Jack-o’-Lantern Cream Puffs

Total Time

Prep: 1 hour Bake: 30 min. + cooling

Makes

12 servings

Updated: Jun. 21, 2022
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
Jack-o'-Lantern Cream Puffs Recipe photo by Taste of Home

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 large eggs, room temperature
  • 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 2% milk
  • Green and orange food coloring
  • 1 tablespoon baking cocoa

Directions

  1. In a small saucepan, bring the water, butter and sugar to a boil.
  2. 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, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Continue beating until mixture is smooth and shiny.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. For frosting, in a small bowl, combine the confectioners' sugar, butter, vanilla and enough milk to achieve desired consistency. Divide frosting into thirds; tint 1 portion green, and 1 portion orange. Stir cocoa into the remaining frosting. Pipe jack-o'-lantern faces with orange and chocolate frosting. Pipe stems with green frosting.

Nutrition Facts

1 cream puff: 152 calories, 9g fat (6g saturated fat), 57mg cholesterol, 72mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.