Many family holiday traditions center on food. Out of all the dishes associated with the holiday season, desserts seem to bring about the most emotion. Pumpkin pie, fruitcake, and holiday cookies seem to represent home and family. Some of these dishes, however, are crying out for a fresh update. So why not try a few variations on the classics this holiday season?
I am a person who has never been that fond of pumpkin pie. I always found it a little heavy and kind of plain for my tastes. Then I found a great recipe that uses a pumpkin vanilla ice cream as the filling. It's easy to make and result is delicious. To keep it simple I start with a pre-made graham crust, then mix French vanilla ice cream with some canned pumpkin. Add a little spicing such as nutmeg, clove, and cinnamon and layer the mixture into the crust. Follow with a layer of whipped cream and put the pie into the freezer for 2 hours before serving. It's absolutely yummy and so simple to make.
My mother is that rare person that has always loved fruitcake. It's the most sugary dessert imaginable and it's often been the punch line of many a joke. But you'll always see it at the holidays. This is one dessert that is super easy to modernize. A great variation is baking delicious dessert bread such as pumpkin or banana with fresh fruit pieces baked inside. Another version is baking oatmeal-based bread with pineapple and coconut inside. You can even ice it with a cream cheese frosting. It's a very tasty and refreshing take on the standard, old-fashioned fruitcake that is sure to be enjoyed by your guests.
There is another fruitcake update that is delicious, but requires some dexterity. It is referred to as fruitcake sushi. You'll need phyllo dough, and a variety of fresh fruits that have been finely chopped. Roll the fruit mixture into the phyllo dough. It should resemble sushi where the seaweed is on the outside. Bake very quickly in a hot oven. Cut into rounds. Place a tear shaped dollop of white chocolate icing on the top of each round. So delicious, and a lot of fun to eat.
Can you ever have enough holiday cookie ideas? Not me! I like to bring a variety of cookies to different holiday events - whether it's the office party, the neighborhood gathering, or the family dinner. A friend shared this old style recipe with me that I was originally reluctant to try. First, mix up a batch of rolled oats, flour, butter, salt, allspice, and brown sugar. Layer this mixture into a baking pan or ceramic baking dish. Here's where it was odd for me - you then add a layer of mincemeat on top! Follow that with a layer of roasted pecans and bake for about forty minutes at 350 degrees. It turns out this is quite a tasty dessert treat! Once it cools, cut it into squares for individual servings.
While I'm not suggesting you skip all of the family favorites on the dessert table, I do think it's fun to liven up the mix with some new treats. Just imagine the curiosity and conversations your new desserts will create. Trying something new might actually start a new tradition. It could be your creative desserts could start a family dessert competition and you'll get to try all sorts of new goodies at future family gatherings. - 15359
I am a person who has never been that fond of pumpkin pie. I always found it a little heavy and kind of plain for my tastes. Then I found a great recipe that uses a pumpkin vanilla ice cream as the filling. It's easy to make and result is delicious. To keep it simple I start with a pre-made graham crust, then mix French vanilla ice cream with some canned pumpkin. Add a little spicing such as nutmeg, clove, and cinnamon and layer the mixture into the crust. Follow with a layer of whipped cream and put the pie into the freezer for 2 hours before serving. It's absolutely yummy and so simple to make.
My mother is that rare person that has always loved fruitcake. It's the most sugary dessert imaginable and it's often been the punch line of many a joke. But you'll always see it at the holidays. This is one dessert that is super easy to modernize. A great variation is baking delicious dessert bread such as pumpkin or banana with fresh fruit pieces baked inside. Another version is baking oatmeal-based bread with pineapple and coconut inside. You can even ice it with a cream cheese frosting. It's a very tasty and refreshing take on the standard, old-fashioned fruitcake that is sure to be enjoyed by your guests.
There is another fruitcake update that is delicious, but requires some dexterity. It is referred to as fruitcake sushi. You'll need phyllo dough, and a variety of fresh fruits that have been finely chopped. Roll the fruit mixture into the phyllo dough. It should resemble sushi where the seaweed is on the outside. Bake very quickly in a hot oven. Cut into rounds. Place a tear shaped dollop of white chocolate icing on the top of each round. So delicious, and a lot of fun to eat.
Can you ever have enough holiday cookie ideas? Not me! I like to bring a variety of cookies to different holiday events - whether it's the office party, the neighborhood gathering, or the family dinner. A friend shared this old style recipe with me that I was originally reluctant to try. First, mix up a batch of rolled oats, flour, butter, salt, allspice, and brown sugar. Layer this mixture into a baking pan or ceramic baking dish. Here's where it was odd for me - you then add a layer of mincemeat on top! Follow that with a layer of roasted pecans and bake for about forty minutes at 350 degrees. It turns out this is quite a tasty dessert treat! Once it cools, cut it into squares for individual servings.
While I'm not suggesting you skip all of the family favorites on the dessert table, I do think it's fun to liven up the mix with some new treats. Just imagine the curiosity and conversations your new desserts will create. Trying something new might actually start a new tradition. It could be your creative desserts could start a family dessert competition and you'll get to try all sorts of new goodies at future family gatherings. - 15359
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