In preparation of Thanksgiving, I have been going through my recipes & cookbooks to decide what I am going to cook this year. I'm cooking my family's meal on Thanksgiving Day plus a few dishes for our annual Thanksgiving Family Reunion the Saturday after. I am usually in charge of the sweets because desserts seem to be my specialty...lol! On top of frying the turkey, cooking the stuffing, green bean casserole, yams, cranberries, etc, etc I, also, will be making different types of fudge, pumpkin roll, pumpkin cheesecake, pumpkin butter and scones (I love pumpkin!), peanut butter pie, lemon meringue pie, chocolate cream pie, etc, etc. WE LOVE FOOD!
PEANUT BUTTER FUDGE
Directions
In a heavy 2-qt. saucepan, combine the sugars, milk and marshmallows. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves and marshmallows melt. Remove from the heat; stir in peanut butter. Pour into a buttered 8-in. square dish. Cool. When firm, cut into squares. Yield: 3 dozen.
LEMON FUDGE
Directions
Line a 9-in. square pan with foil. Grease foil with 1-1/2 teaspoons butter; set aside. In a large saucepan, melt remaining butter over low heat. Add chips and milk; cook and stir for 10-12 minutes or until chips are melted.
Stir in marshmallow creme and extract; cook and stir 3-4 minutes longer or until smooth. Pour into prepared pan. Chill until set.
Using foil, lift fudge out of pan. Discard foil; cut fudge into squares. Store in the refrigerator. Yield: about 2 pounds.
PUMPKIN BUTTER
Ingredients:
Preparation:
Place pumpkin and water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer until the pumpkin has broken down. Strain through a sieve or food mill. If using canned pumpkin, omit this step and pick up below.
Combine pumpkin puree with sugar and spices, and choose one of the following cooking methods. - Slow Cooker: Place sweetened pulp in a slow cooker with lid partially off to let steam escape. Set at low and cook, stirring occasionally, for 6-12 hours or overnight, or until thick enough so the butter doesn't run off a spoon when turned upside down.
- Microwave: Place sweetened pulp in a microwave-safe bowl and cook for 20 minutes at a time, stirring frequently until thick enough so the butter doesn't run off a spoon when turned upside down.
- Stovetop: Place sweetened pulp in a medium saucepan and cook over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, for 1-2 hours or until thick enough so the butter doesn't run off a spoon when turned upside down.
- Oven: Heat oven to 250 degrees. Place sweetened pulp in a heatproof casserole dish or roaster. Bake, stirring only occasionally, for 1-3 hours or until thick enough so the butter doesn't run off a spoon when turned upside down.
Place hot butter in hot sterilized jars, leaving 1/4" headspace. Cover with hot sterilized lids and rings. Process in a water bath for 10 minutes. Remove to counter and allow to cool before storing in a cool, dry, dark place.
If you don't process in a water bath, the butter can be kept refrigerated for up to three weeks or frozen for up to one year.
PUMPKIN SCONES
2 cups flour
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp allspice
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup cold unsalted butter
1/3 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup pumpkin (if canned, be sure there are no spices or sugar added)
1 tsp vanilla extract
Mix together flour, sugar, spices, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl. Cut butter into small pieces and cut into flour. Mixture should look like coarse crumbs. In a separate bowl mix together the pumpkin, buttermilk and vanilla. Add to flour mixture and mix until the dough comes together (don't overmix).
Transfer to a lightly floured surface and knead gently 3-4 times, and then shape/pat dough into a circle about 1 1/2 inches thick. Slice in half, and then cut each half into 3 equal pie-shaped wedges. Brush with egg glaze (1 egg beaten with 1 tbsp milk), and sprinkle with Turbinado sugar.
Bake on a cookie sheet for @ 375° for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Makes 6 scones.
Optional: Add white chocolate chips and/or chopped pecans.
