Cook Up that Jack O Lantern

The time is here, carving out that spooky jack o lantern and inhaling the sweet succulent smell of pumpkin. It's time to start cooking! November is right around the corner and what is Thanksgiving without pumpkin pie?

Below I've compiled a list of absolute must try pumpkin recipes!

Traditional Pumpkin Pie Recipe

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups Cooked, strained pumpkin(or canned)

2/3 cup Sugar

1/4 cup Brown Sugar

1 1/2 cups Evaporated Skim Milk

3 Eggs

3/4 teaspoon Cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon Ground cloves

1/4 teaspoon Ginger

1 teaspoon Grated Orange Peel

1/4 teaspoon Nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon Salt

1 Unbaked Pie Shell

Preparation Directions:

Preheat oven to 425 degree.

Mix pumpkin, sugars, orange peel and spices in large bowl.

Add evaporated milk and eggs.

Mix all ingredients well

Pour pumpkin filling into pie shell.

Bake at 450 degrees for fifteen minutes.

Reduce heat to 350 degrees and bake for 45 minutes more.

TIP: If crust begins to get too brown, loosely cover crust only with foil.

Variations:

Substitute allspice for nutmeg.

Add 2 tablespoons of Bourbon for Bourbon Pumpkin pie.

Serving Tips and Suggestions:

Everyone likes a little pumpkin pies with their whipped cream. Try putting a cherry on top of the whipped cream for color.

Fresh blueberry or shaved chocolate also is effective in adding color. Use chocolate sparingly, as too much affects taste

Traditional Pumpkin pie is a must for Thanksgiving and Christmas. But, try not to forget it during the other times of the year. It has the same great taste, regardless of season.

http://www.pumpkinnook.com/cookbook/recipe01.htm

Drew's Pumpkin Spice Bread Recipe

Ingredients:

3 cups flour

3 1/2 cup sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons nutmeg

1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 cup corn oil

2/3 cups water

4 eggs

1 can (single pie size) pumpkin pie filling

1 1/2 cups walnuts (optional)

Preparation Directions:

Mix together:

3 cups flour

3 1/2 cups sugar

1 1/2 tsp nutmeg

1 1/2 tsp cinnamon

1 1/2 tsp salt

2 tsp baking soda

Add:

1 cup corn oil

2/3 cups water

4 eggs

1 can pumpkin (single pie size)

1 1/2 cup walnuts (optional)

Pour into 3 well greased and floured pans.

Bake 1 hour at 350 or until knife comes out clean.

These loaves freeze VERY well!

http://www.pumpkinnook.com/cookbook/recipe53.htm

Pumpkin Cheesecake

Ingredients:

Cake Ingredients:

2 Sticks(One cup) Butter

3 Eggs

2 1/2 cups Flour

1 cup Granulated Sugar

1/2 cup Pumpkin(canned or fresh pureed)

1/2 cup Sour Cream

1 teaspoon Vanilla

2 teaspoons Baking Powder

1 teaspoon Cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda

1/3 teaspoon(or less) Salt

Filling Ingredients:

8 ounces Cream Cheese

1/3 cup Granulated Sugar

1 Egg

1/4 cup Canned Pumpkin

1 tablespoon Corn Starch

1/2 teaspoon Vanilla

Preparation Directions:

Filling Preparation:

In a mixing bowl, beat ingredients until very smooth.

Set aside and prepare cake batter.

Pour into glass dish on top of batter as described in cake instructions below.

For Cake:

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large bowl, cream butter, sugar, and vanilla until light and fluffy.

Add eggs and beat well.

Add flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt.

Mix in pumpkin and sour cream. Blend thoroughly until smooth.

Pour 1/2 of batter into a buttered 13x9 inch glass baking dish.

Add the filling mix, spreading the batter evenly in the dish.

Add remaining batter and lightly swirl into filling.

Bake for 50 to 55 minutes.

Allow to cool.

Cut into twelve servings

Serving Tips and Suggestions:

Add Whipped cream on top when serving.

http://www.pumpkinnook.com/cookbook/recipe06.htm

Enjoy!