pecans

Classic Holiday Thumbprint Cookies

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We love all cookies at our house, especially those that are part of a holiday tradition. These are a simple recipe that taste like they are very complicated. They’re the perfect whipped shortbread cookie that isn’t overly sweet, but is filled with jam and rolled in pecans and delicious coconut. As the cookie bakes the coconut and pecans become toasted.  Delish!  Our favorite filling is plum jam, but other great options would be strawberry, blackberry or raspberry.  This recipe can also easily be doubled.  Any way you make them, they will be fabulous! ~Kathy

½ c. butter, softened

½ c. shortening

½ c. brown sugar, firmly packed

3 egg yolks

1 ½ tsp. vanilla

¼ tsp. salt

2 c. flour

¾ c. coconut

½ c. finely chopped pecans

½ c. plum jam, stirred smooth

Heat oven to 350˚ F.

Beat butter, shortening and brown sugar in large bowl with mixer on high speed until light and fluffy. Add egg yolks, vanilla and salt. Mix on medium until combined.  Add flour and mix just until blended.

Mix coconut and pecans on a plate. Roll dough into 1” balls. Roll in coconut and pecans to coat. Place on cookie sheet. Using your knuckle or fingertip, make an indentation in the center of each cookie.

Bake for 8 minutes and remove from oven. Press indentations carefully again if needed. Spoon ½ teaspoon jam onto the center of each cookie. Bake an additional 3 to 5 minutes or until the cookie is just slightly browned.  Cool on cookie sheet for 5 minutes then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.  

Perfect Pecan Pie

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This summer, Tracy’s oldest son turned 18.  Instead of cake, he asked for a dessert smorgasbord (a kid after my own heart) so he could have a dessert sampler-platter of sorts.  Here is the birthday boy with his buffet!

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The four of us girls and our Mom each made a different dessert, based on his request.  Side note:  there is no discussion needed when desserts are requested around us!!   Anywho, Mom and I were talking about pecan pie recipes, we made them slightly different, so we combined the two versions and this recipe was born.  It is seriously, without a doubt, the best pecan pie known to a pecan pie lover.  So, if you have a hankering, or if you need a knock-your-socks-off pecan pie, this will be your go-to from now on!  ~Kathy

Perfect Pecan Pie from Four Sisters Dish

Ingredients: 

  • 1 (9”) deep dish unbaked pie crust
  • 4 eggs, plus one egg yolk
  • 1 c. dark brown sugar
  • ¾ c. light corn syrup
  • 3 T. pancake syrup
  • 1 tsp. vanilla
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 4 T. butter, melted
  • 1 ½ c. pecans, chopped
  • ½ c. pecans halves

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 400˚F.
  2. In a small bowl, beat eggs and egg yolk until combined but not foamy.
  3. Add brown sugar, mix well.  In large mixing bowl, combine corn syrup, pancake syrup, vanilla, salt and melted butter.
  4. Pour in egg mixture and combine well.
  5. Evenly distribute chopped pecans into bottom of pie shell.
  6. Arrange pecan halves over the top of the chopped pecans.
  7. Slowly pour corn syrup mixture over pecans, not disturbing the pecans as much as possible.
  8. Bake for 10 minutes at 400˚F.
  9. Lower the oven temperature to 325˚ and bake an additional 40 – 45 minutes until center is completely cooked through.
  10. Allow to cool completely before serving.

Old Country Store Brussels & Kale Slaw

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When I think of salads, I typically think of summer.  This, however isn’t your typical salad.  In fact, it’s more of a slaw… a fall slaw.  I like the sound of that; heck, it almost rhymes.  But not quite.  Anywho, if you’ve ever visited Cracker Barrel Old Country Store for dinner, you may have had their Brussels Sprouts N’ Kale Salad.  If so, this will be very familiar.  I’m not sure what exact ingredients their version has, but I think I hit it pretty close.  Mine has shredded Brussels sprouts, kale, dried cranberries and pecans, just like theirs.  I kicked it up a notch, though, with addition of finely diced apples, red onion, and a maple vinaigrette.  What says Autumn more than apples, pecans, cranberries, and maple?  Nothing, folks.  This is the perfect Autumn/Fall/Holiday Salad/Slaw/Side.   ~Erin

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Ingredients: 

  • 1/4 c. extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/3 c. maple syrup*
  • 2 T. apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tsp. dry ground mustard
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 lb. Brussels sprouts, stems cut off and outer leaves removed, then washed
  • 3 c. chopped kale
  • 2 apples, cored & finely chopped
  • 1/4 of a red onion, finely chopped
  • 1/4 c. dried cranberries, coarsely chopped (or more if not following WW)
  • 1 oz. pecans, toasted if desired & chopped

Instructions: 

  1. Mix together the first 5 ingredients in a jar with a lid (shake to combine) or a small bowl (whisk to combine).
  2. Shred the Brussels sprouts, preferably using a food processor.
  3. In a large bowl, combine the shredded sprouts with the chopped kale, apple, and onion.
  4. Pour the dressing over top and stir.  I like to add it gradually and stir, so as not to overdress the slaw.
  5. Top with chopped cranberries and pecans.
  6. Chill until ready to serve; toss to redistribute dressing before serving.

WW Freestyle Info.:  This recipe makes 8 1-cup servings at 6 points with regular maple syrup. With sugar free maple syrup, it’s 4 points per 1-cup serving.