thanksgiving roundup

As you are planning your Thanksgiving menu, my priority is mostly focused on the dessert table. Is there a good balance of pumpkin, apple and chocolate desserts? Is there a nice mix of cookies, cakes and pies? My rule of thumb for the amount of desserts to serve is this: how many side dishes are you serving= how many desserts you should have. So, if you have 5 sides (gravy, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green beans and rolls) then you need to have an equal amount of desserts. I know this math is horrible for the waistline (and wonderful for your taste buds) but if you only have little amounts of everything then it's not so bad, right? Right.  

So here are six desserts that should be on your dessert table:

1. 

~ These soft pumpkin cookies with brown sugar pecan frosting have all the flavors of fall and are easily devoured. 

2. 

~ This chocolate ganache pie is rich, silky and would be amazing next to the typical pumpkin and apple pie. Bonus: it can be made the day before and assembled right before serving.

3. 

~ If you're not a fan of apple pie (admittedly I'm not) then this quick n' easy apple crisp is the answer. Again, this can be assembled ahead of time and baked right before serving. Top with some vanilla ice cream and you're done.

4.

~ Maybe you don't love the texture of pumpkin pie, then this pumpkin buttermilk bundt cake is the solution. Make it the day before Thanksgiving, to give yourself a break on the day of, and you'll be amazed at how moist and flavorful it still is.

5. 

~ The chocolate chips in these pumpkin chocolate chip cookies are a stroke of genius. Chocolate and pumpkin= love.

 6.

~ These pumpkin cheesecake turnovers use puff pastry, so if you're not crazy about pie crust, this flaky pastry is right up your ally. 

*And a bonus tip:

~ Whether you do or don't serve any of the above desserts, homemade whip cream is a must. Unfortunately for homemade whip cream, it falls flat fast. If you stabilize whip cream then you can make it in advance and it'll still hold it's shape when you're ready to serve. Happy Baking!