A Thanksgiving Treat

So I thought I would do a very quick post today and pass on a quick Thanksgiving treat.  So here it is, happy Thanksgiving to all my readers!

Pumpkin Truffles

8oz good dark chocolate chopped
(I prefer Valrhona, at least 71% cocoa)
1/4 cup pumpkin puree
(I used fresh pumpkin here and blended it until very smooth)
2 teaspoons vanilla
3/4 cup heavy cream
3 cinnamon sticks
4 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons dark rum (optional)
3 tablespoons granulated white sugar
1 tablespoon good cocoa powder
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

In a small saucepan over medium heat, heat the cream, pumpkin puree, brown sugar, and cinnamon sticks until simmering, about 10 minutes.  Remove from heat, and let stand for 5 minutes.  Place chopped chocolate in a medium bowl.  Remove the cinnamon sticks from the cream mixture and add the vanilla and rum.  Pour the cream mixture over the chocolate and let sit for about 3 minutes.  Add the butter and whip the chocolate mixture until the chocolate is very smooth.  Place the ganache in the refrigerator and chill until firm, about 2 hours.  Mix together on a small plate the white sugar, cocoa, and pumpkin pie spice.  Remove the chilled ganache from the refrigerator and using a spoon scoop out about 2 tablespoon sized portions.  Roll each portion to form a ball then roll the truffle in the cocoa mixture.  Chill the truffles again until about 30 minutes before serving.  Serve truffles at room temperature.