Thanksgiving Day, celebrated every 4th Thursday of November, is a widely celebrated holiday that consists of family, football and feasting. Many Americans participate in the celebration, however the majority of these people lack awareness of the holiday’s true historical significance. Thanksgiving did not arise immediately after the pilgrims landed, but came about after a long, difficult journey.
In September of 1620, a small number of passengers set sail from Plymouth, England, aboard the Mayflower, seeking a new life in the “New World.” After 66 days of enduring the Atlantic Ocean’s treacherous waters and the gruesome living conditions aboard, the Pilgrims finally arrived at Plymouth, Massachusetts. The colonists’ first winter in this new land was devastating, as many suffered from outbreaks of contagious disease, with only about half surviving until spring. However, to their advantage, the colonists were soon acquainted with a Native American named Squanto, who would later teach them basic skills such as the cultivation of corn and fishing in the nearby rivers. After the first successful harvest in November of 1621, a three-day feast was organized, gathering the colonists and a group of their Native American allies, which is remembered today as America’s first Thanksgiving. The Pilgrims and Natives gave thanks at this celebration, regardless of the hardships they had previously faced. Present day Thanksgiving feasts are usually celebrated alongside relatives or loved ones, and serve as a reminder to give thanks for all of our blessings, just as the Pilgrims and Native Americans did centuries before us.
This year show your appreciation for your friends and family by making them these easy yet delicious Thanksgiving treats!
These mini pumpkin pies are delicious and perfectly sized for a small treat after a large and fulfilling Thanksgiving dinner. The small size makes these pies fun to assemble and eat! Below is a recipe for these mini pumpkin pies that will no doubt impress your guests.
Mini Pumpkin Pie Recipe
Yield: 24 mini pumpkin pies
Ingredients:
• 2 batches (10-inch) prepared pie dough (homemade or store bought)
• 1 (15-oz.) can canned solid-pack pumpkin (about 2 cups)
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 2 large eggs
• 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• Pinch of ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• freshly whipped cream for serving
Instructions:
1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Use a round or scalloped cookie cutter that is large enough to cover the bottom and sides of pan wells, a 3 to 3 1/2 inch cutter should be perfect for a regular sized muffin pan. Use a smaller cutter if using a mini muffin tin. Cut out 12 circles and press into a nonstick muffin or tartlet pan, or 24 smaller circles if using a mini muffin tin.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the pumpkin, cream, milk, eggs, sugar, spices, and salt.
4. Carefully fill the dough all the way to the top. Pies will slightly puff up but will sink down again once they have cooled.
5. Bake pies until crust is golden brown and pies are set and puffed. They take about 30 minutes. Pies made in a mini muffin tin will take about 12 minutes and thicker pies made in a regular muffin tin could take 45 minutes. Cool, carefully remove from pans, and store covered in the refrigerator.
Pipe or dollop whipped cream on top and serve!
For an easier yet still delicious recipe, try assembling some Oreo treats. These cute and festive Turkey themed treats are perfect for sharing with friends and showing your appreciation for their friendship!
Turkey Oreo Treat Recipe
Yield: Makes 24 treats.
Ingredients:
· 48 Oreo cookies (two 15-oz packages)
· 24 Reese’s Mini Peanut Butter Cups, refrigerated
· 24 Hersheys Whopper malted milk balls
· Sour strip candy
· White frosting
· Chocolate frosting
· Black icing tube
· Yellow icing tube
· Red icing tube
Instructions:
1. Carefully pull apart the two halves of one Oreo and gently press 5 sour candy strips into the stuffing. Spread some frosting onto the Oreo half and press the two halves together. Refrigerate to set.
2. Cut off a small rounded edge of a peanut butter cup (you want to do this so the flat edge can stand on top of the Oreo base). Use chocolate frosting to attach the flat bottom of the Reese’s.
3. Use a small amount of chocolate frosting to attach the whopper for eyes, and two small feet onto the Oreo base.
4. Pipe two dots of black icing onto the yellow eyes.
5. Finish with white frosting piped on the whopper for a beak and red icing for the wattle.
Overall have a happy Thanksgiving Seakings and don’t forget to show your appreciation for your friends and family by sharing these treats with them.
