Goodbye Candy, Hello Pie!

Happy November!

I hope your Halloween basket runneth over with treats to snack on going into this month. If you have too much candy, you can always take a great brownie or cookie recipe and add some of your favorites that your bowl is full of.

The holiday season is here. I think some people may have their Christmas decorations up already. While I’m not in that camp (don’t get me wrong I LOVE Christmas and say decorate whenever you want) I do have recipes that will be perfect for both Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years both being published this month and from years past.

Some people are ready for all the pies at thanksgiving, but clearly I’ve always been a bread gal. If I’m being honest, as much as I enjoy Thanksgiving it has never been the all out eating fest for me. It’s a great meal, that isn’t much bigger than a traditional dinner (and not because I eat huge dinners). Now, I do have a pie pumpkin pie recipe (which I’m sharing a mini version of this month) but I’ve never been huge on pies. That being said, I bet I could get on board with a blackberry pie. Perhaps next year!

This month’s recipes are a few that are more Thanksgiving focused but then jumping into Christmas baking early to get those out ASAP. However, who said pumpkin pie is off limits at Christmas or New Years? Not me!

Here’s what’s coming this month:

1.  Mini Pumpkin Pies - Pumpkin pie is great, but what’s even better? Cute mini versions that you don’t need to slice into. A whole pie just for you!

2. Crescent Rolls - The canned store bought kind might be easier, but I think these ones are more delicious. Fluffier yet still buttery and delicious. Make your own beautiful crescent rolls for the Thanksgiving table.

3. Goat Cheese & Herb Biscotti - Most biscotti is sweet, but I wanted to create something to pair with cheeseboards and soup season. Perfect for dipping in soup or enjoying with charcuterie.

4. Gingerbread Scones - Gingerbread feels like winter and Christmas, so this will give you a great recipe if perhaps you want to try something new on Christmas morning instead of store bought cinnamon rolls (or maybe in addition to homemade ones.. I have a recipe for that!).

5. Peppermint Cheesecake Brownies - Brownies? Good! Cheesecake? Delicious! Chocolate and mint? A perfect combo and especially wintery. Put them all together and you have a creamy chocolatey confection you won’t want to share.

Goat Cheese & Prosciutto Appetizer

1 large baguette
4-8 oz goat cheese with honey
6-8 oz Prosciutto
Purple Grapes
Baby Arugula
Balsamic Glaze (not vinegar)
Extra virgin olive oil

Slice and toast your baguette into about half to three quarter inch slices. Drizzle lightly with olive oil and bake in a 350 oven for about 10-15 minutes until they are just starting to lightly golden.
Spread goat cheese over each toast piece then add a piece of prosciutto (depending on the size of your baguette pieces, and how many you are making I’d use about 1/4 to ½ half a slice of prosciutto on each but it’s really up to you how much).
Add 1-2 pieces of baby arugula, then add a grape that’s been sliced in half on the top. Drizzle with balsamic glaze before serving.

Is there a recipe you’d love to see on the blog or something you can’t work out on an existing recipe? Let me know! Until next month, happy baking!