Sugar and Spice: New Twists on Thanksgiving Desserts

Every fall, as the Saveur kitchen fills up with pumpkins, pecans, maple syrup, and the rest of the classic Thanksgiving ingredients, we start dreaming of creative ways to use them. This issue's recipes for roasted sugar-glazed pears and pumpkin cheesecake (see the article A Bountiful Shore) set the bar high: The elements are absolutely canonical, but reinterpreted, they let some fresh air into our holiday traditions. Like many cooks at Thanksgiving time, we relish introducing new dishes to complement the old standbys, and so came up with the following fresh takes on the holiday dessert, designed to pique the appetite even after all the excesses of the feast. Get tons of Thanksgiving tips, menu ideas, and more with SAVEUR.com's Thanksgiving Guide »

Pumpkin and Bourbon Mousse


Pumpkin and Bourbon Mousse (Get the recipe below.)
This spicy reinterpretation of a traditional pumpkin pie will wow guests while still satisfying traditionalists.

See the recipe for Pumpkin and Bourbon Mousse »




Related: 19 Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes »



Maple Pot de Crème
Maple Pot de Crème
This delicious fall treat will pique the appetite even after all the excesses of the feast.

See the recipe for Maple Pot de Crème »



Related: 9 Complete Thanksgiving Menus »


Pecan Pie Brittle
Pecan Pie Brittle
This twist on traditional pecan pie provides a snack-able ending to the holiday feast.

See the recipe for Pecan Pie Brittle »



Related: Festive Fall Cocktails to Serve a Crwod »


Roasted Sugar-Glazed Pears
Roasted Sugar-Glazed Pears
In this recipe, almonds, currants, and raisins are stuffed inside pears, which are roasted for a simple, yet elegant dessert.

See the recipe for Roasted Sugar-Glazed Pears »




Related: Potato Side Dishes for Thanksgiving »


Sweet Potato CakeSweet Potato Cake
Layers of spiced sweet potato cake with marshmallowy meringue icing in between and a topping of praline and candied pecans, will make a spectacular finish to any feast.

See the recipe for Sweet Potato Cake »


Related: Thanksgiving Dressings and Stuffings »


Pumpkin CheesecakePumpkin Cheesecake
Rum and gingersnaps give this decadent autumn dessert a spicy, warming flavor.

See the recipe for Pumpkin Cheesecake »




Related: 14 Seasonal Cranberry Recipes »


Pumpkin Cheesecake With Gingersnap and Hazelnut CrustPumpkin Cheesecake With Gingersnap and Hazelnut Crust
A crust made with gingersnaps spices up this creamy, spicy dessert, a very autumn-appropriate take on classic cheesecake.

See the recipe for Pumpkin Cheesecake With Gingersnap and Hazelnut Crust »


Related: 26 Super-Simple Thanksgiving Sides »


RECIPE: Pumpkin and Bourbon Mousse
Cranberry SalsaThis spicy reinterpretation of a traditional pumpkin pie will wow guests while still satisfying traditionalists. This recipe first appeared in our November 2012 issue along with Ben Mims's story Sugar and Spice.

Ingredients
¾ cup sugar
6 tbsp. bourbon
½ tsp. kosher salt
½ tsp. ground ginger
½ tsp. ground cinnamon
¼ tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
¼ tsp. ground cloves
8 eggs, yolks and whites separated
1 cup canned pumpkin
orange zest for garnish

Instructions
Bring 2" water to a boil in a 4-qt. saucepan over medium-high heat. Place a medium metal bowl over pan, and add sugar, bourbon, salt, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and egg yolks; whisk together, and cook, whisking constantly until thickened and pale, about 6 minutes. Remove from the heat and set bourbon mixture aside. In another bowl, whisk egg whites until stiff peaks form; add canned pumpkin, and fold until almost combined. Add to warm bourbon mixture and fold together until smooth. Divide among serving glasses and sprinkle with orange zest; serve immediately.

MORE FROM SAVEUR.COM:

• Favorite Fall Pies »
• MENU: Thanksgiving for Two »
• Thanksgiving Appetizers »
• MENU: A Quick and Easy Thanksgiving »
• Thanksgiving Pies and Desserts »