~Just Desserts~

The holiday season is right around the corner. I think it's always wonderful to make something from the heart. Desserts are always special and show loved ones that you are truly thinking of them. A few years ago I really got my sweet tooth after I bought a old fashioned "Better Homes and Gardens, Cookies and Candies" cook book. The inspiration and love had begun. Before that I was always a salty, savory kind of person with only the occasional Baskin Robbins (mint chocolate chip) ice cream fix, or  my Mom's summertime strawberry shortcake, still my favorite dessert to this day! Show off your baking skills with a freshly baked pie or a comforting crisp or cobbler. Win over your family and friends with a delicious cake or cupcakes that look and taste like they took for hours to make. I hope you find these recipes simply scrumptious. Enjoy the desserts!























Praline Pumpkin Dessert-
1 can (15oz) pumpkin(not pumpkin pie mix)
1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
3 eggs
1 cup sugar
4 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1 package (1 lb 2.25 oz)golden vanilla cake mix with pudding ( or a  butter yellow cake mix is fine)
1 1/2 cups chopped pecans or walnuts
3/4 cup butter or margarine, melted
whipped cream,if desired
additional pumpkin pie spice,if desired


Heat oven to 350'F.Grease bottom and sides of 13x9 inch pan with shortening or cooking spray. In a medium bowl, beat pumpkin, milk, eggs, sugar and 4 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
with a whisk until smooth. Pour into pan. Sprinkle dry cake mix over pumpkin mixture.
Sprinkle with pecans. Pour melted butter evenly over top of dessert.Bake 50 to 60 minutes
or until knife inserted in center comes out clean.cool slightly. To serve, cut dessert into 4 rows by 3 rows. Serve warm or chilled with a dollop of whipped cream sprinkled with pumpkin pie spice. Store in refrigerator. So Yummy!!


Chocolate Dream Tart-
1/3 cup butter or margarine,softened
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 egg
1 tablespoon butter or margarine
1 can (14oz)sweetened condensed milk
1 bag (12oz) semisweet chocolate chips (2 cups)
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1 teaspoon vanilla  and serve unsweetened whipped cream on top, if desired.
Heat oven to 400'F. In a medium bowl,cut 1/3 cup butter into flour,using pastry blender (or pulling 2 table knives through ingredients in opposite directions), until mixture is crumbly. Stir in egg until dough forms. Press firmly and evenly against bottom and side of 9-inch tart pan with removable bottom. Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown; cool on wire rack. Reduce oven temperature to 350'F. In a 2-quart saucepan,melt 1 tablespoon butter over low heat. Stir in milk and chocolate chips. Cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until chocolate is melted.Stir in walnuts and vanilla.Spread in baked crust. Bake about 25 minutes or until edge is set but chocolate appears moist in center.Cool completely in pan on wire rack,about 1 hour.To serve, top each slice with whipped cream.


Caramel Apple Cupcakes-
1 package (about 18 oz) butter recipe yellow cake mix plus ingredients to prepare
1 cup chopped dried apples
Caramel Frosting( recipe follows)
chopped nuts (optional)
Preheat oven to 375'F. Line 24 regular sized(2 1/2-inch) muffin pan cups with paper muffin
cup liners. Prepare cake mixture according to package directions.Stir in apples.
Spoon batter into prepared muffin pan. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean.Cool in pans on wire racks 10 minutes. Remove to racks;cool completely. Prepare Caramel frosting. Frost cupcakes.Sprinkle cupcakes with nuts, if desired.


 Caramel Frosting-
3 tablespoons butter
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup evaporated milk
1/8 teaspoon salt
3 3/4 cups powdered sugar
3/4 teaspoon vanilla
Melt butter in 2 quart saucepan. Stir in brown sugar, evaporated milk and salt
Bring to a boil,stirring constantly. Remove from heat; cool to lukewarm.
Beat in powdered sugar until frosting is of spreading consistency.Blend  in vanilla.


White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Fudge-
2 cups sugar
3/4 cup unsalted butter
2/3 cup whole milk
1/4 teaspoon salt
3(4oz)white chocolate bars,chopped
1(7oz) jar marshmallow creme
1(6oz) package roasted salted macadamia nuts,chopped


Line a 9x13inch baking pan with heavy duty aluminum foil,allowing to extend over sides of pan. In a medium saucepan,combine sugar,butter, milk, and salt over high heat,whisking often. Bring mixture to a rolling boil.Reduce heat to medium, stirring constantly,until mixture reaches 234'F on a candy thermometer.Remove from heat,stir in chocolate,marshmallow creme, and nuts. Spread into prepared pan.Cover, and chill for 4 hours,or until set.Cut into 1 inch pieces.Store,covered in refrigerator.


* White Chocolate Macadamia nut cookies are my all time favorite cookie, if you love the cookie you will love this fudge.It's also a great gift idea.Make a couple of different  kinds of fudge and give as a thanksgiving greetings, christmas gifts, holiday favors etc.*