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It’s the beginning of December, which means it’s officially the holiday season. It also means it’s time to enjoy all of the treats that are the result of holiday baking.
I’m not much of a baker myself, but I definitely like to eat holiday treats and watch a lot of Food Network on TV. The three recipes below are delicious and will be sure to get you in the holiday spirit.
Pumpkin Muffins
Pumpkins are not really a Christmas food, but this pumpkin muffins recipe is worth eating in both the fall and winter months. This recipe is very easy to make, fairly healthy and can even include white chocolate chips — not to mention, they’re delicious.
I would recommend these three ingredients for the muffins that you can eat as dessert or breakfast — maybe even as a sidekick to your coffee in the morning.
One box of yellow cake mix
One can of pumpkin puree
White chocolate chips (optional)
First, preheat the oven to the temperature indicated on the cake mix box. In a large bowl, mix the dry cake mix with the can of pumpkin until combined. If desired, add as many white chocolate chips as you would like into the batter.
Separate the batter into lined muffin tins. If you don’t have muffin tins, you can also bake it in a cake mold.
Bake the muffins according to the box cake instructions and let them cool when done.
Pecan Pie
I watch “The Pioneer Woman” a ton and love pecan pie, so when I saw this recipe, I had to give it a try. This pecan pie is delicious and smells devine while it’s baking. If you’re bringing pecan pie to the holiday party this year, this recipe is for you.
One whole unbaked pie crust
One cup of white sugar
Three tablespoons of brown sugar
One-half teaspoon of salt
One cup of corn syrup
Three-quarter teaspoons of vanilla
One-third cup of melted salted butter
Three whole beaten eggs
One heaping cup of chopped pecans, or as desired
First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. As the oven is coming to temperature, get a large bowl and mix the sugar, brown sugar, salt, corn syrup, butter, eggs and vanilla together.
Next, chop the pecans and place them at the bottom of the unbaked pie crust and pour the mixture over the top.
Then comes the tricky part.
Cover the top of the pie and the edges of the crust with foil and bake it for 30 minutes. Then take off the foil and bake for 20 more minutes or until the middle is firm.
After letting the pie cool for a few hours, it is ready to be served.
Molasses Cookies
Gingerbread cookies are good, but this recipe is better. I like my cookies soft and chewy, and these cookies are basically a soft and chewy gingerbread cookie. They are so good and the recipe is made to be baked at Christmas time.
Two cups of all-purpose flour
One and one-fourth teaspoon of baking soda
One-half teaspoon of baking powder
One and one-half teaspoon of ground cinnamon
Two teaspoons of ground ginger
One-quarter teaspoon of ground cloves
One-half teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper
One teaspoon of kosher salt
One and one-half sticks of softened butter
One-half cup of packed brown sugar
One-third of ‘C’ molasses
One large egg
One teaspoon of pure vanilla extract
One tablespoon of freshly grated ginger
One-fourth cup of granulated sugar
First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Take a bowl and whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, spices and salt.
In a separate bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy, then add in molasses, egg, vanilla and ginger until combined. Finally, mix in the dry ingredients just until they are fully combined.
Cover and chill the dough for at least one hour.
When the dough is chilled, portion and form it into balls. Roll the balls in the sugar and space them two inches apart on your lined baking sheets.
Bake them for ten minutes so the cookies are fluffy and golden around the edges.
Finally, enjoy your fresh baked goods.
Fanetti can be reached at fanettar2861@uwec.edu.