Tag: pumpkin pie

Baklava Pumpkin Pie

Oh. Em. Gee. It’s been forever!!!! I can’t remember the last time I took such a long blogging break – I have missed you all!

Of course I haven’t disappeared entirely. If you follow me on Instagram, you’ve seen me traveling around the country on my book tour, and it’s been quite a journey. I’ve been fortunate enough to meet so many of you in person, to share my love of food, family and tradition to a range of audiences, and to be going into the third printing of Millennial Kosher with almost 20,000 copies sold! Pinch me!!

Thanksgiving is all about showing thanks and boy am I grateful. Grateful for this platform. Grateful to see my dreams come true and grateful that somethow, someway, in between all this running around, I still love what I do SO. VERY. MUCH.

Truth be told I hit a bit of a creative slump but I am back and I couldn’t be more excited about it!! This baklava pumpkin pie came to me along with a bunch of other exciting ideas that I can’t wait to share, and I am so glad I was able to get into the kitchen and behind the camera to share it with you all. I thought it might be too complicated to execute but I got so much amazing feedback on it and I’m so pleasantly surprised that y’all are ready to tackle layers and layers of buttered fillo dough – not the easiest feat!

I actually tested this recipe with melted coconut oil and I was so happy to see that I could avoid the dreaded margarine route while still keeping it pareve. Just make sure to go for refined coconut oil otherwise you’ll be left with baklava COCONUT pumpkin pie and no one wants that, amiright?!

The diagonal slits are probably the hardest part about this – and I watched a whole lot of YouTube videos until I figured it out – but you can feel free to make this a la the traditional route in a rectangular dish and forgo the difficulty.

Wishing you a delicious and Happy Thanksgiving. We truly have so much to be thankful for!

Baklava Pumpkin Pie

1 box fillo dough, thawed
1 cup melted butter, margarine or refined coconut oil

Pumpkin Filling:
1 14.5oz can pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling)
1/2 c brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp cardamom
1/8 tsp nutmeg
1/8 tsp cloves

Pecan Filling:
7 oz. pecans, chopped
1/4 c brown sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt

Maple Syrup:
1/2 cup maple syrup
1/4 c water
2 tbsp brown sugar
pinch of salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a small bowl, combine the pumpkin filling. In a second bowl, combine the pecan filling.

Remove the fillo dough from the package and cut the stack into a square, the same width as your pie dish. Place a damp paper towel over the stack of dough as you assemble the baklava.

Grease the pie dish. Place the first sheet of fillo dough into the pie dish. Brush with butter. Repeat with 9 more layers, placing each one at a bit of an angle from the previous one. Top the 10th layer with half of the pumpkin mixture and top with half of the chopped pecan mixture.

Place another 6 sheets of fillo dough on top of the first layer of filling, buttering it between each layer. Spread another layer of pumpkin and pecans on top and repeat with 10 more layers of fillo, buttering between each sheet and placing each one at a bit of angle from the previous one (see photo).

Using a sharp knife, slice the baklava into diamonds shapes. Fold the fillo dough over itself around the pie, creating a crust.

Bake for 30-40 minutes, until browned and crisp.

While the baklava is baking, mix the maple syrup, brown sugar, water and salt in a small saucepan. Heat until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is thickened. Cool completely.

When the baklava comes out of the oven, drizzle the maple syrup over the pie.

VARIATION:

For easier assembly, use a rectangular shaped dish instead of a pie dish.

Related Recipes:

baklava hamantaschen
mini pumpkin pies for a crowd
Whole30 pumpkin banana souffle’

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Mini Pumpkin Pies for a Crowd

I’m really not much of a freezer person, but there is one recipe that I make every year for the holidays and it’s this one. These mini pumpkin pies are so festive and seasonal, and they’re great to have in the freezer as a pretty and delicious side dish. I always have them on hand for last minute company and they are so kid-friendly too.

What I love about this pie is that it’s very adaptable. If you are nut free, use oats in the streusel in place of nuts. You can make large or mini pies and swap in different types of milk or oils. You can make your own pie dough or pumpkin puree, if you’re so inclined, or go for the easy store-bought variety. In short, stock your freezer and you can thank me later!

Mini Pumpkin Pies with Pecan Streusel

29oz. can pumpkin (not pie filling)
3/4 c brown sugar
1/2 c almond or coconut milk
3 eggs
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla
Pinch of salt
30 mini pie shells

Topping:
2/3 c flour
1/2 c brown sugar
1/2 c chopped pecans (use oats for nut-free)
1/3 c oil
Pinch of salt

Method:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a bowl, combine the pumpkin with brown sugar, milk, eggs, cinnamon, vanilla and salt. In a separate bowl, combine the topping ingredients until crumbly. Fill the pie shells with the filling and divide the streusel among the pies. Place on two parchment-lined baking sheets and bake for 45-55 minutes, until crust is lightly browned.

OPTIONAL: Melt some cookie butter and drizzle over pies before serving.

FREEZING INSTRUCTIONS: Place the pies in a single layer in the freezer and freeze until solid. Once frozen, you can layer the pies in a pan, with parchment between the layers. Wrap with saran wrap and foil. Bake the frozen tarts until heated through and serve.

Related Recipes:

cookie butter pumpkin pie
pumpkin banana souffle
pumpkin cake

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Cookie Butter Pumpkin Pie


I’m proud to be an American. Really I am. (Politics aside!) But truth be told, I don’t celebrate Thanksgiving. Maybe it’s because, being Jewish, we’ve got our fill of holidays, and every Shabbat is practically a Thanksgiving meal in itself. The most we ever did growing up was make some deli turkey sandwiches and maybe pumpkin pie, but no feast and no big bird.

If I’m feeling festive, I’ll usually cook up some Thanksgiving-inspired recipes for the Shabbat before or after Thanksgiving. I make turkey London broil (half of a skinless boneless turkey breast), pumpkin pie, cranberry sauce and stuffing and call it a day. I love all the flavors of the holiday and each year, I try to put my own spin on a classic Thanksgiving recipe.

Last year, I had my very first Thanksgiving dinner experience, when my friend Melinda of kitchen-tested) invited my family over for the most lavish spread I’ve ever seen. And I’m Jewish. So when I say lavish. I mean LAVISH. Mel made the most adorable place settings with homemade tea biscuit cookie butter in personalized jars and a crazy good pie bar for dessert (I brought my Mexican hot chocolate pecan pie). This year, she invited us again (I’ve got my stretchy pants ready!) and when I was thinking about what to bring, I decided it had to involve the latest kosher obsession – speculoos, or Lotus caramelize biscuits and cookie butter spread.

You see, Mel had her first taste of the stuff at my house, and I think her eyes rolled back in her head when she licked the gingersnap-flavored butter off the spoon. Of course cookie butter had been around for years, but it’s been hard to get with kosher certification, so I had to resort to begging my friends and family to smuggle some in from Israel. (Just joking of course, it’s perfectly legal. Although maybe it shouldn’t be!).

But the kosher speculoos Gods heard our pleas, and pallets of the stuff have finally arrived at our shores and onto kosher supermarket shelves. No need to stock up on ten jars at a time anymore, they’ve become a staple! Three stores in my hood alone now carry the cookies and butter, as well as numerous stores around Brooklyn. I hope kosher supermarkets everywhere get in on the cookie butter dream too.

So! To celebrate the newly available jars of bliss, I’ve developed this super fun recipe for cookie butter pumpkin pie. Except it’s really a butternut squash pie, but pumpkin just sounds better. And isn’t butternut a pumpkin anyway?

Plus, haven’t you read the news that canned pumpkin isn’t actually pumpkin??!! I know, shocking right? So if they can call canned squash pumpkin, I sure as hell can too. At least I’m being honest, right?

So pumpkin, squash, whatever you decide to use, marries so beautifully with the cookie butter because it’s got that amazingly warm flavor that’s reminiscent of gingersnaps (my all time favorite) and cinnamon. Surprisingly, I’m not that into pumpkin spice flavors, so this is a great alternative. I love to eat it cold, with a dollop of coconut cream, for a decadent dessert. If only I had a fireplace to pair with it!

Don’t be intimidated by the fancy swirls, they’re super simple to make. Just spoon dollops of the cookie butter into your mouth…um…I mean…onto the pie, and then use a knife to swirl the dollops around. Don’t mix too much and don’t stick that knife too deep or you’ll mess with the crust. Ask me how I know.

So whether you celebrate Thanksgiving or not – give this decadent and original pumpkin pie a try. If you’re a fan of cookie butter, you’ll be sure to love it! (and If you’re not, who are you and what in the world is wrong with you?!)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Cookie Butter Pumpkin Pie

2 1/2 cups butternut squash or pumpkin purée (see note)
1/3 c brown sugar
2 tbsp maple syrup
2 eggs
1/4 cup full fat canned coconut milk
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp kosher salt
1/2 cup Lotus smooth cookie butter
1 pkg Lotus Biscoff cookies (250 grams)
1/2 c (1 stick) butter or margarine, melted and cooled
pinch of sea salt
coconut whipped cream, for serving (optional)

Method:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a food processor or blender, blend the cookie biscuits to form crumbs. Pour in the melted butter, add the sea salt and blend until it starts to come together in clumps. Press the crust into the base and up the sides of a pie dish (it helps to smooth it out with the bottom of a measuring cup). Bake the crust for 10 minutes and set aside.

In a medium sized bowl, mix the squash puree, brown sugar, maple syrup, eggs, coconut milk, cinnamon and salt and whisk until smooth. If desired, puree with a hand blender to make it extra silky. Pour the mixture into the pie crust.

In a small pot, warm the cookie butter so it’s easier to work with (see tip). Place dollops of cookie butter around the pie and swirl with a knife. Bake for 30-40 minutes, until the pie is set and starting to brown around the edges. Cool and serve with coconut whipped cream and some melted cookie butter and/or crushed cookies. Alternatively, you may refrigerate the pie and serve cold (my preference).

NOTE: I’m not a big fan of pumpkin so I prefer to use squash in my pumpkin pie. Butternut and kabocha are my favorites. I roast my butternut squash to concentrate the flavors and make it even sweeter and more delicious, no peeling necessary!. To roast (you can do this with any squash), cut the squash in half lengthwise and place cut side down on a parchment lined baking sheet. Bake at 400 degrees until soft (it should pierce easily with a fork), about 30-45 minutes, depending on size. Remove the seeds and scoop the flesh out with a spoon. If you prefer to use frozen winter squash or canned pumpkin, add 1/4 cup of flour to the mixture.

TIP: To get the most cookie butter flavor, you’ll want dollops of cookie butter that don’t mix too much into the pumpkin. Heat the butter to make it easier to work with, but let it cool so that it’s not completely runny or else it will spread too much. Try not to overmix when swirling.

VARIATION: For a quick and easy version, bake the butternut squash without a crust, or use a frozen pie crust or graham cracker crust and drizzle with melted Lotus cookie butter.

Related Recipes:

Lotus cookie puppy chow
Lotus cookie pancakes
Lotus cookie cinnamon buns with cookie cream cheese frosting
pumpkin crisp
pumpkin banana souffle

Other Thanksgiving Recipes:

chestnut hummus with Thanksgiving pita chips
unstuffed mushrooms with chestnuts
cranberry sriracha green beans
creamy pareve mashed potatoes
mulled wine cranberry sauce
the best pareve cornbread
turkey roulade with 5-minute stuffing
Mexican hot chocolate pecan pie

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Pumpkin Pie Smoothie

With pumpkin season in full swing, my foodie feeds are overflowing with sweet pumpkin recipes. And I can’t get enough. I bookmark one recipe after another, promising myself to try every one. But truth be told, I’ve been too busy developing pumpkin recipes of my own. I’ve got pumpkin ricotta pancakes with cranberry maple syrup in the works. And then there’s a mouthwatering pumpkin pot pie that’s coming up.

All my pumpkin playing left me with some extra canned pumpkin that I refused to throw away, so I decided to whip it up into a delicious pumpkin pie smoothie. It came out even better than expected – with the taste of a milkshake, but the calories of a healthy smoothie. For all the pumpkin lovers out there – it doesn’t get better, quicker, or easier than this!

Pumpkin Pie Smoothie

1 medium frozen banana
6 oz vanilla Greek yogurt
1/2 c milk
1/2 c pumpkin purée
1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 tbsp maple syrup
pecans, for garnish

Method:

Add all ingredients to a blender and puree until smooth. Garnish with pecans.

 

Other BIB pumpkin recipes:

pumpkin whoopie pies 
pumpkin cake
pumpkin crisp
pumpkin banana bread
baked pumpkin oatmeal

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Pumpkin Crisp

My local supermarket has been out of canned pumpkin for months. With the arrival of fall, and pumpkin season, I was excited to finally see it on the store shelves, except, it wasn’t. When I asked the store manager about it, he told me that he hadn’t realized that canned pumpkin is only produced once a year, and he hadn’t stocked up the previous year. He was anxiously awaiting 200 cases, but they hadn’t made it on time. I knew I had to get my hands on the stuff for this easy and delicious recipe. Of course i had some fresh pumpkin waiting at home, but I had them set aside for pumpkin soup and candied pumpkin. I made my way to another supermarket and was happy to see the big orange can smiling back at me.

This recipe is pretty much a pumpkin pie, but without the crust, and with the addition of a crispy topping. I like it much better because who really eats that frozen pie crust anyway? I always find it leftover on the plate! This sweet side dish is, well, easy as pie, and perfect for the coming of fall. You can serve it buffet style, or scoop it into little glasses with a bit of whip cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon to top it off.

Tell me, what’s your favorite pumpkin recipe?

Pumpkin Crisp
adapted from a food.com recipe

29 oz. can pure pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)
1 cup sugar
3⁄4 cup soy milk
3 eggs
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice (optional)

Walnut Crisp Topping:

3⁄4 c packed brown sugar
3⁄4 c oats
3⁄4 c chopped walnuts
2 tbsp flour
1⁄4 tsp cinnamon
6 tbsp melted butter/margarine or canola oil

Method:

Preheat oven to 350˚. Whisk together pumpkin, sugar, milk, eggs, cinnamon, and vanilla until smooth. Spray a pie dish with cooking spray and pour mixture inside. Mix topping until incorporated and sprinkle over pie. Bake for approximately 45minutes, until topping is golden brown.

VARIATION: for a festive dish, pour filling into mini pie crusts and top with walnut crisp. Bake until pie crust is golden.

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