Fall Dip

 

FALL DIP

 {Cool Whip, vanilla pudding mix, and a can of pumpkin}

 You use 16 oz of cool whip,

 3 small boxes instant vanilla pudding

 ***... dry mix only*** DON'T make the pudding*** 

 one small can of pumpkin.

 

Mix everything together and then add some pumpkin pie spice. Serve with graham crackers

Sweet Potato Dumplings

1 pkg. regular crescent rolls

1 pkg. frozen sweet potato patties ( 8 in pkg.)

 

Mix following ingredients together and bring to a boil until slightly thick:

2 c sugar

2 c milk

1 sticks butter or margarine

1 heaping T. cornstarch

1tsp cinnamon and/or nutmeg if desired

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

 

Unroll crescent rolls, separate, and cut each crescent in half. I recommend rolling each crescent to make it larger

 

Cut each sweet potato patty in half

 

Wrap each piece of crescent roll around the potato half making sure to cover as much as you can

 

Place in pan or dish which has been sprayed with non-stick spray

 

Pour thickened mixture over all the rolls

 

Bake for 30-40 minutes or until golden brown.

Homemade Hot Chocolate

Since we live in the deep south, hot chocolate is a rare treat.  It just doesn't get cold that much to enjoy it that often.  When we do indulge, it is usually done by heating a mug of milk in the microwave and adding an instant mix to it!  I found a recipe for homemade hot chocolate made in the slow cooker over at Comfy In the Kitchen and knew that I had to put it here to come back to....when those cold nights arrive!

Homemade Hot Cocoa


(Serves 10)

3/4 cup sugar
1 cup cocoa powder
1 cup chocolate chips
1 tsp salt
1 cup hot water
1/2 gallon milk
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1 8 oz whipped cream
*extra whipped cream or marshmallows to garnish
In a med/large pot on the stovetop (med/high heat) pour in hot water, sugar, cocoa powder and salt- whisk well. Add chocolate chips, whisk well until melted. Add milk and whisk again until well combined. Add vanilla and cinnamon then stir in whipped cream. Serve and garnish!
If you are making this in advance (for example, going caroling-etc.) simply place in the Crockpot on low heat -it will be waiting for you when you come in from the cold!!!!

Cranberry Salad

This recipe is a must have for the upcoming holidays. It adds color and sparkle to any menu!

6 ounces Package Raspberry Gelatin
2 cups Boiling Water
16 ounces Can Jellied Cranberry Sauce
8 ounces Can Crushed Pineapple
3/4 cup Orange Juice
1 tablespoon Lemon Or Lime Juice
1/2 cup Chopped Pecans Or Walnuts

Dissolve gelatin in boiling water. Break up and stir in cranberry sauce, undrained pineapple, orange juice, lemon juice, and nuts. Pour into a pretty serving dish or a large mold sprayed lightly with non-stick cooking spray. Chill until firm. Tip mold over onto a plate to unmold.

Peppermint Cake

I saw this recipe today and wanted to share it before the busyness of the Christmas season got here!

Peppermint Cake
A festive dessert for the family or to share during holiday parties.

Peppermint Cake Recipe

2 1/4 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
2 tablespoons butter, softened
1/2 cup applesauce
1/2 cup milk
4 egg whites
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly spray a 9″ round cake pan with nonstick vegetable spray. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda. In a large bowl, combine the granulated sugar and softened butter with a mixer at medium speed. Whisk in the applesauce, milk, egg whites and vanilla extract. Add flour mixture to the applesauce mixture and stir until well combined. Pour batter into your prepared cake pan. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool cake on a wire rack. Once cool, split the cake in half horizontally to make 2 cakes.

Peppermint Frosting

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1/4 cup water
2 egg whites
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
3 tablespoons peppermint starlight candies, crushed

Tip: To crush candies, place 6 of them in a plastic zipper close bag and then wrap the bag in a clean dry kitchen towel. Use a maillot to smash candies.

In the top of a double boiler, whisk together granulated sugar, water, egg whites and cream of tartar. Cook over simmering water for 4 minutes or until mixture is hot and sugar is dissolved (do not boil). Remove from heat. Stir in peppermint extract. Beat with an electric mixer at high speed for 3 minutes or until mixture forms stiff peaks.

Place one cake layer on serving plate. Spread frosting on top of the layer. Top with the second layer and spread frosting on the top and sides of the cake. Sprinkle the crushed peppermint candies on the top and sides of cake.

Brining a Turkey

This Christmas I wanted to make a "good" turkey, moist and tender. After doing research, it seemed that brining would produce those results. I gave it an attempt and am pleased to say that it worked great!

To brine a turkey: I used a 6 lb turkey breast, but a whole turkey can also be brined.


In a large baking bag place:
1 1/2 cups kosher salt
1/2 cup brown sugar
3 bay leaves
1 T. allspice (whole) crushed
1 T course black pepper
1/2 teaspoon rosemary leaves dried
1 gallon ice cold water

Combine these ingredients and place the turkey in the bag and use a twist tie to close. You can place the bag into a big pot where the turkey will stay immersed in the liquid. Leave in refrigerator overnight.

To prepare the turkey, remove from brine and rinse. Pat dry and place in baking pan breast side up. Rub the turkey with oil and sprinkle with seasoning (use season salt, salt and pepper, or what you usually use to season). Place a meat thermometer in the thickest part. Bake at 400 for 20 minutes. Reduce heat to 325 and bake until turkey registers 170 degrees, usually about 2 to 3 hours. Remove from oven and let sit about 20 minutes before slicing.

Holiday Recipes

This is too late for this year, but consider these upcoming recipes tried and true! You can read about my miracle in the kitchen and after a successful Christmas dinner these recipes can be shared!

Give them a try throughout the year, hope you enjoy them!