Soft Ginger Snaps and Pumpkin Dip

Anyone who loves pumpkin pie will love this dessert. Its a new twist on an old tradition. Sweet, creamy, and exceptionally tasty, these cookies (along with the accompanying dip) are like a mini pumpkin pie in your hand.

Gingersnaps

The ingredients:
2 c. sugar
1 1/2 c. shortening
1/2 c. molasses
2 eggs
4 c. flour
1 tsp. salt
4 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cloves (less if you prefer)
1 tsp. ginger
2 tsp. cinnamon

The instructions:
Beat sugar, shortening, molasses, and eggs until light and fluffy. Combine remaining ingredients. Add sugar to mixture. Roll into 1" balls. Roll in sugar. Bake at 350* for 9 to 12 minutes. Serve with pumpkin dip.


(Dough balls freeze well- you can make them one or two at a time!)

Pumpkin Dip

The ingredients:
1 (15-oz.) can pumpkin (NOT pumpkin pie filling)
2 c. powdered sugar
8 oz. cream cheese
3/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg

The instructions:
Cream sugar and cream cheese. Fold in pumpkin, blending well. Fold in cinnamon and nutmeg. Keep refrigerate when not in use.

(Enjoy! But don't blame me when you hop on that scale next week!)

((Pictures coming soon!))

Dessert Cheese Ball

Everyone knows that kids and husbands are some of the biggest pests come Thanksgiving Day. We love them, oh yes- there is no doubt about that, but what is more frustrating than spending all day in the kitchen slaving away only to be interrupted every 20 minutes with, "Mom! I am hungry" or "How much longer 'til dinner?" or fingers in the food... To help ease the waiting time and keep the crowds at bay I suggest appetizers placed just outside the kitchen. One of my favorites? The cheese ball! This ball is not the typical savory, nut covered, ball of goodness. This ball is sweet. And a huge hit at our family parties.

The ingredients:
1 (8-oz.) brick cream cheese, softened
1/2 c. butter, softened
3/4 c. confectioners sugar
2 T. brown sugar
1/4 tsp. vanilla
2 c. miniature chocolate chips (or chopped up regular chocolate chips), divided

The instructions:
In medium bowl, beat together cream cheese and butter until smooth. Mix in sugars and vanilla. Stir in 3/4 cup chocolate chips. Cover and chill in refrigerator for 2 hours. Using a rubber spatula (or scraper) remove from bowl and place on plastic wrap. Using the plastic wrap, form into a ball or log. Chill in refrigerator for 1 more hour. Roll ball in remaining chocolate chips before serving. Serve with graham cracker sticks, Nilla Wafers and other cookies.