Pumpkin pie is a popular dessert served with Thanksgiving dinner, but pumpkin treats can wear out before then. Instead of the usual pie, try one of these fall-inspired desserts with 10 ingredients or less.
Cinnamon Apple Swirl Cake: This cinnamon apple swirl cake only uses five ingredients, which don’t require intense preparation. The cake provides a rich treat that is low-fat but still satisfies a sweet tooth. (Recipe courtesy of a family recipe.)
Ingredients:
- -3 eggs
- -17 ounces applesauce
- -1 box of yellow cake mix
- -⅓ cup sugar
- -3 tablespoons cinnamonDirections:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a bundt pan with cooking spray or vegetable oil. Start by combining the sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of the mixture into the greased bundt pan. Next, combine the eggs, applesauce and cake mix with a whisk in a medium-size bowl. Scoop half the batter into the bundt pan and sprinkle the remaining cinnamon-sugar mixture on top. Pour the remaining batter into the pan and bake for 35 to 40 minutes. Let the cake cool for at least 15 minutes before flipping the pan to remove the cake.
Apple Cider Caramel Cookies: Cookies are a dessert that is easy to serve and can be snacked on throughout the day. This recipe uses flavors of caramel and cider to bring the essence of fall to the dessert table. (Recipe courtesy of Six Sisters’ Stuff blog.)
Ingredients:
- -1 cup unsalted butter, nearly melted
- -1 cup granulated sugar
- -½ teaspoon salt
- -1 box Alpine Spiced Apple Cider Instant Original Drink Mix
- -2 eggs
- -1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- -1 teaspoon baking soda
- -½ teaspoon baking powder
- -3 cups all-purpose flour
- -1 (14 ounce) bag Kraft CaramelsDirections:
Begin by preheating the oven to 350 degrees. Make sure to line the baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent a sticky mess. Combine butter, sugar, salt and cider packets in a bowl and cream with a mixer until batter is fluffy. Add in the eggs and vanilla extract, followed by the baking soda and baking powder. Lastly, mix in the flour until combined. Form the dough into balls and place two inches apart on the baking sheet. Make an indent in the center of the cookie to place an unwrapped caramel and form the dough around it. Bake 12 to 14 minutes, until the cookies are golden brown.
Simple Pumpkin Pie Bars: If the pumpkin still needs to be in the Thanksgiving meal somewhere, try these simple pumpkin pie bars. It resembles pumpkin pie with a homemade crust and filling, but offers something with a little more spice. (Recipe courtesy of Some the Wiser blog.)
Crust Ingredients:
- -1 ⅓ cup unbleached white flour
- -½ cup brown sugar
- -1 stick of butter (softened)Filling Ingredients:
- -8 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- -¾ cup sugar
- -½ cup pumpkin puree
- -2 eggs (slightly beaten)
- -1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon
- -1 teaspoon allspice
- -1 teaspoon vanillaDirections:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Start the crust by combining all crust ingredients into a food processor and pulsing several times until crumbly. Measure out ⅔ cup of crust and set aside. Press the remaining crust mixture into a 8×11 pan and bake for 15 minutes. Combine filling ingredients into a medium size bowl and mix together with an electric mixer until smooth. Pour the batter onto the cooled crust and sprinkle the remaining crust on top. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until firm.
