Monday, December 28, 2009

PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE

--CRUST:--

3/4 c. graham cracker crumbs
3 tbsp. melted butter
1 tsp. cinnamon
2 tbsp. firmly packed brown sugar
3 tbsp. chopped pecans (opt.)

--FILLING:--

4 (8 oz.) cream cheese
1/4 c. sugar or firmly packed brown
sugar
3 eggs
2 tbsp. flour
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 (30 oz.) can pumpkin pie mix
1/4 c. chopped pecans or walnuts

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease 9 inch spring form pan or spray with non-stick spray. Combine crust ingredients and line sides and bottom of pan. Beat cream cheese in a large bowl until fluffy. Gradually add sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually add flour with cinnamon and pumpkin pie mix and blend well. Stir in nuts. Pour into crust-lined pan. Bake 1 hour and 45 minutes or until center feels firm when touched. Cool in pan on wire rack. Brush top with maple syrup. Cool completely. NOTE: To substitute canned pumpkin for pumpkin pie mix, use 1 (1 pound) can pumpkin, increase sugar to 1 1/2 cups, use 5 eggs instead of 3, 1/4 cup flour instead of 2 tablespoons and add 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice.

Home style CHEESECAKE WITH SOUR CREAM

1 lb. cream cheese
1/2 c. sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1/8 lb. margarine
1 2/3 c. rolled graham crackers
2 tbsp. sugar
1 pt. sour cream
1/3 c. sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1 can cherry pie filling
Cool-whip topping

Cream cheese and sugar. Add eggs, one at a time. Add vanilla and mix well. Set aside. Melt margarine. Add graham crackers and sugar. Spread firmly in the bottom of a greased 8 x 10 inch Pyrex dish. Pour cream cheese mixture into crust and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Cool. Mix sour cream, sugar and vanilla. When cake is cool, spread over top and bake at 375 degrees for 10 minutes. When cool, top with cherry pie filling and Cool-whip topping

Sunday, December 27, 2009

CARROT CAKE

2 c. sugar
4 eggs
2 tsp. baking powder
1 c. pecans, cut sm.
4 c. grated carrots
1 c. vegetable oil
2 c. flour
2 cup coconut string
2 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. cinnamon

--ICING:--

8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1/2 stick margarine, softened
1 box powdered sugar (1 lb.)
2 oz sour cream
2 tsp. grated orange rind
2 tsp. vanilla extract

CAKE: Stir all dry ingredients (except pecans and carrots) together and then add eggs and oil. Mix until just blended and then add carrots and pecans. Bake at 375 to 400 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes or until done. ICING: Mix cream cheese and margarine until smooth, add sour cream and mix again until smooth, add sugar, grated orange rind and vanilla and blend. Ice when cake is cool.
Enjoy your Carrot Cake!

BUTTERCREAM ICING FOR CAKE DECORATING

1 heaping c. nonfat dry powdered milk
1/2 c. cool water

2 c. solid Crisco shortening (in room temperature)
2 tbsp. meringue powder
1/2 tsp. almond (must be clear flavoring for really white frosting)
1 1/4 tsp. vanilla (must be clear flavoring for really white frosting)
2 to 2 1/2 lbs. Power sugar (sift if lumpy)
Beat for 5 minutes. Store airtight in the refrigerator. when you want to used, take out and beat again about 5-7 minutes If you want chocolate (or brown) frosting, add cocoa to taste.

Enjoy your Butter Cream!