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!

VEGAN Baking Recipes: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Vegan Baking

You don't have to be on a vegan diet to enjoy these vegan baking recipes. Vegan Red Velvet Cake and Cupcakes Recipe and Vegan Cheesecake are just a few of the delicious vegan recipes in this brand new cookbook.

Save $5.90 by pre-ordering from Amazon, and Barnes & Noble now for only $11.05.

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Vegan Baking is due to hit the book store shelves on April 5th, and Amazon will send the books the day it's released. It's also available in the Kindle edition for $9.99.

I received my two author's copies in the mail last week from the publisher and have been totally excited ever since. I still can't believe I'm holding the book in my hands after 14 months. It seems like yesterday!

Order from Amazon here
Order from Borders here
Order from Barnes & Noble here

VEGAN PEANUT BUTTER PIE

Thanksgiving Desserts: Recipes for Pumpkin Cheesecake, Red Velvet Cupcakes and more

Thanksgiving 2010: Turkey Day is this Thursday, November 25th. Do you have your Thanksgiving dessert recipes planned yet? Will it be Homemade Apple Pie, Classic Pumpkin Pie recipe, or Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie? Or perhaps something you haven't tried yet, like The Cheesecake Factory Red Velvet Cheesecake recipe knock-off, or maybe get a head start on Christmas Cookies and serve up a platter of Pecan Butterballs, Peanut Butter Blossoms, and Shortbread Cookies. Whatever you have a craving for, there's something here for your Thanksgiving Desserts menu.

Best Thanksgiving Desserts

• Red Velvet Cheesecake Factory Recipe   
• Homemade Apple Pie Recipe With Fresh Apples   
• Chocolate French Silk Pie Recipe
• Classic Pumpkin Pie Recipe
• Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe with Gingersnap Crust  
• Strawberry Cheesecake Recipe
• Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie recipe with Roasted Pecans
• Kentucky Derby Pie Recipe
• Red Velvet Cupcakes with Craeam Cheese Frosting
• Shortbread Cookie Recipe Christmas Cookies
• Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies Recipe
• Snickerdoodle Cookies Recipe
  
  

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY Cookies, Cupcake Recipes

 
  

Heart Shaped Valentine's Day Cakes, Valentine's Day Cookies, Red Desserts, Valentine Cupcakes and lots more to say "I LOVE YOU" on Valentine's Day! Red Velvet Cupcakes and New York Style Strawberry Cheesecake recipes are sure to win someone's heart this Valentine's Day.

Red Velvet Cake Recipe with Cream Cheese Frosting

Read my Valentine's Heart Shaped Cake story from last year. It'll give you an idea of how we made hundreds of these babies every Valentine's Day. Ahhhh, memories! 

 

 

 

How to Make Valentine's Day Heart Shaped Cakes  

 

 

 

Heart Shaped Cookies: Coconut Lime and Chocolate Madeleines

 

 

 

Cherry Meringue Cookies Recipe

  

Cherry Hershey's Kiss Cookies

 

 

 

Most Popular Red Valentine's Day Desserts

• Strawberry Cheesecake Recipe with Graham Craker Crust
• Cherry Cheesecake Recipe with Graham Cracker Crust
• White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake with Oreo Cookie Crust
• Fresh Strawberry Shortcake with Homemade Buttermilk Biscuits
• Strawberry Cream Cake with Cream Cheese Filling
• Red Velvet Cake & Cupcakes
• Raspberry Cream Cheese Coffeecake
• Strawberry Mousse Pie & Parfaits
• Cherry Pie made with Fresh Cherries
• Strawberry Rhubarb Pie Recipe
• Cherry Kisses Cookies with Hershey's Chocolate Kiss
• Soft Sugar Cookies with Valentine Sprinkles
• Chocolate Covered Strawberries
• Fresh Raspberry Pie Recipe
• Fresh Strawberry Pie Recipe
• Strawberry Daiquiri Frozen Pie
• Fresh Strawberry Tart with Shortbread Crust
• Heart Shaped Shortbread Cookies with Raspberry Jam
• Cherry Meringue Kiss Cookies
• Cherry Almond Scones

WILTON Christmas Cookie Supplies Winner!

Congratulations to the WILTON's Cookie Box Winner!

Congratulations to the lucky winner of the amazing Wilton Cookie Exchange Box! We had 82 comments left, and I'm sure Wilton was thrilled to read every one of them. Please Congratulate Nicole. She was number 67, which of course was the lucky number picked by Mr, Random Generator!

 

This is Nicole's Comment
I LOVE Christmas cookies!! Probably my favorite part of the holiday!
Posted by: Nicole | December 07, 2009 at 05:52 PM

And Now for Mr. Generator's Proof

I'll be emailing you Nicole. Please get back to me ASAP so Wilton can send out your box, and you can get started with all your Christmas Cookies!

Thank you all again for making this giveaway fun. Even though I didn't get back to each of you, I did read all the comments, and they warmed my heart! Don't forget to check out the WILTON WEBSITE for more fun things to do with frosting, glitter and sprinkles!

CHRISTMAS COOKIE RECIPES

Pecan Butter Balls
Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies
Soft Sugar Cookies
Cherry Kisses Cookies
Soft Snickerdoodles
Thumbprint Cookies
Shortbread Cookies
Santa's Whiskers Cookies
Pecan Penuche Fudge Recipe
White Chocolate Macadamia Cookies
Chocolate No Bake Cookies Recipe
Double Chocolate Chip Cookies
Peanut Butter Cookies
Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Soft Molasses Cookies
Raspberry Linzer Cookies
Coconut & Lime Biscotti
Raspberry Rugelach
Buttery Jam Cookies
Chocolate World Peace Cookies
Chocolate Chunkers Cookies
All Occasion Sugar Cookies
Coconut & Lime Madeleines
Gourmet Chocolate Fudge Brownies Recipe
Gourmet Chocolate PB Cup Brownies
Nutella Chocolate Fudge Brownies
Peanut Butter Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
Cherry & White Chocolate Granola Cookies
Whoppers Chocolate Malted Milk Cookies
Brown Sugar Pecan Shortbread Cookies

 

 

WILTON GIVEAWAY: 25 Wilton Holiday Cookie Contest Prizes

Wilton is giving away 25 Quality Wilton products for a Wilton Cookie Exchange Party, valued at $143.56, to ONE of my lucky readers. My good cyber-friend Cindy at Wilton, offered me a number of baking products to do my own cookie exchange. I had NO idea what she meant until I got the box. I was tickled to get such a giveaway offer. But when we she mentioned to try it out and do a giveaway for ONE of my readers, well, I don't have to tell you that I was literally blown away by their generosity! 

 

Check Wilton's impressive list for detailed information and pictures of everythingthat's in this humongous box! When I say big, I mean BIG! 25 Wilton products, with everything you could ever need or want for your own Christmas Cookie Exchange Party.

 

Because there was soooo much stuff in the box, enough for 20 or more people to have a cookie party, I got Erika from Stampin Mama to help me out. She rounded up lots of people and Girly (my cute little blond granddaughter), helped me bake cookies, took photos and helped me with all the details. Thanks so much Erika! Hope you had lots of fun too! Please go check out her blog, Stampin Mama, for more cookie and stamping fun!

 

 

 

 

Erika, from Stampin Mama says,

"The kitchen is an integral part of our home and it's no surprise that my daughter has it in her blood to be there, as well, even at 9 years old. In fact, she's been helping me in the kitchen long before now. She has her own cookbooks and her own cookie cutters. She is always looking for something to make and especially likes to make things for other people. She loves to package them up in creative packaging and hand them out to friends."

"We had a blast creating cookies in the kitchen together. We both decorated cookies and they all took on their own personalities as we created them. The Wilton cookie cutters, decorating frostings, sprinkles, cookie press, scoop, etc. were all easy to use and are perfect for little hands as well as big ones. The Wilton Cookie Exchange Book was especially helpful for ideas on decorating our cookies. It's full of recipes and pictures of decorating ideas, so we had no problem at all with coming up with ideas. It's definitely going to get used all year round in this house."

"My daughter was especially tickled that people commented on her cookies and how creative she was when they were put out on the platters. The little labels that came with the Wilton packaging kits were a huge hit. Everyone loved the beautiful packaging and talked about how pretty it looked. Even down to the festive parchment paper! This is definitely something we're thinking about doing each year!"

 

Wilton Holiday Cookie Contest Prize Details
The contest will be a BIG short one, meaning the Wilton Holiday Cookie Contest Prize is BIG, but the contest will only go till Thursday, December 10th, midnight, EST, at which time I'll pick a winner with the Random Generator. PLEASE, only comments on this post will be eligible to win. Wilton will drop-ship your box to you and you should get it within a few days. It's that simple!

NOTE: I neglected to mention this before, but US entries only please. I'll accept the comments from Canada that have already been posted, but from hereon in, only US entries. Wilton is shipping this and I have to be considerate. Thanks for understanding.

 

Tell me what Wilton products you've used in the past, and what you like the best. If you haven't had the pleasure of using Wilton's Decorating items, tell me why you'd LOVE to win this kit. Wilton would also love it (they told me so!) if the winner would have their own Cookie Exchange Party and hype it up as well. After all, it IS advertising for them.

Christmas Cookie Recipes
In the meantime, please go take a look at all my Christmas Cookie Recipes I've posted. You won't be sorry!

 

 

Wilton Holiday Cookie Contest Prize List

• Cookie Pro™ Ultra II Cookie Press: $24.99
• Wilton Cookie Exchange Book: $14.99
• Non-Stick Mini Holiday Pan: $11.99
• 13 pc. Cookie Decorating Set: $8.39
• Holiday Parchment Sheets: $7.99
• Cookie Exchange Party Kit: $7.99
• Cookie Box Kit: $5.29
• Cookie Gift Box Kit: $5.29
• Red & Green Sparkle Gel: $4.99
• Sugar Pearls-White: $4.49
• Green Cookie Icing: $4.49
• Red Cookie Icing: $4.49
• Cookie Plate Kit: $4.29
• Cookie Tent Box Kit: $4.19
• Jumbo Snowflakes Sprinkles: $4.09
• Cookie Exchange Recipe Card and Photo Holder: $3.99
• 3 Pc. Holiday Cutter Set: $3.69
• 3 Pc. Winter Cutter Set: $3.69
• Snowflake Comfort Grip™ Cutter: $3.19
• Holiday Red Cookie Scoop: $2.79
• Dark Green Colored Sugars: $2.29
• Cookie Exchange Bottle Labels: $1.99
• Cookie Exchange Award Ribbons: $1.99
• Recipe Cards with Stickers: $1.99

TOTAL VALUE: $143.56 with FREE shipping by Wilton included

Pumpkin Whoopie Pies Recipe

Half cake, half cookie, these soft, moist and spicy Pumpkin Whoopie Pies are filled with cream cheese icing or vanilla Whoopie Pie filling. Thanksgiving and Christmas wouldn't be the same without easy holiday recipes like Pumpkin Whoopie Pies. Pumpkin Whoopie Pies aren't really pies at all. Cake-like in texture, but baked like soft round cookies, the individual pumpkin cakes are filled with fluffy cream cheese Whoopie Pie filling, or Vanilla Filling, and sandwiched back together.

Special thanks to Erika of Stampin' Mama for sharing this classic holiday recipe for Pumpkin Whoppie Pies!

Pumpkin Whoopie Pie Recipe

• 1/2 cup canola or vegetable oil
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup pumpkin puree, canned or fresh
• 1 Tablespoon pumpkin pie spice, see below
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour, see below

How to Make Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

1. Pumpkin pie spice can be made by mixing together 1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1 teaspoon nutmeg, 1 teaspoon ginger and 1/2 teaspoon allspice.
2. You can substitute up to 2/3 cup of sifted whole wheat flour. The Whoopie Pies will take on a slightly different, heavier and chewier texture.
3. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and spray lightly with vegetable shortening spray. The Whoopie cookies will spread as they bake, so leave enough room between them.
4. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
5. Using an electric mixer on medium speed, hand mixer or whisk, whip canola or vegetable oil and brown sugar together in a large bowl until smooth.
6. Whisk in eggs until light. Add pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Whip until light and fluffy.
7. Gently fold in the flour with a rubber spatula. Mix only until well blended.
8. Using a medium-large size ice cream scoop, drop 12 heaping, but equal mounds of Whoopie Pie batter, spaced evenly, onto each prepared baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes, or until Whoopie cakes spring back when lightly touched.
9. Remove to a wire rack and let cool completely before filling.
10. Meanwhile, begin making Whoopie Pie filling.

Cream Cheese Whoopie Pie Filling Recipe

• 4 ounces (1/2 stick) butter, softened
• 4 ounces (1/2 small block) cream cheese
• 2 Tablespoons Marshmallow Fluff, optional
• 1 cup powdered confectioners' sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

How to Make Cream Cheese Filling

1. In a large bowl of an electric mixer, cream butter and cream cheese on medium speed. Add marshmallow fluff and beat until fluffy. Scrape down bowl.
2. Turn mixer to low, and add powdered sugar and vanilla and beat until light and fluffy and free of lumps.
3. Spread the flat side of the cookies with Whoopie Pie filling. Top with another pumpkin cookie, pressing down very lightly to seal.
4. Store Pumpkin Whoopie Pies in a large flat container, preferably in a single layer. If stacked, parchment paper can be used to separate the layers, However, the Whoopie Pies have a tendency to stick to the paper. If this happens, just dust the tops with confectioners' sugar before serving.
5. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
6. Make 12 good size Pumpkin Whoopie Pies!

Vanilla Whoopie Pie Filling Recipe

• 1/4 cup solid shortening like Crisco
• 1/4 cup (1/2stick) butter, softened
• 1 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup light corn syrup

How to Make Vanilla Whoopie Pie Filling

1. In a large bowl, and using an electric mixer on medium speed with a paddle attachment, beat shortening and butter until light and creamy.
2. Turn mixer to low, and beat in the powdered sugar 1/2 cup at a time. Turn the mixer to high, and beat until light and fluffy, add vanilla, scraping down bowl as needed.
3. With mixer on low, add corn syrup in a steady stream, a little at a time. Turn mixer to high and beat for another minute until frosting is light, fluffy and free of lumps.

MEMORIAL DAY DESSERTS & RECIPES

Dessert Recipes for Memorial Day!
It's Friday, the holiday weekend is upon us, do you have your Memorial Day Dessert menu ready? Since Memorial Day is the traditional kick-off to summer, most people think of strawberry desserts. I know I do, but I also think about chocolate! OK, so I always think about chocolate! Doesn't everyone?

Whether you're having a cookout, going on a picnic, going on a cruise around the bay, or you've been invited to a potluck outing, I'm sure you'll find something in this list that will knock your socks off and make you the hit of the party! I've put together a list of desserts that I think should be on every Memorial Day menu. Whatever you choose, have a blast this holiday weekend!

HOLIDAY DESSERTS

Fresh Blueberry Pie

Fresh Cherry Pie

Key Lime Pie

Homemade Apple Pie

Classic Lemon Meringue Pie

Strawberry Shortcake

Strawberry Rhubarb Pie

Strawberry Cheesecake

Fresh Strawberry Tart

Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Hot Fudge Pudding Cake

Nutella Chocolate Fudge Brownies

Soft Chocolate Chip Cookies

Bacon Brownies - Don't knock 'em till you try 'em!

Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

And if desserts aren't your bag, why not try some of these salads or dips!

Spinach Artichoke Dip

Zesty Pesto Pasta Salad

Tri-Color Easy Coleslaw Recipe

Easy Ambrosia Salad - Totally Retro!

Colorful Cobb Salad Recipe

Red Bliss Potato Salad

Taco Salad Recipe

Mexican Salad Recipe

7 Layer Mexican Dip

Guacamole Dip Recipe

COOKBOOK GIVEAWAY - COOKIES!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to My Cookbook Addiction
My best cyber friend Liliana, has a blog called My Cookbook Addiction. I don't have to tell you what her blog is all about! Not only is Liliana a cookbook addict, but she's also one of the most accomplished Italian cooks I've ever had the pleasure to meet. We went to visit her family in Montreal one Saturday, and she fed us such incredible Italian food, we thought we were going to burst! So, while you're checking out her giveaway, be sure to poke around her blog and try some of her amazing recipes!

My Cookbook Addiction is celebrating its 2nd birthday with a month-long giveaway! Right now, Liliana is giving away a copy of 'Field Guide to Cookies' by Anita Chu of Desserts First. Click here to enter your comment. Deadline for this cookbook giveaway is May 9th, 2009. Check back often, as she'll be giving away more cookbooks and prizes all month!

Sicilian Fig Cookies photo by My Cookbook Addiction

CINCO de MAYO RECIPES

Last Minute Cinco de Mayo Recipes
Tomorrow is Cinco de Mayo, and I've been busy with all my last minute Mexican & Tex-Mex recipes. Most of the recipes are quick & easy, so you can do them ahead or wait until last minute. Check back again. I'll be adding more as I finish them!

Cinco de Mayo Recipes

• The Best Guacamole Dip
  
• Seven Layer Mexican Dip Recipe
• Taco Salad Recipe - Veggie & Beef
  
• Award Winning Chili Recipe
• Caramel Topped Flan Recipe
  
• Mexican Wedding Cookies Recipe
• The Classic Tequila Sunrise
• The Best Margarita Recipe
• The Best Strawberry Margarita Recipe