Sunday, November 4, 2012

Pumpkin Freezer Cake with Mascarpone Cheese and Orange Liqueur







From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...Several years ago, Christopher Kimball publicly confessed that his favorite part of Thanksgiving dinner was dessert. I've never viewed myself as a slavish follower, and like to think that my opinions are my own, but  when it comes to holiday meals, and desserts in particular, I think I'm channeling him. I love most of the old favorites associated with Thanksgiving, and, in any given year, a ridiculous number of them appear on my holiday table I do, however, try to expand our horizons, so each year I make an effort to come up with a new dessert to add to the collection. The results are not always successful. When I am good I am very, very good, but when I m bad I am horrid. Fortunately, I have a winner to share with you this year. My goal was to create a dessert that could be made several days ahead of time and plucked from the freezer for serving. Cheesecake came to mind, but I wanted to create a version that would be light enough to serve following a holiday meal. I think I was able to accomplish that with this recipe. The cake, which relies on pumpkin, mascarpone cheese and orange liqueur for flavor, is really easy to make, but it has to go through a freeze and thaw cycle before it can be served. Once you've mastered its timing you've mastered the cake. It can be made and frozen a week before you need it. If you thaw it at room temperature, the cake will become too soft to serve neatly and you'll have a hot, albeit delicious, mess on your hands. If you thaw it as suggested in the recipe below, you won't have any problems. I really think you'll like this cake. I made it as part of the early holiday dinner we shared with friends and it was really well received. The Silver Fox has requested it for our "real" Thanksgiving holiday and I'm delighted to oblige. Here's the recipe for your consideration.

Pumpkin Freezer Cake with Mascarpone Cheese and Orange Liqueur...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite

Ingredients:
3-1/2 teaspoons unflavored gelatin
2 tablespoons water
6 large egg yolks
1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 cups + 1 tablespoon sugar, divided use
1 quart whole milk, divided use
1 ( 15-ounce) can pumpkin puree
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
1-1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
2 cups mascarpone cheese, room temperature
1/4 cup orange liqueur
1 box cinnamon graham crackers

Directions:
1) Sprinkle gelatin over water in a small bowl. Let stand for 5 minutes.
2) Mix yolks, cornstarch, salt, 1-1/2 cups of sugar and 1 cup of milk and in a large bowl until ingredients are combined.
3) Heat remaining 3 cups of milk in a large saucepan large saucepan, just until it beginsto steam. Whisk 1 cup of hot milk into the yolk mixture. Pour mixture into milk in saucepan and cook over moderate heat, whisking constantly, until boiling and thick, about 5 minutes. Whisk in pumpkin puree and cook for 1 minute. If gelatin has set, microwave it for about 30 seconds. Remove saucepan from heat and whisk in gelatin, vanilla and pumpkin pie spice. Add mascarpone and whisk until blended.
4) Place orange liqueur in a custard cup. Add reserved 1 tablespoon sugar and microwave at high power for 10 seconds, or until sugar is dissolved.
5) Crush 3 whole graham crackers into crumbs and set aside. Place one-third of remaining graham crackers in bottom of a 10 x 10-inch or an 11 x 7-inch baking dish. Lightly brush them with orange liqueur and top with one-third of pumpkin custard. Repeat layering of crackers, liqueur and custard two more times, ending with a top layer of custard. Sprinkle reserved crushed graham crackers on top of custard. Press plastic wrap directly on surface of cake and freeze overnight. Transfer cake to refrigerator about 6 hours before serving. When ready to proceed, remove cake from refrigerator and cut into squares. Let sit at room temperature for 1 hour before serving. Yield: 12 servings.

Cook's Note: Cake can be made and frozen for up to 1 week before serving.








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Three Years Ago Today: Hungarian Mushroom Soup

20 comments :

What's Baking?? said...

I could almost taste the soft creamy cheese..mouthwatering. A wonderful recipe, Mary. I shall bookmark and give this a try..good idea to make it ahead of time and suitable for freezing. Have a great Thanksgiving!

Alessandra said...

mmmh, pumpkin, mascarpone and orange liqueur sound like a good combination, I am sure that it was a winner and I am not surprised that the Silver Fox requested it for Thanksgiving. Happy voting, who will it be?


Ciao
Alessandra

lindalou said...

This sounds wonderful. I just love pumpkin options other than just pumpkin pie.

This is a keeper.

Katarina said...

This sounds really good, lovely ingredients!

StephenC said...

People generally only eat pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving. There are plenty of other times for other options. Unless, of course, you don't like pumpkin pie - which is simply un-American.

Jo said...

This looks and sounds amazing! Whats' not to enjoy with a combination of pumpkin, mascarpone and orange liqueur?! I'm going to have to try this one soon.

Jo

Whats Cookin Italian Style Cuisine said...

Pumpkin with mascarpone? What a heavenly genious combo! Love it!

From the Kitchen said...

Yes, I'll have a piece of that please. I'm not terribly fond of pumpkin pie but do like pumpkin. I'm leaving Thanksgiving dessert up to The Baker and will direct him to your blog today.

Best,
Bonnie

Virginia Taylors said...

Mary! I couldn't agree more. Thanks for another wonderful recipe. I try to come up with new things also...but tradition in my family sometimes thwarts me.
I do make a pumpkin cheesecake every year now that it out of this world. http://love2cooksweets.blogspot.com/2010/11/beginning-reviewclinton-st-baking.html
I will have to get the recipe on line for you to try.
Toni

Priya Suresh said...

Extremely delicious,fantastic cake.

Diane said...

Oh wow this is making my mouth water, it sound amazing. Have a good week and take care Diane

David said...

Mary, This pumpkin freezer cake looks great...but the prep time is challenging for someone who doesn't have much patience...like myself. I'd love to try this dessert if someone else made it for me... Take Care, Big Daddy Dave

Eileen said...

This looks and sounds delicious. I love that you can freeze it a few days ahead of time - one more thing out of the way. Great idea.

safire said...

The flavor combination in this recipe sounds marvelous! :)

I just early-voted yesterday!

Choc Chip Uru @ Go Bake Yourself said...

Mmmm this cake looks simply perfect :D

Cheers
Choc Chip Uru

Yvonne @ StoneGable said...

Mary, what a beautiful dessert! I love anything I can make ahead. You are right about trying to come up with a dessert that is light after a big holiday meal. I usually eat my pumpkin pie the next day!
I love the ingredient's flavors!

teresa said...

oh i love the spin with the orange flavoring. this looks wonderful!

Rambling Tart said...

Oh my, this sounds so rich and decadent and wonderful. :-) Would love a big slice with some strong coffee for sure. :-)

Tricia @ saving room for dessert said...

Very nice indeed! I'm with you. I think I should have dessert first.

Jill Anderson said...

This dessert came out fantastic. My entire family loved it and came back for seconds and even thirds. And, it was still great the following morning. Thank you Mary.

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