Autumn Leaf Cutouts Recipes

AUTUMN LEAF CUTOUTS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla. In another bowl, whisk flour, baking soda and salt; gradually beat into creamed mixture., Divide dough into four portions; tint one red, one green, one orange and one yellow. Shape each into a disk; wrap in plastic. Refrigerate 30 minutes or until firm enough to roll., Preheat oven to 350°. On a lightly floured surface, roll each portion of dough to 1/4-in. thickness. Cut with a floured 3-in. leaf-shaped cookie cutter. Place 2 in. apart on greased baking sheets., Bake 14-17 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool completely., Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine confectioners' sugar, water, meringue powder and almond extract; beat on low speed just until blended. Pipe or drizzle on cookies as desired. Sprinkle with coarse sugar. Let stand until set. Store in an airtight container.

AUTUMN LEAF CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan). Place Reynolds Baking Cups in each of 24 regular-size muffin cups. Make and bake cake mix as directed on box for 24 cupcakes. Cool in pans 10 minutes; remove from pans to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, place 12-inch sheet of waxed paper on cookie sheet; mark an 8-inch square on waxed paper. Alternately place spoonfuls of melted chocolate and butterscotch on waxed paper. With small spatula, swirl together for marbled effect, spreading to an 8-inch square. Refrigerate until firm, about 30 minutes.
• Remove from refrigerator; let stand about 10 minutes or until slightly softened. Use 1 1/2-inch leaf cookie cutter to make 24 leaf cutouts. Carefully remove cutouts from paper with spatula; place on another waxed paper-lined cookie sheet. Refrigerate until firm, about 5 minutes.
• Frost cupcakes. Garnish with leaf cutouts. Store loosely covered in refrigerator.

SAVORY AUTUMN LEAF PIES

Steps:

• Make the dough: Pulse flour, sugar, and salt in a food processor until combined. Add butter and shortening, and process just until mixture resembles coarse meal. Pour in ice water, pulsing just until dough comes together. Divide dough in half. Shape each half into a disk, and wrap in plastic. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or overnight).
• Make the vegetable filling. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Toss together carrot, parsnip, garlic, oil, 1 teaspoon salt, and the pepper in a small roasting pan or baking dish. Roast until golden and tender, about 30 minutes. Squeeze garlic from skins, and toss with vegetable mixture; discard skins.
• Heat butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion, and cook until translucent, about 1 minute. Add chard and remaining teaspoon salt, and cook until soft, about 4 minutes. Drain, and toss with vegetable mixture. Remove from heat, and let cool.
• Reduce oven temperature to 375 degrees. On a lightly floured work surface, roll out one disk of dough to 1/8 inch thick. Using a 4-inch leaf-cutter, cut out 12 leaves. Place on parchment-lined baking sheets. Place a heaping tablespoon of vegetable filling on each leaf.
• Whisk together egg yolk and cream. Roll out remaining dough to 1/8 inch thick. Cut out 12 more leaves. Using a small paring knife, etch veins on leaves. Brush edges of each filled leaf with egg wash; top with a veined leaf. Press edges together to seal. Brush tops with egg wash, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• Bake pies until golden brown, about 30 minutes. Serve warm.