12 small pieces of fresh chives or green onion tops
A pinch of cayenne pepper for a little heat
Instructions
Step 1: Hard Boil the Eggs. Place your eggs in a single layer in a saucepan and cover them with at least an inch of water. Bring the water to a full boil, then remove the pan from the heat and cover it with a lid. Let the eggs sit in the hot water for about 10 to 12 minutes. Once the time is up, immediately transfer the eggs to a bowl of ice water for at least 5 minutes to stop the cooking process and make them easier to peel.
Step 2: Prepare the Yolk Filling. Gently peel the cooled eggs and slice them in half lengthwise. Carefully remove the yolks and place them into a small mixing bowl. Use a fork to mash the yolks until they are fine and crumbly. Add the mayonnaise, mustard, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir everything together until the mixture is completely smooth and reaches a bright orange hue.
Step 3: Fill the Egg Whites. Spoon the yolk mixture back into the centers of the egg whites, or use a piping bag for a cleaner look. You want the filling to be slightly mounded to create that rounded pumpkin shape. Smooth the tops of the filling with the back of a small spoon if needed.
Step 4: Create the Pumpkin Detail. To give the eggs their signature fall look, take a clean toothpick and gently press vertical lines into the yolk filling to mimic the ridges of a pumpkin. Do this carefully around the entire mound of filling. Finally, place a small piece of chive or green onion into the top center to act as the stem.
