Tag: Thanksgiving desserts

Food

My Favorite Pumpkin Pie

meghanewhite

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I love pumpkin pie. I grew up with my mom making pumpkin pie using sweetened condensed milk, which is very good. Many years ago I was given this amazing pumpkin pie recipe using whipping cream, and I’ve never looked back. You’d think all pumpkin pies are the same. They are not.

Many store bought pumpkin pies are bland, and just not that great. I always prefer homemade over anything store bought. My only exception to this is the infamous Costco pumpkin pie. Those are delicious. The reason I love this pumpkin pie recipe is it makes a light, fluffy, and perfectly spiced custard pie, with just the right amount of sweet. Pumpkin pie can be a bit gelatinous, and this amazing recipe is light, creamy, and fabulous. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

I will praise God’s name in song and exalt Him with thanksgiving. Psalm 69:30

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Pumpkin Pie

Yield: 1 pie

Ingredients

¼ teaspoon ginger

¼ teaspoon nutmeg

¼ teaspoon cloves

1 teaspoon cinnamon

pinch of salt

1 cup granulated sugar

2 eggs

1 (15oz) can of pumpkin

1 cup whipping cream

1 unbaked pie shell

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 425°
  2. In a large mixing bowl combine all dry ingredients. Beat in the eggs until the mixture is fluffy. Stir in the pumpkin, then stir in the whipping cream. 
  3. Pour pumpkin pie mixture into a prepared pastry filled pie pan. 
  4. Bake at 425° for 20 minutes. Reduce heat to 375° and bake an additional 30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. 
  5. Cool completely and enjoy!

Notes:

  • The pie will rise in the oven and get fluffy while cooking. Once it cools it will shrink down a little bit. 
  • If the crust is getting too dark while cooking, cut a 4 inch circle in the center of a square piece of aluminum foil. Loosely place on the pie while it finishes cooking. 
Food

Pumpkin Bars

meghanewhite

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It’s that time of year. Pumpkin time. Pumpkin everything is everywhere. It wasn’t that long ago that the only big thing happening pumpkin-wise this time of year was the now infamous pumpkin spice latte. If you got your hands on one of those, then you felt pretty special. Now, pumpkin has taken over all aspects of food from yogurt to cereal, and even candy. We are pumpkin obsessed for some reason. For the non-pumpkin eaters, I’m sorry. For the rest of us, yay!!

In honor of all things pumpkin, I give you pumpkin bars. You’re welcome. I’ve been making these divine treats for close to twenty-six years. The bars are really more like a moist delicious cake. The pumpkin flavor is there, but it’s subtle, not overpowering. And, the piece de resistance, cream cheese frosting. The combo of the scrumptious cake and sweet icing make this dessert irresistible. It’s hard to stop at one. Pumpkin bars are addictive. You’ve been warned. 

I was blessed with this recipe from my boss all those years ago. She brought them into work one day and it was love at first bite. I got the recipe from her, which she was given by her mother many years before. And the circle of life continues as I pass this fantastic recipe on to you. Maybe you will share it with someone in your life too. Whenever I make these for potlucks or any event, they get devoured every single time. So be ready with the recipe, because you will be asked. 

Pumpkin bars are a nice alternative to pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving. Or, if you’re feeling really adventurous, make both. Pumpkin fans everywhere will rejoice. I have to admit that I’ve made these in the summer. I know. It’s a bit bold, a bit daring, but so worth it. Try pumpkin bars in the off season too. They are just that good.

Happy Eating!

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.  1 Corinthians 10:31

 

Pumpkin Bars

 

2 cups flour

2 tsp. baking powder

2 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. baking soda

¼ tsp. salt

In a medium sized mixing bowl whisk together dry ingredients and set aside.

 

4 eggs

1 2/3 cup sugar

1 15oz. can pumpkin

1 cup vegetable oil

pecans or walnuts, chopped (optional)

 

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Cream eggs and sugar.
  3. Add the vegetable oil, pumpkin, and pecans.
  4. Add the flour mixture and mix thoroughly with a hand mixer.
  5. Pour into an un-greased 15x10x1 inch pan. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown.
  6. Cool completely before frosting. 

Cream Cheese Frosting

3 oz. cream cheese softened

¼ cup butter softened 

1 tsp. vanilla

2 cups powdered sugar

Cream together with a hand mixer until smooth.

 

Notes:

Store at room temperature in a sealed container.

I never add the nuts, but I’m sure it’s delicious. 

Let the cream cheese and butter soften at room temperature before making the frosting.

Food

Mini Pumpkin Cheesecake

meghanewhite

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It’s the most wonderful time of the year. That’s right, it’s pumpkin time. If you are a pumpkin fan then you will enjoy these mini pumpkin cheesecakes. They are scrumptious. Not too much pumpkin for the non-pumpkin fans, yet just enough for the pumpkin lovers. 

This pumpkin cheesecake is light and perfectly sweet with just the right amount of spice. Toasted pecans add fantastic flavor and texture to the graham cracker crust. Each bite of these tiny goodies has the perfect mix of creamy and crunchy. 

The portions are the ideal size for a sweet treat. No fork required. These would look so beautiful on a cake stand for Thanksgiving. But you don’t need a special occasion to make these mini cheesecakes. Every day is a reason to be thankful so why not celebrate with pumpkin cheesecake. 

Make this simple yet impressive dessert for the holiday season or any time of the year. Experience the delight of cheesecake without all of the fuss. Enjoy this delectable small dessert. 

Happy Eating!

Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face continually. Psalm 105:4

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Mini Pumpkin Cheesecake

Yield: 24 cheesecakes

Crust

1 and a half sleeves of graham crackers (approximately 12 graham crackers)

½ cup butter – melted

6 tablespoons brown sugar

1 teaspoon  cinnamon 

¼ cup toasted pecans

 

Pumpkin Cheesecake

16 oz. cream cheese – room temp

15 oz. can pumpkin puree

2 tablespoons sour cream

2 eggs – room temp 

1 cup sugar

2 tablespoons flour

1 teaspoon vanilla

½ teaspoon ginger

½ teaspoon nutmeg

½ teaspoon cloves

1 teaspoon cinnamon

 

Instructions

Make the crust

  1. Preheat oven to 350°
  2. Line muffin pan with paper cups. This recipe makes 24.
  3. Toast pecans in the oven on a baking sheet for 7 to 8 minutes.
  4. Place toasted pecans and graham crackers in a food processor and make fine crumbs. (If you don’t have a food processor you can place the graham crackers and pecans in a large plastic bag. Pound them with a rolling pin until crumbs form.)
  5. Place the graham cracker crumbs and pecans in a mixing bowl. Add melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Mix with a spoon or fork until combined.
  6. Put two tablespoons of the crust into each paper baking cup.
  7. Take a small glass or measuring cup and firmly press the crust in place.


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Make the cheesecake

  1. Blend the cream cheese in a stand mixer with whisk attachment, or hand mixer, until smooth.
  2. Add the pumpkin and sour cream. Mix until well blended.
  3. Add the eggs. Blend until smooth.
  4. Add sugar, vanilla, flour, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and cinnamon. Mix well.
  5. Using a large baking scoop or ice cream scoop, fill the crust lined cups with one full scoop each of cheesecake batter. About ¾ full. 
  6. Bake cheesecakes for 18 to 20 minutes. Turn the oven off, then leave the cheesecakes in the oven for an additional 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and let the cheesecakes cool completely. Store in the refrigerator. Top with fresh whipped cream and cinnamon or nutmeg. 


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Notes

  • The mini cheesecakes will last for 3 days in the fridge or 2 months in the freezer.
  • If you don’t want pecans in the crust, just use 2 full sleeves of graham crackers.
  • You will have a little extra batter and crust to make an additional 4 to 6 cheesecakes.
  • The cheesecakes will puff up in the oven and get some cracks. These will go away once they cool completely.


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Go to Mustard Seed Sentinel for this recipe and more. Check out my monthly column, Meghan’s Corner. 

https://www.mustardseedsentinel.com/post/meghan-s-corner-mini-pumpkin-cheesecake