Peter Pumpkin Cheese Puffs

 You, too, can be "Peter the Pumpkin Eater" from the classic nursery rhyme when you prepare a batch of these fluffy and tender cheese puffs that look like mini pumpkins. Romano cheese gives them a nice tang and their cream cheese stems complete the seasonal look. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

• Prep: 20 min. Bake: 20 min.
• Yield: 18 Servings

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Ingredients

:

• 2 tablespoons cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 cup butter, cubed
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 4 drops yellow paste food coloring
• 1 drop red paste food coloring
• 1/2 cup grated Romano cheese
• 2 eggs
• 20 sprigs fresh Italian parsley, stems removed

Directions

• In a small bowl, combine cream cheese and vinegar. Cover and refrigerate. In a large saucepan, bring the water, butter and salt to a boil. Add flour all at once and stir until a smooth ball forms. Remove from the heat; let stand for 5 minutes.
• In a small bowl, combine the yellow and red food coloring; stir Romano cheese and food coloring into dough. Add eggs, one at a time; beating well after each addition. Continue beating until mixture is smooth and shiny.
• Drop by level tablespoonfuls 3 in. apart onto a greased baking sheet. Bake at 400° for 15-20 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to a wire rack to cool.
• Using a star tip and reserved cream cheese mixture, pipe stems onto puffs. Add parsley sprigs. Refrigerate leftovers. Yield: 10 servings.

Originally published as Peter Pumpkin Cheese Puffs in Halloween Party Favorites 2009 , p20