Beyond the Pumpkin Pie: Sweet Treats for Your Thanksgiving Dessert Table

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

13 Nov 2008 06:05 AM

Anyone who has hosted a few dozen guests on Thanksgiving knows that three or four traditional pumpkin pies is not going to cut it when it comes time for dessert. People have different tastes and not everyone enjoys pumpkin pie, regardless of its history with the holiday.

If you are hosting a large group for Thanksgiving dinner it's appropriate to offer a variety of different dessert options. This is especially critical if you are hosting a number of children. Most kids (my daughter not included) would much rather dine on a decadent chocolate treat than dig into a slice of plain pumpkin pie.

The following recipes are ideal for children. Not only are they made with kid-friendly ingredients (chocolate and peanut butter), but also given that they are bars, they don't require utensils to eat. Once the turkey has been cleared, I assure you that these sweet and handy treats will be gobbled up by kids of all ages.

CHOCOLATE COCONUT CRUNCH BARS

Ingredients for Crust:

1 package German chocolate cake mix

1/2 cup crushed pretzels

1/2 cup melted butter

1 egg

Ingredients for Filling:

1/4 cup sugar

1 cup dark corn syrup

2 eggs

3/4 cup pecans, chopped

1 cup butterscotch chips

1 cup coconut

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine all crust ingredients, mix at low speed until blended. Press into bottom of greased 13 by 9-inch pan. Bake 15 minutes or until crust puffs up and appears dry. Allow to cool for at least 5 minutes.

Combine sugar, corn syrup and eggs, mix at low speed until well blended. Stir in remaining ingredients and spoon evenly over partially baked crust.

Bake 30 to 40 minutes or until golden brown.

Cool 10 minutes, then run a knife around sides of pan to loosen.

Cool an additional hour before serving.

CRISPY PEANUT BUTTER BARS

Ingredients:

1/2 cup white corn syrup

1/2 cup sugar

1 cup peanut butter

3 cups crispy rice cereal (such as Rice Krispies)

Ingredients for Frosting:

1 package (6 ounces) butterscotch chips

1 tablespoon milk

1/2 tablespoon butter

2 heaping tablespoons powdered sugar

Directions:

Grease a 13 by 9-inch pan.

In a large pot, bring corn syrup and sugar to low boil, then add peanut butter and blend well. While syrup is hot, add rice cereal. Mix well and pat into prepared pan.

To make frosting: Melt butterscotch chips, milk and butter in microwave-safe bowl. Add powdered sugar; blend well and spread over bars.

Cool and cut.

Makes 24 bars.

GERMAN CHOCOLATE CHIP BARS

Ingredients:

1 package (14 ounces) caramel pieces

2/3 cup evaporated milk

1 box (18 ounces) German chocolate cake mix

3/4 cup butter, melted

1 cup chopped walnuts

1 package (6 ounces) chocolate chips

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 13 by 9-inch baking pan.

Microwave caramels and 1/3 cup evaporated milk in a microwave-safe bowl.

Combine cake mix, butter, remaining 1/3 cup evaporated milk and nuts. Spoon half of this mixture into prepared pan; bake 15 minutes.

Sprinkle chocolate chips and caramel mixture over baked crust. Carefully spoon remaining batter over this layer and bake 15 more minutes.

Cool and refrigerate to set caramel.

Cut into 2-inch squares.

Makes 24 bars.

Related Articles:

Kicked Up Thanksgiving Pies

Variations on the Traditional Pumpkin Pie

Apple Pear Pie

Cranberry Cherry Pie

Abandon the Pumpkin Pie: A Pumpkin Torte

Abandon the Pumpkin Pie: Pumpkin Apple Cobbler

Bring On the Pumpkins: How to Cook with Fresh Pumpkin

Pumpkin Ice Cream Pie

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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