From the Scotto family's Fresco restaurant
Today show

Servings: 12

INGREDIENTS

• 4 egg yolks
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 cups pumpkin puree
• 2 cups (500 grams) mascarpone
• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
• 4 sheets gelatin
• 1/4 cup brandy
• 1 10-inch layer chocolate cake
• 2 cups espresso
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Directions:

In a large bowl, whip high speed the egg yolks and 3/4 cup of the sugar until the mixture is pale yellow and tripled in volume.

Add the pumpkin and mascarpone, and whip again until light, about 2 minutes on high speed.

Remove the pumpkin mixture from the bowl of the machine and place in a large mixing bowl. Add the cream and the remaining 1/4 cup sugar into the bowl of the machine. Whip the cream until stiff peaks form, then fold the cream into the pumpkin mixture.

Soak the gelatin sheets in cold water. Remove from the water and squeeze out the excess water. Cover with the brandy in a small saucepan and heat over low flame until gelatin just melts.

Fold a small amount of the pumpkin-cream mixture into the gelatin to temper it and then mix all gelatin into the cream.

Dissolve 1/4 cup sugar in the espresso. Divide the cake layer in half horizontally, place one layer on a serving plate and soak that layer with half of the espresso.

Pour half of the cream mixture on top of the espresso-soaked layer. Place the second cake layer on top of the cream. Soak that layer with the remaining espresso and top it with the rest of the cream. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate, at least overnight