Decadent Cajun Desserts!

Oh yes, it's time to start the baking for Thanksgiving! If I don't start now, I'll end up at Poupart's Bakery, buying everything in sight, at this divine little bakery shop! Which wouldn't be such a bad idea, except that Thanksgiving is about family and tradition, and I love to make my family's faves and make some of the cherished holiday recipes of my dear mother and grandmother. It is an annual ritual to bake on the weekend before Thanksgiving, and I thought that I would share a few of the desserts that I'm serving.

It doesn't get any better than this for easy and decadent!
Mais cher, I could eat a whole one of these!

Marguerite's Pecan Pie

1 (9 inch) prepared or homemade pie crust
1 1/2 cups light corn syrup
1/2 cup sugar
4 tbs.'s butter
1 1/2 cups chopped pecans
3 lightly beaten eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
Dash salt

In saucepan, combine corn syrup, sugar, and butter, and bring to a gentle boil, and cook uncovered for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Cool slightly.

Place pecans in bottom of pie shell. Combine eggs and vanilla with mixture and pour over pecans. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes or until golden brown. Heaven!

******

Next is one of my all time favorites, at the holidays or on any day, this luscious bread pudding is a wonderful addition to your holiday dinner table or buffet.

Chocolate Bread Pudding w/ Praline Sauce

1 stick butter
1 loaf french bread, torn into small pieces
1 large can Pet milk
4 semi-sweet chocolate squares, chopped
4 large eggs, beaten
2/3 cup light brown sugar
1 tsp. almond extract  

Melt butter in large heavy pot on medium heat. Add bread, and stir constantly until golden. Place mixture in a buttered 13x9 inch baking dish and set aside. Bring milk to a boil in medium saucepan. Remove from heat and whisk in chocolate and blend till smooth. Add eggs, brown sugar,and almond extract. Mix well and pour mixture over bread mixture, blend gently and let stand for 15 minutes. Cover with vented foil and bake at 325 degrees, for 30 to 35 minutes or until set. Let cool and serve with warm praline sauce. Serves 8

Praline Sauce

 
1 cup light brown sugar
1 small can Pet milk
3 tbs.'s butter
1 tsp. vanilla
1/4 cup chopped pecans

Combine brown sugar, milk, vanilla, and butter in heavy saucepan. Cook on low heat until smooth. Stir in pecans and vanilla. Serve warm over bread pudding. Enjoy!

*******

 And for those of you who missed my Pumpkin Cheesecake recipe, I've decided to post it, again here, because it definitely smacks holiday and Thanksgiving! Sinfully good!

Pumpkin Cheesecake

1 (15 oz.) can or 2 cups fresh pumpkin, strained
1 (1/2) cups graham cracker crumbs, (crushed fine)
5 tbs.'s melted butter
2 tbs.'s sugar
2 (8 oz.) pkg.'s cream cheese, softened
1 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp.'s pumpkin pie spice
1 tsp. vanilla extract
3 eggs, lightly beaten

Crust

In large bowl, stir together, graham cracker crumbs, butter, and 2 tbs.'s sugar. Mix well and press mixture onto bottom and about 1 inch up sides of a 9 inch spring form pan. Bake 5 minutes @ 350 degrees, then set aside to cool. Then chill until ready to use.
Note* I have also used chocolate graham crackers for this recipe.

Filling

In large bowl, beat cream cheese with an electric mixer until well blended and smooth. Gradually add sugar and mix until smooth. Mix in pumpkin, flour, pumpkin pie spice, and continue mixing until well blended. Mix in the eggs, one at a time, mixing well, after each one. Scrape bowl and beat in vanilla extract. Pour filling into pie crust and sprinkle evenly with topping and place springform pan on a cookie sheet. Bake for 30 minutes @ 350 degrees. Lower heat to 325 degrees and continue to bake for 10 to 15 minutes.

Topping

1/2 cup pecan pieces
1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs
2 tbs.'s brown sugar

Mix together and sprinkle over top of the filling before baking.

********
And what would any holiday be without a few batches of these sinfully delicious brownies? This great recipe is from the "Something To Talk About" cookbook, compiled by the Junior League of Lafayette. So easy to make and worth the calories, I assure you, cher!

Kahlua Fudge Brownies

2/3 cup butter
3 1 oz. squares unsweetened chocolate
3 eggs
1 - 2/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup Kahlua
1 -1/2 cups flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.Combine butter and chocolate in a microwavable safe bowl. Microwave on low until melted, stirring frequently. In large bowl, combine eggs and sugar in and mix well. Stir in the chocolate mixture. Add the Kahlua and stir. Add the flour, baking powder, and salt and mix well. Pour into a greased 10x13 inch baking pan. Bake for 23 minutes. Center will be moist. Cool and cut into squares. Serves 12.

Divine, cher! Absolutely, divine! Bon appetit!

Happy Baking, Ya'll!