BANANA CRUMB PIE CRUST

1/2 ripe banana
6 tablespoons butter, preferably unsalted
2 cups graham cracker crumbs

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, cream the ingredients together until well mixed, using your hands. Press the mixture into a 9-inch pie plate. Bake at 350 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes or until brown. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely. Fill with your favorite banana pie filling recipe.

 

 Note: File Photo

WHIPPED CREAM CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

This is a recipe I got from the merchant baker. The photo is from there, too. Delicious!

1/8 tsp Salt

1 tsp Vanilla extract

1 cup White sugar, granulated

1 1 (8 ounce) package, block Cream cheese

1 1/2 cups Heavy whipping cream or heavy cream

 

In a large bowl, simply whip the cream cheese with sugar, salt and vanilla.
Then, slowly drizzle cold heavy whipping cream down the side of the bowl until you get stiff peaks. Done and done! It’s one bowl easy.

 

 

CRANBERRY QUENCHER

1 gallon cranberry-apple juice, chilled
1 can (46-oz) pineapple juice, chilled
3/4 cup lemonade or orange juice concentrate
Pineapple tidbits for garnish, optional
Fresh cranberries for garnish, optional
Fresh mint sprigs for garnish, optional

Combine the cranberry-apple juice and pineapple juice in a large container or punch bowl. Stir in the lemonade (or orange juice) concentrate.

Garnish cups or glasses as desired.

Yield: 6 quarts

Note: Best served chilled without ice.

POPCORN NUT CRUNCH MIX

2 quarts popped popcorn
1 cup blanched whole almonds, toasted
1 cup pecan halves, toasted
1 cup cashews, toasted
1 cup Brazil nuts, toasted
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 cup dark corn syrup
1/2 cup butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

Place the popcorn and nuts in a lightly greased 5-quart Dutch oven. Bake at 250 degrees for 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, combine sugar, corn syrup, and butter; bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Cook, without stirring, until a candy thermometer reads 290 degrees (the soft crack stage). Remove from the heat. Stir in the vanilla and cinnamon.

Pour a small amount at a time of the syrup mixture over the popcorn mixture, stirring constantly until the mixture is well coated. Immediately spread mixture on greased baking sheets; cook and break into pieces. Store in airtight containers.

Yield: Approximately 4 quarts

 Note: File Photo for reference only.

PEANUT BUTTER CUP CRACK BROWNIES

1 box brownie mix* (not family sized), prepared according to package directions in a 9×9 pan
1/2 cup chopped salted or honey roasted peanuts
12 peanut butter cups, chopped
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 Tbsp butter
1 heaping cup creamy peanut butter (or 1 1/4 cups)
1 3/4 cups crispy rice cereal
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp – 1 tsp kosher salt

1. Bake brownies according to package directions in a 9×9 pan lined with foil.
2. During last 5 minutes of baking, remove from oven and sprinkle chopped peanut butter cups and chopped peanuts on top. Return to oven for remaining 5 minutes to melt the chocolate.
3. As soon as you pull them out of the oven, spread the melty peanut butter cups/peanuts with an off-set spatula to smooth over top. Let brownies cool.
4. Next in a microwave safe bowl combine chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter. Heat in microwave for 1 minute, stirring when done. If needed, continue heating in 20 second increments until chocolate chips are melted.
5. Stir in cereal, vanilla and salt until evenly combined.
6. Pour over brownies and smooth. Chill until chocolate is set, about 2 hours.
7. Cut into squares to serve

*Ghirardelli Double Chocolate Brownies is my preferred brownie mix. But you can use any.

May be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 days.

I got this from cookies and cups where they say it was adapted from bhg.

PUMPKIN SHEET CAKE

2 1/4 cups (318g) all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp salt
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1 cup (210g) granulated sugar
3/4 cup (170g) packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
1/2 cup (120ml) vegetable oil
4 large eggs
1 3/4 cups (425g) canned pumpkin
1/3 cup milk
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup finely chopped pecans (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a rimmed 18 by 13-inch baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray, set aside. In a medium mixing bowl whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and cloves for 20 seconds, set aside.
In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (preferably an attachment that constantly scrapes bowl, if not attachment doesn't then stop and scrape down sides and bottom of bowl occasionally throughout entire mixing process) blend together granulated sugar and brown sugar until combined and there are no clumps of brown sugar (break them up with your fingertips if needed). Mix in melted butter and oil. Blend in eggs one at a time. Add in pumpkin, vanilla and milk and blend until combined. With mixer set on low speed slowly add in flour mixture and mix until combined. Scrape down sides and bottom of bowl and fold batter several times with a spatula to ensure it's evenly incorporated. Pour batter into prepared baking dish and spread into an even layer. Bake in preheated oven until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean, about 20 - 25 minutes. Allow to cool completely on a wire rack then frost with cream cheese frosting (recipe below) and top with nuts if desired.

Cream Cheese Frosting
12 oz . cream cheese , nearly at room temperature
3/4 cup (170g) unsalted butter, nearly at room temperature
4 cups (480g) powdered sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

 In the bowl of an electric stand mixer whip together butter and cream cheese until light and fluffy. Mix in powdered sugar and vanilla and whip for a few minutes until light and fluffy. If needed freeze in bowl for a few minutes then mix again, repeating a few times as needed for a thicker consistency.

Yield: 24 servings

Recipe source: Cooking Classy

NO ICE CREAM FREEZER NEEDED LEMON ICE CREAM

2 lemons
1 cup whipping cream
1/2 cup sugar

Finely grate 1 tablespoon of the lemon rind and put into a large mixing bowl. Squeeze lemons for 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice. Add juice to the bowl with the grated rind. Add the whipping cream and the sugar to the bowl.

Using electric mixer, beat on high speed until soft peaks (tips fold over) form when
the beaters are lifted. Transfer from the bowl to an air-tight freeze-proof container.

Freeze ice cream for at least a couple of hours or until firm. Garnish with thin strips of the lemon rind, if desired.

Note: File Photo

BRENDA BLAKEMAN OWENS' APPLE WALNUT BREAD

 This year I joined a facebook group called Olden Days of Christmas Town Recipes, Memories & More.  I have really enjoyed this group of people from around the world sharing stories and recipes. Today Brenda posted this recipe and the story of how she always made this for her parents who both passed away this year.I thought this was a recipe worth sharing here in honor of Brenda's parents.

INGREDIENTS
1/2 c. sour cream
1/2 c. unsweetened applesauce
1 c. brown sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
2 c. Flour
2 tsp. Baking Powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 c. apples diced very fine
1 c. chopped walnuts
INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Prepare one large loaf pan or 3 small. Spray pan(s) with non-stick spray and put parchment paper on the bottom of the pan(s).
Beat together first 4 ingredients.
Add the dry ingredients mixing well and scraping sides of the bowl.
Fold in the apples and the nuts.
Pour batter into loaf pan(s).
Bake for 60 min. (large) and 35-40 min. (small)
Let cool on a rack.

INDIVIDUAL TOFFEE PUMPKIN PIES

20 Single-Serve Graham Cracker Crumb Crusts
1-1/3 cups (8 oz. pkg.) HEATH BITS 'O BRICKLE Toffee Bits; divided
3/4 cup Sugar
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1/2 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon Ground Cloves
1/4 teaspoon Ground Ginger
2 Eggs
1 can (15 oz.) Canned Pumpkin
1 can (12 oz.) Evaporated Milk
Sweetened Whipped Cream or Whipped Topping
Kisses Acorn Treats

Ingredients for Kisses Acorn Treats
Royal Icing or Decorator's Frosting (recipe follows)
HERSHEY'S KISSES Milk Chocolates
Mini Vanilla Wafer Cookies
REESE'S Peanut Butter Chips or HERSHEY'S Butterscotch Chips

Directions:
ROYAL ICING: Stir together 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon warm water and 1-1/2 teaspoons pasteurized dried egg whites (meringue powder). Beat at medium speed of electric mixer until spreadable. Add additional water, 1 teaspoon at a time, to get desired consistency. Transfer icing to pastry bag with desired tip. Cover icing and tip of pastry bag with damp paper towel to keep icing from drying out. This makes about 1/2 cup icing. 

Prepare ROYAL ICING and place in pastry bag with small tip. Remove wrappers from milk chocolates.
Place mini vanilla wafer cookies on tray or plate with flat side of cookie toward the top. Squeeze small amount of icing onto bottom of milk chocolate piece. Immediately press chocolate bottom onto vanilla wafer cookie. Allow icing to set.
Place small dab of icing on bottom of peanut butter chip or butterscotch chip; immediately attach to top of cookie to finish acorn.

Pie Instructions:
Heat oven to 350°F. Place individual graham crusts on baking sheet. Place 2 teaspoons toffee bits into bottom of each crust; set aside.
Stir together sugar, salt, cinnamon, cloves and ginger in large bowl. Add eggs, pumpkin and evaporated milk, stirring until well blended. Gradually add 1/4 cup pumpkin mixture to each prepared crust.
Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until knife inserted into pie centers comes out clean. Cool completely on wire rack. Cover; refrigerate until ready to serve.

Prepare KISSES ACORN TREATS. To serve, top each pie with dollop of sweetened whipped cream, "acorn" and additional toffee bits, if desired.

Note: This recipe is from Dollar General.com

File Photo

PEPPERMINT SPOONS

Peppermint candies
Silicon Spoon Mold
Chocolate for dipping, optional
Candy Sprinkles, optional

Preheat oven to 300 degrees.

In a ziplock bag, crush the peppermints using a kitchen mallot or other tool such as a wooden rolling pin.

Using a teaspoon, fill the spoon mold with the crushed peppermint. Add extra in the following places as they tend to break easily - top of the spoon and neck of the spoon.

Place in the oven and cook about 8-10 minutes or so until the peppermint melts. You may have to add more peppermint in areas and cook a little longer.  Remove from oven and allow to cool completely.

Very carefully remove the mold sides from the spoons. If one breaks just add some more peppermint and bake a little longer.

If using chocolate, place into a glass measuring cup and melt in the microwave for a few seconds, stir, microwave longer and stir again until completely melted. Dip spoon half to three-fourths up the spoon and sprinkle with candy sprinkles, if using.

Place on waxed paper until chocolate is completely dry.

File Photo

Note: I got this recipe idea and photo from Good Housekeeping.

PUMPKIN NUT CLUSTERS

1 cup unsalted pumpkin seeds
1 cup walnuts, broken into pieces
1 cup plain slivered almonds
3 egg whites
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup flour
1/4 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Grease a couple of baking sheets; set aside.

Spread the pumpkin seeds, walnuts, and almonds out on a large cookie sheet with sides or a 10 x 15-inch baking pan. Toast in oven at 325 degrees 10 to 15 minutes until golden; cool.

While seeds/nuts cool, beat the egg whites in a large mixer bowl until soft peaks form (soft peaks will curl over rather than stand stiff). Gradually add half the sugar, beating until sugar is dissolved and stiff peaks form.

Stir together the other half of the sugar, the flour and the salt. Gently fold this mixture into the stiff egg whites. Fold in the toasted seeds and nuts mixture. Drop the mixture onto the prepared baking sheets by rounded teaspoonfuls. Bake at 325 degrees 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool on cookie sheets for a couple of minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool completely.

Yield: 48 cookies

I don't have a photo of this recipe but posted this info instead.

BAKED PEANUT BUTTER PIE

2 eggs, beaten
pinch of salt
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 cup white corn syrup
1 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 9-inch unbaked pie shell

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a medium mixing bowl, combine the eggs, salt, sugar,corn syrup and vanilla. Mix in the peanut butter until well combined. Pour the mixture into the unbaked pie shell and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

 Note: File Photo

OLD FASHIONED APPLE NUT BREAD

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup shortening
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups peeled, chopped apples
1/2 cup chopped nuts
1 tbsp sugar
1/4 tsp cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Grease and lightly flour a 9x5x3-inch baking pan; set aside.

Mix the 1 cup of sugar, shortening, eggs, and vanilla together. Stir in the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until smooth. Stir in apples and nuts. Spread the batter into the prepared pan.

Mix the tablespoon of sugar with th cinnamon and sprinkle over the batter. Bake at 350 degrees for 50 to 60 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from the pan immediately. Cool completely before slicing.

 Note: File Photo