RECIPE OF THE WEEK: Give Your Guests "Pumpkin" to Talk About

Nothing evokes the spirit of the holidays more powerfully than the hearty aroma of seasonal dishes and treats.

To help you share in the joy, nostalgia, and tastes of the season, while making meaningful new memories, the McCormick brand is putting twists on classic favorites with its recent release of a limited-edition collection of holiday-themed doughnut bites in partnership with Dough Doughnuts. As part of this reinvention of classic holiday dishes, they're sharing their Pumpkin Pie Spice Doughnut recipe inspired by the collection, so you can give guests "pumpkin" to talk about. Incorporating McCormick Pumpkin Pie Spice into the dough and filling these homemade doughnuts are topped with a pumpkin glaze and mouthwatering cinnamon pecan streusel for an extra-sweet finish.

INGREDIENTS

Dough:

3 cups all-purpose flour

1/3 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons instant yeast

1 Tablespoon McCormick

Pumpkin Pie Spice

1 egg

3/4 cup milk

4 Tablespoons butter, melted

• 1 teaspoon McCormick All Natural Pure Vanilla Extract

6 cups peanut oil or vegetable

shortening, for frying

Filling:

1 cup pumpkin puree

1/2 cup canned vanilla frosting

1 teaspoon McCormick Pumpkin Pie Spice

1/8 teaspoon salt

Glaze:

3 Tablespoons pumpkin puree

2 cups confectioners' sugar

1 Tablespoon water

Topping:

1 cup finely chopped pecans

2 Tablespoons light brown sugar

1 teaspoon McCormick Ground

Cinnamon

DIRECTIONS:

1. For the dough, whisk flour, sugar, salt, yeast, and pumpkin pie spice in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk egg, milk, melted butter, and vanilla. Add wet ingredients to the flour mixture, mixing until the dough comes together. Mix until well blended and the dough begins to pull away from the bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let rest for five minutes. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for 6 to 8 minutes until the dough forms a smooth, soft ball. (Or use a stand mixer on low speed for 6-8 minutes.)

2. Spray a large bowl with no-stick cooking spray. Place the dough ball in the bowl. Spray lightly with no-stick cooking spray. Cover with plastic wrap. Store in a warm, draft-free place to rise until doubled in size, about 1.5-2 hours.

3. Meanwhile, whisk all filling ingredients in a medium bowl until well blended. Transfer to a piping bag fitted with a small tip. Refrigerate until ready to fill doughnuts.

4. Whisk all glaze ingredients in a small bowl until smooth; set aside. Mix all topping ingredients in a separate small bowl; set aside.

5. Once the dough has doubled in size, transfer to a lightly floured surface. Knead for two minutes to work out large air bubbles, sprinkling with additional flour as needed if the dough is sticky. Roll out dough into a large circle, about 1/2-inch thick. Cut out doughnut shapes using a 2-inch round cutter, re-rolling scraps as needed. Place doughnuts on a lightly floured-rimmed baking sheet. Spray plastic wrap with no-stick cooking spray and cover doughnuts. Return doughnuts to a warm, draft-free place to rise 30 minutes to 1 hour, or until dough is proofed and puffy.

6. Meanwhile, fill large, deep skillet with 2 inches of oil. Heat to 350 degrees F. Working in batches of four to six, carefully place doughnuts in hot oil. Fry for two minutes per side, until golden brown and puffed. Remove with tongs or a slotted spoon; place on a wire rack lined with paper towels. Cool completely.

7. Poke a hole in the side of each doughnut, using a wooden skewer or small paring knife, being careful not to poke all the way through. Pipe filling into the opening, dividing evenly among doughnuts. Dip the top of each doughnut in glaze, allowing excess to drip off, then immediately dip in pecan topping. Turn the right side up and place it on a wire rack to set. Serve immediately.

This holiday season, let flavor and spice bring family and friends together, and transform your ordinary moments into extraordinary memories.