Hungry Harps: Pumpkin Mousse Cupcake Sandwiches with Pecan Frosting

I wrestled around with the idea of chocolate, pecan and pumpkin – and how I could combine the three in a recipe. Pecan and pumpkin have my heart 3 months of the year, while chocolate claims stake to the other 9. I was torn, convinced that I would have to abandon one of my favorite flavors to make a recipe work. I settled on Pumpkin Mousse Ice Cream Sandwiches, forgoing the pecan entirely. As I sat down to make my shopping list, it hit me, pecan frosting! That ~~wonderful~~ convenient Coconut Pecan frosting that is sold premade in the baking aisle, that I have used so many times to make a “homemade” German Chocolate Cake.

Pumpkin Mousse Cupcake Sandwiches with Pecan Frosting
Ingredients
Chocolate Cake mix and required ingredients
1 can Coconut Pecan frosting
Pumpkin Mousse (recipe follows)

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350, place cupcake liners in muffin pan
2. Prepare the chocolate cake batter as directed on box
3. Fill cupcake liners 1/8 full, about 1 tablespoon’s worth
4. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until inserted toothpick comes out clear
5. Place on rack to cool
6. Repeat steps 3 thru 5, making another batch of small cupcakes
7. Place 12 of the cupcakes back in muffin pan
8. Fill each cupcake liner up with pumpkin mousse, leaving about ¼” at the top
9. Unwrap the remaining 12 cupcakes and place on top of mousse-filled cupcakes
10. Top with pecan frosting, about 2 tablespoons each
11. Freeze for 2 hours or until mousse is set (If frozen for longer they may require a little thawing before serving)
12. Enjoy!

Pumpkin Mousse
Ingredients
15 oz can pumpkin puree
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
½ teaspoon nutmeg
½ teaspoon cinnamon
3 pint First Street Vanilla Ice Cream (softened)

Directions
1. In a large bowl, fold pumpkin, brown sugar, nutmeg and cinnamon into ice cream
2. Let chill in freezer for 2 hours or until consistency is like whip cream

Right now the California Milk Advisory Board is running a campaign, Real Seal Appeal!, to raise money for schools in Southern California. All you have to do is buy Real California Milk products, clip and save the Real California Milk seals found on each item and then submit the seals to your child’s teacher to be entered into the sweepstakes. The sweepstakes prizes, which can be found here, range from $500 to $20,000 per school. Plus, for every 100 seals submitted your child’s teacher will receive 25 Scholastic books or $25 school supplies gift card. Grand prizes will be announced in February 2012.

Ah, where to find these Real California Seals? They can be found on First Street brand dairy products at Smart & Final. For store locations, check here.

On top of all of that awesomeness, Smart & Final is running a campaign concurrent to the California Milk Advisory Board that will also give $$ to schools in Southern California. There will be 3 winners a month with prizes ranging from $200-$500 to be donated to schools chosen by contest winners. To enter, just visit FirstStreetSupportsSoCalSchools.com and tell why your Southern California school deserves to win. It’s that easy!