The smells of the holidays are everywhere. Even Safeway is baking apple pies and all kinds of breads and sweets. They all look delicious, but are they? Yes, they look okay but do they compare with homemade? Many families will be visiting and it is imperative to have the absolute best desserts ready to feed everyone. Here are a few very easy holiday favorites.
Pies for Dessert
When anyone thinks of Thanksgiving the very first thought that comes to their mind is making pies for dessert. Even Martha Stewart and the Barefoot Contessa are baking pies, but they look slightly difficult. So for an easy to make pie, why not try this one.
Banana Cream Pie With Ice Cream
Ingredients
- One 9 inch graham cracker pie crust
- 1 package of instant banana cream pudding
- 2 cups of milk
- Whip Cream topping
- 2 bananas
- Chocolate topping
Method to Prepare the Pie
- Prepare the banana pudding, using two cups of milk with the mix and bring to a boil. Continue to stir until the pudding is thick.
- Remove the pudding from the stove to cool. Pour the prepared pudding into the pie crust.
- Let the pie completely cool. After the pie has cooled, slice one banana and place the banana slices around the pie.
- Scoop the whip cream on top of the pie and take the second banana and place slices of banana all over the top of the pie. Drizzle some chocolate syrup all over the entire pie.
- Place the pie in the refrigerator to cool for at least three hours. Slice and serve.
- Serve with vanilla ice cream on the side.
Snickerdooles (Cookies)
Ingredients
- 2 3/4 cups of flour
- 1 teaspoon of baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1/2 cup of shortening + 1 stick of butter softened
- 1 3/4 cup of sugar
- 1 T. of cinnamon + 2 Tablespoons of sugar
- 1 large egg
Method to prepare the Snickerdoodles
- Place the shortening, butter and sugar in a mixing bowl. With a mixer, blend for 3-5 minutes or until light and fluffy. Add in the egg and mix well.
- Mix the dry ingredients together and slowly add the flour mixture to the butter mixture. Mixing well after each addition.
- Mix the cinnamon and the 2 tablespoons of sugar together. Take one small ball of the cookie mixture and roll in the cinnamon and sugar mixture. Place on a greased cookie sheet and flatten the balls slightly. Do this procedure to the entire batch of cookies.
- Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 12 minutes. Cool completely before placing in a sealed container.
How to Make Peanut Brittle
Ingredients for Peanut Brittle
- 20 ounces of raw peanuts
- 2 cups of sugar
- 1 cup of water
- 1 cup of corn syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon of butter
- 1/4 teaspoon of salt
- 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda
Method for Making Peanut Brittle
- In a large saucepan, dissolve the water, sugar and syrup. Cook the sugar mixture until it reaches 240 degrees on a candy thermometer.
- Add the salt, butter and peanuts. Keep cooking and stirring constantly so that it does not burn, till the temperature reaches 300 degrees.
- Remove from the heat and quickly add in the baking soda. Mix the candy mixture well.
- Pour on a warm buttered cookie sheet plan. Spread the mixture quickly with a buttered spoon.
- Let the candy cool and then break into pieces. Yields two pounds.
