JACK-O'-LANTERN CREAM PUFFS

Jack-o'-Lantern Cream Puffs image

These jack-o'-lanterns may look spooky on the outside, but inside is a creamy, sweet treat. The classic flavor of pumpkin pie spice will have all your ghosts and goblins screaming for more! Karalee Helminak, South Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 1h30m

Yield 12 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 19

Ingredients

1/2 cup water
1/4 cup butter, cubed
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
2 eggs
FILLING:
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup canned pumpkin
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
3/4 cup whipped topping
FROSTING:
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
2 teaspoons butter, softened
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 to 2 teaspoons milk
Green and orange food coloring
1 tablespoon baking cocoa

Steps:

In a small saucepan, bring the water, butter and sugar to a boil. , In a small bowl, combine flour and pie spice; add to water mixture all at once and stir until a smooth ball forms. Remove from the heat; let stand for 5 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Continue beating until mixture is smooth and shiny. , Preheat oven to 400°. Drop 12 rounded tablespoonfuls 2 in. apart onto a greased baking sheet. Bake until golden brown, 30-35 minutes. Remove to a wire rack. Immediately split puffs open; remove tops and set aside. Discard soft dough from inside. Allow puffs to cool completely. , For filling, in a small bowl, beat the cream cheese, pumpkin, sugar and pie spice until smooth; fold in whipped topping. Pipe into cream puffs; replace tops., For frosting, in a small bowl, combine the confectioners' sugar, butter, vanilla and enough milk to achieve desired consistency. Divide frosting into thirds; tint one portion green, and one portion orange; set aside. Stir cocoa into the remaining frosting. Pipe jack-o'-lantern faces with orange and chocolate frosting. Pipe stems with green frosting.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 152 calories, Fat 9g fat (6g saturated fat), Cholesterol 57mg cholesterol, Sodium 72mg sodium, Carbohydrate 15g carbohydrate (9g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 3g protein.