| The smell of pumpkin baking always conjures up | | | | 1/2 cup chopped nuts |
| memories of Thanksgiving for me. The day always | | | | 1 cup canned pumpkin |
| started early with mom bustling about the kitchen to | | | | Cream together sugar and shortening. Add eggs and |
| prepare our feast. The Macy's Thanksgiving Day | | | | vanilla. Add in flour, baking powder, salt, ginger, allspice, |
| Parade would always be playing in the background as | | | | nutmeg, and cinnamon. Mix in lemon juice, rind, raisins, |
| she'd prepare the meal. We'd stop to watch or listen | | | | nuts, and pumpkin. Drop by teaspoons on a greased |
| to some of the marching bands and acts they had. But | | | | baking sheet. Sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar. Bake |
| always, always, would we stop to watch Santa | | | | in a 350 degree oven for 15 minutes. |
| coming down the street on his sleigh. To this day, the | | | | Double Decker Pumpkin Pie |
| smells of turkey, cranberry, potatoes, gravy, stuffing, | | | | 4 ounces cream cheese, softened |
| and pumpkin all blending in a beautiful medley of smells | | | | 1 tablespoon half-and-half |
| brings a smile of memory to my face. Those special | | | | 1 tablespoon sugar |
| Thanksgiving feasts and that special time with mom | | | | 1 1/2 cups thawed whipped topping |
| are memories that last a lifetime. I hope you enjoy | | | | 1 (6 ounce) graham cracker pie crust |
| these fun and unique pumpkin recipes during this | | | | 1 cup cold half-and-half |
| holiday season. | | | | 1 package (4 serving size) vanilla flavor instant pudding |
| Golden Pumpkin Cookies | | | | 1 can (16 ounces) pumpkin |
| 1 1/3 cups sugar | | | | 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon |
| 1/3 cup shortening | | | | 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger |
| 3 beaten eggs | | | | 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves |
| 1 teaspoon vanilla | | | | Whisk the cream cheese, 1 tablespoon half-and-half, |
| 2 1/2 cups flour | | | | and sugar in a large bowl until the mixture is smooth. |
| 4 teaspoons baking powder | | | | Add in the whipped topping. Spread this mixture over |
| 1 teaspoon salt | | | | the bottom of the crust. Combine the 1 cup |
| 1/4 teaspoon ginger | | | | half-and-half and the pudding mix in the bowl. Beat well |
| 1/4 teaspoon allspice | | | | for 1 to 2 minutes (the mixture should be thick). Add in |
| 1 teaspoon nutmeg | | | | the pumpkin and the spices. Mix well. Spread this |
| 1 teaspoon cinnamon | | | | mixture over the cream cheese mixture already in the |
| 1 teaspoon lemon juice | | | | crust. Put in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours. To |
| 1 teaspoon grated lemon rind | | | | serve, add a dollop of whipped topping to each slice |
| 1 cup raisins | | | | and a few toasted pecans. Serves 8. |