While pumpkin desserts abound like never before, pies and lattes only scratch the surface of their potential. What are some gourmet pumpkin desserts that are both elegant and unique? Pumpkin creme brulee and cream puffs with pumpkin pastry bring a little sophistication to any fall table. Learn how to transform this humble gourd into a showstopping gourmet dessert with these 5 easy recipes.
Gourmet Pumpkin Desserts for Every Chef
Just because a dessert is elegant doesn’t mean it isn’t easy. Our favorite gourmet pumpkin desserts use basic ingredients with a touch of decorative flair to enhance both flavor and appearance.Â
Pumpkin Cheesecake with Pecan Praline Topping
Image Source: Food and Wine
Though pumpkin cheesecake is one of the most common pumpkin spice dessert recipes, this creamy praline topping gives it a fresh taste and texture. The traditional cheesecake recipe mixes together quickly with cream cheese, spices, pumpkin puree, and a graham cracker crust. Once it’s baked and cooled, simmer butter, brown sugar, and heavy cream in a saucepan until it forms a thick caramel. Add chopped pecans and drizzle over each slice before adding a rich dollop of whipped cream.
You’ll need:
- Cream cheese
- Pumpkin Puree
- Graham crackers
- Cinnamon
- Brown Sugar
- Heavy Cream
- Pecans
Cream Puffs With Pumpkin Pastry Cream
Image Source: Country Living
Cream puffs are a classic French dessert that get an autumn update with pumpkin pastry cream. Since the cream should chill before filling the puffs, assemble and refrigerate it up to 2 days before making the traditional pate a choux dough. After piping it into mounds on a baking sheet, using the Wolf convection settings on your oven can give each puff some extra height. Once baked and cooled, cut each puff in half and fill with the pumpkin pastry cream. Will you want to eat more than one of these gourmet fall desserts? Oui!
You’ll need:
- Brown sugar
- Eggs
- Fresh ginger
- Pumpkin puree
- Whole milkÂ
- Flour
Pumpkin Parfaits
Image Source: Food and Wine
Desserts with fresh pumpkins require the extra step of roasting and pureeing your own pumpkin pulp. But a parfait is so easy to assemble that this additional measure won’t add on too much extra time. Whether you use canned puree or your own fresh version, the addition of mascarpone cheese makes it rich and silky. Layer in individual glasses with the classic mascarpone and whipped cream mixture and chocolate wafers. The beautiful contrasting colors will create a feast for the eyes as well as your sweet tooth.
You’ll need:
- Canned or fresh pumpkin puree
- Mascarpone cheese
- Heavy cream
- Chocolate wafers
- Pumpkin pie spice
Pumpkin Creme Brulee
Image Source: The Spruce Eats
While creme brulee recipes may not seem like easy fall dessert ideas, this pumpkin version will change your mind. Yes, only a blow torch will give this sugar-topped custard its trademark crust at the end. However, a saucepan and whisk are the only other cooking utensils required. While the traditional pumpkin spices are whisked into the heavy cream to simmer, the pumpkin puree is the final addition before baking. Have no fear when wielding the torch to give each ramekin of custard a beautiful golden crust.
You’ll need:
- Heavy cream
- Milk
- Pumpkin puree
- Nutmeg
- Ginger
- Cinnamon
- Superfine sugar
Pumpkin Cake With Caramel-Cream Cheese Frosting
Image Source: Food and Wine
Our list of gourmet pumpkin desserts would be incomplete without a showstopping layer cake. This decadent recipe has a rich crumb, spiced with cinnamon, ginger, allspice, and cloves. And while cream cheese frosting is no stranger to pumpkin cakes, this version gets its gourmet touch from the addition of homemade caramel. Chill the frosting for at least 6 hours before swirling it over every inch of pumpkin-spiced cake for a silky, yet tangy, contrast.
You’ll need:
- Cream cheese
- Heavy cream
- 1 vanilla bean
- Cinnamon
- Ginger
- Nutmeg
- Pumpkin puree
Have these gourmet pumpkin desserts left your oven in need of a cleaning or even a repair? The experts at Don Bacon Appliance Service can answer how to clean a Wolf oven or provide the right professional fix.
