Recipe: Pumpkin Mascarpone Pie

Pumpkin Mascarpone Pie
Source: Better Homes and Gardens; October, 2001
Makes 8 servings

Because the mascarpone mixture is heavier than the pumpkin mixture, it needs to be coaxed with a spatula or knife into swirls.

1 recipe Pastry for Single-Crust Pie (recipe follows)
1 (8-oz.) pkg. mascarpone or cream cheese, softened
1 slightly beaten egg yolk
2 tbsp. honey
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 cup canned pumpkin
1 5-oz. can evaporated milk (2/3 cup)
2 slightly beaten eggs
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Prepare and roll out Pastry for Single-Crust Pie.

In a bowl beat mascarpone or cream cheese, egg yolk, honey, and vanilla with an electric mixer on low to medium speed until smooth. Set aside.

In another bowl stir together pumpkin, evaporated milk, the remaining 2 eggs, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Pour pumpkin mixture into pastry-lined pie plate. Dollop the mascarpone mixture over pumpkin mixture. Pull a thin metal spatula or knife gently through dollops to swirl fillings.

Bake for 50 minutes or until top is puffed and a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 1 hour on a wire rack. Cover and chill at least 2 hours before serving.

Pastry for Single-Crust Pie

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1/3 cup shortening
4 to 5 Tbsp. cold water

In a medium mixing bowl stir together flour and salt. Using a pastry blender, cut in shortening until pieces are pea-size.

Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of the water over part of mixture; gently toss with a fork. Push moistened dough to the side of the bowl. Repeat moistening dough, using 1 tablespoon of the water at a time, until all dough is moistened. Form into a ball.

Roll dough into a 12-inch circle. Transfer to a 9-inch pie plate. Trim and crimp edges.

Fill and bake as directed.

Food processor directions: Prepare as above, except place steel blade in food processor bowl. Add flour, salt, and shortening. Cover and process with on/off turns until most of the mixture resembles cornmeal, but a few larger pieces remain. With food processor running, quickly add 1/4 cup water through feed tube. Stop the food processor as soon as all the water is added. Scrape down the sides. Process with two on/off turns (mixture may not all be moistened). Remove dough from bowl; shape into a ball.