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Trust Us, Black Pepper Is The Secret Ingredient Your Pumpkin Pie Needs

Making the perfect pumpkin pie from scratch requires using the perfect spice blend, which typically contains allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, and ... Black pepper? No, that's not an error; black pepper isn't just for savory applications, such as seasoning meats and side dishes, or adding depth and a little kick to soups and stews. Much like salt, this ingredient also works as a way to enhance other flavors in a dish, as well as provide a unique flavor all its own that works surprisingly well in sweet, sugary baked goods.

Black pepper deserves a place at the pumpkin pie ingredient table, and here's why. Freshly ground black peppercorns impart a spicy, slightly citrusy note that, when mixed with the medley of warm seasonings that go into a spiced pumpkin pie, beautifully balances those deep flavors. As little as a pinch of ground black pepper into the spice mix will impart a subtle hint of heat that won't overpower the rich, sweet flavors of the rest of the pie. Try it and you'll be sure to have guests asking what your secret is.

Read more: 8 Baking Sheet Mistakes You Want To Avoid

Black Pepper Packs A Punch In Baked Goods

Peppercorns on spoon - Drbouz/Getty Images

You can use as little as a pinch of black pepper up to about ⅛ teaspoon to elevate the flavors and spice of the other ingredients in your pumpkin pie spice mix, depending on the freshness of the black pepper you're using. Typically, the fresher the black pepper, the less you need to use, and as with any ingredient, the fresher, the better.

The grind of the pepper is also important; using a finely ground black pepper is recommended over a coarser grind like what's preferred in savory dishes or ground tableside. A finely ground pepper will impart a sharper taste and be less visible than flecks of coarsely ground black peppercorns.

Although you could use freshly ground white pepper in your pumpkin pie spice mix, it doesn't have the same undertones of citrus and floral that work so well with the spices in pumpkin pie. Rather white pepper will add more of an umami-type richness to your pumpkin pie.

Since freshly ground black pepper fits in beautifully with warm, autumnal spices like cinnamon and clove, consider adding it to any dish that might feature a similar flavor profile, from creamy sweet potato pies to pumpkin-spiced lattes with extra zing.

Other Ways To Spice Up Pumpkin Pie

Pumpkin pie slice with whippped cream from above - Ryanjlane/Getty Images

Pumpkin pie is a somewhat neutral canvas for building flavor, and its smooth, silky filling can be jazzed up with any number of unexpected ingredients, both sweet and savory. If black pepper isn't your preference, but you're still looking for a kick to your pie, a touch of cayenne powder can give it a chile-forward heat that builds as you eat it. Try adding ½ teaspoon if you're ready for a heat-forward pie, or ¼ teaspoon if you just want a hint of spice.

For a different sort of spice in your pumpkin pie, try adding 2 or 3 teaspoons of garam masala. This curry spice is common in Indian cooking and used as a base for many popular dishes, including in recipes for butter chicken and lamb biryani. The flavor profile of this spice blend mixes beautifully with the flavor of the pumpkin; this is because garam masala shares many ingredients with pumpkin pie spice, including cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. And, yes, it also contains a touch of black pepper.

Pumpkin pie is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to baked goods that blend well with black pepper. From peppery pound cake to lemon tarts with a kick, the punch of black pepper elevates any number of desserts from bland to brimming with flavor.

Read the original article on Daily Meal.

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The Unexpected Kitchen Tool Hack You Need To Try For Ultra-Creamy Pumpkin Pie

Slice of pumpkin pie. - Bhofack2/Getty Images

It's hard to imagine Thanksgiving without pumpkin pie. It's the quintessential dessert that everyone makes room for, even when you're filled to the brim with turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce. It's not a competition, but if you really want your pumpkin pie to stand out in the crowd, try making it with this one extra but easy step: before mixing your ingredients for the filling, blend the canned pumpkin in a food processor or a blender. This simple trick will give you a super smooth pumpkin pie filling that will surely please your dinner guests.

A classic pumpkin pie can be made by combining canned pumpkin with sugar, eggs, half and half, and spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. But before you start pouring and mixing, take just a minute to blend up the canned pumpkin. While it's already in puree form, blending it will eliminate any trace of chunkiness and make it ultra-creamy. After you bake it, it'll retain its creaminess, which is exactly what you want for your pumpkin pie. The perfect velvety smooth pumpkin pie with a buttery, flaky crust, and topped with whipped cream is enough to make anyone's mouth water.

Read more: French Cooking Tricks You Need In Your Life

Canned Pumpkin Vs. Fresh Pumpkin

Pumpkin and pumpkin puree - Andrey Rykov/Getty Images

Using canned pumpkin rather than cooking a pumpkin and pureeing it yourself can save you a lot of time when making pumpkin pie. Making your own pumpkin puree is an extra process that many people simply do not have time for when cooking a big holiday meal. It also might not yield the tastiest pie. It can be difficult to get homemade pumpkin puree to the same smooth texture as canned pumpkin, and it's tough to remove enough of the excess water, which can result in a runny pie. Pumpkin pie made with fresh pumpkin often has a grainier texture and duller flavor.

While we often think of fresh as better quality, in reality, canned pumpkin (especially popular brands like Libby's) is often made with better quality pumpkins, hence the better taste and smoother consistency. But canned pumpkin can still vary in its level of creaminess and might contain some pulp or fibrous strands. So if you want to ensure the smoothest texture possible, blending it before baking makes sense. The good thing is this extra step takes barely a minute: you only have to blend it for a few seconds since it's already pureed.

Another Useful Tip For Tasty Pie

Pumpkin pie ingredients. - Oksana Mizina/Shutterstock

Another important part of achieving the perfect pumpkin pie filling is using the right amount of spices. You can go the pre-made pumpkin pie spice route or you can create your own concoction to make it truly unique and scrumptious. The key is to not go overboard with too many baking spices since this could overpower the pumpkin flavor of your pie. Pumpkin isn't the most flavorful fruit (yes, it is technically a fruit), so some spices are crucial.

If you have some pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger that haven't been used in a while, make sure to check the date on them. These spices can last for a couple of years in an airtight container but their potency can diminish after a few months. So, if you want the flavors of the spices to come through well, use newly purchased spices that haven't been in your cabinet for years.

For the freshest spices, consider grinding your own cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves. This can be done with a motor and pestle or a spice/coffee grinder. Ginger can be exceptionally hard to grind so it may be best to buy that one pre-ground. Fresh spices and extra-blended canned pumpkin are the keys to a superior pumpkin pie.

Read the original article on Daily Meal.

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Spice Your Thanksgiving, Give Guests 'pumpkin' To Talk About

AROMA MEMORIES: Flavorful Pumpkin Pie Spice Doughnut recipe.

(StatePoint) – Nothing evokes the spirit of the holidays more powerfully than the hearty aroma of seasonal dishes and treats.

To help you share in the joy, nostalgia and tastes of the season, while making meaningful new memories, the McCormick brand is putting twists on classic favorites with its recent release of a limited-edition collection of holiday-themed doughnut bites in partnership with Dough Doughnuts.

As part of this reinvention of classic holiday dishes, they're sharing their Pumpkin Pie Spice Doughnut recipe inspired by the collection, so you can give guests "pumpkin" to talk about.

Incorporating McCormick Pumpkin Pie Spice into the dough and filling, these homemade doughnuts are topped with a pumpkin glaze and mouthwatering cinnamon pecan streusel for an extra-sweet finish.

Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 25 minutes Servings: 24

Ingredients: 

Dough:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour

• 1/3 cup sugar

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 2 teaspoons instant yeast

• 1 tablespoon McCormick Pumpkin Pie 

Spice:

• 1 egg

• 3/4 cup milk

• 4 tablespoons butter, melted

• 1 teaspoon McCormick All Natural Pure Vanilla Extract

• 6 cups peanut oil or vegetable shortening, for frying

Filling:

• 1 cup pumpkin puree

• 1/2 cup canned vanilla frosting

• 1 teaspoon McCormick Pumpkin Pie Spice

• 1/8 teaspoon salt 

Glaze:

• 3 tablespoons pumpkin puree

• 2 cups confectioners' sugar

• 1 tablespoon water Topping:

• 1 cup finely chopped pecans

• 2 tablespoons light brown sugar

• 1 teaspoon McCormick Ground Cinnamon

Instructions:

1. For the dough, whisk flour, sugar, salt, yeast and pumpkin pie spice in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk egg, milk, melted butter and vanilla. Add wet ingredients to flour mixture, mixing until dough comes together. Mix until well blended and dough begins to pull away from bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let rest 5 minutes. Turn dough out onto lightly-floured surface. Knead 6 to 8 minutes until dough forms a smooth, soft ball. (Or use stand mixer on low speed 6-8 minutes.)

2. Spray large bowl with no-stick cooking spray. Place dough ball in bowl. Spray lightly with no-stick cooking spray. Cover with plastic wrap. Store in warm, draft-free place to rise until doubled in size, about 1.5-2 hours.

3. Meanwhile, whisk all filling ingredients in medium bowl until well blended. Transfer to piping bag fitted with small tip. Refrigerate until ready to fill doughnuts.

4. Whisk all glaze ingredients in small bowl until smooth; set aside. Mix all topping ingredients in separate small bowl; set aside.

5. Once dough has doubled in size, transfer to lightly floured surface. Knead 2 minutes to work out large air bubbles, sprinkling with additional flour as needed if dough is sticky. Roll out dough into large circle, about 1/2-inch thick. Cut out doughnut shapes using a 2-inch round cutter, re-rolling scraps as needed. Place doughnuts on lightly floured rimmed baking sheet. Spray plastic wrap with no-stick cooking spray and cover doughnuts. Return doughnuts to a warm, draft-free place to rise 30 minutes to 1 hour, or until dough is proofed and puffy.

6. Meanwhile, fill large, deep skillet with 2 inches of oil. Heat to 350 degrees F. Working in batches of four to six, carefully place doughnuts in hot oil. Fry 2 minutes per side, until golden brown and puffed. Remove with tongs or slotted spoon; place on wire rack lined with paper towels. Cool completely.

7. Poke a hole in the side of each doughnut, using a wooden skewer or small paring knife, being careful not to poke all the way through. Pipe filling into opening, dividing evenly among doughnuts. Dip top of each doughnut in glaze, allowing excess to drip off, then immediately dip in pecan topping. Turn right side up and place on wire rack to set. Serve immediately.

This holiday season, let flavor and spice bring family and friends together, and transform your ordinary moments into extraordinary memories.

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