Description

This Pumpkin Spice Caviar recipe creates delightful, bite-sized pearls bursting with warm fall flavors. Using a unique spherification technique with agar-agar powder, these tiny pumpkin spice pearls provide a fun and elegant way to garnish desserts, cocktails, or breakfast dishes. Perfect for adding a seasonal twist to your meals, this no-bake recipe yields vibrant, flavorful caviar that captures the essence of autumn.

Ingredients

Scale

Liquid Mixture

1 cup water
2 tablespoons pumpkin puree
1 teaspoon pumpkin spice blend (cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, allspice)
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon agar-agar powder

Other

Vegetable oil (neutral oil like canola or grapeseed, chilled)
Optional: Maple syrup
Optional: Orange food coloring

Instructions

Chill the Oil: Pour vegetable oil into a freezer-safe container and chill it for at least 2 hours until very cold, which is essential for solidifying the pearls on contact.
Combine Ingredients: In a small saucepan, mix the water, pumpkin puree, pumpkin spice blend, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract thoroughly to blend all flavors.
Hydrate Agar-Agar: Sprinkle the agar-agar powder evenly over the mixture and whisk to incorporate it well. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes to allow the agar-agar to hydrate properly.
Cook the Mixture: Heat the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle boil, stirring constantly to prevent burning. Continue cooking for 2 to 3 minutes until the agar-agar fully dissolves.
Cool Slightly: Remove the saucepan from heat and allow the mixture to cool for 3 to 5 minutes, ensuring it stays liquid but not too hot for the next step.
Create the Pearls: Using a pipette or syringe, carefully drop small amounts of the warm mixture into the chilled vegetable oil. The droplets will instantly solidify, forming pumpkin spice-flavored pearls.
Retrieve the Caviar: Scoop the pearls out of the oil with a fine mesh sieve and rinse gently with cold water to remove any oily residue.
Store or Serve: Transfer the pumpkin spice caviar to a clean container. Use immediately for best texture or refrigerate for up to 5 days for later use.

Notes

Ensure the oil is thoroughly chilled to allow the pearls to solidify instantly.
Use a neutral vegetable oil like canola or grapeseed for best results and to avoid overpowering flavor.
Optional orange food coloring can be added to the mixture for more vibrant pearls.
If desired, drizzle the finished pearls with maple syrup for added sweetness.
Handle the pearls gently during rinsing to prevent breaking.
This technique can be used for other flavored caviars by substituting the pumpkin ingredients.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Category: Dessert Garnish
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: American

Keywords: pumpkin spice caviar recipe, fall dessert garnish, agar-agar pearls, spherification dessert, pumpkin puree recipe, autumn flavors, no-bake pumpkin dessert