Serves a Crowd

Crunchy Ginger Pumpkin Parfaits with Cider Bourbon Sauce and Maple Crème Fraiche

by:
November 11, 2010
0
0 Ratings
  • Serves 8
Author Notes

The idea for these parfaits came from several places: a desire to make a dessert using some really great pumpkin ice cream, the mixing of creamy ice cream with crunchy ginger cookie crumbs, the contrast of a warm sauce scented with bourbon and apple cider (reminiscent of the Apple Cider cocktail I created for food52's Halloween treat contest), and a little finishing touch of a ginger-scented cream. I was going to use whipping cream but did not have any on hand, so I used a container of crème fraiche instead and like the result. I know this parfait sounds over the top, especially after a big Thanksgiving meal. However, you can make the tiniest parfaits in little brandy snifters or wine glasses, amd still enjoy a sweet dessert after your meal. I savored this with a good espresso, the perfect complement! —JoanG

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Ingredients
  • Ginger peacn crunch
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup all purpose flour
  • 1 cup raw pecan halves
  • 1/2 cup cup organic light brown sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ginger powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
  • 2 tablespoons Real maple syrup
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped crystallized ginger
  • Cider Bourbon Sauce and Mpale Ginger Creme Fraiche
  • 5 cups fresh apple cider
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 5 tablespoons unsaltd butter
  • 2 tablespoons organic light brown sugar
  • 3 tablespoons bourbon (I used Maker's Mark)
  • 1 pint of your favorite pumpkin ice cream or use AppleAnnie’s butternut squash ice cream on food52
  • 8 ounces crème fraiche
  • 4-6 tablespoons tablespoons confectioners sugar
  • 2 tablespoons real maple syrup
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped crystallized ginger
Directions
  1. Ginger peacn crunch
  2. Mix crunch ingredients together with your fingers until crumbly. Line a small rimmed baking pan with parchment paper, and pour crumbs onto pan. Spread to a single layer, about 9 inches square.
  3. Bake about 15 mi nutes at 350 degrees. Break it up with a metal spoon, then put back in the oven for a few more minutes until it is starting to brown.
  4. Remove from oven and set aside to cool. When cool, break into small pieces with your fingers and store in a bowl until ready to use.
  1. Cider Bourbon Sauce and Mpale Ginger Creme Fraiche
  2. Boil apple cider in heavy medium saucepan until reduced to 3/4 cup, about 45 minutes. Towards the end of the cooking it will be a sea of foam and bubbles. Be patient and measure it out to make sure it has cooked down enough. I had to do this a few times.
  3. Add butter, cinnamon and sugar and whisk until butter melts. Boil 3-5 minutes, whisking occasionally until it begins to thicken and turn a dark brown. The aroma will drive you crazy!
  4. Remove from heat. Whisk in bourbon. Let sacue cool to lukewarm before using. Or, if you refirgerate it, warm it gnelty to lukewarm before serving.
  5. Whisk maple syrup and ginger into the crème fraiche. Whisk in the confectioner’s sugar, a little at a time until you like the taste and texture. Chill until ready to serve.
  6. When ready to serve: Put a heaping spoonful of crumbs into small glass, top with a scoop of ice cream. Dirzzle with about 1 Tbsp of sauce, and a sprinkle of a few more crumbs.
  7. Top with a dollop of the maple-ginger cream. Decorate with a pecan from the crunch mixture and serve.
  8. Note: for those who do not like pumpkin ice cream, like my husband, you can substitute a variety of other flavors: French vanilla, Dulce de Leche, or even dark chocolate ice cream will also work well.

See what other Food52ers are saying.

I love food! I love to cook, eat, read about food, write about food, and enjoy meals with friends and family. I have been writing a food memoir for the past decade and am just about done! I epsecially love to create recipes using seasonal and local produce. I love to travel and wherever I go I shop at markets, cook, and try to take a cooking class.

4 Reviews

friendlyoaks November 12, 2010
This sounds like a perfect "little" dessert after a big meal. Your picture makes me wish I had some right now.
JoanG November 12, 2010
Thanks, would love to share some with you!
healthierkitchen November 11, 2010
Sounds great!
JoanG November 11, 2010
Thank you!