Candies

Preheat oven to 350˚F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Spread 1 cup pecans in an even layer onto the prepared baking sheet. Place into oven and bake until toasted, about 10 minutes; set aside. In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup butter, 1 cup sugar, ½ tsp vanilla extract, and ¼ tsp salt over medium heat. Cook, whisking constantly, until mixture is the color of peanut butter, about 10-15 minutes. Immediately spread the hot caramel mixture evenly over the pecans. Sprinkle with 1½ cups chocolate chips. After 1-2 minutes, spread the chocolate chips in an even layer until smooth. Sprinkle with ⅓ cup pecans. Let cool completely, about 2 hours. Break into pieces.

Blind bake pie crust. While pie crust is baking, prepare pie filling. Combine 15 oz (425 g) canned pumpkin puree, ¾ cup (150 g) brown sugar, 1½ tsp vanilla extract, 1¾ tsp cinnamon, ¾ tsp ginger, ½ tsp allspice, ½ tsp nutmeg and ½ tsp salt in a large bowl and stir until completely combined. Add 3 lightly beaten eggs, one at a time, stirring until just combined after each addition. Stir by hand and do not overdo it. Gently stir in 1 cup heavy cream until completely combined and batter is smooth and uniform.

Once pie crust has finished baking, remove from the oven and reduce oven temperature to 325˚F. Bake for 55-60 minutes or until center is set or almost completely set (very small amount of wobble in the center is fine, especially if edges are showing small cracks). Keep an eye on the pie and check halfway through baking. If edges begin to turn too dark, tent with aluminum foil. When a toothpick comes out clean, it is done baking.

Allow pie to cool to room temperature then transfer to refrigerator and chill for 4-6 hours or preferably overnight before slicing and serving. Top with whipped cream.

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.