Pumpkin Pasties
These delicious and sweet Harry Potter-style pumpkin pasties are so easy to make at home!
If you're a nerd like me, July 31 is a special day... it's Harry Potter's birthday! I'm not sure I've ever admitted it on this blog before, but I am a major Harry Potter fan. I started reading the books way back as a junior in high school (17 years ago now!) and loved them from the first page to the last. I was totally that dorky person lining up at midnight for every book release! Luckily, my husband is just as into Harry Potter as I am, and it has always been something we've enjoyed together. I have an embarrassingly encyclopedic knowledge of the Harry Potter universe (although mostly, I try to keep this part of myself quiet, so as not to scare off potential friends.)
My best friend Cort and I have been known to throw Harry Potter parties, complete with O.W.L.s, butterbeer, quidditch, and homemade chocolate frogs. A few years ago, she held a Harry Potter birthday party for her oldest daughter Elinor, and it was amazing! Cort asked me to bring something for dessert, and of course I had to make pumpkin pasties.
I've made them before, but this was my first time actually making the pastry myself, and I think it made all the difference. They were like perfect tiny bites of pumpkin pie! Judging by how few were left after everyone had made the rounds of the food tables, I think they were a hit. The pastry itself was delicious, and I would love to use it for other kinds of pasties. I'm not actually the biggest pumpkin pie fan, but these were some pretty tasty little treats. Harry Potter forever!
Pumpkin Pasties
for the crust:
1 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp sugar
pinch of salt
1/2 cup cold butter
1 package of cold cream cheese, cut into pieces
for the filling:
3/4 cup canned or fresh pumpkin puree
2 large eggs, divided
pinch of ground cloves
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
1/3 cup sugar
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt. Grate the butter into the flour mixture, and blend in using a pastry blender or a fork, until the pieces are no larger than pea sized. Add the cream cheese and mix until the dough starts to come together. Turn out onto a floured surface and shape into two discs. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill at least 30 minutes. To make the filling, mix together the pumpkin, one egg, cloves, ginger, cinnamon, salt, and sugar. Refrigerate until ready to use.
After the dough has chilled, preheat the oven to 350 and line a baking sheet with parchment or a silicone liner. Roll the dough out into a large circle about 1/8 inch thick, and cut circles out of the dough using a biscuit cutter or glass. Place a small spoonful of filling on one side of each circle, fold over the circle, and crimp with a fork to seal. Using a sharp knife, make two small slashes on the top of each pasty. Beat the remaining egg with one tablespoon of water, and brush over the top of the pasties. Bake 25 minutes, or until golden brown. Serve warm.
adapted from Brownie Bites
Just for fun, here are a few shots of the party! I made little golden snitches to go with the pumpkin pasties by printing and cutting out wings and taping them onto Lindt white chocolate truffles. The golden snitches disappeared in the blink of an eye!
Cort (the coolest mom ever) spray painted a bunch of dishes gold on which to serve the food. We had all the authentic Hogwarts foods... chicken legs, sausages, mashed potatoes and gravy, rolls, and chips. We also had watermelon and carrots to balance things out, because for some reason Harry and his friends never seem to eat fruits and vegetables. It was easy, fun, and everyone had a great time!
For more fun Harry Potter-themed treats, check out these fun ideas below!
Homemade Butterbeer Hot Chocolate from Bakingdom
Butterbeer Cupcakes from A Pastry Affair
Butterbeer Muddy Buddies from Hey Let's Make Stuff
Read more..