By: Gabi Blazko

During the Thanksgiving holiday, people enjoy trying different types of Thanksgiving desserts. Did you know that there are over 130 desserts families eat during the Thanksgiving holiday? One dessert I tried with these recipes is chocolate chip cookies. Here are some dessert recipes that aren’t as simple as your average pumpkin pie.

1. The Great Pumpkin Bundt Cake

Prep: 1 hour  Bake: 32 minutes Total: 1 hour and 32 minutes

Ingredients

Cake

-11/3 cups (150g) King Arthur Golden Wheat Flour

– 1 tablespoon of King Arthur Pie Spice

-1 tablespoon of baking powder

– 3/4 tablespoon of table salt

– 1/4 tablespoon of baking soda

– 11/4 cups (284g) of pumpkin puree

– 1 cup (213g) of light brown sugar or dark brown sugar, packed

– 1/2 cup (99g) of vegetable oil

– 2 large eggs

– 2 teaspoons of King Arthur Pure Vanilla Extract

Frosting

-10 tablespoons of (141g) butter, room temperature

– 1/8 tablespoon of table salt

– 5 cups (565g) confectioner’s sugar, sifted if lumpy; divided

– 1 tablespoon (14g) vanilla bean paste

– 1/4 cup (57g) milk at room temperature; divided

– 1 packet of natural orange food coloring

– 2 tablespoons of water

Stem

– 1/4 cup (43g) semisweet chocolate wafers or chocolate chips

– 1 flat- bottomed cake cone

Directions

1. Bundt Cake

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, spices, baking powder, salt, and baking soda. Set aside. In a medium bowl, combine the pumpkin, brown sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla. Whisk until smooth and no lumps remain. Add the dry mixture to the wet mixture and whisk gently until fully combined. Divide the batter evenly into the prepared pan;about 11/2 cups or 440g pan. Use a small offset spatula to smooth the tops. Remove the cakes from the oven and allow them to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before putting them on a rack to cool.

2. Frosting

In a bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the flat beater attachment or with a large bowl with an electric hand mixer, beat the butter and salt until smooth, about 2 to 3 minutes at medium speed. Stop to scrape down the sides of the bowl if needed. With the mixer running on low speed, add about half ( roughly 21/2 cups) of the confectioner’s sugar; continue mixing slowly until it blends well.  Add 1 teaspoon of the hydrated orange color to the frosting and beat at high speed until the frosting is light and fluffy. Add additional color, 1/4 teaspoon at a time, until the desired color is reached. (The frosting can be made up to 3 days in advance; store in a covered container at room temperature until ready to use. Beat for about 1 minute on high speed before using.)

3. Stem

Place the chocolate in a small microwave-safe bowl and microwave in 20-second increments at 50% power, stirring after each interval, until fully melted and smooth, 1 to 2 minutes total. Alternatively, place the chocolate in a small heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of barely simmering water (make sure the bowl doesn’t touch the water). Stir occasionally until melted and smooth.

• Use a serrated knife to remove the larger rim of the ice cream cone, cutting about 3/4″ from the top. Spread the melted chocolate over the ice cream cone and place it upright on a piece of parchment or a small plate. Transfer, uncovered, to the refrigerator until fully set, at least 15 to 20 minutes.

Nutritional Information

Calories 500 I Total Carbohydrate 79g I Total Fat 20g I Dietary Fiber 2g I Saturated Fat 8g I Total Sugars 67g I Trans Fat 0g I Added Sugars 66g I Cholesterol 55mg I Sodium 270mg I Protein 3mg

2. Maple Pecan Bread Pudding

Prep: 15 minutes Cook Time: 30 minutes Total time: 45 minutes

Ingredients

-3 eggs

-1 cup of real maple syrup

-1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

-3 cups of milk

-6 teaspoons of vanilla

-12 oz of French or other firm bread, cut into 1-inch slices, then tear into 1-inch pieces (10 cups)

-2 teaspoons of butter, softened

-1 cup of chopped pecans, toasted

-1 cup premium vanilla ice cream, melted

-2 tablespoons bourbon, if desired

-1 tablespoon of real maple syrup

Directions

1. In a large bowl, mix eggs, 1 cup of maple syrup, and the cinnamon with a wire whisk until well blended. Stir in bread pieces and let it sit for 30 minutes.
2. Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease 11×7-inch (2-quart) glass baking dish with softened butter. Stir pecans into bread mixture. Pour into a baking dish.
3. Bake uncovered for 65 to 70 minutes, or until the top is puffed and light golden brown. Cool for  30 minutes.
4. In a small bowl, mix ice cream, bourbon, and 1 tablespoon maple syrup until well blended. Serve sauce over warm bread pudding. Store bread pudding and sauce covered in the refrigerator.

Nutrition Information

Calories 460 I Total Fat 17g I Protein 12g I Total Carbohydrate 63g

3. Brown Butter Blondies

Prep: 15 minutes Cook Time: 30 minutes Total time: 45 minutes

Ingredients

-8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter

-1 cup flour

-1/2 teaspoon baking powder

-1/4 teaspoon salt

-1 cup brown sugar

-1 egg

-1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions

1. Adjust the oven rack to the middle position and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease the pan with butter.
2. Place butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until melted. Continue to cook until it is fragrant and a nutty brown color. Take off the heat and pour through a sieve into a large bowl. Let cool to room temperature.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
4. Add brown sugar to a bowl with butter and whisk until it’s smooth. Add an egg and vanilla and whisk to combine. Stir in dry ingredients until just incorporated. Pour batter into pan and smooth top. Bake until a cake tester inserted into the middle comes out clean. Let it cool off for at least 15 minutes before taking it out.

Nutrition Information

171 Calories I 8g fat I 23g carbs

23g carbs2g protein

Gabi Blazko: Gabi Blazko is a freshman Elementary Education major. She is the Outreach and Supplies person for SBSA (Social Behavioral Science Association). She is also part of Aspiring Educators, Writers Bloc, and Tri-lite. Her dream grade to teach is 2nd grade!