Spatulas, Corkscrews & Suitcases

20 BEST CHRISTMAS DESSERTS: Most Popular Holiday Pies, Cheesecakes and Christmas Cookies Recipes

Christmas is finally here, so I thought I'd put together a list of my Top 20 Christmas dessert recipes. Homemade Apple Pie, Red Velvet Cheesecake, Pumpkin Cheesecake, Christmas Cookies, Chocolate French Silk Pie, Pumpkin Pie, New York Style Strawberry Cheesecake, Coconut Cake, and Cherry Cheesecake are definitely on my list this year. Not that I'm going to make them all this holiday, but I sure am craving them all! What are your favorite Christmas dessert recipes that you simply can't do without around the holidays?

Top 20 Christmas Desserts

Christmas Cookie Recipes - It seems you can never eat too many Christmas Cookies. Platters of festive Christmas cookies are already going to parties at schools, offices and cookie exchanges. Make a number of different Christmas Cookie recipes, eat some, and give the rest away!

Carrot Cake and Cupcakes Recipe - What would the holidays be without Carrot Cake or Carrot Cake Cupcakes? Ice this classic dessert with light and fluffy cream cheese frosting, and sprinkle with walnuts, or not! It's your holiday, enjoy it!

Coconut Cake with Coconut Buttercream Frosting - Snow white cake layers flavored with pure coconut extract and Coco Lopez, then frosted with pure white coconut frosting, and decorated with sweetened and toasted shredded coconut flakes. Very Christmasy!




Classic Pumpkin Pie - Everyone's favorite Thanksgiving pie, the Libby's Pumpkin Pie recipe is also great for Christmas too. Libby includes their recipe on the back of the can of pumpkin, but you can use any homemade Pumpkin Pie recipe made with canned pumpkin puree.

Homemade Apple Pie with Granny Smith Apples - Grandma's All-American dessert, the humble Apple Pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream is everyone's favorite holiday pie - no matter what holiday it is.

Kentucky Derby Chocolate Pecan Pie - This easy pie has toasted pecans or walnuts, bourbon, classic pecan pie filling with brown sugar and butter, and gourmet chocolate chips in a flaky pie crust. The Kentucky Derby Chocolate Pecan Pie can be whipped up in no time, making this is great last minute race recipe.

Chocolate French Silk Pie - A sinfully rich chocolate pie piled with heaps of whipped cream. Make it in either a flaky pie crust, chocolate cookie crust, or graham cracker crust.

NY Style Strawberry Cheesecake - Who doesn't love Strawberry Cheesecake? This one is the creamiest and most decadent, especially on a graham cracker crust, and topped with the juiciest Christmas red strawberries.

Pumpkin Cheesecake with Gingersnap Crust - Pumpkin Cheesecake isn't just for Thanksgiving. Christmas is also the perfect time for this ultra creamy pumpkin cheesecake that sits on a spicy molasses cookie crust.

Cherry Cheesecake with Graham Cracker Crust - This dessert is a favorite cheesecake for Christmas, especially with ruby red Christmas canned cherry pie filling.

Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake - Uber-rich & creamy chocolate cheesecake, studded with chunks of Reese's PB cups, all sitting on an Oreo Cookie crust, rivals anything the Cheesecake Factory can dish out!

Red Velvet Cheesecake Recipe - Just like the Red Velvet Cheesecake Factory Recipe, this rich red and white layered New York Style Cheesecake and Red Velvet Cake is decorated with buttercream frosting, and would be striking on a Christmas buffet table.

Red Velvet Cupcakes Recipe - This dazzling Chocolate Red Velvet Cake is a total head-turner! With its bright red cake layers, and snow white frosting, this gorgeous cake will be the best dressed guest at this year's Christmas party!

Chocolate Chip Cheesecake - Extra rich cheesecake studded with mini chocolate chips, baked in a sweet Oreo Cookie crust. Who doesn't love chocolate chips, especially when it comes in the form of a cheesecake?

Easy Kahlua Tiramisu Recipe - Ladyfingers soaked in Kahlua, layered with sweet brandy whipped cream and cream cheese filling. This Easy Kahlua Tiramisu is dusted with cocoa for a delicious finale!

Best Ever Pie Crust Recipe - How To Make A Perfect Flaky Pie Crust for the Holidays
 

3 Easy Pie Crust Recipes - Oreo Cookie Crust, Graham Cracker Crust and Sweet Short Dough

Flaky Pie Crust Recipe by Sweety Pies

Soooooo... I was just a few Christmas Cookies short of a Happy Meal—I mean cookie platter. But there's tons of festive Christmas Cookie recipes under that cookie link, so I'm going to fudge it a little and call it 30 instead :-) Have a Very Merry Christmas!

TYLER FLORENCE WINES for Sale: Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc

Food Network celebrity chef, Tyler Florence, not only has a new cookbook out—"Tyler Florence Fresh"—but he also has a line of Tyler Florence Wines for sale as well. Add to that, his hit Food Network show, "The Great Food Truck Race", Wayfare Tavern restaurant in San Francisco, six additional cookbooks, and a line of organic baby food called SPROUT, a retail kitchen store, and you've got one incredibly busy man. Plus, he's a family man with a beautiful wife and three kids! How in the world does he have time to cook?

You're probably wondering why I'm gushing on and on about Tyler Florence? I was given a copy of his cookbook, "Tyler Florence Fresh" to review, and I fell in love with it. Shortly after, I received a bottle of 2008 TF Cabernet Sauvignon in the mail to try, and WOW, just in time for Christmas! I'll be back later—after my own personal wine tasting—to let you know what we thought about it :-)

Tyler Florence Wines include Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Sauvignon Blanc, and are among the best wines coming out of California today. Why not order a bottle or two for your next holiday or get together!

Tyler Florence Wines

Tyler Florence shares his story on the birth of the wines, "In 2008 I was making small-batch Zinfandel and Pinot Noir at a custom crush facility in the Napa Valley, bottling it for family and close friends to enjoy. Then I met Dina Mondavi – a Bay area resident and fourth-generation member of the esteemed Mondavi winemaking family. Dina then introduced me to her brother Rob Mondavi Jnr. and father Michael Mondavi (both winemakers), and co-owners of the Michael Mondavi Family Estate in Carneros, who helped me realize that in order to make truly great wines expressive of their varietal character and region, I needed to partner with a great family who invest as much time and energy in wine as I do in my cooking, and recipes. From there, Tyler Florence Wines were born."

"In the Summer of the same year, Rob led us through tasting and testing a wide variety of barrel samples and blends from 2008 and 2009 in order to find perfectly balanced varietal flavor from Napa Valley and Lake County’s unique vineyards and we blended three limited-production wines - TF Pinot Noir ($40), TF Zinfandel ($40) and TF Cabernet Sauvignon ($65). At this time, we also crafted two approachable, food-friendly pair to enjoy every day - Tyler Florence Sauvignon Blanc ($20); and Tyler Florence Cabernet Sauvignon ($25). Each of these wines reflects our shared belief that wine and food should bring out the very best in each other. We are proud to now release these wines nationally across the US."

Tyler Florence Wines are now nationally distributed and can be purchased online at www.TylerFlorenceWines.com with only $5.00 shipping. They're also available for purchase in a number of states. Check here to find a local store near you!

Check Out These Related Articles!

• Food Network '12 Days of Cookies': Tyler Florence's Chocolate Truffles Recipe
• "Tyler Florence Fresh" Cookbook Review: Celebrity Chef's Book Signings Scheduled
• "Tyler Florence Fresh" Recipe: Roasted Cauliflower Recipe with Anchovy, Capers, and Fresh Thyme

_______________________________________________________________________________________
CONTEST ALERT: Tyler Florence’s Ultimate Food & Wine Experience Competition. Five lucky home chefs from around the country will have a chance to win a trip to California including a dinner at Wayfare Tavern in San Francisco, a tour of the Michael Mondavi Estate in renowned Napa Valley, followed by a personal cooking class with Chef Florence at his West Coast Kitchen Essentials shop in Mill Valley, closing the day with dinner just up the road at El Paseo.

This one-of-a-kind trip includes hotel accommodations, roundtrip airfare to and from San Francisco and all ground transportation.

“I’m excited to try your recipes that pair with my Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc. It’s inspiring to think about the different flavors and regions you’ll share with me in your dishes,” said Florence. “And then, it’s our turn — myself and Rob Mondavi Jr. will host the winners for a tour around Northern California to see what inspires us with local fresh ingredients, winemaking styles, and even meals with our own families.”

This contest celebrates that Tyler Florence Wines and TF Limited-production Wines are now available nationally in retail stores, restaurants and online. For the first time, wine and food lovers all across America will have the opportunity to try these wines from the world-famous Napa Valley region with their own favorite dishes.

To enter, contestants will upload one original recipe that pairs well with either Tyler Florence Cabernet Sauvignon or Sauvignon Blanc by December 31, 2012. Once the voting phase begins, entries will be shared via Facebook and Twitter, and fans and followers alike will vote for the top 20 entries (10 for Cabernet Sauvignon and 10 for Sauvignon Blanc) online at www.TylerFlorenceWines.com. Entries that receive the most votes will be judged by Chef Tyler Florence, who will pick five grand prize winners for the Tyler Florence Ultimate Food & Wine Experience. The grand prize trip takes place in March 2013.

Hopefuls may enter more than once, but only one winner will be selected per household. Links to Tyler Florence Wines’ can be found on Twitter at @TylerFlorence and @TFWines and be used to encourage a great number of votes.

To participate, consumers must submit their original recipe online to the contest page on www.TylerFlorenceWines.com by December 31, 2012, where their recipe must earn the popular vote using social media to encourage friends and family to vote for them. Of the top 20 recipes, Tyler will personally select the top five recipes and name them a grand prize winner complete with a personal phone call!

“NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCE OF WINNING. VOID IN CA & TN AND WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. COMPLETE CONTEST RULES AVAILABLE ON WWW.TYLERFLORENCEWINES.COM”

Source and Photo Credit: Used with Permission by Kristen Green Public Relations and www.TylerFlorenceWines.com

SEE'S CANDIES: Buy Chocolates, Truffles, Christmas Candy, Toffee in Over 200 Locations

Still looking for last minute Christmas gifts and ideas? Run down to your closest See's Candies store and buy a box of luxurious chocolate truffles, chocolate fudge, dipped chocolates, or crunchy butter toffee coated in chopped almonds.

See's Candies has over 200 chocolate shops, and loads of smaller kiosks and carts in malls and shopping centers during the holidays. Chances are you'll find a See's Candies location in your neck of the woods!

A holiday tradition for more than 90 years, See's Candies is now available at a gift center in the Providence Place Mall, Rhode Island. That's where we found them, right outside the Nordstrom wing on the first level. They have free samples and tempt you to try them while you're shopping! We couldn't resist and tried a gigantic Butterscotch Lollypop which lasted over an hour.

Read My Exclusive See's Candies Review Here

 

To produce the best possible boxed chocolates, they insist on using only the best ingredients and claim they never add preservatives.

Since 1921, See’s Candies has been one of America’s favorite candy makers. A tradition in the West, See’s has consistently maintained the timeless virtues of quality, caring and friendly service. Made in America, using no added preservatives and only the freshest, highest quality ingredients available, each piece of delicious See’s candy is sure to delight this holiday season.

This year, See’s Candies opened a convenient location in the Providence area, where candy-lovers can purchase an assortment of delicious selections for the holiday season, made with the finest ingredients, yet available at affordable prices.

See's Candies Selections Include:

Assorted Chocolates – A classic creation from See’s. Featuring a mix of customer favorites like Chocolate Butter, Caramel, Bordeaux, nut clusters, nougats and Scotchmallow. ($18.20 for 1 lb; $36.40 for 2 lbs)

Nuts & Chews – A variety of sensational milk and dark chocolates filled with See’s special caramel and nougat as well as top-quality almonds, peanuts and walnuts. ($18.20 for 1 lb; $36.40 for 2 lbs)

Truffles – The most divine chocolate See’s has to offer, each Truffle features a richly flavored center with a delicate chocolate coating. Flavors include Dark Chocolate Chip, Café au Lait, Hazelnut, Malt, Key Lime, Raspberry and Lemon, offered in a beautiful gold box. ($10.35 for a half-pound; $20.70 for 1 lb)

Toffee-ettes – A bite-sized version of See’s famous Victoria Toffee, everyone loves this rich combination of crunchy butter toffee and California-grown almonds, covered in creamy milk chocolate then rolled in toasted almonds. ($18.20 for 1 lb.)

Old-Fashioned Fudge Assortment – Made only for the holidays in a festive sampler box, using Mary See’s original recipe, See’s uses premium English walnuts and pecans, pure butter, heavy cream and sugar to create the richest and creamiest fudge in three flavors – Vanilla Walnut, Chocolate Walnut and Bordeaux. ($18.80 for 1 lb)

Gourmet Lollypops – Candy fanciers of all ages love these unique square Lollypops made from heavy cream, butter and flavors of real vanilla, Colombian coffee, smooth chocolate and rich butterscotch. Assorted flavors include Vanilla, Butterscotch, Chocolate and Café Latté. ($8.00 for 12 Lollypops; $17.65 for 30 Lollypops)

NEW! Holiday Fancy – Festively packaged for the holidays, this assortment features a popular selection of See’s finest milk, dark and white chocolates. ($20.90 for 1 lb)

Stocking Stuffers!

Polar Bear Box – Children will love the sweet bear box filled with kid-friendly candy like Sugar Sticks, Milk Chocolate Foil Balls, Lollypops and Chocolate Santas. ($6.95 for 7.5 oz)

Winter Wonderland Box – This special box is filled with chocolate – like Scotchmallows, Butterscotch Squares, Milk Chocolate Foil Balls and Molasses Chips. ($7.15 for 4.8 oz)

Snowman Candy Bar Gift Pack – Comes with four 1.5 oz candy bars that can be split into multiple stocking stuffers or given as one gift. Includes two Milk Chocolate, one Milk Chocolate with Toffee Nuggets and one Dark Chocolate with Almonds. ($6.80 for 4 – 1.5 oz bars)

WHEN: Now until December 26, 2012

WHERE: See's Candies

• Providence Place Mall
• 1 Providence Place
• Providence, RI 02903
• Located Bottom level, Nordstrom wing
• Phone (424) 214-8559

SHOP HOURS:

• Mon.-Sat. 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.
• Sun. noon - 5 p.m.
• See's Candies has extended hours during the holiday season. Please call for specifics.

LIKE See's Candies on Facebook!

Win a Lifetime of See's Candies Contest!

Order See's Candies Online

Get your gifts in time for Christmas. Upgraded shipping is on See's Candies! Pay standard shipping and they'll upgrade your order to 2-day shipping! Deadline: Shipping upgrade offer ends 10 a.m. PT, 12/21/12.

Source and Photo Credit Permission by See's Candies

BEST THANKSGIVING PIE RECIPES: A Touch of Orange Apple Pie

A top Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday pie recipe, this apple pie with fresh Granny Smith apples and fresh orange peel is nestled in a flaky pie crust made with Crisco shortening. 

A Touch of Orange Apple Pie Recipe

Prep Time: 25 min
Cook Time: 45 min
Yield: 8 servings

INGREDIENTS: Double Crust Classic Crisco Pie Crust

• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon grated orange peel
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 7 cups peeled and sliced Granny Smith apples, about 2 pounds or 7 medium 
• 2 tablespoons butter
• Milk
• Sugar

PREPARATION DIRECTIONS:

1. PREPARE recipe for double crust pie, using a 9-inch pie plate. Roll out dough for bottom crust and place in pie plate according to recipe directions.
2. HEAT oven to 400ºF.
3. COMBINE sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, orange peel, salt and nutmeg in small bowl. Place apples in unbaked pie crust. Sprinkle sugar mixture over apples. Dot with butter. Moisten pastry edge with water.
4. ROLL out dough for top crust, place onto filled pie and finish edges according to recipe directions. Cut slits in top crust or prick with fork to vent steam.
5. BAKE 35 minutes. Remove pie from oven. Brush with milk. Sprinkle with sugar. Cover edge of pie with foil, if necessary, to prevent overbrowning. Bake 10 minutes or until filling in center is bubbly and crust is golden brown.

Sources and Photo Credits: Recipes and photos used with permission by Crisco.com.

PARTIDA TEQUILA COCKTAIL RECIPES: CHRISTMAS and NEW YEAR'S EVE HOLIDAY MIXED DRINKS

Looking for some easy holiday cocktail and martini recipes? Mix Partida Tequila (Blanco, Resposado, and Anejo) and Godiva Liqueur together for a Chocolate Peppermint Cookie cocktail, coconut rum and Frangelico for a Toasted Macaroon cocktail, Bailey's Irish Cream and Amaretto for a Seven Layer Cookie mixed drink, and hot apple cider for a Heated Affair!

A PARTIDA TEQUILA HOLIDAY SEASON!

When Partida approached me with the possibility of sampling a variety of their ultra smooth top-of-the-line tequila in some very unique holiday cocktail recipes, it didn't take long to respond with a resounding YES! They sent me three bottles—Blanco, Resposado, and Anejo—and seven recipes. With the help of a few close friends, we had an awesome cocktail party! Our personal favorite was the SEVEN LAYER COOKIE recipe! If you don't have all the ingredients, try substituting similar items.

 

Made from 100% blue agave in the Tequila Valley (the heart of Mexico's historic Tequila Valley Region), Tequila Partida is the all-natural pairing for many of your favorite foods. For years Partida has been commended by numerous media outlets, including The Spirit Journal (the country's leading spirits review publication - which rated Partida Reposado "the best Tequila in the world" as one of the top five spirits in the world) along with Wine Enthusiast, The New York Times, Four Seasons Magazine and countless others.

CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT COOKIE COCKTAIL

• 3/4 oz. Partida Blanco Tequila
• 1 oz. Peppermint Schnapps
• 3/4 oz. Godiva® Liqueur
• 1-1/2 oz. Cream

Rim martini glass with chocolate syrup and crushed candy canes. Shake ingredients in a shaker with ice and strain into martini glass.

TOASTED MACAROON COCKTAIL

• 1 oz. Coconut Milk
• 1-1/2 oz. Coconut rum
• 1/4 oz. Licor 43
• 1/2 oz. Partida Blanco Tequila
• 1/2 oz. Frangelico

Combine ingredients in a shaker and shake with ice. Strain into a glass filled with ice and garnish with toasted coconut shavings on top.

SUGAR COOKIE COCKTAIL

• 2-1/2 oz. Partida Resposado Tequila
• 1 Tsp.Brown Sugar
• Brown Sugar for garnish

Rim a cordial glass with brown sugar. Add tequila and brown sugar into a shaker with ice and shake ingredients well. Strain into glass.

SEVEN LAYER COOKIE COCKTAIL

• 3/4 oz. Godiva® Liqueur
• 3/4 oz. Coconut rum
• 1/2 oz. Butterscotch Schnapps
• 1/2 oz. Partida Anejo Tequila
• 1/4 oz. Frangelico
• 1/2 oz. Bailey's Irish Cream®
• 1/2 oz. Amaretto

Garnish rim of a martini glass with crushed cookie crumbs. Shake all ingredients in a shaker with ice and strain into martini glass.

HEATED AFFAIR COCKTAIL

• 2 oz Partida Anejo Tequila
• 6 oz Hot Spiced Apple Cider
• Heavy Cream

In a small warm wine glass add Tequila and hot apple cider. Float heavy cream.
Garnish: Grate fresh Nutmeg over cream.
 
Apple Cider Preparation: In a pot add Organic Apple Juice. Add winter spices like Cloves, Cinnamon Stick, All Spice, and Orange Peel. Start of by adding a few cloves one cinnamon stick etc so as to find the right-spiced apple cider flavor. You can always add more spice later. Bring everything to a low heat for about 15mins. Taste for flavor. When the desired flavor is reached then take off stove. Strain out all the spices and orange peel. Serve warm and enjoy!

 
CAFE PACIFICO COCKTAIL

• 1 1/2oz Partida Blanco
• ½ oz Coffee liqueur
• 4oz Freshly Brewed Hot  Coffee
• 3 Barspoons Cinnamon & Sugar Mix
• Heavy Cream

Prepare small warm wine glass. Add Tequila & Coffee. Mix in the Cinnamon Sugar. Float Heavy Cream on top of the coffee.Garnish with a  Sprinkle of Cinnamon Sugar mix on top & a cinnamon stick. Note: The Cinnamon sugar mix is 4 parts granulated white sugar to 1 part ground cinnamon. Mix them together in a bowl.

For more details and purchasing information, go check out the Partida website at www.tequilapartida.com. Photos courtesy Tequila Partida.

BEST GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE: Easy Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipe

Thanksgiving Recipe: Classic Green Bean Casserole for holiday menus. Made with French's French Fried Onions and Campbell's Cream of Mushroom Soup, this is the casserole your Mom used to make for a Thanksgiving side dish alongside the Sweet Potato Casserole and Ocean Spray Cranberry Sauce. With holiday side dishes like these, you can forget the roast turkey and sausage stuffing!

Green Bean Casserole Recipe

• 2 cans (14 ounce) French cut green beans, drained (frozen cut grean beans can also be used)
• 1 can (10.75 ounce) condensed Campbell's Cream of Mushroom Soup
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 can (6-ounce) French's French Fried Onions
• 1/3 cup shredded cheese blend (mild cheddar, Monteray Jack and low moisture mozzarella cheese are good choices)

How To Make Green Bean Casserole

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a large 9 X 13 inch rectangular, or similar size round or oval baking dish with vegetable spray (Pyrex or Pampered Chef stoneware is good).
2. In a large bowl with a rubber spatula, mix green beans, cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, milk and Worcestershire sauce together. Fold in 3/4 cup of French's French Fried Onions, and pour into the prepared pan.
3. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes, remove from oven, and sprinkle the remaining French's Onions and cheese evenly on top. Return to oven and continue baking for an additional 10 to 15 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Green Bean Casserole will be piping hot right from the oven! Let cool for at least 10 minutes before serving.
4. Serves 10-12. This Green Bean Casserole recipe can be divided in half and baked in an 8 X 8 inch pan to serve 6. Refrigerate any leftovers.

Make this easy holiday casserole even tastier by adding cooked bacon, mushrooms and red peppers. Simply cook 4-6 ounces of bacon in a small frying pan, remove and set aside, reserving 2 Tablespoons bacon fat. Slice 4-6 white button mushrooms and dice 1/2 red pepper, and saute in the reserved bacon fat until tender. Mix in and continue with the recipe as directed.

PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE RECIPE with Molasses Cookie Crust: A Thanksgiving Favorite

The holidays are right around the corner, and this decadently rich Pumpkin Cheesecake will make a perfect addition to any Thanksgiving or Christmas buffet table. Not surprising, Pumpkin Cheesecake is one of the most requested Thanksgiving desserts.

This Pumpkin Cheesecake is m and is very similar to Junior's Pumpkin Mousse Cheesecake recipe. It has a sour cream topping that makes the cheesecake irresistible, but you can leave it off if you wish. You've probably been the victim of cracked cheesecakes or overbaked and dry cheesecakes once or twice in your baking life. Make sure to read "How to Make the Perfect Cheesecake" before turning your oven on!

Ingredients: Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe with a Molasses Cookie Crust

• 1/4 recipe of Soft Molasses Cookie dough
  
• 1 pound 8 ounces (three 8 ounces packages) cream cheese, room temperature
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 Tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 large eggs
• 1 3/4 cups pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie mix)
• 1 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 2/3 cup evaporated milk

Sour Cream Topping

• 1 pound (2 cups) sour cream
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

 

If you make the entire batch of Molasses Cookie Dough, you can scoop and bake the rest into the scrumptious Molasses Cookies you see below!

Directions: How to Make a Perfect Pumpkin Cheesecake

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Take a 9 inch springform pan apart, line the bottom plate with aluminum foil, then reassemble the pan. Pull the excess foil up and around the pan to prevent any batter from leaking into the oven. Spray sides and bottom with vegetable spray.
3. Make 1/4 batch of Soft Molasses Cookies Recipe. Or better yet, make the whole batch and bake cookies with the rest of the dough!
4. Pat the molasses cookie dough on the bottom only of the springform pan. Bake for 12-15 minutes for a soft cookie crust. Bake a few minutes longer for a crispier gingersnap crust. Remove from oven, set aside, and let cool while making the cheesecake batter.
5. Leave oven on 350 degrees. Place a pan of hot water in the bottom of the oven and close the door.
6. In a mixing bowl on medium speed, beat cream cheese until smooth ~ about 3 minutes. Scrape down sides half way through.
7. Add sugars and cornstarch and beat again, scraping a few times. The mixture should be smooth. Add eggs 1 at a time. Beat until creamy.
8. Fold the pumpkin, cinnamon and nutmeg into the mixture and beat again.
9. Slowly add the evaporated milk and beat only enough so there are no lumps and the filling is nice and fluffy. Scrape as needed.
10. Pour batter into prepared pan on top of previously baked molasses cookie crust, and bake at 350 degrees for 55-60 minutes.
11. About 15 minutes before the pumpkin cheesecake is done, mix all sour cream topping ingredients (see below) until smooth and sugar is dissolved.
12. When cheesecake comes out of the oven, carefully pour sour cream batter on top of cheesecake. Immediately return cheesecake to oven, and bake for another 10-15 minutes or until set.
13. See the link above for further baking, cooling, serving and freezing instructions.
14. Makes one 9 inch cheesecake. Serves 14. Wrap and refrigerate any leftovers.

 

Photo: Saying grace before carving the turkey at Thanksgiving dinner in the home of Earle Landis in Neffsville, Pennsylvania, November 1942. Photo by Marjory Collins. Farm Security Administration. Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain

BEST THANKSGIVING PIE RECIPES: Pumpkin Pie, Apple Pie, Pecan Pie Recipe and More!

Still looking for the most popular THANKSGIVING PIE recipes for your Thanksgiving dinner this week? Stop looking! All your favorite Thanksgiving pie recipes are right here! Since Thanksgiving pie making begins in ernest on Wednesday, I've made up a list of all my favorite pies. These are the same pies we made in the bakery and for wholesale orders for over 15 years, so I know the recipes work.

Start off with the BEST PIE CRUST RECIPE. This is the tried and true, Best Ever Pie Crust that we made for years at the bakery, and I'm talking about thousands upon thousands of pies! And if John can make pie crust, anyone can! Just follow the directions to the letter and it'll come out fine.

Pie Crust Recipes

• Best Ever Pie Crust Recipe - How To Make A Perfect Flaky Pie Crust for the Holidays
• 3 Easy Pie Crust Recipes - Oreo Cookie Crust, Graham Cracker Crust and Sweet Short Dough
• Flaky Pie Crust Recipe by Sweety Pies

 

Apple and Pumpkin Pies

• Homemade Apple Pie Recipe With Granny Smith Apples
• Apple Streusel Pie Recipe
• Classic Pumpkin Pie - Just like Libby's
• Pumpkin Pecan Pie Recipe

 

Nut Pies

• Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie
• Classic Pecan Pie with Toasted Pecans
• Chocolate Pecan Pie Recipe with Roasted Pecans
• Maple Walnut Pie Recipe with Pure Vermont Syrup
• Kentucky Derby Pie Recipe
• White Chocolate Brandy Almond Pie

 

Fruit Pies and Galettes

• Lemon Meringue Pie Recipe
• All-American Cherry Pie Recipe
• Blueberry Pie Recipe
• Fresh Blackberry Pie Recipe
• Strawberry Rhubarb Pie Recipe
• Fresh Peach Pie Recipe
• Fresh Peach Pie with Streusel Topping
• Fresh Raspberry Pie Recipe
• Fresh Strawberry Pie Recipe
• Apple Cranberry Tart & Galette Recipe
• Rustic Free-form Peach Galette Recipe

 

Cream and Mousse Pies

• Chocolate French Silk Pie
• Boston Cream Pie Recipe
• Key Lime Pie with Whipped Cream
• Coconut Custard Pie Recipe
• Chocolate Cream Pie
• Strawberry Mousse Pie Recipe
• Peanut Butter Cream Pie Recipe
• Chocolate Kahlua Mousse Pie
• Butterscotch Cream Pie
• Bailey's Irish Cream Pie
• Peanut Butter Pie with Oreo Cookie Crust

 

Frozen and Ice Cream Pies

• Frozen Peach Ice Cream Pie
• Frozen Peach Yogurt Pie Recipe
• Pina Colada Frozen Pie Recipe
• Strawberry Daiquiri Frozen Pie

 

Easy Appetizers for New Year's Eve: 2011 New Years Day Party Hors d'oeuvres

Looking for New Year's Eve appetizers? Easy New Year's party ideas include Maple Bacon Wrapped Scallops Recipe, Spinach Artichoke Dip Recipe, Mini Quiche Recipe, Easy Guacamole Dip, Seven Layer Mexican Dip, and last but not least, Chocolate Covered Strawberries! Get your party on, and ring in the new year with a holiday appetizer party!

Quick & Easy Mini Quiche Recipe: Caramelized onions, crisp bacon, roasted red peppers, asparagus and Gruyere suspended in a savory custard, all baked in a flaky pie crust. Lots of great quiche ideas. Mini quiches too!

Spinach Artichoke Dip Recipe: Olive Garden Italian Restaurant Recipe Knockoff? Ever wonder where the famous Olive Garden got their recipe for Spinach Artichoke Dip? Wish you could make an appetizer that would knock your guests socks off too? Well, look no further!

The Best Guacamole Dip Recipe: This ultra-smooth guacamole is made chunky with onions, celery, cucumber and tomatoes. Add mayo and Italian dressing to make a pourable homemade guacamole salad dressing. Even if you don't like guacamole, this recipe is worth watching the Guacamole Song for!

Seven Layer Mexican Dip Recipe: Avocados, salsa, cilantro, black beans, tomatoes and then some. All the awesome ingredients you want in a 7 layer Mexican dip. There are so many versions of Layered Mexican Dip - 5 Layer, 6 Layer, 7 or more layered Mexican Dips! Some are rather mild, and others are HOT, HOT, HOT! Don't like olives? Substitute mild green chilis. Don't care for cheddar cheese? Use a jalapeno jack instead. Make it the way you want. After all, it's your New Year's Party!

And for something extra special and easy to ring in the new year, why not try some Chocolate Covered Strawberries? This quick & easy dessert is also the most elegant & extravagant to serve to your guests! Melt some Ghirardelli chocolate and dip some strawberries! That's it! Get ready for the oohs and aahs!

Maple Bacon Wrapped Scallops Recipe

• 20 uncooked sea scallops
• 20 slices uncooked bacon strips
• 1/4 cup pure Vermont maple syrup

How To Make Maple Bacon Wrapped Scallops

• Line a baking sheet or broiler pan with foil.
• Fire up broiler to high heat, or preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Wrap bacon over scallops and secure with a toothpick. Place scallops on prepared baking sheet.
• Drizzle 1/2 of the maple syrup into the center of the scallop. Try not to get any on the bacon.
• Broil for 6 minutes on each side or until bacon is crisp. Bake for 8-10 minutes in oven.
• Remove from broiler or oven, and drizzle remaining maple syrup over hot scallops.
• Serve immediately.
• Makes 20 bacon wrapped scallop appetizers.

Easy Leftover Turkey Recipes: Turkey Soup Recipe and Turkey Pot Pies from Food Network

More easy recipes for leftover turkey! As I was food gawking through the Food Network, I found some more easy turkey leftover recipes --Alton Brown's Turkey Soup Recipe and Mini Turley Pot Pies -- made from the Thanksgiving turkey carcass, green bean casserole, and even leftover cranberry sauce. Take a look at Part 1: Turkey Leftover Recipes from the Food network Chefs, and also, my favorite turkey leftover recipe... Turkey Tetrazzini Recipe!

I can't resist videos, especially food show videos. So here you are. Go use up that dead bird!

Alton Brown's Easy Turkey Soup

 

Mini Turkey Pot Pies