Pumpkin Cheesecake
If you have time to spare (approximately 6 hours, actually), have a go at a delicious holiday classic – a pumpkin cheesecake. Though prep and cook time are not significantly time-consuming, the cooling-off period after the cheesecake has been through the oven is 4 hours. Consider baking this dessert before getting started on other dishes, it is well worth the effort!
Ingredients for Crust:
1 ¾ cups of graham cracker crumbs
3 tablespoons of light brown sugar
½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon
1 stick of melted butter
Ingredients for Filling:
3 8-ounce packages of cream cheese, not refrigerated
1 15-ounce can of pureed pumpkin
3 eggs, plus an egg yolk
¼ cup of sour cream
1 ½ cups of sugar
½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon of fresh ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon of ground cloves
2 tablespoon of flour
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Combine the graham cracker crumbs, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a bowl.
3. Add melted butter. This is your mixture for the crust of the cheesecake.
4. Press the crust down into a springform pan and set aside.
5. Now to work on the filling. Start by beating the cream cheese in a bowl until it has achieved a smooth texture.
6. Slowly add the other filling ingredients one at a time while beating them together. Ensure everything is thoroughly mixed together.
7. Pour the finished batch into the pan with your crust pounded in.
8. Place the pan into your preheated oven. Allow the pan to sit for 1 hour.
9. After time is up, remove the pan from the oven and let it sit for 15 minutes.
10. Then, cover the pan with plastic wrap and stick it in the refrigerator for 4 hours. This cheesecake will make 8 servings.
Balsamic Bloody Mary
For the alcohol-friendly, try a simple upgrade from the classical Bloody Mary favorite. Ready in minutes, this drink only needs an hour to sit before it is prepped for your enjoyment. Though it demands a hefty amount of diverse ingredients, the list is realistic enough to find.
Ingredients:
24 ounces of vegetable cocktail
1 teaspoon of celery seed
1 tablespoon of freshly grounded black pepper
1 juiced lime, 1 lime cut into wedges
1 juiced lemon
2 tablespoons of freshly grated horseradish
1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce
8 ounces of vodka
4 celery stalks
4 teaspoons of balsamic vinegar
1. Take a large pitcher.
2. Combine the vegetable cocktail, celery seed, pepper, citrus juices, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, and hot pepper sauce. Stir well.
3. Cover the pitcher and refrigerate for 1 hour.
4. Fill 4 glasses with ice cubes.
5. Add 2 ounces of vodka to each and fill ¾ of each glass with the cocktail mix.
6. Place 1 celery stalk into each glass.
7. Squeeze a lemon wedge over each glass, then drop the wedge inside.
8. Float a teaspoon of balsamic vinegar on the top of each drink.
9. Serve up your delicious Bloody Maries!
Witch’s Brew
Thankfully, Witch’s Brew does not require time to set before they can be enjoyed. With a prep time of only 20 minutes, these are perfect as last-minute drinks for guests to your Halloween party. These drinks do not require alcohol, so feel free to serve them without the advised vodka. Consider putting your Witch’s Brew in a plastic cauldron for extra authenticity.
Ingredients:
1 6-ounce package of lime gelatin
2 cups of boiling water
3 cups of chilled pineapple juice
1 2-liter bottle of chilled lemon-lime soft drink (or substitute ginger ale)
2 cups of chilled vodka (not necessary)
1. Pour the lime gelatin into a bowl and slowly stir in the boiling water for a minimum of 2 minutes, or until the gelatin is dissolved.
2. Then stir in the pineapple juice. Allow the mix to cool to room temperature for a bit.
3. Pour the mix into a bowl or cauldron. Carefully add the optional vodka and lemon-lime soda or ginger ale.
4. Stir gently to mix and you are done! This contains approximately 12 to 16 servings of Witch’s Brew.
Caramel Apples
Caramel Apples are a popular carnival delight and ideal for Halloween. They are quick to make and should not take longer than a half hour to produce. Add your own toppings to personalize your creations, like sprinkles or other sauces. Kids love them!
Ingredients:
6 apples
2 cups of sugar
¼ cup of light corn syrup
½ cup of water
½ cup of heavy cream
2 tablespoons of unsalted butter
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
1. Place a small saucepan over a medium-high heated stove and mix together the sugar, corn syrup, and water. Stir until the sugar dissolves.
2. Swirl the pan for 8 to 10 minutes, until the mixture is a light amber color.
3. Take the pan off the heated area and slowly add the heavy cream, then the unsalted butter, vanilla extract, and salt.
4. Put the plan back on the stove, this time on low heat, and whisk the contents until a smooth texture develops.
5. Take 6 apples and place sticks into the stem ends.
6. Once the caramel is decently thick, stick each apple into the caramel. Allow the excessive caramel to drip off.
7. Let the apples cool on a parchment-lined baking sheet. It is best to have the sheet coated with cooking spray beforehand.
8. When your apples have cooled down, they are ready to be enjoyed!
* Recipes provided by the Food Network.
[Photo by Jennifer Tramel]
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