Coconut-Pecan German Chocolate Pie

Going through recipes and picking out what to make for the holidays is always fun.  Here is a recipe for a pie that is a contender for our holiday dessert table from Taste of Home.

Doesn't it look delicious?

Ingredients

• 1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 6 tablespoons cold lard
• 3 to 4 tablespoons ice water

FILLING:

• 4 ounces German sweet chocolate, chopped
• 2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
• 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
• 4 egg yolks
• 1 teaspoon McCormick® Pure Vanilla Extract
• 1 cup chopped pecans

TOPPING:

• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1/4 cup butter, cubed
• 2 egg yolks
• 1 cup flaked coconut
• 1 teaspoon McCormick® Pure Vanilla Extract
• 1/4 cup chopped pecans

Directions

Mix flour and salt in a small bowl . . . blend lard in until crumbly.  Add ice water gradually, toss until dough holds together.  Shape into a disk and refrigerate 30 minutes or overnight wrapped in plastic wrap.

Preheat oven to 400°. 

Roll dough to a 1/8-in.-thick circle on a lightly floured surface.  Transfer dough to a 9-in. pie plate. Trim pastry to 1/2 in. beyond rim of plate and flute edge. Line unpricked pastry with a double thickness of foil and fill with pie weights, dried beans or uncooked rice.

Bake 11-13 minutes or until bottom is lightly browned. Remove foil and weights . . . bake 6-8 minutes longer or until light brown. Cool on a wire rack. 

Reduce oven setting to 350°.

Melt chocolates in a large bowl in the microwave and stir until smooth. Cool slightly. Whisk in milk, egg yolks and vanilla until well blended.  Stir in pecans. Pour into crust. 

Bake 16-19 minutes or until set. 

Cool 1 hour on a wire rack.

Meanwhile . . . combine brown sugar, cream and butter in a small heavy saucepan.  On medium heat, bring to a boil, while stirring to dissolve sugar. Remove from heat.

Whisk a small amount of hot mixture into egg yolks in a small bowl.  Return all to pan and whisk constantly, cook 2-3 minutes or until mixture thickens and a thermometer reads 160°. Remove from heat. Stir in coconut and vanilla; cool 10 minutes.

Pour over filling; sprinkle with pecans. Refrigerate 4 hours or until cold. 


Yield: 8 servings.

Originally published as Coconut-Pecan German Chocolate Pie in Taste of Home December 2013

Snickerdoodle Cheesecake With Caramel Sauce

What a great combination!  If you love and snickerdoodles and cheesecake too, this dessert is for you.

The recipe comes from Sandra Lee of the Food Network Channel.  Her food creations are always a delicious treat!  If you have not checked out her website, the link appears at the end of the recipe.

Makes: 10 servings


Ingredients

• Cooking spray 
• 1 package (21 ounces) snickerdoodle cookie mix with spice packet 
• 8 tablespoons (1 stick) butter, melted 
• 2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, at room temperature 
• 1⁄4 cup packed light brown sugar 
• 3 eggs 
• 3⁄4 cup caramel topping 
• 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon extract 

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F. 

Spray a 9-inch springform pan with cooking spray.

Using a large bowl, combine cookie mix, half of the spice packet from the mix, and the butter. Stir until mixture comes together. Press mixture into bottom of springform pan and 2 inches up sides.  

Using a large bowl, beat together cream cheese, brown sugar, and remaining spice from packet. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. 

Pour into the springform pan over the cookie crust.

Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until set with a soft-looking center. Cool in pan on a wire rack.

Using a small saucepan, heat caramel topping over medium-high heat until boiling. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until mixture thickens (about 5 minutes). 

Remove from heat and stir in cinnamon extract.

Cool to room temperature.

Cut cooled cheesecake into wedges (still in the springform pan). Pour cooled caramel mixture over cheesecake. 

Chill in refrigerator for at least 2 hours before serving. 

Remove sides of springform pan and transfer wedges to a platter.


Source

Root Beer Bundt Cake

The sweet flavor of root beer is uniquely delicious.  The aroma of root beer takes me back to my childhood days when I could not get enough, especially if it included vanilla ice cream.  Being from a large italian family, huge family birthday parties brought out all the distant cousins of all ages who would gather at a local park that had those awesome shelters with electricity.  The birthday parties always included root beer and vanilla ice cream. 

It is amazing what memories the awesome aromas of food and drinks bring out in us.

The recipe comes from the kitchen of the Food Network.  If you haven't checked out the website and you are a serious foodie, you must check it out! The link to the website follows the recipe.

Wouldn't this cake be awesome served warm with some ice cream?  I think so!!!

Ingredients

1 stick unsalted butter, plus more for the pan
2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
2 1/2 cups root beer
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1 teaspoon salt, plus a pinch
3 large eggs, beaten
2 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Butter and flour a 12-cup Bundt pan; tap out the excess flour.

Heat 2 cups root beer, the cocoa powder, chocolate and 1 stick butter in a large saucepan over medium heat until the butter melts. Add the granulated and brown sugars and whisk until dissolved. Remove from the heat and let cool.

Combine 2 cups flour, the baking soda, allspice and 1 teaspoon salt in a bowl. Whisk the eggs into the root beer mixture, then gently fold in the dry ingredients (the batter will be slightly lumpy).

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean, 55 minutes to 1 hour, rotating the pan halfway through. Transfer to a rack. Gently poke the cake all over with a skewer and pour 1/4 cup root beer over the cake; let cool in the pan for 20 minutes, then invert the cake onto a serving plate and let cool completely.

Meanwhile, make the glaze: Whisk the remaining 1/4 cup root beer, a pinch of salt, the confectioners' sugar and vanilla in a bowl until smooth. Drizzle over the cake.


Source

Photograph by Kang Kim

Dulce de Leche Swirl Cheesecake

Cheesecake recipes always get my attention!

This recipe comes from Martha White.  I've never been disappointed with any of their recipes that are on the packages of flour, cornmeal, etc.  In fact, some of them have been in my collection since I was a teenager. Check out their website for awesome recipes!

Ingredients

Crust

• 2 (7 oz.) packages Martha White® Apple Cider Flavored Muffin Mix, or Cinnamon Sugar Muffin Mix
• 1/2 cup very soft butter

Filling

• 3 (8 oz.) packages Neufchatel or 1/3 less fat cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 2/3 cup Smucker's® Caramel Flavored Topping

Directions

HEAT oven to 325ºF. 

SPRAY bottom of 9-inch springform pan with no-stick cooking spray.

For crust: BEAT muffin mix and butter on low speed of electric mixer until a dough forms. Press mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan.

For filling: BEAT cream cheese and sugar in medium bowl on low speed of electric mixer for about one minute. Add the eggs and mix until well-combined.

SPREAD cream cheese mixture evenly over crust. Pour caramel topping onto cheesecake layer. Swirl through mixture with knife several times for a marbled design.

BAKE for 45 to 55 minutes or until center is set and edges are light brown. Cool for 45 minutes at room temperature. 

Chill overnight or at least 3 hours before serving.

Nutritional Information Per Serving

Serving Size (1 slice, 1/12 of cake), Calories 460 (Calories from Fat 230), Total Fat 26g (Saturated Fat 14g, Trans Fat 0g), Cholesterol 110mg, Sodium 470mg, Total Carbohydrate 49g (Dietary Fiber 1g, Sugars 33g), Protein 8g; Percent Daily Value*: Vitamin A 15%, Vitamin C 0%, Calcium 20%, Iron 10%.

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Source:  Martha White

Pumpkin Praline Bars

Quick, easy, semi-homemade and delicious

Pumpkin Praline Bars from Pillsbury!

Ingredients

• Crisco® Original No-Stick Cooking Spray
• 1 (17.5 oz.) package Pillsbury® Perfectly Pumpkin Cookie Mix
• 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 large egg
• 1/3 cup dark corn syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup chopped pecans

Directions

HEAT oven to 350°F. 

Prepare a 8 x 8-inch baking pan with foil.  Extend foil over edge of pan and coat with no-stick cooking spray.

Combine cookie mix and 1/2 cup melted butter in medium bowl with fork until evenly mixed.

Press cookie mix into prepared pan. 

Bake 10 minutes.

WHISK egg in medium bowl, then whisk in corn syrup, 2 tablespoons melted butter and vanilla until blended. Stir in pecans. 

Spread evenly over partially baked cookie mix layer.

BAKE 23 to 25 minutes, until topping is set and golden brown. 

Cool 15 minutes.  Using edges of foil, remove from pan.

Place on cutting board and pull foil away from sides of bars. 

Cool completely. 

Trim outer edge before cutting into bars.



Nutritional Information Per Serving

Serving Size (1 bar of 20), Calories 200 (Calories from Fat 100), Total Fat 11g (Saturated Fat 4g, Trans Fat 0g), Cholesterol 25mg, Sodium 170mg, Total Carbohydrate 25g (Dietary Fiber 0g, Sugars 13g), Protein 2g; Percent Daily Value*: Vitamin A 4%, Vitamin C 2%, Calcium 0%, Iron 4%.

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Source:  Pillsbury.com

Coconut-Cherry Cream Squares

Awesome recipe . . . love the combinations!

The recipe is for a lower fat and sugar version, but you can substitute the low fat, low sugar items with the real thing.  My personal preference is using the real thing . . . if you are going to have dessert, enjoy it to the fullest!

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup flaked coconut
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons cold reduced-fat butter

FILLING:

• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup sugar
• Sugar substitute equivalent to 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2-1/2 cups fat-free milk
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1/2 cup flaked coconut
• 2 teaspoons coconut extract
• 1 can (20 ounces) reduced-sugar cherry pie filling

Directions

Preheat oven to 400°.

Coat a 9-inch square baking pan with cooking spray.

Combine the flour, coconut and brown sugar in a small bowl.

Cut in butter until crumbly. 

Press into prepared 9-in. square baking pan. 

Bake 7-10 minutes or until lightly browned. 

Cool on a wire rack.

For the filling:

Combine flour, sugar, sugar substitute and salt in a small saucepan. 

Stir in milk until smooth. Cook over medium-high heat, constantly stirring until thickened and bubbly. 

Reduce heat and continue cooking and stirring 2 minutes longer. 

Remove from heat.

In a small bowl, lightly beat eggs and stir a small amount of hot filling until well blended.

Add to the pan, stirring constantly. Bring to a gentle boil, cooking and stirring 2 minutes longer. 

Remove from the heat.

Stir in coconut and extract gently and pour over crust. 

Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before cutting. 

Yield: 16 servings.

Editor's Note: 

This recipe was tested with Splenda No Calorie Sweetener and Land O'Lakes stick light butter. Look for Splenda in the baking aisle of your grocery store.

Source: Taste of Home

Originally published as Coconut-Cherry Cream Squares in Light & Tasty August/September 2005, p44

Nutritional Facts

1 piece equals 142 calories, 4 g fat (3 g saturated fat), 31 mg cholesterol, 95 mg sodium, 24 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 4 g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 starch, 1/2 fat.

Peanut Butter Sheet Cake

Never in my life have I had a peanut butter cake!  Why not? It makes perfect sense!

Imagine how great it would taste with chocolate frosting . . .

Ingredients 

Original recipe makes 1 - 10x15 inch pan

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups white sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup water
• 3/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2/3 cup white sugar
• 1/3 cup evaporated milk
• 1 tablespoon butter or margarine
• 1/3 cup chunky peanut butter
• 1/3 cup miniature marshmallows
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). 

Grease a 10x15x1 inch jellyroll pan.

Stir flour, 2 cups sugar, baking soda and salt together in a large bowl . . . set aside. 

Combine in a saucepan and bring to a boil . . . water and 3/4 cup of butter.

Remove from heat. Stir in 1/2 cup peanut butter and vegetable oil until well blended. 

Stir mixture into the dry ingredients. 

Combine eggs, buttermilk and vanilla and stir into the peanut butter mixture until well blended. 

Spread the batter evenly in prepared pan.

Bake for 18 to 26 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.

As the cake bakes, combine 2/3 cup sugar, evaporated milk, and butter in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Stir constantly. Cook and stir for 2 minutes. 

Remove from heat. Stir in peanut butter, marshmallows and vanilla until the mixture is smooth and marshmallows are melted.

Spoon the frosting over the warm cake, spreading in an even layer. 

Cool before cutting and serving.

Photo and Recipe Source

Amaretto Almond Pound Cake

AMARETTO ALMOND POUND CAKE

(recipe and directions for the glaze after the cake)

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cups butter, softened 
• 1 (3-oz.) package cream cheese, softened 
• 2 1/2 cups sugar 
• 3 tablespoons almond liqueur
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 6 large eggs 
• 1/3 cup sliced almonds

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325°. 
2. 
   
3. Beat butter and cream cheese at medium speed with a heavy-duty electric stand mixer until creamy. 
4. 
   
5. Gradually add sugar, beating at medium speed until light and fluffy. 
6. 
   
7. Add liqueur and vanilla, beating just until blended. 
8. 
   
9. Gradually add flour to butter mixture, beating at low speed just until blended after each addition.
10. 
    
11. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating at low speed just until blended after each addition. 
12. 
    
13. Sprinkle almonds over bottom of a greased and floured 12-cup Bundt pan; pour batter into pan.
14. 
    
15. Bake at 325° for 1 hour and 5 minutes to 1 hour and 10 minutes or until a long wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.
16. 
    
17. During last 10 minutes of baking, prepare Amaretto Glaze. 
18. 
    
19. Remove cake from oven, and gradually spoon hot Amaretto Glaze over cake in pan. (Continue to spoon glaze over cake until all of glaze is used, allowing it to soak into cake after each addition.) 
20. 
    
21. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack (about 1 hour and 30 minutes).

AMARETTO GLAZE

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup sugar
• 6 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 cup almond liqueur
• 2 tablespoons water

Directions

Bring sugar, butter, almond liqueur, and water to a boil in a small 1-qt. saucepan over medium heat, stirring often; reduce heat to medium-low, and boil, stirring constantly, 3 minutes. Remove from heat, and use immediately.

Ethleen Scarborough, Augusta, Georgia, Southern Living 
MARCH 2011

Photo: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Buffy Hargett

Cherry Cola Cake Recipe

Doesn't this look pretty and delicious?

I love the combination of cherry cola and chocolate!  We have recently discovered Diet Cherry Dr. Pepper, which I think would also work.

This recipe comes from one of my favorite food websites, Taste of Home.  Link follows the recipe!

Ingredients

• 1-1/2 cups miniature marshmallows
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup butter, cubed
• 1 cup cherry-flavored cola
• 3 tablespoons baking cocoa
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

FROSTING:

• 3/4 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1 jar (7 ounces) marshmallow creme
• 2 tablespoons frozen cherry-pomegranate juice concentrate, thawed
• Fresh sweet cherries with stems

Editor's Note: To frost sides as well as top of cake, double amounts for frosting.

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°. 

Line bottoms of two greased 9-in. round baking pans with parchment paper; grease paper. 

Divide marshmallows between pans.

In a large bowl, whisk flour, sugar and baking soda. 

In a small saucepan, combine butter, cola and cocoa; bring just to a boil, stirring occasionally. 

Add to flour mixture, stirring just until moistened.

In a small bowl, whisk eggs, buttermilk and vanilla until blended; add to flour mixture, whisking constantly. 

Pour into prepared pans, dividing batter evenly. (Marshmallows will float to the top.)

Bake 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. 

Cool in pans 10 minutes before removing to wire racks; remove paper. Cool completely.

For frosting, in a small bowl, beat butter and confectioners' sugar until smooth. Beat in marshmallow creme and juice concentrate on low speed just until blended.

Place one cake layer on a serving plate; spread top with 1 cup frosting. Top with remaining cake layer; spread with remaining frosting. Decorate with cherries. 

Yield: 12 servings.

Originally published as Cherry Cola Cake in Taste of Home June/July 2013

Grandma Yearwood's Coconut Cake with Coconut Lemon Glaze

Recipe adapted from Home Cooking with Trisha Yearwood (c) Clarkson Potter 2010

The Food Network
SHOW: Trisha's Southern Kitchen
EPISODE: Grandma Knows Best

This recipe takes me back to childhood days and the delicious cakes my southern belle neighbor from North Carolina would make.  Along with my nana and godmother, she was a great cooking inspiration in my life and taught me so much about baking as a young girl.

You can never go wrong with a cake made with coconut!

Ingredients

Cake:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, room temperature, plus more for greasing
• Flour, for dusting pan
• 2 cups sugar
• 6 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• One 12-ounce box vanilla wafers, finely crushed
• One 6-ounce package frozen or fresh grated coconut, thawed
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans

Coconut Lemon Glaze:

• 2 cups sugar
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• Pinch of salt
• Grated zest of 2 large lemons
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 large lemons)
• One 6-ounce package frozen or fresh grated coconut, thawed

Directions

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.

For the cake: Grease and flour a 9-inch tube cake pan. Cream the butter and sugar until light and smooth. Add the eggs and vanilla extract, beating well. Mix in the vanilla wafer crumbs, coconut and pecans. Pour into the pan and bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before turning out onto a rack.

For the glaze: Mix the sugar, cornstarch, salt, lemon zest and juice, 1 1/2 cups of water and coconut in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring until thickened, for about 15 minutes. Let cool slightly, then using a toothpick, poke several holes in the top of the cake and drizzle the glaze over the cake.

Bourbon Peach Cobbler from Tyler Florence

The peaches have been big and juicy and are very inexpensive at this time of the year.

Why not go a step beyond plain peach cobbler and try Tyler Florence's Bourbon Peach Cobbler?

I have not yet made this recipe, but it looks delicious!

Recipe courtesy Tyler Florence

The Food Network
Show: Food 911

Episode: Chili Roundup



Ingredients

• 8 peaches, peeled and sliced, about 6 to 8 cups
• 1/4 cup bourbon
• 3/4 cup sugar, plus more for dusting
• 2 tablespoons corn starch
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 16 tablespoons (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter
• 3/4 cup heavy cream, plus more for brushing

Directions

Heat the oven to 375 degrees F.

In a large bowl add the peaches, bourbon, 1/4 cup sugar, cornstarch, and cinnamon and mix well to coat the peaches evenly; set aside.

Prepare the dumplings: Into a bowl sift together the flour, 1/2 cup sugar, baking powder, and salt. Cut 12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) butter into small pieces. Add it to the flour mixture and cut it in with a pastry blender or your hands until the mixture looks like coarse bread crumbs. Pour in the cream and mix just until the dough comes together. Don't overwork; the dough should be slightly sticky but manageable.

In a 10-inch cast iron skillet over medium-low heat, melt the remaining 4 tablespoons butter. Add the peaches and cook gently until heated through, about 5 minutes. Drop the dough by tablespoonfuls over the warm peaches. There can be gaps, the dough will puff up and spread out as it bakes. Brush the top with some heavy cream and sprinkle with some sugar; put it into the oven on a baking sheet to catch any drips. 

Cook for 40 to 45 minutes until the top is browned and the fruit is bubbling.

Crazy Brownies from The Pioneer Woman

The next time I want to make something deliciously sinful and decadent, this is it!!

I was watching The Pioneer Woman this afternoon and I could not believe it when she was putting these brownies together.  All I can say is look at the ingredients list!

Won't these be a big hit on the dessert table at your next party?

Ingredients

• 1 box Chocolate Cake Mix, 18 To 20 Ounce Box
• 1/3 cup Evaporated Milk
• 1 stick Butter, Melted
• 9 whole Peanut Butter Cups (regular Size, With The Paper Pulled Off)
• 12 whole Rolo Candies
• 1/2 cup Finely Chopped Pecans
• 1/3 cup M&Ms
• 1/4 teaspoon Salt
• Powdered Sugar (for Sprinkling)

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 F.

Put the dry cake mix in a large bowl and stir in the evaporated milk. (Mixture will still be dry.) Next, pour in the melted butter, stirring gently until the mix just comes together (don't over-mix.)

Divide the mixture in half and press half of it in the bottom of a greased 8 x 8-inch baking pan. Lay the peanut butter cups over the top. Peel the wrappers off of the Rolos and place them in the spaces between the peanut butter cups. Sprinkle nuts into the cracks, followed by M&M's. Finally, sprinkle the salt all over.

Put the other half of the batter on a cutting board and press it into a square a little smaller than the pan. (It will be very sticky.) Transfer it to the pan and lightly press it to cover all the ingredients. Bake for 22 to 25 minutes, or until the batter is fully baked. Allow to cool completely, then place the pan in the fridge, covered in foil, for a couple of hours.

Remove the brownies from the pan in one piece, then sprinkle on plenty of powdered sugar. With a sharp serrated knife, cut into small squares.


Source:  The Pioneer Woman

Banana Fritters

Sandra Lee always has the easiest recipes that give the illusion of spending a lot of time in the kitchen when it was super fast!

I love having a variety of banana recipes . . . I hate throwing them away when they start to ripen a bit too much.

Recipe courtesy of Sandra Lee
Recipe copyright Sandra Lee

The Food Network
SHOW: Sandra's Money Saving Meals
EPISODE: Affordable Entertaining

Ingredients

Fritters:

• 3 eggs, beaten
• 3/4 cup milk
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 3 cups baking mix
• 3 ripe bananas, diced
• 2 cups canola oil, for frying

Spiced Glaze:

• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

Directions


For the fritters: In a large bowl, whisk the eggs with the milk and sugar until blended. Stir in the baking mix and bananas until just combined.

Heat the canola oil in a large, heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat. Using a small ice cream scoop, drop the batter into the skillet. Fry in batches until golden brown and cooked through the center, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Remove from the oil and allow to drain on a wire cooling rack set over a baking sheet.

For the glaze: Whisk together the powdered sugar, 1/4 cup water and pumpkin pie spice.

While the fritters are still warm, pour the glaze over top. Allow the glaze to set up slightly before serving.

Chocolate Cheesecake Bars

Quick, easy, delicious . . . my kind of recipe!

Source:

Ingredients

• 1 can Pillsbury™ Crescent Recipe Creations™ refrigerated seamless dough sheet
• 2 packages (8 oz each) cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup caramel topping, if desired

Directions

Heat oven to 375° F. Grease 13x9-inch pan with shortening or cooking spray.

Unroll dough, and press in bottom and 1/2 inch up sides of pan.

In medium bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar and eggs with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Fold in chocolate chips.

Spread filling over crust.

Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until edges are set and firm to touch.

Cool 1 hour on cooling rack.

Refrigerate 1 to 2 hours to set.

Cut into 6 rows by 4 rows.

Serve drizzled with caramel.

Store covered in refrigerator.