Black Bottom Brandy Bites

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 425u00b0. Bring pie crusts to room temperature.

2. 2

   Stir together mascarpone cheese and 1/2 cup sugar. Add brandy, 1/4 teaspoon ginger and vanilla; stir until well blended. Fold in 1/4 cup chocolate chips; cover and refrigerate.

3. 3

   Combine pumpkin pie spice, remaining sugar and remaining ginger until well blended. On a lightly floured surface, unroll crusts; sprinkle evenly with sugar mixture. Lightly roll to help sugar mixture adhere. Cut into 24 circles with a 2-1/2-in. biscuit or round cookie cutter; discard scraps. Lightly press circles, sugar side up, into 24 mini-muffin cups coated with cooking spray. Pierce once with a fork.

4. 4

   Bake until golden brown, about 10 minutes; remove from oven. Immediately sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon of chocolate chips into each cup; spread to cover bottom. Cool in pan 15 minutes before removing to a wire rack.

5. 5

   When circles are completely cool, refrigerate until chocolate is set, about 20 minutes. Spoon brandy mixture into cups, or cut a small hole in the tip of a pastry bag or in a corner of a food-safe plastic bag, insert a star tip and pipe mixture into cups. Sprinkle with remaining chips and, if desired, additional pie spice. Refrigerate, covered, until serving.

No additional tips available.