PUMPKIN PIE COCKTAIL RECIPES

Steps:

• For the crust: On a lightly floured surface, roll the pie dough into a 13-inch round. Transfer the crust to a 9-inch pie plate that is at least 1 1/2 inches deep. Tuck the edges of the crust under to be even with the edge of the pie plate and crimp. Prick the surface of the crust all over with a fork and place the crust in the refrigerator for 60 minutes (or freezer for 30 minutes). Preheat the oven to 400˚. Line the inside of the crust with parchment paper, then fill to the top with baking weights or dried beans. Bake the pie crust for 13-15 minutes, until the edges look dry and just begin to take on a bit of color. Remove your crust from the oven and then, carefully remove the parchment paper and pie weights. (Place the pie weights into a bowl to cool off.) Return the crust to the oven and bake for another 4-6 minutes, just until the bottom of the crust appears dry. For the filling: Whisk well to combine the pumpkin, cream, and sugars. Whisk in the pumpkin pie spice, vanilla, eggs and egg yolk until thoroughly combined. Pour the filling into the pie crust and place on a baking sheet. Bake 50 to 55 minutes, until set around the edges and the center jiggles just slightly. Cool completely on a wire rack. Serve immediately with whipped cream or refrigerate. For the butter-pecan whipped cream: Place the butter in a large bowl and beat with an electric mixer fitted with a whisk attachment to whip it up a bit. Add the heavy whipping cream and powdered sugar to the bowl. Beat at medium-low or medium speed until you see the cream beginning to thicken. Add the pecan liqueur and continue beating until soft peaks form. Serve immediately.

Steps:

• Make the dough by hand. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt. Using your fingers, work the butter into the dry ingredients until it resembles yellow corn meal mixed with bean-sized bits of butter. (If the flour/butter mixture gets warm, refrigerate it for 10 minutes before proceeding.) Add the egg and stir the dough together with a fork or by hand in the bowl. If the dough is dry, sprinkle up to a tablespoon more of cold water over the mixture. 
• Alternatively, make the dough in a food processor. With the machine fitted with the metal blade, pulse the flour, sugar, and salt until combined. Add the butter and pulse until it resembles yellow corn meal mixed with bean-sized bits of butter, about 10 times. Add the egg and pulse 1 to 2 times; don't let the dough form into a ball in the machine. (If the dough is very dry add up to a tablespoon more of cold water.) Remove the bowl from the machine, remove the blade, and bring the dough together by hand. 
• Form the dough into a disk, wrap with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled, at least 1 hour. 
• On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough with a rolling pin into a 12-inch circle about 1/8-inch thick. Transfer the dough to a 9-inch pie pan and trim the edges, leaving about an extra inch hanging over the edge. Tuck the overhanging dough underneath itself to form a thick edge that is even with the rim. Flute the edge as desired. Freeze the pie shell for 30 minutes. 
• Set separate racks in the center and lower third of oven and preheat to 400 degrees F. Put a piece of parchment paper or foil over the pie shell and fill with dried beans or pie weights. Bake on a baking sheet on the center rack until the dough is set, about 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and lift sides of the parchment paper to remove the beans. Continue baking until the pie shell is lightly golden brown, about 10 more minutes. Cool on a rack. 
• Lower the oven temperature to 350 degrees F. 
• While the pie shell is cooling make the filling. In a large bowl, whisk together the pumpkin, brown sugar, eggs, half-and-half, spices, and salt until smooth. Return the pie shell to the baking sheet and pour in the filling. 
• Bake on the lower oven rack until the edges of the filling are set but the center is still slightly loose, about 50 to 60 minutes. (If the edges get very dark, cover them with aluminum foil.) Cool on a rack. Serve room temperature or slightly warm.