Thanksgiving

Pumpkin Trifle

2 to 3 cups leftover crumbled unfrosted spice cake, muffins or gingerbread
2-1/2 cups cold milk
1 can (15 ounces) solid-pack pumpkin
4 packages (3.4 ounces each) instant butterscotch pudding mix
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
2 cups heavy whipping cream
Maraschino cherries, optional

Set aside 1/4 cup of cake crumbs for topping. Divide remaining crumbs into four portions; sprinkle one portion into a trifle bowl or 3-qt. serving bowl.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the milk, pumpkin, pudding mixes and spices; beat until smooth. Spoon half into the serving bowl. Sprinkle with a second portion of crumbs. In a small mixing bowl, beat cream until stiff peaks form; spoon half into bowl.

Sprinkle with a third portion of crumbs. Top with the remaining pumpkin mixture, then remaining portion of crumbs and whipped cream. Sprinkle the reserved crumbs around the edge of bowl. Garnish with cherries if desired. Cover and chill at least 2 hours before serving. Makes 12-15 servings.

Mile-High White Chocolate Hummingbird Cake

1 (8-oz.) can crushed pineapple in juice
2 (18.25-oz.) packages white cake mix
2 (3.4-oz) packages vanilla instant pudding mix
6 large eggs
2 1/2 cups milk, divided
2 cups canola oil
4 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon almond extract
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 (4-oz.) white chocolate baking bar, finely chopped
1 cup flaked sweetened coconut
2 cups chopped pecans, toasted
2 cups chopped banana (about 3 medium)
White Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting
Garnish: toasted pecans

Preheat oven to 350°. Drain pineapple, reserving juice for another use. Squeeze pineapple well using several thicknesses of paper towels to remove excess moisture.

Combine cake mix and next 7 ingredients in an 8-qt. mixing bowl. Beat at low speed with an electric mixer 2 minutes; beat at medium speed 3 minutes. Fold in pineapple, white chocolate, and next 3 ingredients. Pour batter into 4 greased and floured 9-inch round cake pans.

Bake at 350° for 34 to 36 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks 10 minutes. Remove from pans to wire racks, and cool completely. Wrap and chill cake layers at least 1 hour or up to 24 hours.

Using a serrated knife, slice cake layers in half horizontally to make 8 layers. Place 1 layer, cut side up, on cake plate. Spread with 1/2 cup White Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting. Repeat procedure 6 times. Place final cake layer on top of cake, cut side down. Spread remaining frosting on top and sides of cake. Cover; chill in refrigerator overnight. Garnish, if desired. Store in refrigerator.

To prepare a 4-layer White Chocolate Hummingbird Cake instead, use half of all ingredients in both cake and frosting recipes. Follow cake recipe as directed in Steps 1 through 4, except use only 2 greased and floured 9-inch round cake pans.

Slice the 2 cake layers in half horizontally to make 4 layers. Follow White Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting recipe as directed except microwave white chocolate morsels in for only 1 1/2 minutes. Assemble cake as directed. Both the 8 and 4-layer versions of this delicious cake slice best after they have chilled overnight.

White Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting
3 cups white chocolate morsels
3 (8-oz.) packages cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup butter, softened
7 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Microwave white chocolate morsels in a microwave-safe bowl at medium (50% power) 3 minutes; stir until smooth. Combine cream cheese and butter in a large mixing bowl; beat at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy.

Add melted chocolate, beating well. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating at low speed until blended. Beat at medium speed until mixture reaches desired spreading consistency. Makes 9 cups

Cheese Balls Three Ways

Base Recipe:
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
3 packages cream cheese (8 ounces each)
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
5 dashes hot sauce (such as Tabasco)
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground white pepper

Cheddar and Cranberry:
8 ounces sharp orange cheddar cheese, finely shredded
2 tablespoons store-bought chutney
3/4 cup dried cranberries, finely chopped
Water crackers, for serving

Roquefort and Walnut:
6 ounces Roquefort cheese
1 shallot, minced (about 1 tablespoon)
2 teaspoons brandy (optional)
1 cup toasted walnuts, coarsely chopped
Vegetable chips (such as Terra Chips Sweets & Beets), for serving

Goat Cheese and Scallions:
8 ounces goat cheese
2 tablespoons finely chopped scallions
1/3 cup fresh curly-leaf parsley, finely chopped
1 English cucumber, cut into 1/8-inch-thick slices, for serving

Put butter, cream cheese, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, salt, and pepper into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment; mix on medium speed until combined. Divide equally among 3 medium bowls.

Stir cheddar cheese and chutney with base mixture in the first bowl. Form into a ball. If not using immediately, refrigerate up to 3 days or freeze up to 1 month. Roll cheese ball in cranberries to coat before serving. Serve with crackers.

Stir blue cheese and shallot with base mixture in second bowl; add brandy, if desired. Form into a ball. If not using immediately, refrigerate up to 3 days; freeze up to 1 month. Roll in walnuts to coat before serving. Serve with chips.

Stir goat cheese and scallions with base mixture in remaining bowl. Form into a ball. If not using immediately, refrigerate up to 3 days or freeze up to 1 month. Roll in parsley to coat before serving. Serve with cucumber slices. Makes three 4-inch cheeseballs; serves 8 to 10

Chocolate Mint Torte

Vegetable-oil cooking spray
8 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
1 unsalted butter, cut into small pieces (8 tablespoons)
1/4 cup heavy cream
3 large eggs
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon pure peppermint extract
1 teaspoon unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder, for dusting
18 fresh mint leaves, (preferably peppermint), for garnish
Freshly whipped cream, for serving (optional)
Chocolate Mint Leaves

Set a roasting pan on lowest rack of oven. Fill pan halfway with water. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 9-by-41/4-inch loaf pan with cooking spray. Cut parchment paper large enough to cover bottom and to hang over long sides of loaf pan. Place in loaf pan; coat with cooking spray.

Put chocolate and butter in a medium heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water. Heat, stirring, until melted. Remove from heat; let cool slightly.

Put heavy cream in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Beat on medium-high speed until soft peaks form, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl; set aside.

Put eggs and sugar in the clean bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment and whisk on medium-high speed until tripled in volume, 3 to 4 minutes. Gently fold half of the chocolate mixture into egg mixture until almost incorporated; fold in remaining chocolate mixture. Fold in reserved whipped cream and the peppermint extract.

Reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan. Set loaf pan in roasting pan. Bake until chocolate loses its sheen and appears set when loaf pan is jiggled, about 25 minutes.

Carefully transfer roasting pan to a heatproof surface. Remove loaf pan from water bath; let cool completely on a rack.
Pulling up on parchment, remove torte from pan; transfer to a baking sheet.

Refrigerate 30 minutes. Using an offset spatula, gently loosen torte from parchment and then invert onto a serving platter. Torte can be made up to two days in advance. Using a sieve, lightly dust torte with cocoa. Garnish with fresh and chocolate. Serves 6 to 8

Chocolate Mint Leaves
18 fresh mint leaves, 1/4 inch of each stem intact
2 ounces semisweet chocolate, melted and cooled

Using a small pastry brush, coat underside of each leaf with a thick layer of chocolate. (If chocolate drips onto top of leaf, gently wipe away with your finger.)

Drape leaves, chocolate sides up, over handle of a wooden spoon set on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Refrigerate until set, about 10 minutes.

Gently grasp chocolate layer of each leaf with kitchen tweezers. Holding stem, peel off mint leaf. Store, refrigerated, in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Makes enough for one 9-inch layer cake.

Bittersweet Chocolate Souffles

1/2 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, plus more for dusting
1 1/2 cups whole milk
6 large eggs, separated, plus 2 large egg whites, all at room temperature
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
8 ounces bittersweet chocolate, melted
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Salt
Caramel Anglaise

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. with the rack in lower third. Place six 10-ounce ramekins on a rimmed baking sheet. Brush inside ramekins with butter. Dust with sugar, and tap out excess. Using kitchen twine, secure a strip of parchment paper around each ramekin so that parchment extends 3 inches above rim. Chill in freezer 15 minutes (up to overnight). Bring milk almost to a simmer in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Remove from heat; set aside.

Put 1/2 cup sugar and the egg yolks into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Beat on high speed until pale, 3 to 4 minutes. Reduce speed to low; beat in flour. Add about one-third of the hot milk in a slow, steady stream, beating until just combined.

Pour yolk mixture back into pan with the remaining milk. Bring mixture to a simmer over medium heat, and cook, stirring constantly, until thick, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl. Stir in chocolate, vanilla, and 1/8 teaspoon salt. The souffle base can be made a day ahead and refrigerated, covered, until ready to bake the souffles.

Put egg whites and a pinch of salt into a large copper bowl. Using a balloon whisk, beat until foamy. (Alternatively, beat egg whites and a pinch of cream of tartar instead of the salt in the bowl of the electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment.) Add 1 tablespoon sugar, and beat until soft peaks form. Add remaining tablespoon sugar, and beat until stiff peaks form.

Using a rubber spatula, fold one-third of the egg whites into chocolate mixture. Gradually fold in remaining egg whites.

Carefully pour batter into prepared ramekins on baking sheet, filling to just below rims. Bake 10 minutes. Reduce heat to 375 degrees. Bake until set, about 15 minutes. Remove parchment. Poke a hole in top of each, and pour in caramel creme anglaise. Serve immediately. Makes 6 servings

Caramel Anglaise
3 large egg yolks
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
1/8 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

Prepare an ice-water bath. Whisk together yolks and 1/4 cup sugar in a medium bowl. Bring milk and 1/2 cup cream to a simmer in a medium saucepan. Pour one-third of the hot milk mixture into yolk mixture, whisking until combined.

Pour yolk mixture back into pan. Cook over medium heat, stirring, until mixture coats the back of a spoon, 6 to 7 minutes. Transfer pan to ice-water bath, and let the creme anglaise cool completely.

Put 3/4 cup sugar, 1/4 cup water, and the lemon juice into a medium saucepan over high heat. Bring to a boil, without stirring, and cook until caramel turns dark amber. Remove from heat, and stir in the remaining 1/2 cup cream. Whisk together creme anglaise and caramel in a medium bowl, and serve. Makes 1 1/4 cups

New York-Style Cheesecake

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for pans
1 9-ounce package chocolate wafer cookies, finely crushed (about 2 cups)
2 1/4 cups sugar
3 tablespoons sugar
3 pounds (six 8-ounce packages) cream cheese, room temperature
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup sour cream, room temperature
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
5 large eggs
4 blood oranges
2 tablespoons orange liqueur

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter the sides of a 10-inch springform pan. Wrap exterior of pan (including base) in a double layer of foil. Melt 6 tablespoons butter in a small saucepan over medium heat.

Place crushed wafer cookies and 3 tablespoons sugar in a large bowl; stir until well combined. Pour melted butter over cookie mixture and mix until evenly moistened. Press mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.

Place pan on a baking sheet. Bake until crust is set, 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack to cool completely. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese on medium speed until fluffy, about 3 minutes, scraping down sides as needed.

In a large bowl, whisk together remaining 2 1/4 cups sugar and flour. With mixer on low speed, gradually add sugar mixture to cream cheese; mix until smooth. Add sour cream and vanilla; mix until smooth. Add eggs, one at a time, beating until just combined; do not overmix.

Pour cream cheese filling into prepared pan. Set pan inside a large, shallow roasting pan. Carefully ladle boiling water into roasting pan to reach halfway up sides of springform pan. Bake 45 minutes; reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees.

Continue baking until cake is set but still slightly wobbly in the center, about 30 minutes more. Turn off oven; leave cake in oven with door slightly ajar, 1 hour. Transfer pan to a wire rack; let cake cool completely. Refrigerate, uncovered, at least 6 hours or overnight. Before unmolding, run a knife around the edge of the cake.

Slice the top and bottom of 1 orange with a paring knife. Set one of the flat sides on your work surface. From top to bottom, following the curve of the fruit, cut away peel and white pith. Trim off any remaining pith.

Holding the orange over a bowl, cut along both sides of each segment, staying close to the membrane, to release. Repeat with remaining oranges. Pour in liqueur and toss to combine. Serve over cheesecake. Makes one 10-inch cake