Peppermint Patty Cheesecake

Making this RIGHT NOW for tomorrow’s Thanksgiving dinner!

Adapted from a similar recipe, but with some changes I felt were necessary to improve the taste and visual appeal!

• 6-one ounce peppermint patties, snack size (or 6 ounces total)
• 3-8 oz. packages cream cheese, softened
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Graham cracker or chocolate crumb crust for a 9″ spring form pan*

Place peppermint patties in freezer. Prepare crust according to package directions. (or use ready-prepared graham crust) Preheat oven to 350°F. With electric mixer or in food processor, combine cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in vanilla. Spread a thick layer into the crust. Chop cold peppermint patties and sprinkle over batter in the crust. Spread the remaining batter over the top, smoothing it out as you go. Bake 40 to 45 minutes or until just set. Cool on wire rack, then chill several hours or overnight. Makes about 8 servings. If desired, cut a few more peppermint patties into halves, and use to decorate the top after it is cooled.

*Can use 9-inch round cake pan, if you prefer, but do not try to remove from pan except to serve; the crust may crumble! Or you can use a chocolate graham pie crust, but I would suggest using 2 store-bought crusts as the filling may be too much for one.

No Bake Peanut Butter Pie

Desserts
Difficulty Rating – 2
Source Unknown

8 ounce package cream cheese
1 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup milk
16 ounce package frozen whipped topping, thawed
2 nine inch graham cracker pie crusts

Beat together cream cheese and confectioners’ sugar. Mix in peanut butter and milk; beat til smooth. Fold in whipped topping. Spoon into the graham cracker crusts and cover. Freeze til ready to serve.

Merry Mimosas

Beverages
Holiday Recipes
Difficulty Rating – 2
Source: Betty Crocker Booklet #190 November 2002
Submitted by: Unknown

3 Tbsp sugar
2 cups fresh orange juice, chilled
1 cup cranberry juice
2 bottles (750 ml each) champagne or Catawba grape juice (I used plain old sparkling grape juice)
8 orange slices

Place sugar and orange juice in blender. Cover and blend on medium speed about 15 seconds or until foamy.

Place 2 Tbsp cranberry juice in each of 8 tall glasses. Pour 1/4 cup orange juice into each glass. Top off with champagne or sparkling juice. Garnish with orange slices.

Makes 8 servings

(To do this in a pitcher: Just put the cranberry juice in the bottom of the pitcher before adding the orange juice. Stir well before pouring. Top each glass off with sparkling juice and an orange slice.)

Meltaway Cookies

Desserts
Holiday Recipes
Difficulty Rating – 2
Source Unknown

1 cup butter or margarine
1/2 cup confectioner’s sugar
1 Tbsp vanilla extract
2 1/4 cup cake flour
1/4 Tbsp salt

Heat oven to 400°F. Cream together butter sugar and vanilla. Stir in flour and salt. Drop by teaspoonful onto ungreased baking sheet. Bake 8 minutes. While still warm, coat with additional confectioner’s sugar.

Variations: For different flavor cookies, simply replace the vanilla extract with another extract. Some good ones are orange extract, lemon extract, rum flavoring, almond extract, or mint flavoring. Adjust each to your own taste.

Mashed Potato Casserole

Meatless Main Dishes
Difficulty Rating – 2
Source Unknown

8 large baking potatoes
8 oz. sour cream
3 oz. cream cheese
1/4 cup butter, melted
1/4 cup milk
2 clove garlic, minced
1/2 tsp. dried dill weed
Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

Boil potatoes until tender. Beat potatoes along with sour cream, cream cheese, butter milk, garlic, dill weed and salt and pepper. Place in a casserole dish and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes.