Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Crispix Mix for Kayla

1/2 box Golden Graham Cereal
1 reg size bos of Crispix Cereal
1 small pkg of coconut
2 small pkgs of slivered almonds toasted

Mix the above in a large bowl, then bring to a boil the following:

2 cubes of butter
1 cup light Karo Syrup
1 cup sugar

Boil this about 4 minutes, (DO NOT OVER BOIL) remove from heat and add 1 tsp vanilla, pour over cereal mixture and stir until well coated.  Lay out on 2 cookie sheets.  (If you boil this too long it will be hard instead of chewy)

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Mint Chocolate Brownies

Chocolate Mint Brownies: Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (160 degrees C) and place the rack in the center of the oven. Have ready a 9 x 9 inch (23 x 23 cm) square bakingpan that has been lined with aluminum foil across the bottom and up two opposite sides of the pan. Set aside.
Brownies: In a stainless steel (heatproof) bowl placed over a saucepan of simmering water, melt the butter and chocolate. Remove from heat and stir in the sugar and vanilla extract. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well (with a wooden spoon) after each addition. Stir in the flour and salt and beat, with a wooden spoon, until the batter is smooth and glossy and comes away from the sides of the pan (about one minute). Pour the brownie batter evenly into the prepared pan.
Bake in the preheated oven for about 25 minutes or until the brownies start to pull away from the sides of the pan and the edges of the brownies are just beginning to brown. A toothpick inserted in the center of the brownies will come out almost clean. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to completely cool.
Mint Layer: In the bowl of your electric mixer, or with a hand mixer, beat all the ingredients until smooth. Add a few drops of green food coloring if you want the frosting green. If the frosting is too thick, add a little extra cream. (The frosting should be just thin enough to spread.) Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled brownie layer. Place in the refrigerator for about 5-10 minutes or until firm.
Chocolate Glaze:  In a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water, melt the chocolate and butter. Spread over the mint filling and refrigerate for about 30 minutes or until the chocolate glaze starts to dull.
To Serve: Remove the brownies from the pan by lifting with the ends of the foil and transfer to a cutting board. With a sharp knife, cut into 30 squares. It is a good idea to wipe your knife between cuts with a damp cloth. These brownies can be stored in the refrigerator for several days or else frozen.
Makes about 30 1-inch (2.5 cm) squares.

Brownie Layer:
1/2 cup butter, cut into pieces
4 ounces unsweetened chocolate, coarsely chopped
1 1/4 cups  granulated white sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1/2 cup   flour
1/4 teaspoonsalt
Mint Layer:
2 tablespoons  butter, at room temperature
1 cup  powdered  sugar, sifted
1 - 1 1/2 tablespoons heavy cream
1/2 teaspoon pure peppermint extract or 1-2 tablespoons creme de menthe
green food coloring (optional)
Chocolate Glaze:
3 ounces  semisweet chocolate, chopped
1 tablespoon butter

Sweet Cheese Delights


  • 2 packages (8 oz each) cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 2 cans (8 oz each) Pillsbury® refrigerated crescent dinner rolls
  • 1 cup chopped pecans
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • Powdered sugar, IF desired

DIRECTIONS

1. In large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar with electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy. Add egg yolk and vanilla; beat on low speed until blended.
2. Unroll 1 can of dough into 1 large rectangle; press seams and perforations to seal. Press onto bottom of ungreased 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish. Spread with cream cheese mixture.
3. In small bowl, mix pecans, brown sugar, butter and cinnamon. Sprinkle half the pecan mixture over the cream cheese layer. On lightly floured surface, press or roll out remaining dough into 13x9-inch rectangle. Place over filling. Sprinkle remaining pecan mixture over top.
4. Bake at 375°F 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. Cool slightly on cooling rack. Sprinkle with powdered sugar. Cover and refrigerate leftovers.

Peanut Ice Cream Cookie Cake

1pouch (1 lb 1.5 oz) Betty Crocker double chocolate chunk cookie mix
1/3cup hot fudge topping
1/4cup vegetable oil
1egg
4cups vanilla ice cream or frozen yogurt, softened
1/4cup caramel topping
1cup peanuts
  1. Heat oven to 350°F. Lightly spray 10-inch springform pan with cooking spray. Or line 9-inch square baking pan with foil, leaving about 2 inches of the foil overhanging sides of pan; lightly spray with cooking spray.
  2. In large bowl, stir cookie mix, 2 tablespoons of the hot fudge topping, oil and egg until soft dough forms. Press dough in bottom and 1 inch up sides of pan. Bake 13 to 15 minutes or until top of crust is no longer shiny. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
  3. Spread ice cream over cookie crust. Freeze 2 hours. Remove from freezer. Drizzle with caramel topping and remaining hot fudge topping; sprinkle with peanuts. Freeze at least 2 hours or until firm.
  4. To serve, remove sides of springform pan or lift dessert using foil out of 9-inch pan. Let stand 10 minutes. Use hot wet knife to cut into wedges or squares. Store covered in freezer.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Another Peanut Butter Ball


Ingredients

  • 2 cups creamy peanut butter
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 4 cups confectioners' sugar
  • 3 cups crisp rice cereal
  • 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Directions

  1. Melt peanut butter and butter in saucepan, over low heat. In large bowl, mix crispy rice cereal and confectioners' sugar well. Pour melted peanut butter and butter over cereal and sugar and blend together thoroughly.
  2. Form into 1 inch or smaller balls, spread on cookie sheets, chill till firm in refrigerator (over night is okay).
  3. Melt chocolate in double boiler and keep melted while working with balls. A teaspoon is best to use in dipping the balls in chocolate. Dip good and place on cookie sheet. As you dip them place them back on cookie sheet and keep chilled till firm.

Peanut Butter BALLS



1/2 lb. butter, softened (2 sticks)
1 can flaked coconut
4 cups powdered sugar (1 lb)
1 cup nuts, chopped
1 tsp. vanilla
food grade paraffin wax
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 lb. graham cracker crumbs
1 large pkg. semi-sweet chocolate bits

Stir together butter, peanut butter, coconut and powdered sugar. Let stand for a few minutes. Shape mixture into balls. Melt a 1-inch square of paraffin wax with the chocolate bits in a saucepan. Dip ball into mixture and place on parchment paper.
Cooks Note: Use Baker's Dipping Chocolate or substitute your own tempered chocolate in place of the paraffin, if desired. Refrigerate until serving.

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Old Fashion Bread Pudding


Ingredients:

2 cups whole milk (or 2 cups half & half)
1/4 cup butter
2/3 cup brown sugar (light or dark, depending on taste preference)
3 eggs
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups bread, torn into small pieces (french bread works best)
1/2 cup raisins (optional)

Directions:

1. In medium saucepan, over medium heat, heat milk (or half & half) just until film forms over top. Combine butter and milk, stirring until butter is melted. Cool to lukewarm.
2. Combine sugar, eggs, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla. Beat with an electric mixer at medium speed for 1 minute. Slowly add milk mixture.
3. Place bread in a lightly greased 1 1/2 quart casserole.
4. Sprinkle with raisins if desired. Pour batter on top of bread.
5. Bake at 350 degrees F for 45 to 50 minutes or until set. Serve warm.

If you make the sauce to put on top of your bread pudding, adjust the sugar in the bread pudding recipe, change it to 1/3 cups sugar (the sauce has the other 1/3 cup in it).

Bread Pudding Sauce

Ingredients:

1 cup whole milk
2 Tablespoons butter
1/3 cup granulated white sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 Tablespoon flour
dash of salt

Directions:

Mix everything together and bring to a boil for 3 - 4 minutes, stirring constantly. Set aside for 5 minutes, then pour on warm bread pudding.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Hot Chocolate Soufflé



1/2 cup sugar, DIVIDED
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/8 tsp. salt
1 cup milk
1/2 tsp. vanilla
4 EGG WHITES, room temperature
1/4 tsp. cream of tartar
4 EGG YOLKS
Here’s How

HEAT oven to 350°F. MIX 1/4 cup sugar, the cocoa powder, flour and salt in medium saucepan; gradually whisk in milk until smooth. COOK over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens and boils. STIR IN vanilla. Remove from heat.
BEAT egg whites and cream of tartar in mixer bowl with whisk attachment on high speed until foamy. Beating constantly, ADD remaining 1/4 cup sugar, 2 Tbsp. at a time, beating after each addition until sugar is dissolved. (Rub a bit of mixture between thumb and forefinger; it should feel completely smooth.) Continue beating until whites are glossy and stand in Soft Peaks.
STIR egg yolks into reserved sauce until blended. Gently but thoroughly FOLD yolk mixture into whites until no streaks of white remain. Carefully POUR into ungreased 1-1/2 to 2-qt. soufflé dish. For a "top hat", hold metal spatula upright and make a ring in top of the soufflé mixture, 1 inch from side of dish and 1 inch deep, if desired.
BAKE in 350°F oven until soufflé is puffy, delicately browned and shakes slightly when oven rack is moved gently back and forth, 30 to 40 minutes. SERVE IMMEDIATELY.

Cream Puff


1 cup water
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, cut into pieces
1cup bread flour OR all-purpose flour
1/8 tsp. salt
4 EGGS
Pastry Cream (Vanilla Custard Filling)
Powdered sugar OR Chocolate Glaze
Here’s How

POSITION rack in lower third of oven; heat oven to 425°F. HEAT water and butter in heavy medium saucepan over medium heat to a rolling boil. REMOVE from heat and immediately ADD flour and salt all at once; beat vigorously until thoroughly blended. RETURN to medium heat. COOK, stirring vigorously, until mixture pulls away from sides of pan and forms a ball, 1 to 2 minutes.
REMOVE from heat. LET STAND to cool slightly, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes.
ADD eggs, 1 at a time, beating after each addition, by hand or with mixer on medium speed, until smooth. CONTINUE BEATING, if necessary, until glossy and a small quantity of dough scooped on the end of a spoon stands erect.
For cream puffs: DROP dough by scant 1/4 cupfuls, about 2 inches apart onto ungreased baking sheet. For éclairs: Shape scant 1/4 cupfuls into 4 x 1-inch fingers on ungreased baking sheet.
Bake in lower third of 425°F oven until lightly browned, about 20 minutes. Reduce oven setting to 375°F. Continue baking until firm and golden brown, about 20 minutes longer. Immediately after baking, PIERCE side of each puff with tip of sharp knife. Cool on wire rack.
Just before serving, CUT OFF 1/2 inch from top of each puff; pull out any filaments of soft dough from inside. SPOON scant 1/3 cup pastry cream into each puff; replace tops. SPRINKLE cream puffs with powdered sugar; spread éclairs with 2 tsp. chocolate glaze each. REFRIGERATE leftovers promptly.

For the Vanilla Cream Filled
3 EGG YOLKS
3 cups milk
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup cornstarch
1/4 tsp. salt
3/4tsp. vanilla
Here’s How

BEAT egg yolks well in medium bowl or glass measure; gradually stir in milk until blended.
MIX sugar, cornstarch and salt in large heavy saucepan. GRADUALLY stir in a small amount of milk mixture, making a smooth paste. Gradually stir in remaining milk mixture until blended.
COOK over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens and comes to a boil, 20 to 25 minutes. BOIL and stir 1 minute. REMOVE from heat immediately.
COOL quickly: Set pan in larger pan of ice water. STIR occasionally and gently for a few minutes to hasten cooling. STIR IN vanilla. PRESS piece of plastic wrap onto surface of pastry cream to prevent "skin" from forming. REFRIGERATE until thoroughly chilled, at least 1 hour.

Classic Flan



1/2cup sugar

1 can (14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk

1 can (12 oz.) evaporated milk

6 EGGS

1/2 tsp. vanilla
Here’s How

CARAMELIZE SUGAR: (Caution: Caramelized sugar is very hot; do not touch it.) PLACE sugar in small heavy saucepan. HEAT over medium heat, watching carefully, until sugar is melted and turns deep golden brown. IMMEDIATELY remove from heat and pour into 9-inch flan dish or pie plate. Holding dish with potholders, quickly tilt dish to coat bottom completely and evenly. Syrup will harden quickly.
HEAT oven to 350°F. MIX condensed and evaporated milks in medium saucepan; heat until very hot. Milk should be steaming but not bubbling. Meanwhile BEAT eggs and vanilla in medium bowl until blended but not foamy; slowly stir in hot milk.
PLACE flan dish in baking pan large enough to hold dish without touching sides of pan. POUR egg mixture into flan dish.
PLACE pan on rack in center of 350°F oven; pour very hot water into baking pan (Hot-Water Bath) to within 1/2 inch of top of flan dish. BAKE until knife inserted near center comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes. REMOVE dish from water bath at once; cool on wire rack.
Enjoy

To serve warm, cool on wire rack 10 minutes. Gently loosen edges with tip of knife. Invert onto platter.
To serve cold, cool completely on wire rack. Refrigerate several hours or overnight to chill thoroughly. Gently loosen edges with tip of knife. Unmold before serving.
Garnish with strawberries and fresh mint. Cut into wedges.

Twice-Baked Sweet Potato Casserole with Bacon


INGREDIENTS
6lb dark-orange sweet potatoes (9 large or 12 medium)
8oz bacon (8 to 10 slices)
1/4cup Progresso panko crispy bread crumbs or plain bread crumbs
1tablespoon butter or margarine, melted
1/2cup sour cream
1/4cup butter or margarine, softened
2medium green onions, chopped (2 tablespoons)
1/2teaspoon salt
1/4teaspoon pepper
DIRECTIONS
1Heat oven to 350°F. Line 15x10x1-inch pan with foil; spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. Pierce sweet potatoes several times with fork. Place in pan. Bake about 1 hour 15 minutes or until tender. Cool 10 minutes. When potatoes are cool enough to handle, peel potatoes and cut out any eyes or dark spots.
2Meanwhile, cook bacon as desired until crisp; chop. In small bowl, mix bread crumbs and 1 tablespoon butter; set aside.
3In large bowl, mash potatoes with potato masher. Stir in chopped bacon, sour cream, 1/4 cup butter, the onions, salt and pepper until well blended. Spread mixture in baking dish, or form individual servings in dish with 1/2-cup ice cream scoop or measuring cup. Sprinkle crumb mixture evenly over top.
4Bake 20 to 30 minutes or until thoroughly heated and bread crumbs just begin to brown.
Save prep time by using pre-cooked bacon.
This casserole can be made the day before. Simply cover it and refrigerate until you're ready to bake.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

triple coconut cream pie


1Pillsbury refrigerated pie crust, softened as directed on box
1can (13 1/2 oz) coconut milk, shaken well
1/2cup plus 1 tablespoon sweetened shredded or flaked coconut, toasted
1cup whole milk
1/2vanilla bean, split (or 1 teaspoon vanilla)
2/3cup sugar
1/4teaspoon salt
5large egg yolks
1/4cup cornstarch
1/2teaspoon coconut extract
2tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into four pieces
Topping
1 1/2cups heavy whipping cream, well chilled
1 1/2tablespoons sugar
2teaspoons dark rum (or 1 teaspoon vanilla)
1/4cup sweetened shredded or flaked coconut, toasted
1oz white chocolate, shaved

1Heat oven to 450°F.
2Unroll pie crust onto cooking parchment or wax paper. Brush a small amount of coconut milk onto dough (just enough to moisten it). Sprinkle 1/2 tablespoon of the toasted coconut evenly on dough, then press it lightly into dough, just enough to make it stick.
3Sprinkle 1/2 tablespoon toasted coconut onto bottom of 9-inch pie plate, then form dough into plate. Prick bottom and side with fork. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until light brown. Cool.
4Heat the remaining coconut milk, the whole milk, 1/2 cup toasted coconut, vanilla bean, 1/3 cup of the sugar and the salt to a simmer in 2-quart saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, about 5 minutes to dissolve sugar.
5In a separate large bowl, with whisk, beat the egg yolks, remaining 1/3 cup sugar and the cornstarch until well combined. Gradually beat the simmering liquid into the yolk mixture to temper it, then return the entire mixture to saucepan, scraping the bowl with a rubber spatula. Discard vanilla bean.
6Heat the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, beating constantly with whisk, 5 to 6 minutes or until mixture is thickened.
7Remove from heat; beat in the coconut extract and butter. Pour into the cooled crust; press a sheet of plastic wrap directly on the surface of the filling and refrigerate until the filling is cold and firm, at least 3 hours or overnight.
8Just before serving, beat the cream and sugar in a chilled bowl using electric mixer at medium speed until soft peaks form. Add the rum and continue to beat until slightly stiff peaks are formed. Spread or pipe the whipped cream over the chilled filling. Sprinkle 1/4 cup toasted coconut and shaved chocolate over the top. Store in refrigerator.

White Chocolate Raspberry Pie


1Pillsbury refrigerated pie crust, softened as directed on box
5oz white chocolate baking squares
3tablespoons milk
5oz cream cheese, softened
1/2cup powdered sugar
1/2to 1 teaspoon grated orange peel
1cup whipping cream, whipped
3cup fresh raspberries

Heat oven to 450°F. Make pie crust as directed on box for One-Crust Baked Shell, using 9-inch glass pie plate. Cool completely.
2In microwavable bowl, microwave 4 squares of the white chocolate and the milk uncovered on Medium about 2 minutes or until almost melted. Stir until melted. Cool to room temperature.
3In small bowl, beat cream cheese, powdered sugar and orange peel with electric mixer on low speed until smooth. Beat in white chocolate mixture. Fold whipped cream into white chocolate mixture. Spread in bottom of cooled baked shell. Arrange raspberries on filling.
4Melt remaining square of white chocolate; drizzle over pie. Refrigerate about 2 hours or until set. Cover and refrigerate any remaining pie.

Monday, November 15, 2010

Pumpkin Cheesecake


Crust:

1 1/4 cups gingersnap cookies (crushed into crumbs) or you can substitute graham crackers
1/4 cup melted butter
Combine crushed cookies and melted butter. Press into bottom and up sides of 9" springform pan. Bake at 350 minutes until golden -- about 10-12 minutes.

Filling:

4 (8-oz) packages softened cream cheese
1 1/4 cups sugar
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup canned pumpkin puree
2 tablespoons pumpkin pie spice
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 large eggs
The secret to keeping your cheesecake from cracking is not to over-mix the filling. Also, resist the urge to open the door and peek inside the oven while it's cooking (something I'm totally guilty of!).

Beat cream cheese and sugar with mixer on low speed until smooth; mix in flour. Add pumpkin puree, pie spice, vanilla, and salt; mix until smooth. Add eggs one at a time.

Place springform pan on a rimmed baking sheet. Pour filling into springform, and gently smooth top. Bake 45 minutes at 300 degrees.

Turn off oven; let cheesecake stay in oven 2 hours more (without opening). Remove from oven; cool completely. Cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate until firm -- at least 4 hours.

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Pumpkin Pie Dessert Bars


Base
1 1/2 cups Original Bisquick® mix
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/2 cup chopped pecans
Filling
1 cup sugar
1 can (15 oz) pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)
1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
4 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
3 eggs
Topping
1 cup Original Bisquick® mix
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup butter or margarine
3/4 cup chopped pecans

Heat oven to 350F. Spray 13x9-inch pan with cooking spray. In medium bowl, mix 1 1/2 cups Bisquick and 1/2 cup pecans. Using pastry blender or fork, cut in 1/2 cup butter until mixture is crumbly. With floured fingers, press mixture in bottom of pan. Bake 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, in large bowl, beat filling ingredients with wire whisk until smooth; set aside. In medium bowl, mix 1 cup Bisquick mix and 1/2 cup brown sugar. Using pastry blender or fork, cut in 1/4 cup butter until mixture is crumbly. Stir in pecans.
Pour filling over hot partially baked base. Sprinkle topping over filling.
Bake 50 to 55 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 30 minutes before cutting into squares. Serve with whipped cream, if desired. Store in refrigerator.

Pumpkin Bundt Cake


3 cups Original Bisquick® mix
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
2 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1/4 cup milk
4 eggs
1 can (16 ounces) pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)
1 cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Heat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour 12-cup fluted tube cake pan.
Beat Bisquick, granulated sugar, brown sugar, butter, pumpkin pie spice, 1/4 cup milk, eggs and pumpkin in large bowl on low speed 30 seconds. Beat on medium speed 3 minutes. Spread in pan.
Bake about 50 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; turn upside down onto heatproof plate or wire cooling rack. Remove pan; cool cake completely.
Stir remaining ingredients until smooth and thin enough to drizzle. Drizzle over cake.

Easy Pumpkin Cheescake Pie


1 can (15 oz) pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)
1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, cut into 16 pieces, softened
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
3 eggs
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup Original Bisquick® mix
1 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1 cup caramel topping, if desired
Pecan halves, if desired
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Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 9-inch glass pie plate with cooking spray.
In blender, place all ingredients except caramel topping and pecan halves. Cover; blend on high speed about 2 minutes or until smooth. (Or beat in medium bowl with hand beater 2 minutes.) Pour into pie plate.
Bake about 45 minutes or just until puffed and center is dry (do not overbake). Cool completely, about 1 hour. Refrigerate at least 3 hours until chilled. Drizzle servings with caramel topping; garnish with pecan halves. Store covered in refrige

Impossibly Easy Pumpkin-Pecan Pie


1 cup canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)
1/2 cup Original Bisquick® mix
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup evaporated milk (from 12-oz can)
1 tablespoon butter or margarine, softened
1 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1 1/2 cups frozen (thawed) whipped topping
1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
8 pecan halves, if desired

Heat oven to 350ºF. Spray 9-inch glass pie plate with cooking spray.
In medium bowl, stir pumpkin, Bisquick mix, sugar, milk, butter, 1 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice, the vanilla and eggs until blended. Stir in chopped pecans. Pour into pie plate.
Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
Stir whipped topping and 1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice. Garnish pie with topping and pecan halves. Store covered in refrigerator.

Pumpkin Hazelnut Torte


Cake
1 can (15 oz) pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)
2 1/2 cups Original Bisquick® mix
1 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup ground hazelnuts or walnuts
1/4 cup shortening
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs
Pumpkin Cream
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1 1/2 cups whipping cream
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Reserved 1 cup pumpkin
Garnish
1/2 cup chopped hazelnuts or walnuts

Heat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour 2 (9-inch) round cake pans, or spray with baking spray with flour. Reserve 1 cup pumpkin for pumpkin cream; set aside.
In large bowl, beat remaining pumpkin and all remaining cake ingredients with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds, scraping bowl constantly. Beat on medium speed 4 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Divide batter evenly between pans.
Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes. Remove cakes from pans to cooling racks. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
In chilled large bowl, beat all pumpkin cream ingredients except reserved pumpkin on high speed until stiff. Gently fold in pumpkin. Reserve 1 1/3 cups; set aside.
Place one cake layer, rounded side down, on serving plate. Spread with 1 1/2 cups pumpkin cream. Top with second cake layer, rounded side up. Spread remaining pumpkin cream around side of cake. Spread reserved pumpkin cream on top of cake. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup chopped hazelnuts. Refrigerate 1 hour before serving. Refrigerate any remaining cake.

Chocolate Chip Pecan Pie Bars


1 1/2 cups Original Bisquick® mix
1 cup powdered sugar
1/4 cup firm butter or margarine
4 eggs, beaten
1 cup dark corn syrup
1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted, cooled
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips (6 oz)
1 1/2 cups chopped pecans (6 oz)

Heat oven to 350°F. In medium bowl, mix Bisquick mix and powdered sugar. Cut in firm butter, using pastry blender (or pulling 2 table knives through ingredients in opposite directions), until crumbly. Press firmly in bottom of 13x9-inch pan. Bake 15 minutes; cool.
In large bowl, beat eggs, corn syrup, melted butter and vanilla with spoon until smooth. Stir in chocolate chips and pecans. Pour over crust.
Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown and set. Refrigerate at least 2 hours until chocolate is firm. For bars, cut into 6 rows by 6 rows.