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The 9 best cheeses to use in mac and cheese

The best cheeses for mac and cheese

Instant mac and cheese might pass the test for as a college dorm room quick fix, but everyone knows that nothing beats the homemade stuff. At its best, the real deal — made from scratch — can truly transcend you to a carb-loving comfort food heaven. Whether it’s baked into a crunchy-topped casserole or scooped straight from the stove top, the creamiest mac and cheese starts with the right cheese. So what cheeses guarantee maximum creaminess? The main quality a cheese must have is meltability. It might seem obvious, but often times home cooks can lose sight of the end goal (And, admittedly, those fancy, sprawling cheese departments at the supermarket can have us wanting to experiment with all kinds of cheeses we don’t need). Plus, you want a cheese that isn’t going to separate into an oily, grainy mess. So stay on task and when you head to the…

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Cheesecake-filled pumpkin bread

creamcheese_pumpkin_bread_3

If you love fall baked goods but aren’t a fan of super sweets, this cream cheese filled pumpkin bread recipe will satisfy your seasonal cravings. You’ll love this bread-like snack and its slightly sweet center. It’s dense, decadent and the perfect fall treat to make for breakfast, dessert or just about anytime. Also try this Classic Pumpkin Roll recipe. cheesecake-filled pumpkin bread Ingredients Bread 1 cup canned pumpkin puree 1/2 cup canola oil 1 cup sugar 1/4 cup brown sugar 2 eggs 1-1/2 cups flour 1/2 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon 1/4 tsp nutmeg 1/4 tsp ground cloves 1/4 tsp ground ginger Filling 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature 1/3 cup sugar 2 tbsp flour 1 egg 1 tsp vanilla extract What else you’ll need: 9×5 inch loaf pan electric mixer nonstick cooking spray cooling rack toothpick Directions Preheat oven to…

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Classic pumpkin roll recipe

Classic pumpkin roll recipe_3

Pumpkin rolls are a classic fall dessert that everyone goes crazy for. This homemade pumpkin roll recipe will give you the most deliciously moist spongey spiced pumpkin cake with dreamy cream cheese filling rolled up inside. These rolls might look difficult, but don’t let that perfect swirl intimidate you. It’s actually quite simple! Just follow these easy directions and you’ll master this must-make dessert in no time. Classic Pumpkin Roll Ingredients For the pumpkin cake: 3/4 cup all-purpose flour 1 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp baking soda 2 tsp ground cinnamon 1/2 tsp ground cloves 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg 1/4 tsp ground ginger 1/4 tsp ground allspice 1/4 tsp salt 3 eggs, room temperature 2/3 cup pumpkin puree (I like to use Libby’s) 1/2 cup packed brown sugar 1/2 cup sugar 1 tsp vanilla extract 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar For the cream cheese frosting: 6 ounces cream cheese, room temperature…

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Loaded ranch snowman cheeseball

Loaded ranch snowman cheeseball_2

You’ll win at Christmas Eve when you set this ranch snowman cheeseball on the table. Seriously, cocktail shrimp, who? Everyone will be talking about the cute — and delicious — snowman dip! Plus it’s loaded with turkey bacon, green onions, and tons of flavor, so you know everyone is going to love it! Ranch Snowman Cheeseball Ingredients 2 (8 ounce) packages of cream cheese, softened 1 packet of dry ranch seasoning mix (1 ounce) 2 cups shredded white cheese (I like white sharp cheddar, but mozzarella works too), divided in 2 4 strips turkey bacon, cooked until crispy and then crumbled 3 green onions, chopped 1/4 tsp finely ground fresh black pepper 1 small carrot 10 whole black peppercorns Cooking spray or oil (for greasing hands) Serve with: crackers, carrots, celery sticks, broccoli florets, bell pepper strips or anything else you like to dip in delicious ranch cheese! Directions In a…

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Pumpkin whoopie pies make a perfect fall treat

Pumpkin whoopie pies make perfect fall treat

I’m not sure if fall weather is here to stay, but my fall baking kick sure is! As soon as September hits I can’t stop searching for new ways to use apples, pumpkins and pears. And pretty much everything has a hefty dose of ground cloves and nutmeg. I just love fall desserts! Growing up in Pittsburgh, I wouldn’t have thought to call these sandwich cookies anything but “gobs.” If you’re unfamiliar, gobs are classically a chocolate cookie dessert with white icing at the center. You may also know them as whoopie pies if you live outside of Western Pennsylvania. No matter what you call them, they’re delicious. There are tons of inspired flavor variations now days. I’ve seen s’mores, red velvet, and chai snickerdoodle. There is even a whoopie pie festival in Hershey, Pa. every year. But of course, pumpkin baked goods are king of the season, so here…

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Layered Pumpkin Delight Dessert Recipe

Layered Pumpkin Delight Dessert Recipe2

I’m not sure who first named this type of light and airy dessert “pumpkin delight,” but I’ll tell you, they definitely got it right. It’s absolutely delightful. The perfectly spiced pumpkin layer tastes like heaven sandwiched between smooth cream cheese, crushed pecans, and of course, whipped topping. It’s a little bit of fall in every bite. In fact, you could substitute this as your pie this year for Thanksgiving, and your crew would gobble it up just the same. I was getting together with neighbors for our first fall themed gathering, but the weather is still in the 90s, so traditional pumpkin pie just felt out of place. Pumpkin pie feels a little stuffy to me for casual gatherings anyway. Scooping this dessert with a knife and big spoon felt perfectly autumn potluck. Enjoy this delicious Pumpkin Delight recipe now and all the way through fall. Layered Pumpkin Delight Dessert Serves…

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Mandarin orange Jell-O pretzel salad is refreshing and fun

Mandarin orange Jell-O pretzel salad is refreshing and fun

If you’re a fan of foods that are crunchy, salty and sweet, there’s no way you’re not going to love this mandarin orange Jell-O pretzel salad recipe. The irresistible dish makes many appearances at many Midwest potlucks, but it’s just as easy to make for a backyard weeknight dinner with family or neighbors. Strawberry is the most common fruit used on this classic dish, but the cool, citrusy combination of mandarin and pineapple makes for a delicious update. Notes: I probably make this dish about once a year — not because I don’t love it, but because I can’t be trusted. I will eat the whole pan by myself if left without supervision. It’s just THAT GOOD. In no way is this a healthy recipe, but I do what I can to cut out unnecessary calories if possible. That said, if you like a creamier salad, add a full three or four cups of whipped…

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Cranberry, spinach pinwheels make a perfect holiday appetizer

Cranberry, spinach pinwheels

These cranberry tortilla pinwheel wraps are a perfect holiday appetizer. They’re just bursting with festive color. Red cranberries pop against the creamy white cheese and dark green spinach. The flavor is a perfect blend of sweet and savory, and they’re filling, too. If you need to feed a lot of people, these will help you get there. For a little crunch, try them with the addition of walnuts, too! Cranberry, Spinach Pinwheels Serves 4 as an appetizer  Ingredients  2 large spinach tortillas 1 package cream cheese (8 oz.), room temperature 3/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled 1 cup baby spinach leaves, loosely packed 3/4 cup dried low-sugar cranberries 1/4 cup green onion, thinly chopped 1/4 cup walnut pieces (optional) Directions Wilt spinach by zapping in the microwave for 10-20 seconds. Spinach will shrink in size and should be easy to stir with other ingredients. If spinach is still too fresh, microwave another 10-20 seconds. In…

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Pumpkin recipes perfect for fall

4 Pumpkin recipes perfect for fall

Autumn is the best time to get back in the kitchen. The fall flavors are delicious, the aromas are blissful, and our appetites are basically craving anything pumpkin. It’s hard to go wrong when a fall recipe calls for a can of pumpkin and the usual suspect companion spices — cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg. The combination invokes pleasant memories of back-to-school, football games, Halloween and hayrides. Try these four cool weather pumpkin recipes and enjoy the season. Hearty Pumpkin Oatmeal Yields: 2 servings Hearty pumpkin oatmeal is a seasonal take on a classic cool-weather breakfast. The chopped dates and walnuts along with the crunchy apples will make this a household favorite. Ingredients 2/3 cups pumpkin 1 cup rolled oats 3/4 cup water 2 tsp cinnamon 1/2 tsp ground ginger 1/4 tsp nutmeg 1/4 tsp ground cloves pinch of salt 1 cup milk of your choice 1/4 cup dates (6-7), chopped 1 apple, chopped 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped Directions…

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Baked Crab Rangoons with spicy apricot dipping sauce

If you’ve never had a crab rangoon, or if you’ve only had them fried, prepare for your next great obsession. Rangoon’s, or crab puffs, are typically made up of crab meat, cream cheese, and onions with any number of additions such as carrots, garlic or Worcestershire sauce. They are common appetizers nowadays, appearing on most Thai and Chinese food menus in the U.S. While their history is unclear, cream cheese is essentially nonexistent throughout Southeast Asia, so they are likely neither Thai nor Chinese in origin, and yet just another delicious deep-fried, cheesy American invention. When crab rangoons are on a menu, I’m blindsided. I no longer feel the pangs of culinary adventure. I couldn’t care less about the special entrees or appetizers on the menu that evening. My focus is set on those warm, cheesy, crab bites and what surprise sauce the restaurant might be serving with them. I decided if…

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