTITUTE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375°F.
• Beat first 4 ingredients in large bowl with whisk 2 min. (Mixture will be thick.) Stir in COOL WHIP. Refrigerate until ready to use.
• Meanwhile, place wonton wrappers on parchment-covered baking sheets; brush with margarine. Combine cinnamon and sugar substitute; sprinkle over wontons. Bake 6 to 8 min. or until golden brown. Remove to wire racks; cool completely.
• Top each of 12 wontons with about 2 Tbsp. pumpkin mixture. Repeat layers twice. Drizzle with syrup just before serving; sprinkle with nuts.