Gobble...gobble...yikes, Thanksgiving is less than "3" weeks away. Do you believe it? It's not time to panic quite yet. The good thing is we have almost 5 weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas. More time to make yummy things for the Holidays. I guess that might be a relative thing. Some like a long time between those two holidays and others a short time. For me, it just means more cooking, the longer the wait is. LOL!
A few weeks ago I posted some Halloween nugget wrappers. Well, here are some for Thanksgiving. I'm sure I will be posting some for Christmas also. But, for right now lets concentrate on a yummy dessert and those fun nugget wrappers.
This post also contains the following recipes:
These are all great recipes for Thanksgiving dinner! The Turkey stew is a great way to use up the leftover turkey.
If you are interested in any of the recipes below, just scroll down to the end of this post and you will be able to access the recipes from the original author's posts. I absolutely love the Sweet Potato Crisp. It was a Kraft Food & Family recipe from many years ago. I couldn't find the original recipe on the internet, but if you click on the picture or the description, you will be redirected to the recipe for your use.
Sweet Potato Crisp
Turkey Stew with Dumplings
Mom's Sweet & Tart Carrots
French Silk Pie
Perfect Asparagus every time!Let's Make A Beautiful Pumpkin Torte...
I found this recipe in the Taste of Home magazine in 2013. I think in other posts I have mentioned that I collect recipes. Every once and awhile I take all the recipes out that I've saved and decide if I will ever make them. It's a good time to get rid of recipes that probably don't appeal to you anymore. I came across this one though and I thought this year this one is getting made. Well, I made it! It's really, really good. I love the taste of pumpkin, but I'm not a big fan of pumpkin pie. I do love pumpkin lattes though, but who doesn't?
The ingredients won't break your budget. Turkey Day is getting a little pricey these days and it's nice to find a dessert that doesn't cost an arm and a leg to make. It makes 15 servings which is a good amount for the family.
You will need the following ingredients:
- graham cracker crumbs
- sugar
- butter
- cream cheese
- unflavored gelatin
- pumpkin pie filling
- evaporated milk
- eggs
- whipped topping
Most of the items you probably already have in your pantry. Just remember to make that list for the grocery store so you don't forget anything.
Pumpkin Torte Recipe...
Ingredients:
- 1 2/3 C. graham cracker crumbs
- 1/3 C sugar
- 1/2 C. butter, melted
- CREAM CHEESE FILLING:
- 2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
- 3/4 C. sugar
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
- PUMPKIN FILLING:
- 2 envelopes unflavored gelatin
- 1/2 C. cold water
- 1 can (30 ozs.) pumpkin pie filling
- 1 can (5 1/2 ozs.) evaporated milk
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
- TOPPING:
- 1 carton (12 ozs.) frozen whipped topping, thawed
Directions:
- In a small bowl, combine the crumbs, sugar and butter. Press onto the bottom of an ungreased 13"x9" baking dish; set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add eggs;
- Beat on low speed just until combined. Pour over crust. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until center is almost set.
- Meanwhile, in a small bowl, sprinkle gelatin over cold water; let stand for 1 minute. In a large saucepan, combine pie filling and evaporated milk. Bring to a boil. Add gelatin; stir until dissolved.
- Whisk a small amount of hot mixture into the eggs. Return all to the pan, whisking constantly.
- Cook and stir over low heat until mixture is thickened and coats the back of a spoon. Cool for at least 10 minutes. Spread over cream cheese layer. Spread whipped topping over top. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
Note: I would wait a little more than 10 minutes for the baked part and the pumpkin batter has cooled. Then spread whipped topping over top, cover and refrigerate over night. Enjoy!
How to Assemble Pumpkin Torte...
First mix together melted butter, sugar and graham cracker crumbs and press into a 9X13 cake pan. Then mix the cream cheese and sugar together until fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating after each addition. Pour over graham cracker crust and bake in a 350 degree oven for 25-30 minutes. I placed a small pan of water in the oven with the cake pan. Because this is like a cheese cake, adding moisture to the oven helps the cheese cake portion from not cracking.
While the base is baking, place the pumpkin pie filling and the evaporated milk in a large saucepan on the stove and bring to a boil. Now sprinkle the unflavored gelatin over the 1/2 cup cold water. Wait one minute and then add to the pumpkin mixture and stir until combined. Now slightly beat the 2 eggs in a small bowl. Add a little of the pumpkin mixture to the eggs. Then add a little more to the eggs. Then add the egg mixture to the pumpkin mixture and stir until combined. This is called tempering the egg mixture and pumpkin mixture. If you add the eggs directly to the pumpkin mixture you'll end up with scrambled eggs. So don't forget to temper those eggs. Remove from heat and let stand for about 10-15 minutes.
Pour the pumpkin mixture over the cheesecake portion of the cake. At this point I placed the torte in the refrigerator to cool completely. Once cooled, cover the pumpkin portion with whipped topping. That's it...a beautiful dessert. I tasted a little of it. It's really good...not too sweet with the pumpkin portion reminding me of a pumpkin latte. Yum!
And Here It Is...
Now on to the Thanksgiving Hershey Nugget Wrappers...
I think these wrappers are so just as cute as my Halloween wrappers. Once again these are so easy to make. I have included a download link so they can be printed out. The print out also includes the instructions.
If you are interested in making these nugget wrappers, just hit the "Print" button.
The download contains 16 different designs and 6 toppers.
Toppers:
Here's a List of Items You Will Need to Make the Wrappers
Before we get started, gather the following...
- Hershey Nuggets (your choice of flavor)
- Pretzel Bags (can be purchased at Walmart, or any craft store with cake decorating items, or online
- Printables from Handmade by Hoffy on this post
- scissors,
- glue or double faced tape
- ribbon, jute, wire ties, ribbon or anything you want to tie the bag closed with or just use a stapler.
- copy paper for printables
- construction paper for trays
- cardstock for label (opt.)
- stapler
Instructions for Making Nugget Wrappers and Tray
Although I have included the instructions for the nugget wrappers in the printables, I thought I would also include the instructions on this post. The wrappers are pretty easy. Just print them and cut them out.
Nugget Tray...
The tray is very easy also. I use a ScorPal, but if you don't have a Scor pal, you can easily use the round edge of a paper clip and a ruler. Cut the size that you are interested in...1 7/8"X 4" for a 4-pack of nuggets, 1 7/8"X 6" for a 6-pack, and 1 7/8"X 8" for an 8-pack.
Score the construction paper or cardstock 1/4" on both long sides using method above. Once scored, fold on score line to give each side an edge where the nuggets will be held in place.
Place a piece of double faced tape down the center of the tray or a dot of glue....whatever you have available. Then place nuggets in the tray. The tape or glue holds them in place so they don't move around. If using glue, wait until the glue is dry before you put in to the pretzel bag.
Insert your tray of nuggets into the pretzel bag. (These can be purchased at Walmart, or craft stores that have a cake decorating department or online. They are very reasonable.
Cut out the topper and and staple to the top of the pretzel bag. The pretzel bags do come with silver ties if you don't want to use the topper.
.
And that's it...pretty easy and very creative!
This might be a fun project for the kids and parents. They are definitely easy and add a little extra to the "Turkey Table".
One Final Thought...
Well, it's time to get my house cleaned for Thanksgiving. Then on to the prep for the big day. I'm sure there are lots of you doing the same thing. Clean the house, get the groceries, including a 24 pound turkey! YIKES! Make sure you have designated what everyone is bringing and hoping for the best Thanksgiving ever! Have a great Thanksgiving from our home to yours!
Gobble...Gobble!!
One Extra Recipe...
I thought I would add one more recipe. I've tried this a few times, but not for Thanksgiving. I always use my husband's grandmother's recipe. It's truly the best. However, in saying that, the White Castle recipe is really, really good. I know a lot of people don't like White Castle hamburgers. You either love them or you hate them...there's no in between! Our family absolutely loves those little tiny hamburgers! But you might be surprised how good this dressing is!😉
