I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Halloween is simply a whole lot of fun. It’s a day when kids of all ages can play dress up and go out in public looking crazy, spooky, or scary. People embrace the silliness and celebrate it tremendously. Of course celebrations are not complete without food and beverages. Sweet treats definitely are in order. Buttercup Squash Pie Bites are hauntingly tasty and will have you coming back to the tray for more.
What is this year’s bonus? Halloween is on Saturday. Oh yes! I have a big feeling there will be parties galore. I know I’ll be at one and in costume too. I’ll be sipping wine, munching on seriously good food, and helping hand out candy to trick-or-treating kids. Those mini trick-or-treat candies is what kicked off the inspiration for my homemade treat. Bite-sized was the way to go.
Size was set so next up was flavor. What direction should I take? Chocolate flashed in my mind for a second. Well, that happens every day anyway. Then I thought of winter squash. I remembered my Skillet Buttercup Squash with Bacon and Gingered Butternut Squash Tart. Little butter-something squash pies or tarts flavored with warm spices became the goal. Some recipe finagling later and my mission was accomplished.
How are the Buttercup Squash Pie Bites? They have a crispy outside, smooth inside, and creamy topping. Flaky mini fillo shells are filled with cooked buttercup squash sweetened with sugar and spiced with ginger and cinnamon. After baking and cooling, they are topped with a dollop of whipped cream and a tiny piece of crystalized ginger. Hauntingly tasty is correct. I ate four of them before I could finish taking photos. One for tasting, the others because I couldn’t stop myself. I’m not the only one either. My husband tried one and then came back within minutes looking for more.
Do you make Halloween treats and desserts? Are you looking for new ones to try? I happen to have a collection of sweets for you. Sunday Supper is partnering with Dixie Crystals to share recipes and inspiration for your celebration. Scroll down to see the list. Also look at my Jack ‘O Lantern Cookies, Chocolate Potato Skull Cake, and Vampire Delight Martini. Oh, and Buttercup Squash Pie Bites are also great for the whole holiday season including Thanksgiving and Christmas.
More on Dixie Crystals: You can follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and Google+ or visit their website for more recipes and tips. There is also a special Halloween Treats and Sweets Pinterest board to check out too.
Buttercup Squash Pie Bites
Ingredients
For the pie bites:
- 1 small buttercup squash
- 6 tablespoons granulated sugar Dixie Crystals recommended
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 6 ounces evaporated milk
- 1 egg beaten
- 60 frozen mini fillo shells
For topping and garnish:
- Whipped cream
- Crystallized or candied ginger
Instructions
For the pie:
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Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
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Slice squash in half lengthwise. Scoop out and discard seeds and stringy flesh.
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Place squash halves cut side down in a large baking dish. Add about 1/2-inch hot water to the dish. Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes or until tender.
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Drain and allow squash to cool to room temperature. Scrape out the flesh into a bowl and discard skin. Mash squash or beat squash thoroughly until smooth.
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Measure 1 cup of mashed squash and place it in a large bowl. Store remaining squash in the refrigerator for other uses.
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Add sugar, ginger, cinnamon, salt, evaporated milk, and egg to the bowl. Stir or beat to thoroughly combine the ingredients.
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Place 30 fillo shells on 2 baking sheets. Spoon or ladle filling into shells.
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Bake each sheet of pie bites for 18 minutes, or until the center of the pie bites are set. Transfer pie bites to a wire rack and cool completely.
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Top pie bites with whipped cream and garnish with chopped crystallized or candied ginger.
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Pie bites are best on the day they are baked. The shells will soften and not be crispy if made in advance and refrigerated.
Recipe Notes
Buttercup Squash Pie Bites are a delightful dessert for holiday entertaining. It's spiced buttercup squash in mini fillo shells topped with whipped cream.
Are you preparing for a sweet spooky night? Take a look at these Halloween recipes by Sunday Supper tastemakers:
- Black Magic Caramel Apples by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
- Black Velvet Spider Cake by Love and Confections
- Bloody Broken Glass Cupcakes by Run DMT
- Buttercup Squash Pie Bites by Magnolia Days
- Candy Corn Fudge by Feeding Big
- Candy Corn Iced Sugar Cookies by Chocolate Chocolate and More
- Cauldron Cupcakes by Big Bear’s Wife
- Flavoring Sugar by Sunday Supper Movement
- Gluten Free Tombstone Treats by Gluten Free Crumbley
- Halloween Candy Brownies by Desserts Required
- Halloween Chocolate Gingerbread House by Recipes Food and Cooking
- Halloween Pumpkin Coconut Bars by Lifestyle Food Artistry
- Homemade Candy Corn Marshmallows by An Appealing Plan
- Jack o’ Lantern Cupcakes by Cosmopolitan Cornbread
- Mummy Chocolate Cupcakes by Family Foodie
- Pumpkin Bread Pudding by Recipe for Perfection
- Pumpkin Pie Puff Pastry Coffins by Ruffles & Truffles
- Pumpkin Spice Fudge by Runner’s Tales
- Pumpkin Whoopie Pies by Midlife Road Trip
- Spicy Little Devil’s (Food) Cupcakes by The Crumby Cupcake
- Spiderweb Brownies by Life Tastes Good
Join the #SundaySupper family on twitter every Sunday! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the conversation. To get more great Sunday Supper recipes, visit the Sunday Supper Movement website or check out our Sunday Supper Pinterest board.
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Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Dixie Crystals in conjunction with a social media campaign through Sunday Supper LLC. All opinions are my own.
Shaina
Wednesday 21st of October 2015
LOVE that plate!!! And these mini delights, too. Sounds delicious!
Katie @ Recipe for Perfection
Wednesday 21st of October 2015
What adorable little bites these are! Perfect for a party.
Mary Ellen
Sunday 18th of October 2015
These look so delicious! Going to try them soon.
Krayl @ An Appealing Plan
Sunday 18th of October 2015
BONE Appetite!! Love it!!
Medeja
Sunday 18th of October 2015
Oh they look so beautiful! Like blossoms!