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!

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.

RED, WHITE and BLUE DESSERT RECIPES: Patriotic 4th of July Desserts

Have a Star Spangled Banner holiday with these red, white and blue patriotic dessert recipes! Red, White and Blue Flag Cake; Fresh Strawberry and Blueberry Pie; Strawberry and Blueberry Shortcakes; Red, White and Blueberry Dessert Pizza; Red, White and Blueberry Cobbler; Red, White and Blue Fruit Salad. See a recurring theme? All but a few of these are my own tried-and-true recipes that I've posted over the years with Examiner and Suite101. My family enjoyed every last bite! Have a safe, happy and delicious 4th of July holiday!

Fresh Strawberry Pie Recipe: Big juicy strawberries chilled in homemade strawberry glaze, nestled in a graham cracker or vanilla cookie crust and topped with fresh whipped cream.

 

Red, White and Blue Flag Cake Recipe: What would the 4th of July be without a Red, White and Blue Flag Cake? Blueberry stars, strawberry stripes and sparklers set this Firecracker Cake off quite nicely!

 

 

Red, White and Blueberry Cobbler: Fresh Cherries, blueberries and raspberries found their way into a deep dish stoneware pie pan, sprinkled with some cinnamon and a bit of freshly grated lemon zest all topped with a buttery sweet cobbler dough and a dollop of whipped cream.

 

 

Red, White and Blue Dessert Pizza: Striking grilled pizza with raspberries, blueberries and pineapple all nestled in a sweet cheese topping on top of cinnamon dough. Perfect for a 4th of July cookout!

 

Red, White and Blue Strawberry Blueberry Tart: This strawberry tart is made with a sweet shortbread crust, filled with strawberry jam, fresh strawberries and blueberries. Top it all off with fresh whipped cream, or serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!

 

 

Red White and Blue Fruit Salad Recipe: It doesn't have to be cake or pastry to qualify as dessert, so why not make it a healthy dessert with his patriotic fruit salad with the colors of the flag! Red strawberries and raspberries, almost white bananas and pineapple, and as blue as you can get blueberries make one beautiful fruit salad!

 

 

Red, White and Blueberry Cheesecake Recipe: Take this Strawberry Cheesecake Recipe and add blueberries to the topping along with the strawberries. Fresh tastes best, but canned strawberry and blueberry pie filling work just fine too.

 

 

Red Velvet Cake with Blueberries: Traditional Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting topped with fresh blueberries. Can't get much better than this!

 

 

Strawberry Cream Cake with Blueberries: Yellow cake filled and frosted with fresh whipped cream, strawberries and blueberries. Very refreshing and perfect for a summer party.

 

Strawberry & Blueberry Shortcakes: Take the traditional Strawberry Shortcake recipe, split some homemade Buttermilk Biscuits in half, sprinkle with fresh blueberries, and add plenty of whipped cream to these delightful berry shortcakes!

Strawberry Rhubarb Pie Recipe: Fresh strawberry rhubarb pie recipe is a summer favorite. Classic fruit pie with sweet strawberries and tart rhubarb mixed with sugar and spices, and baked in a double crust. Add some blueberries or blackberries for the holiday!

Blueberry Pie Recipe Made with Fresh Blueberries: Plump blueberries picked fresh from the blueberry bush, mixed with sugar and a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg and baked in a flaky doubled crusted pie crust. Serve with a side of fresh raspberries or strawberries for a red, white and blue dessert!

Fresh Strawberry Muffins: Made with my favorite blueberry muffin recipe, these strawberry muffins are chock full of fresh strawberries and topped with brown sugar streusel for an easy summer picnic or brunch. Add fresh blueberries or blackberries to your muffin batter for a red, white and blue treat!

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

 

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

Ina Garten Thanksgiving Recipes Google Doodle: Food Network Barefoot Contessa Talks Turkey

Food Network's own Barefoot Contessa has a special Google Doodle just for her. Food Network Thanksgiving recipes are the star though, as it features Cranberry Relish, Sweet Potato Casserole, Turkey Brine Recipes, Green Bean Casserole, and all the other Thanksgiving specialties that our grandmothers and their grandmothers passed down from generation to generation.

Check out the new Ina Garten Thanksgiving Google Doodle. The "oo" in Google has been replaced by a Thanksgiving meal complete with a turkey and all the fixin's. Mousse over and click the Google Doodle, and you'll be magically transported to a web page for Ina Garten's Thanksgiving Recipes from Google. There, you'll find recipes for Perfect Roast Turkey with Herb and Apple Stuffing. Poke around, The Barefoot Contessa has loads of Thanksgiving Recipes, so does the Food Network. Speaking of the Food Network, you'll find Thanksgiving recipes from Paula Deen, Alton Brown, Bobby Flay, Emeril Lagasse, and more! Even Martha Stewart's Thanksgiving recipes can be found online this week!

Related Thanksgiving Recipes 

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• Free Thanksgiving wallpaper, fall pictures, November 2010 calendar, clip art

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
  
  

Kentucky Derby 2010 Recipe Contenders: Mint Julep Recipe, Kentucky Derby Pie

What are the odds you can get to Churchill Downs for a Kentucky Derby Party? Have your own Kentucky Derby Party with these recipes.  I didn't know this, but Bobby Flay has his own race horses, plus, he has a mean Mint Julep Recipe! Then again, Food Network's Emeril Lagasse has his own awesome version of Kentucky Derby Pie that's to-die-for!

BEST Kentucky Derby Pie Recipe
My own version, made with blood, sweat and tears, and some major love! Seriously, we made these Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pies for years at the bakery. Way too good and very rich. Just what you want for tomorrow's race with a tall icy Mint Julep!

Another one of the bakery's specialties: Chocolate Pecan Pie Recipe with Roasted Pecans

Check out my Slideshow Photos of Kentucky Derby Horses and of course, my Kentucky Derby Pie!

  

Emeril Lagasse's Gold Brick Chocolate Pecan Pie - This recipe sounds pretty similar to my Kentucky Derby Pie. However, his does include edible gold leaf. Not sure if you want to include this or not. Looks pretty, but probably over-the-top expensive too!

Bobby Flay's Mint Julep Recipe - So easy to make Kentucky Derby Mint Juleps made with just a few ingredients. Course, the best Bourbon Whiskey and fresh mint leaves are a must for this race day special.

Double Chocolate Mint Brownie Sundaes: Kentucky Derby Dessert from Yumsugar

Now off to Dave's Marketplace to pick up some fresh mint and all the Kentucky Derby Pie fixin's!

Mint Julep photo: Wikipedia.org

Kentucky Derby race horse: AP Photo

St. Patrick's Day Recipes For The Irish In All Of Us!

 

 
HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!

Rumor has it "There's a little Irish in all of us." Irish Soda Bread Recipe, Homemade Baileys Irish Cream, White Chocolate Baileys Irish Cream Cheesecake, Baileys Irish Cream Mousse Pie, and even a Healthy Irish Soda Bread Recipe will tempt you into kissing the Blarney Stone early. There's no need to wait until March 17th to celebrate St.Patty's Day. Do it now, and party all month!

I'm Irish, what can I say? We love to party and eat good food. The St. Patrick's Day recipes below are my own creations that we've made and eaten over many years in the bakery and at home. You don't have to be Irish to love their food. Any time of the year is a good time to be Irish! Enjoy the holiday early and often. St. Paddy would be proud!

 

 

St. Patrick's Day Recipes

• Irish Soda Bread - You can't celebrate St. Patrick's Day without a slice of traditional Irish Soda Bread. Have it for breakfast with a cup of Irish Breakfast Tea.
• Healthy Irish Soda Bread - Looking for a healthier Irish Soda Bread? This delicious bread is made with honey and King Arthur's Unbleached White Whole Wheat Flour. Add some raisins or get crazy with craisins, and have a slice with honey!
• White Chocolate Baileys Irish Cream Cheesecake - Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with an over-the-top, ultra-rich White Chocolate Baileys Irish Cream Cheesecake baked in an Oreo Cookie crust! Sounds simply decadent doesn't it?
• White Chocolate Irish Cream Mousse Pie - Whip up an easy Irish Cream Mousse Pie for St. Patrick's Day! Pile this fluffy Baileys mousse in a graham cracker or flaky pie crust and decorate it with white chocolate shavings.
• Homemade Baileys Irish Cream Liqueur - Making your own thick & creamy Irish Cream is easier than you think with this fool-proof recipe. Just throw all the ingredients together, whisk and chill. Serve it on the rocks for the ultimate St. Patty's Day drink!
• Make a Reuben Sandwich with Corned Beef Leftovers - What are you going to do when St. Paddy's Day is over, and you've got tons of corned beef leftovers? Make a sandwich! It's no wonder Grilled Reuben Sandwiches with swiss cheese & sauerkraut on rye with thousand island dressing and mustard is the top selling sandwich the day after St. Patty's Day!

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