Halloween Jack-o'-Lantern Cream Puffs Recipe

Jack-o'-Lantern Cream Puffs Recipe
These jack-o'-lanterns may look spooky on the outside, but inside is a creamy, sweet treat. The classic flavor of pumpkin pie spice will have all your ghosts and goblins screaming for more! Karalee Helminak, South Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Ingredients of Jack-o'-Lantern Cream Puffs Recipe
* 1/2 cup water
* 1/4 cup butter, cubed
* 1 tablespoon sugar
* 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
* 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
* 2 eggs

FILLING of Jack-o'-Lantern Cream Puffs Recipe:
* 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
* 1/2 cup canned pumpkin
* 2 tablespoons sugar
* 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
* 3/4 cup whipped topping

FROSTING of Jack-o'-Lantern Cream Puffs Recipe:
* 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
* 2 teaspoons butter, softened
* 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 1 to 2 teaspoons milk
* Green and orange food coloring
* 1 tablespoon baking cocoa

Directions for Jack-o'-Lantern Cream Puffs Recipe
1. In a small saucepan, bring the water, butter and sugar to a boil. Combine flour and pie spice; add to water mixture all at once and stir until a smooth ball forms. Remove from the heat; let stand for 5 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Continue beating until mixture is smooth and shiny.

2. Drop 12 rounded tablespoonfuls 2 in. apart onto a greased baking sheet. Bake at 400° for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. Remove to a wire rack. Immediately split puffs open; remove tops and set aside. Discard soft dough from inside. Cool puffs.

3. For filling, in a small bowl, beat the cream cheese, pumpkin, sugar and pie spice until smooth. Pipe into cream puffs. Top each with 1 tablespoon whipped topping; replace tops.

4. For frosting, in a small bowl, combine the confectioners' sugar, butter, vanilla and enough milk to achieve desired consistency. Tint 1 tablespoon frosting green and 2 teaspoons orange; set aside. Stir cocoa into the remaining frosting. Pipe jack-o'-lantern faces with orange and chocolate frosting. Pipe stems with green frosting. Yield: 12 servings.

Category: Halloween recipes