Ingredients
- 1 cup pure pumpkin puree
- 1/4 cup (50g) brown sugar
- 6 egg yolks
- 1 cup (198g) granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup (28g) corn starch
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, cold
- 1 tablespoon black strap rum (optional)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (to lighten the pastry cream after it’s cooled)
Preparation
Step 1
Combine the pumpkin puree and brown sugar in a small saucepan and heat over low heat, stirring continuously until the sugar has dissolved. Turn up the heat to medium and continue to heat the pumpkin, stirring constantly, until it comes to a boil (the mixture is quite thick, so you need to look for slow bubbles). Once the puree is bubbling, turn the heat down to medium-low and cook for about 5 minutes, still stirring. Remove the puree from the heat.
In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, heat the milk and heavy cream until just scalded. Remove from the heat and pour into a medium measuring cup with a pourable spout.
In the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the egg yolks, granulated sugar, and salt on medium-high until very thick and pale yellow (about 5 minutes). Scrape down the sides and add the cornstarch. Turn the mixer to low and mix until combined.
With the mixer running on low, very slowly add the hot milk mixture. Mix until combined. Scrape down the sides, and add the pumpkin. Mix again on low until completely combined.
Transfer the mixture to a medium heavy-bottomed sauce pan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until the pastry cream becomes very thick and begins to boil, about 5-7 minutes. Switch to a whisk and whisk the mixture for another 3-4 minutes, until the pastry cream becomes thicker, almost like a pudding. (This is where you want to make sure to cook out the corn starch. Whisk constantly, until the pastry cream is smooth and glossy.) Remove from the heat, and strain the pastry cream into another medium-sized bowl. Stir in the vanilla, butter, and rum (if using). Cover the pastry cream with plastic wrap, making sure the wrap sits directly on top of the cream (this will help keep it from forming a skin). Place in the freezer for 15 minutes, then move to the refrigerator and keep it there until well chilled.
To assemble
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk, whip the heavy cream until it holds stiff peaks. Using a rubber spatula, fold it into the chilled pastry cream.
When doughnuts are completely cooled, poke a hole in the side of each doughnut, spacing it equidistant between the top and bottom. Fit a pastry bag with a small round tip and fill the bag with the filling. Squirt about 1/3 cup filling into each doughnut. Serve immediately.