Pecan Sandie Pumpkin Pie + Pub Cheese Charcuterie Platter

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This post is sponsored by McCormick® but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

The holidays are quickly approaching and I cannot wait!   There are two things that I love about the holidays and those are the food and visiting with my family.  We usually travel to see family around the holidays so while I would love to make a main dish or side dish it just isn’t that easy when you are traveling so I am always in charge of the desserts.

One of the desserts that I am always asked to make for the holidays is my pumpkin pie.  I always laugh because pumpkin pie is really easy to make so for the last few years I’ve been trying to put a spin on the classic.  I’ve made mini pumpkin pies, pumpkin pie crescents, and even pumpkin pie parfaits.

I headed to my local Martin’s store to get some inspiration for a twist on my pumpkin pie.   I went right to the baking aisle started looking at the spices.  I was excited to see that McCormick® Vanilla Extract was on sale so I picked up two bottles of that as I use it in practically all of my holiday baking.   As I was glancing through the spices inspiration struck.  I wanted to make Pecan Sandie Pumpkin Pie!  I happen to have a large bag of pecans at home and I knew I could whip up a pecan sandie crust and then jazz up my pumpkin pie with McCormick® Cinnamon, McCormick® Nutmeg, and McCormick® Ginger as well as adding in the vanilla extract.

As I wondered around Martin’s I thought about making a cheese ball instead because they are always a hit with my husband, my brother, and my cousins.  When I got to the cheese aisle I scrapped that in favor of making a Pub Cheese Charcuterie Platter.  I quickly picked up cheddar cheese, crackers, pita chips, and then went back to the spices aisle to grab some McCormick® dry mustard.  I knew I had a McCormick® sea salt grinder and McCormick®black pepper at home so I didn’t have to buy any more of that.

I got home and got to work.   I mixed up my pecan sandie crust and put it in a tart pan then popped it in the freezer.   Since I was baking the crust along with the pie I wanted the crust to be cold so it wouldn’t burn in the oven.   I mixed up my traditional pumpkin pie recipe but instead of just using pumpkin pie spice I used the McCormick® Cinnamon, McCormick® Nutmeg, McCormick® Ginger, and McCormick® Vanilla Extract.  The filling smelled amazing.

As the pie was baking in the oven I got to work on the pub cheese.  This is a super simple recipe and can be made a few days in advanced.  Plus it travels well so it’s great to take to holiday parties or family gatherings.   All you need to do is put all of the ingredients in a food processor and process until smooth and fluffy.  That’s it!   It doesn’t get much easier than that.

I cut up some veggies to go along with the pub cheese as well as some fruit to make up the charcuterie platter.   If you are taking it with you somewhere simply put all the different items in plastic baggies and assemble the board when you arrive.  It doesn’t take more than five or ten minutes and it is guaranteed to be a show stopper.

My husband and I sampled the Pecan Sandie Pumpkin Pie and we loved it!   The pecan crust added a lot of flavor and paired perfectly with the spiced pumpkin filling.  I may even like this version better than the original!  I can’t wait to take it to my brother’s house this holiday season.  I think my family is going to go crazy over it. 

Yield: serves 12

Pecan Sandie Pumpkin Pie

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Traditional pumpkin pie gets a makeover with a Pecan Sandie crust, plenty of spices, and a splash of vanilla.

Prep Time 25 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Total Time 55 minutes

Ingredients

For the crust:

• 1 stick butter, softened
• 1 1/4 c. chopped pecans
• 1 1/2 c. flour
• 1/2 c. powdered sugar
• 1 t. salt
• 1 egg yolk

For the pie:

• 1/2 c. sugar
• 1 t. McCormick®Ground Cinnamon
• 1/2 t. McCormick® Ground Nutmeg
• 1/2 t. McCormick® Ground Ginger
• 1 t. sea salt
• 2 eggs
• 1 t. McCormick® Pure Vanilla Extract
• 1 (15 oz) can pumpkin puree
• 1 (12 oz) can evaporated milk

Instructions

1. Spray the bottom and sides of a tart pan. Set aside.
2. Place the pecans, flour, powdered sugar, and salt in a food processor. Process until the pecans are finely ground.
3. Add in the butter and egg yolk and pulse until a dough begins to forms.
4. Press the dough into the bottom and sides of the tart pan. Freeze for 30 minutes.
5. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
6. To make the pie filling combine the sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt in a large bowl.
7. Add in the eggs, vanilla, and pumpkin and mix well to combine.
8. Slowly add in the evaporated milk, stirring until well combined.
9. Remove the crust from the freezer and pour the pumpkin filling into the crust.
10. Bake at 425 degrees for 15 minutes.
11. Reduce oven heat to 350 degrees and bake for an additional 30-35 minutes.
12. Remove from oven and cool completely.
13. Serve with a caramel drizzle and whipped cream if desired.

Notes

A Hezzi-D original recipe

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

12

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 283 Total Fat: 17g Saturated Fat: 6g Trans Fat: 0g Unsaturated Fat: 10g Cholesterol: 67mg Sodium: 465mg Carbohydrates: 29g Net Carbohydrates: 0g Fiber: 2g Sugar: 15g Sugar Alcohols: 0g Protein: 4g

As for the pub cheese, it really thickened up and was perfect spread on crackers but it also worked for dipping pretzels and vegetables.   You could taste the beer in it as well as the garlic and the spices.   I love the addition of the dry mustard and black pepper because they really add flavor to the cheese spread.

I’m glad to be able to bring a few new recipes to our holiday family gatherings this year.  While I love the classic recipes, it’s fun to be able to put a spin on things and McCormick® products help “make it home” this holiday season with all of their spices and extracts.  They are products I love and trust which is why I feel confident using them in the recipes I’m sharing with my family. 

Yield: serves 12

Pub Cheese Charcuterie Platter

Print

A spicy and flavorful homemade cheese spread filled with garlic, spices, and beer.

Prep Time 20 minutes

Total Time 20 minutes

Ingredients

For the pub cheese:

• 4 oz. amber beer
• 12 oz. cheddar cheese, shredded (I used 3 different types)
• 2 garlic cloves, chopped
• 1 T. Worcestershire sauce
• 1 t. McCormick® Ground Mustard
• 1 t. sea salt
• 1 t. McCormick® Pure Ground Black Pepper
• 1 t. hot sauce

For the charcuterie board:

• 1 apple, sliced
• 1 c. grapes
• 1/2 c. dried cranberries or raisins
• crackers
• pretzels
• carrot sticks
• celery sticks
• pita chips
• almonds

Instructions

1. To make the pub cheese place the cheddar cheese and garlic in a food processor and process until the cheese has crumbled.
2. Add in the Worcestershire sauce, dry mustard, salt, pepper, and hot sauce. Process for one minute.
3. Add in the beer and process on high for 3-4 minutes or until the mixture is smooth and looks whipped.
4. Remove from food processor and place into two small bowls on a charcuterie board.
5. Surround the cheese with the apples, grapes, cranberries, crackers, pretzels, pita chips, vegetables, and almonds.

Notes

A Hezzi-D Original recipe

Want to try these recipes for yourself?  Head to your local Martin’s or other Ahold stores to purchase a wide variety of McCormick® Extract, Herbs & Spices, or Gravy products to fit all of your flavor needs this holiday season!