It seems like a lot of our holiday traditions are based on foods. Probably the most popular dishes with a lot of emotions attached are the desserts. Whether it's the fruitcake, holiday cookies, or a pumpkin pie, they all seem to bring back memories of home and family. It could be though that our classic desserts are really due for fresh ideas. Here are just a few creative variations on some classic holiday desserts.
I'll start with pumpkin pie since it's not always been a favorite of mine. When I came across a great variation on this dessert I was really happy. It uses pumpkin ice cream as the filling instead of pumpkin puree. Another great thing about it is how easy it is to make, especially if you use a store-bought graham crust. Simply mix a can of pumpkin puree with a pint of your favorite vanilla ice cream and add a dash of allspice, cloves, nutmeg, and allspice. Then pour into your crust, add a layer of whipped cream, and place in the freezer. What a wonderful treat! It's not nearly as heavy as pumpkin pie and just delicious.
Fruitcake is a strange phenomenon in the hierarchy of holiday desserts. They have a terrible reputation, most of them are sweet enough to cause diabetic shock in healthy people, and yet they are a beloved symbol of the holiday season. Fruitcake is a dessert in desperate need of a makeover! So instead of a heavy, overly sweet cake made with candied fruits why not something really different? How about a heavy, chewy, dark bread studded with fresh fruits? Or denser oatmeal bread baked with caramelized fresh cherries, coconut shavings, and pineapple would be delicious. It could be covered in white chocolate cream cheese icing. True, it won't have the staying power of traditional fruitcake but people will actually eat it.
There is another fruitcake update that is delicious, but requires some dexterity. It is referred to as fruitcake sushi. You'll need phyllo dough, and a variety of fresh fruits that have been finely chopped. Roll the fruit mixture into the phyllo dough. It should resemble sushi where the seaweed is on the outside. Bake very quickly in a hot oven. Cut into rounds. Place a tear shaped dollop of white chocolate icing on the top of each round. So delicious, and a lot of fun to eat.
Do you ever have enough holiday cookie recipes? I know my family loves to swap ideas so we have new cookies for work, or to take to holiday parties, or just to enjoy at home. One cookie that's quite unique is an oldie but a goodie. You mix a cup of rolled oats, with flour, brown sugar, allspice, butter, and a dash of salt. Layer your mixture into a baking pan and cover with mincemeat. Add a layer of your favorite roasted nuts and bake for 30 to 45 minutes. It might sound like an odd dessert but it's actually quite delicious!
We all want to see our favorite holiday desserts on the table. It's only natural! Tastes (not to mention nutritional standards) do evolve over time, though, and it is important to let our favorite desserts evolve with them. These are some suggestions for easy ways to reinvent holiday desserts, so use some of these ideas (fresh ingredients for canned, different methods of preparation) to update your family must-have holiday desserts. - 16492
I'll start with pumpkin pie since it's not always been a favorite of mine. When I came across a great variation on this dessert I was really happy. It uses pumpkin ice cream as the filling instead of pumpkin puree. Another great thing about it is how easy it is to make, especially if you use a store-bought graham crust. Simply mix a can of pumpkin puree with a pint of your favorite vanilla ice cream and add a dash of allspice, cloves, nutmeg, and allspice. Then pour into your crust, add a layer of whipped cream, and place in the freezer. What a wonderful treat! It's not nearly as heavy as pumpkin pie and just delicious.
Fruitcake is a strange phenomenon in the hierarchy of holiday desserts. They have a terrible reputation, most of them are sweet enough to cause diabetic shock in healthy people, and yet they are a beloved symbol of the holiday season. Fruitcake is a dessert in desperate need of a makeover! So instead of a heavy, overly sweet cake made with candied fruits why not something really different? How about a heavy, chewy, dark bread studded with fresh fruits? Or denser oatmeal bread baked with caramelized fresh cherries, coconut shavings, and pineapple would be delicious. It could be covered in white chocolate cream cheese icing. True, it won't have the staying power of traditional fruitcake but people will actually eat it.
There is another fruitcake update that is delicious, but requires some dexterity. It is referred to as fruitcake sushi. You'll need phyllo dough, and a variety of fresh fruits that have been finely chopped. Roll the fruit mixture into the phyllo dough. It should resemble sushi where the seaweed is on the outside. Bake very quickly in a hot oven. Cut into rounds. Place a tear shaped dollop of white chocolate icing on the top of each round. So delicious, and a lot of fun to eat.
Do you ever have enough holiday cookie recipes? I know my family loves to swap ideas so we have new cookies for work, or to take to holiday parties, or just to enjoy at home. One cookie that's quite unique is an oldie but a goodie. You mix a cup of rolled oats, with flour, brown sugar, allspice, butter, and a dash of salt. Layer your mixture into a baking pan and cover with mincemeat. Add a layer of your favorite roasted nuts and bake for 30 to 45 minutes. It might sound like an odd dessert but it's actually quite delicious!
We all want to see our favorite holiday desserts on the table. It's only natural! Tastes (not to mention nutritional standards) do evolve over time, though, and it is important to let our favorite desserts evolve with them. These are some suggestions for easy ways to reinvent holiday desserts, so use some of these ideas (fresh ingredients for canned, different methods of preparation) to update your family must-have holiday desserts. - 16492
About the Author:
Clay Cookers are great for making casseroles and lots of other great dishes and desserts. Romertopf Clay Cookware makes a great line of clay bakers and accessories to choose from.
