Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Peanut Butter Cookies

Submitted by: bamanichole

Difficulty Rating: Very Easy

INGREDIENTS:
  • 1 cup peanut butter
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 egg

DIRECTIONS:
  • Mix together and spoon on ungreased cookie sheet press with fork to make indentions. Bake at 350 degrees about 10-15 mins until golden brown.

*posted by: michelle142*

Beer Cookies

Submitted by: wamozart12
Difficulty Rating: Medium

 
Adapted from Sean LaFond

 
INGREDIENTS:
  • 2 12 ounces bottles of beer- Belgian style white beer is good, but for the holidays, I like the seasonal holiday cinnamon/nutmeg beers.
  • 5 tablespoons honey
  • 1 stick cinnamon (or 1/2teaspoon cinnamon if you don't have sticks)
  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 2 star anises (optional if you don't have any)
  • 1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • zest of 1 orange
  • 2 teaspoons ground coriander
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

 
ICING (Optional):
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tablespoon orange juice
  • 1 tablespoon whole milk
  • 1 orange zested using a bar grater, optional

 
DIRECTIONS:
  • Put the beer, honey, cinnamon stick, nutmeg and star anise into a medium saucepan and reduce over medium heat until you have about 1/3-1/2 cup of liquid, at which point the liquid will suddenly begin to aggressively foam due to the higher concentration of sugar (which looks different than the carbon dioxide foaming at the beginning). You may occasionally have to skim the foam off the top of the beer. This takes about an hour, and smells delicious. Remove cinnamon stick and star anise and discard. Let the reduction cool to room temperature.
  • Cream the butter and sugar together. Add egg and blend thoroughly. Add vanilla, orange zest, coriander, and beer reduction and blend. Mix the flour and baking soda together then slowly add to the batter.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Scoop 1T balls of dough onto a cookie sheet, bake for 15-20 minutes, until edges just begin to turn golden brown.
  • Let cookies cool completely.
  • Optional Icing: Combine powdered sugar, vanilla, milk and orange juice with a fork or small whisk. Drizzle over or place a dollop on each cookie. Garnish with curls of orange zest.



 

 
*posted by: michelle142*

Peppermint Bark

Submitted by: wamozart12

Difficulty Rating: Medium


Taken from orangette.blogspot.com
INGREDIENTS:
  • 20 oz. white chocolate, finely chopped
  • 10 candy canes, coarsely crushed
  • 7 oz. bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
  • 6 Tbsp. heavy cream
  • 1 tsp. peppermint extract


DIRECTIONS:
  • Cover a large baking sheet securely with aluminum foil. Measure out and mark a 9- by 12-inch rectangle on the foil (or just approximate when adding the chocolate).
  • Put the white chocolate in a metal (or other heatproof) bowl, and set it over a saucepan of barely simmering water. (Do not allow the bottom of the bowl to touch the water.) Stir occasionally until the chocolate is melted and smooth. Remove the chocolate from the heat. Pour 2/3 cup of it onto the rectangle on the foil. Using an icing spatula, spread the chocolate to fill the rectangle. Sprinkle with ¼ cup of the crushed peppermints. Chill until set, about 15 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, combine the bittersweet chocolate, cream, and peppermint extract in a heavy medium saucepan. Warm over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until the mixture is just melted and smooth. Cool to barely lukewarm, about 5 minutes. Then remove the baking sheet from the refrigerator, and pour the bittersweet chocolate mixture over the white chocolate rectangle. Using an icing spatula – make sure you cleaned it after using it for the white chocolate, above! – spread the bittersweet chocolate in an even layer. Chill until very cold and firm, about 25 minutes.
  • Rewarm the remaining white chocolate until just melted. Working quickly, pour the white chocolate over the firm bittersweet layer with icing or rubber spatula to spread it to cover. Sprinkle with remaining crushed peppermints. Chill just until firm, about 20 minutes.

*posted by: michelle142*

Swedish Jam Squares

Submitted by: wamozart12

Difficulty Rating: Easy

INGREDIENTS:
  • 1 package yellow cake mix
  • 1 stick (1/2cup) softened butter
  • 1 extra large or jumbo egg
  • Jam of desired flavor

ICING:
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1T milk
  • 1t vanilla or almond extract


DIRECTIONS:
  • Combine cake mix, butter and egg, mix until combined. Press into the bottom of a greased 9x13 baking pan. Spread jelly in a thin layer over dough. Bake 25-30 min (until edges are lightly browned) at 325.
  • Let squares cool. Make icing: combine powdered sugar, milk and flavoring, drizzle over jam squares. Allow icing to set, then cut into squares.

*posted by: michelle142*

Jello Spritz Cookies

Submitted by: wamozart12
Difficulty Rating: Medium
 
For use with a cookie press
 
INGREDIENTS:
  • 4 cups flour
  • 1 t baking powder
  • 1 1/2 cup butter, softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 (3 oz.) pkg. Jello
  • 1 egg
  • 1 t vanilla

DIRECTIONS:
  • Sift flour and baking powder together. Cream in butter. Gradually add sugar and Jello. Beat in egg and vanilla and then mix all until smooth. Load dough into cookie press with desired shape, spritz onto cookie sheets. Bake at 400 degrees for 10 to 14 minutes, until bottom starts to brown.

*These cookies are fun to coordinate shapes with jello flavor/color- green trees, red hearts, etc.

*posted by: michelle142*

Spice Cookies

Submitted by: wamozart12



Difficulty Rating: Medium (because of all the ingredients)
 
Adapted from Camilla Saulsbury's Exotic Spice Cookies recipe
 
INGREDIENTS:
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons ground ginger
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 3/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
  • 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup chopped crystallized ginger
  • 1 cup packed dark brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1/4 cup vegetable shortening, room temperature
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1 teaspoon rosewater
  • 3/4 cup turbinado (raw) sugar or colored sanding sugar, for rolling
 
DIRECTIONS:
  • Whisk the flour, ground ginger, baking soda, cardamom, cinnamon, coriander, pepper and salt in a medium bowl until blended. Mix in the crystallized ginger. Set aside momentarily.
  • In a large bowl beat the brown sugar, butter and shortening with an electric mixer until fluffy (do not overbeat-it will add too much air). Add the egg, honey and rosewater and beat until blended. Stir in the flour mixture, mixing until just until blended. Cover and refrigerate 1 hour.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Roll dough into 1 1/4-inch balls; roll in sugar to coat completely. Place balls on cookie sheets, spacing 2 to 3 inches apart.
  • Bake cookies until cracked on top but still soft to touch, about 11 to 13 minutes. Cool on wire racks. 


 
*posted by: michelle142*

Monday, December 14, 2009

OATMEAL CRANBERRY WHITE CHOCOLATE CHUNK COOKIES

Submitted by: Mrs. Zee

Difficulty Rating: Easy


Ingredients:

  • 2/3 cup butter or margarine, softened
  • 2/3 cup brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
  • 1 1/2 cups flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 6-ounce package Ocean Spray® Craisins® Original Dried Cranberries
  • 2/3 cup white chocolate chunks or chips

Directions:

  • Preheat oven to 375ºF.
  • Using an electric mixer, beat butter or margarine and sugar together in a medium mixing bowl until light and fluffy. Add eggs, mixing well. Combine oats, flour, baking soda and salt in a separate mixing bowl. Add to butter mixture in several additions, mixing well after each addition. Stir in dried cranberries and white chocolate chunks.
  • Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on wire rack.

Makes approximately 2 1/2 dozen cookies.




*posted by: michelle142*

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Gingerbread Cookies

Submitted by: billyandsara

Prep time: 30-40mins
Cook time: about 10 mins
Level: Easy just the prep is long and requires a lot of ingredients.
Preheat oven to 350F

Ingredients:
  • 1 1/2 Sticks of lightly salted butter, softened
  • 1 2/3 cups of sugar
  • 1 orange zested
  • 4 cups of all purpose flour, plus I put some to the side for when I am rolling if needed
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda
  • 1 tablespoon of ground dry ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg
  • 1/2 of ground all spice
  • 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon of ground cloves
  • 1/2 teaspoon of salt
  • 2 Eggs
  • 1/2 of molasses (dark)
  • 1 lemon juiced 
Directions:
  • In a bowl mix your butter, sugar and orange zest with a hand mixer until it is smooth, about 5 mins.
  • In a seperate bowl mix, flour (sifted), baking powder, baking soda, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, cinnamon, cloves and salt, mix together and set aside.
  • In a third bowl mix together you eggs, molasses and lemon juice.
  • Once you have the butter mixture smooth lower your speed and start to add your dry ingrediants, once you have the dry ingrediants in start mixing in you bowl with the eggs. I fins that this works best with a stand mixer and I use my paddle attachment.
  • Once you have your dough mixed take it out of the bowl and break into two pieces, press each piece between two pieces of wax paper and chill for 15-20 mins.
  • After you chill your dough you must flour your surface and start rolling. I sometimes find it easier to roll it when it is still i nthe wax paper but that is up to you. Once you have the thickness you want then press your cookcutter into them and place them on your cookie sheet. *note make sure you leave a little room they can spread out.
  • Bake until golden brown about 10 mins

*posted by: michelle142*

Monday, December 7, 2009

Big Soft Ginger Cookies

Submitted by: Eli845

Difficulty Rating: Easy

From www.allrecipes.com

Original Recipe Yield 2 dozen  

Ingredients:
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup margarine or butter, softened
1 cup white sugar
1 egg
1 tablespoon water
1/4 cup molasses
2 tablespoons white sugar
 
 
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Sift together the flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, and salt. Set aside.
 
In a large bowl, cream together the margarine and 1 cup sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, then stir in the water and molasses. Gradually stir the sifted ingredients into the molasses mixture.
 
Shape dough into walnut sized balls, and roll them in the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar. Place the cookies 2 inches apart onto an ungreased cookie sheet, and flatten slightly.
 
Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight container.
 
*posted by: michelle142*

THE Gooey Butter Cookies

Submitted by: lneuner09

Difficulty Rating: Moderate (only b/c they are time consuming)

Ingredients:
  • 8 oz cream cheeese, softened 
  • 1 stick butter, softened 
  • 1 egg 
  • 1 tbsp vanilla 
  • 1 box yellow cake mix 
  • 8 oz powdered sugar
Directions:
  • Cream together cream cheese, butter, egg, and vanilla in stand mixer.*  Slowly add cake mix and blend well. Batter will the THICK. Chill for 1 hour.
  • Preheat oven to 350.  Put powedered sugar in a small bowl. Coat hands in powdered sugar (trust me). Take a rounded tablespoon of dough and knead in powdered sugar. Once kneaded, give dough one last roll in powdered sugar. Place on ungreased cookie sheet (I line with parchment paper).  Bake for 13-14 minutes. Refrigerate dough in between batches in the oven. Makes 3 dozen cookies.
* This can be done with a hand mixer, I'm sure. But I've busted 2 hand mixers with this recipe, I don't recommend it. Even the Kitchenaid had trouble with it.  The batter gets super thick and sticky, and has a way of ruining hand mixers. Just a heads up.


    *posted by: michelle142*

    Kitchen Sink Cookies

    Submitted by: lneuner09

    Difficulty Rating: Easy

    Ingredients:

    • 2/3 cup butter, softened
    • 2/3 cup brown sugar
    • 2 large eggs
    • 1 and 1/2 cups old fashioned oats
    • 1 and 1/2 cups flour
    • 1 tsp baking soda
    • 1/2 tsp salt
    • 6 oz package of craisins
    • 2/3 cup white chocolate chips
    • 2/3 cup macadamia nuts, chopped

    Directions:

    • Preheat oven to 375.
    • Using an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar togather until creamy.  Add eggs, mix well. 
    • Combine flour, oats, baking soda and salt.  Add to creamed mixture in additions, stirring well after each addition. 
    • Stir in craisins, white chocolate, and nuts.  (Note, a spoon won't cut it, you'll need to get your hands in there).  Refridgerate for 30 minutes to make the batter easier to handle. 
    • Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased cookie sheets (I lined with parchment paper)  Bake 8-10 minutes or until golden.  Cool on wire rack. Refridgerate batter in between batches in the oven. Makes 4 dozen cookies.

    *posted by: michelle142*




    Sunday, December 6, 2009

    Walnut Cups

    Submitted by: Rach83

    Difficulty Rating: Hard
     
    Baking time: 20 min.

    *For this recipe you will need mini cupcake tins

    Crust Ingredients:
    • 1 stick of margarine/butter
    • 3 oz. cream cheese
    • 1 c flour

    Filling Ingredients:
    • 1 egg slightly beaten
    • 1/4 tsp vanilla
    • 1 TB melted butter
    • 3/4 c brown sugar
    • 3/4 c chopped walnuts

    Crust Directions:
    • Mix softened cream cheese and butter. Add flour a little at a time. Pinch off small pieces, enough to fill the mini tins and shape with your thumb until you form a cup.

    Filling ingredients:
    • Mix all ingredients together and fill the dough cups you just made about halfway. Bake at 350 for about 20 min or until crust is golden. Cool for 2-3 min. before taking out of pan.


    *posted by: michelle142*

    Chocolate Crinkles

    Submitted by: Rach83

    Difficulty Rating: Moderate

    Baking time: 10-12 minutes
     
    Ingredients:
    • 2 c sugar
    • 3/4 c vegetable oil
    • 3/4 c cocoa
    • 4 eggs
    • 2 tsp vanilla
    • 2 1/2 c flour
    • 1/2 tsp salt
    • confectioners sugar

    Directions:
    • Combine sugar & oil in large bowl, add cocoa and blend well. Mix in eggs, vanilla, flour and salt. Cover and chill for approximately 3 hours (or you can chill overnight and continue baking the next day). Shape into 2 inch balls and roll in confectioners sugar. Place about 3 inches apart on a greased cookie sheet. Bake about 10-12 min at 350.

     *posted by: michelle142*

    Coconut Macaroons

    Submitted by: steeser03

    There are two different recipes, each varies in difficulty.

    ***
    Difficulty Rating: Moderate

    Yields 22-25 cookies
     
    Ingredients:
    • 2 egg whites
    • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
    • dash of salt
    • 2/3 cup sugar
    • 1 1/3 cup flaked coconut

    Directions:
    • Grease cookie sheet. Beat egg white, vanilla and salt until soft peaks form. Slowly add sugar and beat until stiff peaks form. Fold in coconut gently. Drop by teaspoonful onto cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Remove from sheet immediately and transfer to foil (sprayed with Pam) or wax paper.
     
    ***

    Difficulty Rating: Easy

    Yields 24 cookies.
     
    Ingredients:
    • 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
    • 2 cups flake coconut
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla
     
    Directions:
    • Combine all ingredients, mix well. Drop by spoonful on greased cookie sheet one inch apart. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes or until delicate brown. Remove from pan immediately and place on wax paper.
     
    *posted by: michelle142*

    Friday, December 4, 2009

    Easy Velvety Chocolate Truffles

    Submitted by: amelianguy

    Difficulty rating: Easy
     
    Ingredients:
    • 2 squares (1 oz. each) unsweetened baking chocolate
    • 1 package (12 oz.) semi-sweet chocolate chips
    • 1 container (8 oz.) of Cool Whip, thawed and divided
    • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
    • Assorted coatings
    Directions:
    • Coarsely chop chocolate squares. Place chopped chocolate, chocolate chips,and 1/2 whipped topping in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave, uncovered on high for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes, until chocolate is melted and smooth, stirring at 20 second intervals. After chocolate is all melted, fold in vanilla and rest of whipped topping.
    • Spread mixture onto a cutting board. Refrigerate 30 minutes, or until firm enough to scoop. Do not let it get too firm, or coating will not adhere will to truffles. Using a large spoon, scoop mixture and roll into small balls with your hands.
    • Place truffles onto plates with various coatings. Suggested coatings are unsweetened cocoa powder (you can drizzle these with a little dark chocolate to make them pretty), toasted chopped almonds, chocolate shavings, toasted coconut, sprinkles, crushed candy canes.

    *posted by: michelle142*

    Pecan Pie Cookies

    Submitted by: Diamond_Doll

    Difficulty: Moderate, but can be made easily by using store bought cookie dough instead of making it from scratch (just add some brown sugar).

    Cookie Ingredients:
    • 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
    • 3/4 cup butter, softened
    • 1 egg
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla
    • 2 cups all-purpose flour
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder

    Filling Ingredients:
    • 1 cup chopped pecans
    • 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
    • 1/4 cup whipping cream
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla

    Directions:
    • Combine all cookie ingredients except flour and baking powder in large bowl. Beat at medium speed until creamy. Reduce speed to low; add flour and baking powder. Beat until well mixed. Roll dough into balls and place on ungreased cookie sheet. Make indentation in each cookie with your thumb.
    • Combine all filling ingredients in small bowl; fill each cookie with 1 rounded teaspoon filling. Bake for 8 to 12 minutes at 350 degrees or until lightly browned. Cool 1 minute; remove from cookie sheets.

    *posted by michelle142*

    Oreo Truffles

    Submitted by: Diamond_Doll

    Difficulty Rating: Easy

    Ingredients:
    • 1 pkg. Oreos, finely crushed
    • 8oz cream cheese, softened
    • 2 pkg. semi-sweet chocolate, melted

    Directions:
    • Mix cookie crumbs and the cream cheese until well blended. Roll mixture into approximately 40 balls. Dip balls in melted chocolate and place on waxed paper-covered baking sheet. Decorate by sprinkling extra cookie crumbs or drizzling white chocolate.

    *posted by michelle142*

    Recipe Exchange #2!!

    It's time for our 2nd recipe exchange! We had such a great turn-out for the Thanksgiving recipes, I can't wait to see what we get from this one.

    This weeks theme: COOKIES



    Christmas cookies, favorite cookies.... heck, any cookies!!

    *NEW FOR THIS EXCHANGE* When you send in your recipe, please include a difficulty rating (Easy, Moderate, Difficult). This should help you decide if you'd like to try out the recipe or not.

    I will post recipes as they come to me, each recipe will get their own blog post. You can sumbit as many as you'd like and pictures are a big plus if you have them.

    Please send your recipes to: ninerrecipeexchange@gmail.com Please include your Nest screen name when you sumbit your recipe!!
     
    The next exchange will be held in 2 weeks.

    *posted by michelle142*

    Monday, November 23, 2009

    Spiced Pumpkin Cheesecake

    Submitted by: steeser03

    Prep Time:  45 min
    Total Time: 6 hr
    Makes: 16 servings
     
    Ingredients:
    • 1-1/2 cups finely crushed  Ginger Snaps (about 38 cookies)
    • 1/4 cup  finely chopped  Pecans
    • 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter or margarine, melted
    • 4 pkg.  (8 oz. each) Cream Cheese, softened
    • 1 cup sugar
    • 3 Tbsp.  flour
    • 1 container (8 oz.)  Sour Cream
    • 1 cup  mashed cooked fresh pumpkin
    • 1 Tbsp. pumpkin pie spice
    • 1 tsp.  vanilla
    • 4 eggs
     
    Directions:
    • PREHEAT oven to 325°F if using silver 9-inch springform pan (or to 300°F if using dark nonstick 9-inch springform pan). Mix ginger snap crumbs, pecans and butter; press firmly onto bottom and 1 inch up side of pan.
    • BEAT cream cheese, sugar and flour in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Add sour cream, pumpkin, spice and vanilla; mix well. Add eggs, 1 at a time, mixing on low speed after each addition just until blended. Pour into crust.
    • BAKE 1 hour and 15 minutes or until center is almost set. Loosen cake from rim of pan; cool before rim of pan. Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight. Store leftover cheesecake in refrigerator.

    Did you try this recipe? Post your experience, tips & reviews in the comment section!

    *posted by michelle142*

    Chutney

    Submitted by: D74LeadinLady

    Here is the recipe I listed the other day when trying to figure out what a cooking apple meant.  I did a test run with this chutney and it was pretty awesome if I do say so myself.  Some people use this a a condiment with a poultry dish (so you can eat it with your Thanksgiving turkey!) I've been eating it with Rtiz crackers and some cream cheese.

    Ingredients:
    • 1 (12 ounce) bag fresh or frozen cranberries 
    • 1 1/4 cups sugar 
    • 3/4 cup water 
    • 1 large cooking apple, chopped 
    • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 
    • 1 teaspoon ground ginger 
    • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

    Directions:
    • In a saucepan, combine all ingredients; bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce heat; simmer for 15-20 minutes or until apple is tender and mixture thickens. Cool completely.
    • Store in the refrigerator. Serve over cream cheese with crackers or as a condiment with pork, ham or chicken.

    Did you try this recipe? Post your experience, tips & reviews in the comment section!

    *posted by michelle142*

    "To die for" Chocolate Pecan Pie

    Submitted by: MrsPH

    Every year, my mom takes pie requests from the men in the family for Thanksgiving.  Last year, my husband requested a pecan pie and so my mom made this recipe from Emeril... And let me tell you it is "to die for". I have made it a few times since then (it's incredibly easy to make esp. when you use a ready made crust) and I have yet to hear anyone say they didn't like it.

    *Recipe from Emeril Lagasse*

    Ingredients:
    • 1 1/2 cups pecans 
    • 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips 
    • 1 unbaked 9-inch pie shell 
    • 4 eggs, beaten 
    • 1/2 cup sugar 
    • 1/2 cup light brown sugar 
    • 1/2 cup corn syrup 
    • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 
    • Pinch salt

    Directions:
    • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
    • Spread the pecan pieces and the chocolate chips evenly on the bottom of the pie shell.
    • In a mixing bowl, whisk the remaining ingredients together. Pour the filling over the pecans. Bake until the filling sets, 50 to 60 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool for 30 minutes before slicing.
    • Serving suggestions include: Caramel or confectioners' sugar on top or with vanilla ice cream.  We never served it with any as it is pretty perfect on its own. 

    Did you try this recipe? Post your experience, tips & reviews in the comment section!

    *posted by michelle142*

    Harvest Pumpkin Bread


    Submitted by: maryandkirk0909

    Recipe adapted from Recipe Zaar


    Ingredients:

    • 1 1/2 c. all-purpose flour 
    • 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
    • 1/2 tsp. nutmeg
    • 1 tsp. baking soda
    • 1/2 tsp. salt
    • 3/4 c. sugar
    • 1/4 c. dark brown sugar
    • 1 can, 15 oz. canned pumpkin 
    • 2 large eggs 
    • 1/4 c. oil
    • 1/4 c. applesauce

    Directions:

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
    • Spray 9x5 loaf pan (or your desired bread shaping device) with baking spray.
    • Combine flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt in large bowl.
    • Combine sugars, pumpkin, eggs, oil, and applesauce in medium bowl (I wouldn't recommend a metal mixing bowl for this part- it just tastes tinny to me if you mix liquids in one). Mix until blended.
    • Add pumpkin mixture to flour mixture and stir until just moistened.
    • Spoon batter into prepared pan.
    • Bake for 60-70 minutes or until wooden pick inserted into center comes out clean.

    Did you try this recipe? Post your experience, tips & reviews in the comment section!

    *posted by michelle142*

    Saturday, November 21, 2009

    Roasted Maple Sweet Potatoes

    Submitted by: melpfaff

    Ingredients:
    • 2 1/2 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces (about 8 cups)
    • 1/3 cup pure maple syrup 
    • 2 tablespoons butter, melted
    • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
    • 1/2 teaspoon salt Freshly ground pepper to taste

      Directions:
      • Preheat oven to 400°F.
      • Arrange sweet potatoes in an even layer in a 9-by-13-inch glass baking dish. Combine maple syrup, butter, lemon juice, salt and pepper in small bowl. Pour the mixture over the sweet potatoes; toss to coat.
      • Cover and bake the sweet potatoes for 15 minutes. Uncover, stir and cook, stirring every 15 minutes, until tender and starting to brown, 45 to 50 minutes more.


      Did you try this recipe? Post your experience, tips & reviews in the comment section!

      *posted by michelle142*



      Worlds Best Mashed Potatoes

      Sumbitted by: melpfaff

      There is no exact recipe here.

      Ingredients:
      • about 5 lbs mashed potatoes
      • buttermilk
      • butter
      • garlic powder
      • ground white pepper
      • fresh chives

      Did you try this recipe? Post your experience, tips & reviews in the comment section!

      *posted by michelle142*

      Pumpkin Cheesecake

      Submitted by:melpfaff

      Recipe from *Cooking Light*

      Crust Ingredients:
      • 56  reduced-fat vanilla wafers (about 8 ounces) 
      • 1  tablespoon  butter or stick margarine, melted 
      • Cooking spray

      Filling Ingredients:
      • 3  (8-ounce) blocks fat-free cream cheese, softened 
      • 2  (8-ounce) blocks 1/3-less-fat cream cheese, softened 
      • 1/2  cup  granulated sugar 
      • 1/2  cup  packed brown sugar 
      • 3  tablespoons  all-purpose flour 
      • 1  teaspoon  ground cinnamon 
      • 1/2  teaspoon  ground nutmeg 
      • 1/2  teaspoon  ground ginger 
      • 1/4  teaspoon  salt 
      • Dash of allspice 
      • 2  teaspoons vanilla extract 
      • 4  large eggs 
      • 1  (15-ounce) can pumpkin

      Directions:
      • Preheat oven to 400°. 
      • To prepare crust, place wafers in a food processor; pulse 2 to 3 times or until finely ground. Add butter; pulse 10 times or until mixture resembles coarse meal. Firmly press mixture into bottom of a 9-inch springform pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 400° for 10 minutes; cool on a wire rack. 
      • Reduce oven temperature to 325°. 
      • To prepare filling, beat cheeses with a mixer at high speed until smooth. Add the granulated sugar and next 8 ingredients (granulated sugar through vanilla), beating well. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add pumpkin; beat well. 
      • Pour cheese mixture into prepared crust; bake at 325° for 1 1/2 hours or until almost set. (Cheesecake is done when the center barely moves when pan is touched.) Remove cheesecake from oven; run a knife around outside edge. Cool to room temperature; cover and chill at least 8 hours.

      Did you try this recipe? Post your experience, tips & reviews in the comment section!


      *posted by michelle142*




      Cranberry-Cider Sauce (whole berry)

      Submitted by: melpfaff

      Ingredients:
      • 3 cups apple cider
      • 3/4 cup white sugar
      • 4 cinnamon sticks
      • 1 tablespoon grated orange zest
      • 12 whole cloves
      • 2 1/2 cups fresh cranberries

      Directions:
      • Combine the apple cider, sugar, cinnamon sticks, orange zest, and cloves in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat. Turn heat to low; simmer until sugar is dissolved and the flavors are blended, 10 to 15 minutes.
      • Stir cranberries into the saucepan, turn heat to high, and bring to a boil. Cook, stirring constantly, until cranberries begin to pop, 5 to 10 minutes. Reduce heat to low, and cook until sauce begins to thicken, about 5 minutes. Remove cinnamon sticks and cloves. Pour into shallow dish to cool and serve.


      Did you try this recipe? Post your experience, tips & reviews in the comment section!


      *posted by michelle142*

      Green Beans (from Giada Delaurentis)


      Submitted by: melpfaff

      Ingredients:
      • 3 tablespoons olive oil
      • 1 onion, sliced
      • 1/4 pound cremini mushrooms, trimmed and quartered (about 14 mushrooms)
      • 1 1/2 pounds green beans, trimmed and slice into 1-inch pieces
      • 2 teaspoons salt
      • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
      • 1/4 cup white wine
      • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
      • 1 bunch kale (1/2 pound), rinsed, stemmed, and roughly chopped
      • 2 tablespoons lemon juice (about 1/2 a lemon)
      • 3 tablespoons finely grated Parmesan

      Directions:
      • Warm the olive oil in a large, heavy saute pan over medium-high heat. Add the onions and cook until translucent, about 4 minutes. Add the mushrooms, green beans, salt, and pepper and cook for 2 minutes. Add the wine and continue cooking until the green beans are almost tender, about 5 minutes. Add the red pepper flakes and the kale and continue cooking until the kale has wilted, about 4 to 5 minutes. Add the lemon juice and the Parmesan cheese. Toss to coat and serve immediately.

      Did you try this recipe? Post your experience, tips & reviews in the comment section!


      *posted by michelle142*


      Roasted Vegetable Soup

      Submitted by: aortiz59
       
      A good rule of thumb for this recipe is for every cup of pureed vegetables use the same amount of stock. Be careful to re-season with salt and pepper.
      *Recipe taken from Barefoot Contessa Family Style*
      Yields 3 to 4 servings.



      Ingredients:
      • 3 to 4 c. chicken stock
      • 3 to 4 c. roasted vegetables
      • Salt and pepper, to taste

      Directions:
      • In a large saucepan, heat 3 cups of chicken stock. Coarsely puree the vegetables and the stock in the bowl of a food processor. Pour the soup back into the pot and season to taste. Thin the soup with more chicken stock and reheat. The soup should be thick but not like a vegetable puree, so add more chicken stock and/or water until it is the consistency that you like.

      Did you try this recipe? Post your experience, tips & reviews in the comment section!


      *posted by michelle142*



      Autumn Vegetable Medley

      Submitted by: aortiz59

      My family doesn't
      put this on the table for Thanksgiving, but I made this for my H and I a few days ago for our own mini-Thanksgiving at home. It makes a lot of vegetables, so if you are making this for just two people you will have a ton of leftovers. I've included a recipe for roasted vegetable soup, which is a great way to use leftovers because leftover roasted vegetables get soggy when heated up again.

      *Recipe taken from Taste of Home*

      Yields 7 servings.

      Ingredients:

      • 3 medium Yukon Gold potatoes, cut into small wedges
      • 2 medium red peppers, cut into 1-inch pieces
      • 1 small butternut squash, peeled and cubed
      • 1 medium sweet potato, peeled and cubed
      • 1 medium red onion, quartered
      • 3 tbs. olive oil
      • 2 tbs. balsamic vinegar
      • 2 tsp. dried rosemary, crushed
      • 1 tsp. dried thyme
      • 1 tsp. salt
      • ½ tsp. pepper

      Directions:

      • Preheat oven to 425°.
      • In a large bowl, combine potatoes, red peppers, squash, sweet potato, and onion. In a small bowl, whisk the oil, vinegar, and seasonings. Pour over vegetables and toss to coat.
      • Transfer to a lightly greased baking sheet, lined with foil. Bake, uncovered, for 30-40 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally.

      Did you try this recipe? Post your experience, tips & reviews in the comment section!


      *posted by michelle142*

      Cypress Inn Pie

      Submitted by: Diamond_Doll

      Cypress Inn Pie is the signature pie from a small inn in my hometown of Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The inn is now closed, but my mother has been making the pie for years, and it has become a family tradition. It's a fool-proof recipe and a crowd pleaser. Who doesn't like toffee?

      Ingredients:
      • 8oz cream cheese, softened
      • 8oz cool whip
      • 1 cup powdered sugar
      • 1/2 cup chopped pecans
      • 1 crushed Heath bar OR Heath toffee bits
      • Graham cracker crust
      • Shaved chocolate, for garnish

      Directions:
      • Mix 1st 4 ingredients with mixer until smooth. Spread into pie crust. Sprinkle with Heath bar and chocolate shavings on top. Chill in refrigerator for several hours.

      Did you try this recipe? Post your experience, tips & reviews in the comment section!


      *posted by michelle142*

      Friday, November 20, 2009

      Autumn Cheesecake

      Submitted by: Eli845

      This recipe is from http://www.allrecipes.com/. It's a foolproof recipe and comes out perfect everytime I make it. People always request this one over and over.

      Ingredients:
      • 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
      • 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans
      • 3 tablespoons white sugar
      • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
      • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
      • 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
      • 1/2 cup white sugar
      • 2 eggs
      • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
      • 4 cups apples - peeled, cored and thinly sliced
      • 1/3 cup white sugar
      • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
      • 1/4 cup chopped pecans

      Directions:
      • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
      • In a large bowl, stir together the graham cracker crumbs, 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans, 3 tablespoons sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and melted butter; press into the bottom of a 9 inch springform pan. Bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes.
      • In a large bowl, combine cream cheese and 1/2 cup sugar. Mix at medium speed until smooth. Beat in eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Blend in vanilla; pour filling into the baked crust.
      • In a small bowl, stir together 1/3 cup sugar and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. Toss the cinnamon-sugar with the apples to coat. Spoon apple mixture over cream cheese layer and sprinkle with 1/4 cup chopped pecans. Bake in preheated oven for 60 to 70 minutes.
      • With a knife, loosen cake from rim of pan. Let cool, then remove the rim of pan. Chill cake before serving.

      Did you try this recipe? Post your experience, tips & reviews in the comment section!


      *posted by michelle142*