Gourmet Pecan-Pumpkin Spice Moon Pies
Indulge in these delightful Gourmet Pecan-Pumpkin Spice Moon Pies, a perfect treat for the Thanksgiving season. With a rich, homemade marshmallow filling flavored with pumpkin pie spices sandwiched between buttery pecan cookies and adorned with festive decorations, these moon pies take traditional flavors to new heights. Not only are they a feast for the palate, but they also present beautifully, making them an ideal dessert to share with family and friends at your holiday gathering. Enjoy the warm flavors of pumpkin and pecans wrapped in a whimsical, sweet package that captures the essence of Thanksgiving.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
20
Ingredients
Ingredients
Powdered sugar
to taste (for dusting)
Unflavored gelatin
2 (1-ounce) envelopes
Granulated sugar
1 cup
Light corn syrup
2/3 cup
Kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon
Vanilla extract
1 teaspoon
Pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon
Orange gel paste food coloring
to taste (for tinting)
Pecan halves
1 1/2 cups (toasted)
Powdered sugar
1/3 cup
Light brown sugar
2/3 cup
All-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups (plus more for dusting)
Kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon
Cold unsalted butter
3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons (cut into 1-inch cubes)
Large egg
1
Vanilla extract
1 teaspoon
Apple butter
to taste (for filling)
Orange candy melts
as needed (for decorating)
Shortening
as needed (for thinning)
Candy sprinkles
as desired (for decorating)
Instructions
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1. Start by preparing your workspace: Line a half sheet tray with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang for easy removal later. Spray the paper with nonstick cooking spray and dust generously with powdered sugar.
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2. In the bowl of a stand mixer with the whisk attachment, sprinkle gelatin over cold water (1/2 cup) and let it bloom. In a small saucepan, combine granulated sugar, corn syrup, kosher salt, and another 1/2 cup of water over medium heat until the sugar dissolves. Increase the heat to high and boil the mixture until it reaches 240°F on a candy thermometer. Remove from heat.
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3. With the mixer on low, carefully pour the hot syrup into the bloomed gelatin. Once combined, increase the mixer speed to high and whisk until the mixture thickens to a glossy consistency, about 15 minutes. Mix in vanilla and pumpkin pie spice, and tint with orange gel paste food coloring until you reach a pale orange hue.
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4. Pour the marshmallow mixture into the prepared tray, dust the surface with additional powdered sugar, and let it sit for at least 4 hours or until set. Once set, turn the marshmallow slab onto a powdered sugar-dusted surface and cut out 2 1/2-inch rounds using a cookie cutter. Store these marshmallow rounds wrapped in plastic or in an airtight container.
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5. Preheat your oven to 325°F. In a food processor, combine the toasted pecans and both sugars, pulsing until finely ground. Add the flour and kosher salt, pulse again to mix. Introduce the butter and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add the egg and vanilla, processing until a dough forms.
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6. Dust your workspace with flour and turn out the dough, forming it into a ball. Flatten it into a disc, ensuring to incorporate any extra flour as needed. Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and chill for 30 minutes in the freezer or 1 hour in the refrigerator.
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7. Once chilled, roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thick, dusting with flour as necessary. Cut out additional 2 1/2-inch rounds and place them on parchment-lined baking sheets, ensuring they are spaced about an inch apart. Bake for 8-10 minutes, rotating the trays halfway through, until cookies are slightly undercooked.
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8. Let the cookies cool completely before proceeding to the next step.
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9. Prepare the decoration by melting the orange candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl, heating in 15-30 second increments and stirring until smooth. If needed, thin the melted candy with melted shortening until it's a workable dipping consistency.
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10. Dip half of each cookie in the melted candy, letting the excess drip off. Place them on a wire rack set over a parchment-lined tray to allow them to set. Decorate as desired with sprinkles and optional gold highlighter for a festive touch.
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11. To assemble the moon pies, spread a teaspoon of apple butter on the underside of an undecorated cookie, and place a marshmallow round on top. Finally, sandwich it with a decorated cookie, using more apple butter to help them stick. Serve immediately for the best experience, as they are the freshest right after assembly.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Gourmet Pecan-Pumpkin Spice Moon Pies?
They are a festive Thanksgiving-themed dessert featuring pumpkin-spiced marshmallow filling between buttery pecan cookies.
How long does the marshmallow filling need to set?
The marshmallow mixture needs to sit for at least 4 hours or until it is completely set.
What temperature should the sugar syrup reach for the marshmallows?
The sugar syrup mixture should reach 240 degrees Fahrenheit on a candy thermometer.
How do I prepare the tray for the marshmallow mixture?
Line a half sheet tray with parchment paper, spray it with nonstick cooking spray, and dust it generously with powdered sugar.
What is the recommended way to color the marshmallows?
Use orange gel paste food coloring until the mixture reaches a pale orange hue.
How long should the cookie dough be chilled?
Chill the dough for 30 minutes in the freezer or 1 hour in the refrigerator.
At what temperature should the pecan cookies be baked?
The cookies should be baked at 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
How long do the cookies need to bake?
Bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes, rotating the trays halfway through.
What size should the cookies and marshmallow rounds be?
Both the cookies and the marshmallow rounds should be cut to 2 1/2 inches.
How do I prepare the pecans for the cookie dough?
The pecan halves should be toasted and then ground with sugar in a food processor until fine.
What is used to hold the moon pie layers together?
Apple butter is spread on the cookies to help the marshmallow and cookie layers stick together.
How should I decorate the moon pies?
Dip half of each cookie in orange candy melts and add sprinkles or gold highlighter for a festive touch.
What can I use to thin the melted candy for dipping?
Use melted shortening as needed to reach a workable dipping consistency.
When is the best time to serve these moon pies?
They are best served immediately after assembly for the freshest experience.
What type of gelatin is used in the marshmallow filling?
The recipe calls for two 1-ounce envelopes of unflavored gelatin.
What kind of flour is used for the pecan cookies?
The recipe uses 1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour.
Is a stand mixer necessary for this recipe?
Yes, a stand mixer with a whisk attachment is recommended to whisk the marshmallow mixture to a glossy consistency.
How thick should the cookie dough be rolled?
The cookie dough should be rolled out to about 1/4 inch thick.
How do I ensure the marshmallow rounds don't stick after cutting?
Turn the marshmallow slab onto a powdered sugar-dusted surface before cutting and store them wrapped in plastic.
What flavor extracts are used in this recipe?
Vanilla extract is used in both the marshmallow filling and the pecan cookie dough.
Can I use regular salt?
The recipe specifically calls for kosher salt in both the marshmallow and cookie components.
How do I know the marshmallow mixture is ready to pour?
Whisk on high speed for about 15 minutes until it thickens to a glossy consistency.
What kind of sugar is in the cookie dough?
The dough uses a combination of powdered sugar and light brown sugar.
How do I prevent the cookies from overcooking?
Bake them only until they are slightly undercooked, which takes about 8-10 minutes.
Should the cookies be warm when decorating?
No, let the cookies cool completely before dipping them in the candy melts.
What makes these moon pies a 'gourmet' version?
The use of homemade marshmallows, toasted pecans, and apple butter filling elevates them from the traditional snack.
What should I do if the marshmallow dough is too sticky?
Ensure you use plenty of powdered sugar on your workspace and hands when handling the set marshmallow.
What tools are needed to grind the pecans?
A food processor is used to combine the pecans and sugars until they are finely ground.
Can I add different spices to the marshmallow?
The recipe specifically suggests pumpkin pie spice to fit the Thanksgiving theme.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
The recipe consists of 20 ingredients including decorations and basic pantry staples.