Smart Choice Caramel Pumpkin Mousse Tart Recipes

SMART-CHOICE CARAMEL-PUMPKIN MOUSSE TART

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350ºF.
• Crush 10 wafers coarsely; place in medium bowl. Reserve for later use. Finely crush remaining wafers; mix with 1/3 cup butter. Press onto bottom of 9-inch tart pan with removable bottom.
• Add remaining butter, nuts, sugar and 1/4 tsp. pumpkin pie spice to reserved crumbs; mix well. Spread onto bottom of shallow pan; place in oven along with the tart crust. Bake 10 to 12 min. or until both are light golden brown; cool.
• Beat Neufchatel and pumpkin in medium bowl with mixer until blended. Add remaining pie spice and dry pudding mix; beat until blended. Gradually beat in milk; spread over crust. Top with COOL WHIP, spreading to within 1/2 inch of edge. Refrigerate 4 hours. Meanwhile, break nut mixture into smaller pieces; store in airtight container until ready to use.
• Run knife around tart to loosen from rim of pan just before serving; remove rim. Sprinkle nut mixture over tart. Microwave caramels and water in microwaveable bowl on HIGH 1-1/2 min. or until caramels are melted, stirring after 45 sec. Drizzle over tart.

PUMPKIN MOUSSE PARFAITS

Steps:

• Place the rum in a heat-proof bowl and sprinkle the gelatin over it. Set aside for 10 minutes for the gelatin to soften.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the pumpkin, granulated sugar, brown sugar, egg yolks, orange zest, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Set the bowl of gelatin over a pan of simmering water and cook until the gelatin is clear. Immediately whisk the hot gelatin mixture into the pumpkin mixture. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, whip the heavy cream and vanilla until soft peaks form. Fold the whipped cream into the pumpkin mixture.
• To assemble, spoon some of the pumpkin mixture into parfait glasses, add a layer of whipped cream, then some chopped cookies. Repeat, ending with a third layer of pumpkin. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight. To serve, decorate with whipped cream and slivered crystallized ginger.

PUMPKIN BANANA MOUSSE TART

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350.
• Combine the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, cinnamon and melted butter in a bowl and mix well. Pour into an 11-inch tart pan with a removable bottom and press evenly into the sides and then the bottom. Bake for 10 minutes and then cool to room temperature.
• For the filling, heat the half-and-half, pumpkin, brown sugar, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water until hot, about 5 minutes. Whisk the egg yolks in another bowl, stir some of the hot pumpkin into the egg yolks to heat them, then pour the egg-pumpkin mixture back into the double boiler and stir well. Heat the mixture over the simmering water for another 4 to 5 minutes, until it begins to thicken, stirring constantly. You don't want the eggs to scramble. Remove from the heat.
• Dissolve the gelatin in 1/4 cup cold water. Add the dissolved gelatin, banana and orange zest to the pumpkin mixture and mix well. Set aside to cool.
• Whip the heavy cream in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a whisk attachment until soft peaks form. Add the sugar and continue to whisk until you have firm peaks. Carefully fold the whipped cream into the pumpkin mixture and pour it into the cooled tart shell. Chill for 2 hours or overnight.
• For the decoration, whip the heavy cream in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment until soft peaks form. Add the sugar and vanilla and continue to whisk until you have firm peaks. Pipe or spoon the whipped cream decoratively on the tart and sprinkle, if desired, with orange zest. Serve chilled.

CARAMEL-PUMPKIN MOUSSE TART

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350ºF.
• Crush 50 wafers to form fine crumbs; place in medium bowl. Melt 1/3 cup butter. Add to wafer crumbs; mix well. Press onto bottom of 9-1/2-inch tart pan.
• Crush remaining wafers coarsely; place in medium bowl. Melt remaining butter. Add to wafer crumbs along with the nuts, sugar and 1/4 tsp. pumpkin pie spice; mix well. Spread onto bottom of shallow pan; place in oven along with the crust.
• Bake crust and nut mixture 10 to 12 min. or until lightly browned; cool.
• Beat cream cheese and pumpkin in medium bowl with mixer until blended. Add dry pudding mix and remaining pie spice; beat until blended. Gradually beat in milk; spread over crust. Top with COOL WHIP, spreading to within 1/2 inch of edge. Refrigerate 4 hours. Meanwhile, break cooled baked nut mixture into smaller pieces; store in airtight container until ready to use.
• Remove tart from side of pan just before serving; top tart with nut mixture. Microwave caramels and water in microwaveable bowl on HIGH 1-1/2 min. or until caramels are completely melted, stirring after 45 sec. Drizzle over tart.

PUMPKIN CARAMEL MOUSSE

Steps:

• Whip the cream until it forms soft peaks. Chill in the refrigerator until ready to use.
• Combine the brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg in a small bowl.
• Place 2 tablespoons of the water in a small bowl and sprinkle the gelatin over the top. Stir, then let it sit while you make the caramel.
• Find a bowl that is large enough for you to dip the bottom of your saucepan into it; fill it with an inch of ice water and place it on your stove. Place the scant 1/2 cup (125 grams) sugar in a medium saucepan, preferably stainless steel. Add the remaining tablespoon of water and the lemon juice and carefully stir together with a heatproof rubber spatula. Using a wet pastry brush, brush down the sides of the saucepan so that there are no stray sugar crystals that could cause the caramel to seize. Turn the heat on medium-high and heat until the sugar dissolves and the mixture turns a light caramel color, 4 to 5 minutes. Do not stir, but from time to time carefully brush down the sides of the pan with the wet brush. Do not let the caramel get hotter than 325 degrees. As soon as it reaches this temperature and is golden brown, remove from the heat and dip the bottom of the saucepan into the bowl of cold water to stop the caramel from heating further. Let sit until the bubbles subside.
• Using a heatproof spatula, carefully stir the brown sugar mixture into the hot caramel. It may bubble up, so be careful. Add the softened gelatin and stir to dissolve. Whisk in the canned pumpkin and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
• Place the egg whites in the bowl of a stand mixer (or use a mixing bowl and electric beaters). Beat until they begin to foam, and add the cream of tartar and 1 tablespoon of the sugar. Beat at medium speed and add the remaining sugar in a slow, steady stream. Beat until the egg whites are stiff and shiny, about 2 minutes. Be careful not to overbeat.
• Lighten the warm pumpkin mixture by folding in one-third of the beaten egg whites, using a balloon whisk or a large spatula. Pour the remaining egg whites over the top, and carefully fold them into the pumpkin mixture using a rubber spatula. Fold in the whipped cream.
• It's easiest to do a neat job of filling the glasses if you use a pastry bag fitted with a wide round tip. Pipe or spoon the mousse into 8 glasses; use small tumblers, wine glasses or whiskey glasses. Sprinkle the ground hazelnuts over the top. If desired, make 2 layers of the hazelnuts: Pipe half the amount of the pumpkin mousse you need for each serving into the glasses, then sprinkle on a layer of hazelnuts; then pipe the rest and top with another layer. Cover the glasses and refrigerate for at least 2 hours and preferably overnight.

FROZEN PUMPKIN MOUSSE TORTE WITH CARAMEL-PECAN TOPPING

Steps:

• For Crust:
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Finely chop nuts and sugar in processor. Add butter and blend, using on/off turns, until moist crumbs form. Using plastic wrap as aid, press mixture onto bottom and all the way up sides of 9-inch-diameter springform pan with 2 3/4-inch-high sides, covering completely. Freeze 10 minutes. Bake crust until golden, about 10 minutes. Cool.
• For Filling:
• Whisk 1 cup cream, sugar and yolks in heavy medium saucepan. Stir constantly over medium heat until candy thermometer registers 160° about 6 minutes. Strain into large bowl. Using electric mixer, beat mixture until cool and slightly thickened, about 8 minutes. Beat in pumpkin, corn syrup, rum and spices.
• Using electric mixer, beat remaining 1 1/2 cups cream in large bowl to medium-stiff peaks. Fold cream into pumpkin mixture. Transfer filling to crust. Cover and freeze overnight.
• For Topping:
• Arrange pecans side by side atop torte, covering completely. Drizzle 1/2 cup caramel sauce over, covering nuts completely (pan will be filled to top). Freeze until caramel sets, at least 3 hours or overnight.
• Run sharp knife around pan sides to loosen torte. Release pan sides. Stir remaining caramel sauce in heavy small saucepan over medium heat until warm. Slice torte and serve with sauce.

PUMPKIN PIE MOUSSE

Steps:

• Stir pumpkin, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg together in a medium bowl. Fold in whipped topping. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

CHOCOLATE MOUSSE PUMPKIN PIE

Steps:

• In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine the pumpkin, marshmallows and chips. Microwave, uncovered, on high for 1 minute; stir. Microwave 20-30 seconds longer or until marshmallows are melted and mixture is smooth, stirring every 15 seconds. Cool to room temperature, stirring several times., Fold whipped topping into pumpkin mixture. Spoon into crust. Garish with the additional topping and miniature chips if desired. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before slicing.

CARAMEL CHOCOLATE MOUSSE PIE

Steps:

• Place pecans in crust. In a heavy saucepan over medium heat, cook and stir caramels and evaporated milk until caramels are melted and mixture is smooth. Cool for 10 minutes, stirring several times. Pour over pecans; refrigerate., In a heavy saucepan, combine the milk, marshmallows, chocolate chips and butter; cook and stir over medium heat until marshmallows are melted and mixture is smooth. Remove from the heat; stir in vanilla. Cool to room temperature, stirring several times. Fold in whipped topping. Pour over caramel layer. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Garnish with additional whipped topping, pecans and chocolate curls if desired.

CARAMEL-PUMPKIN MOUSSE TART WITH PECAN CRUMBLE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350ºF.
• Crush 50 vanilla wafers to form fine crumbs; mix with 1/3 cup butter. Press onto bottom of 9-inch tart pan. Coarsely crush remaining wafers; place in medium bowl. Add remaining butter, nuts, sugar and 1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice; mix well. Spread onto bottom of shallow pan; place in oven along with crust. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until both are light golden brown; cool.
• Beat cream cheese and pumpkin in medium bowl with mixer until well blended. Add remaining pie spice and dry pudding mix; beat until blended. Gradually beat in milk; spread over crust. Top with refrigerated whipped topping, spreading to within 1/2 inch of edge. Refrigerate 4 hours. Meanwhile, break cooled baked nut mixture into smaller pieces; store in airtight container until ready to use.
• Sprinkle nut mixture over tart just before serving. Microwave caramels and water in microwaveable bowl on HIGH 1-1/2 minutes or until caramels are melted, stirring after 45 seconds. Drizzle over tart.

CARAMEL-PEANUT BUTTER MOUSSE TART

Steps:

• For crust:
• Mix flour and sugar in processor. Add butter; cut in using on/off turns until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add yolk, cream and vanilla; blend using on/off turns until dough begins to clump together. Gather into ball; flatten into disk. Wrap in plastic; chill 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Roll out dough on lightly floured surface to 11-inch round. Transfer dough to 9-inch-diameter tart pan with removable bottom. Trim edges. Freeze crust 15 minutes. Line with foil. Fill with dried beans or pie weights. Bake until sides are set, about 10 minutes. Remove foil and beans; bake crust until golden, piercing with toothpick if crust bubbles, about 20 minutes more. Cool completely on rack.
• For filling:
• Combine 1/3 cup sugar, 3 tablespoons cream and butter in heavy small saucepan. Stir over medium heat until sugar dissolves and butter melts. Pour into medium bowl and cool to room temperature. Add cream cheese, peanut butter and vanilla to brown sugar mixture. Using electric mixer, beat until smooth. Whisk remaining 1/4 cup cream with remaining 2 tablespoons brown sugar in small bowl to stiff peaks; fold into peanut butter mixture. Spoon filling into tart shell; smooth top. Refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour.
• For topping:
• Stir first 4 ingredients and 2 tablespoons cream in heavy medium saucepan over low heat until sugar dissolves. Increase heat to medium; stir slowly until clip-on candy thermometer registers 222°F, about 8 minutes. Remove from heat. Add 2 tablespoons cream and nuts. Let stand just until cool, about 20 minutes. Spoon over filling. Chill until set, at least 2 hours or overnight.
• Remove pan sides from tart. Transfer tart to platter. Sprinkle white chocolate around edges, if desired.

CARAMEL-PECAN PUMPKIN PIE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Beat the eggs, pumpkin, and half-and-half together in a mixing bowl until smooth. Stir in the sugar, flour, lemon zest, vanilla, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice until evenly blended. Pour the pumpkin mixture into the prepared pie shell. Cover the edges of the pie with aluminum foil strips to prevent burning.
• Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, prepare the pecan caramel topping by mixing the brown sugar, pecans, and butter together in a bowl until evenly blended. Carefully spoon over the top of the pie. Continue baking the pie until the topping is golden and bubbly, and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean, about 20 minutes more. Cool on a wire rack.

CARAMEL PECAN SILK CHOCOLATE MOUSSE PIE

Steps:

• Mousse:.
• Prepare mousse the day before.
• Sprinkle gelatin over cold water in small bowl and let stand 1 minute to soften.
• Add boiling water and stir until gelatin is completely dissolved and mixture is clear.
• Cool for two minutes.
• In medium size mixing bowl, stir together sugar and cocoa.
• Add whipping cream and vanilla.
• With hand mixer, beat (medium speed) until stiff.
• Pour in gelatin mixture and beat until well blended.
• Cover and refrigerate.
• Makes about 1 cup.
• Thick Caramel Sauce:.
• Heat water, sugar, corn syrup and lemon juice on high heat in a heavy-bottomed 2 or 3 quart saucepan.
• When sugar starts to melt, stir constantly with a whisk.
• As soon as all of the sugar crystals have melted (the liquid will be dark amber in color), add the butter to the pan (the mixture will foam up considerably).
• Continue to whisk briskly until the butter has melted, then remove from heat.
• Add the cream to the pan (the mixture will foam up considerably), and then the salt and continue to whisk until sauce is smooth.
• Let cool in the pan for a couple minutes, and then pour into a glass mason jar and let sit to cool to room temperature.
• Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
• Crust:.
• Melt butter.
• Combine graham cracker crumbs, butter, sugar and nutmeg.
• Press into a 9 inch pie plate or 8 inch square cake pan.
• Chill in refrigerator 2 hours before filling.
• Filling:.
• Allow cream cheese to soften.
• Beat cream cheese, sour cream and lemon juice together and slowly beat in powdered sugar.
• Lightly toast pecans, stir into caramel and pour into bottom of crust.
• Gently spread cream cheese mix over the caramel.
• Gently spread mousse over cream cheese.
• Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.
• Serve.