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Warm Holiday Memories
Traditional treats at holiday times
keep the memories sweet.

Almond Praline Cheesecake
Almond Praline Topping
Apple Mince Pie
Prize Cookies
Perfect Pumpkin Pie
Friendship Fudge

(Family Features) - Like pictures in a scrapbook, homemade goodies capture happy family memories of special holiday times. Recipes help us pass along our stories by coming out each year with the flour and the nuts and the baking sheets, to be shared and savored along with warm kitchen smells.

From the moment the air turns crisp in the fall through winter's blankets of snow, groups want to gather — to give thanks, to celebrate yuletide and to toast the new year. With each occasion, whether it's dinner with all the trimmings or a simple, casual spread, the perfect way to stir up new memories is to seal the meal with sweet treats.

Sweetened condensed milk and mincemeat are reliable dessert helpers and key staples in any pantry. At a moment's notice, they're on holiday duty and you're ready to greet guests with the sweet aromas of the holidays.

Almond Praline Cheesecake
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 60 minutes
Makes one (9—inch) cheesecake

3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup slivered almonds, toasted and finely chopped
1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted
3 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1 (14-ounce) can Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk (NOT evaporated milk)
3 eggs
1 teaspoon almond extract
Almond Praline Topping (recipe follows)

Preheat oven to 300°F. Combine graham cracker crumbs, almonds, sugar and butter; press firmly on bottom of 9-inch springform pan.
In large bowl, beat cream cheese until fluffy. Gradually beat in sweetened condensed milk until smooth. Add eggs and almond extract; mix well. Pour into prepared pan. Bake 55 to 60 minutes or until center is set. Cool. Top with Almond Praline Topping. Chill. Store leftovers covered in refrigerator.

Almond Praline Topping

1/3 cup dark brown sugar
1/3 cup whipping cream
1/2 cup slivered almonds, toasted

In small saucepan, combine brown sugar and whipping cream. Cook and stir until sugar dissolves. Simmer 5 minutes or until thickened. Remove from heat; stir in almonds. Spoon evenly over cheesecake.

Apple Mince Pie
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook time: 35 minutes
Makes one (9-inch) pie

Pastry for 2-crust pie
3 medium all-purpose apples, cored, pared and thinly sliced
3 tablespoons flour
2 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
1 (27-ounce) jar None Such Ready-to-Use Mincemeat (Regular or Brandy & Rum)
1 egg yolk plus 2 tablespoons water (optional)

Place rack in lower half of oven; preheat oven to 425°F. In large bowl, toss apples with flour and butter; turn into prepared crust. Spoon mincemeat evenly over apple mixture. Cover with top crust; cut slits near center. Seal and flute. Brush egg mixture over crust (optional).
Bake 10 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 375°F; bake 25 minutes longer or until golden. Cool. Garnish as desired.

Tip: To substitute condensed mincemeat for ready-to-use mincemeat, crumble 1 (9-ounce) package None Such Condensed Mincemeat into small saucepan; add 3/4 cup water. Boil briskly 1 minute. Cool. Proceed as recipe directs.

Prize Cookies
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 10 minutes
Makes about 6 1/2 dozen cookies

1 cup shortening
1 1/2 cups sugar
3 eggs
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 (9-ounce) package None Such Condensed Mincemeat, crumbled
Quick Frosting (optional, recipe follows)

Preheat oven to 375°F. In large bowl, beat shortening and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs; beat well. Stir together dry ingredients. Gradually add to shortening mixture; mix well. Stir in mincemeat.
Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls, 2 inches apart, onto greased baking sheets. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool. Frost with Quick Frosting (optional).

Quick Frosting: In small bowl, beat 3 cups confectioners' sugar, 3 tablespoons softened butter or margarine and 3 tablespoons water until well blended.

Tip: For more cake-like cookies, substitute 1 1/3 cups (one-half 27-ounce jar) None Such Ready-to-Use Mincemeat (Regular or Brandy & Rum) for condensed mincemeat.

Perfect Pumpkin Pie
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Bake Time: 50 to 55 minutes
Makes one (9-inch) pie

1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin (2 cups)
1 (14-ounce) can Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk (NOT evaporated milk)
2 eggs
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 (9-inch) unbaked pie crust

Preheat oven to 425°F. Whisk pumpkin, sweetened condensed milk, eggs, spices and salt in medium bowl until smooth. Pour into crust. Bake 15 minutes.
Reduce oven temperature to 350°F and continue baking 35 to 40 minutes or until knife inserted 1 inch from crust comes out clean. Cool. Garnish as desired. Store leftovers covered in refrigerator.

Friendship Fudge
Holiday gifts from your kitchen sweeten the year-round gift of friendship.

3 cups (18 ounces) semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 (14-ounce) can Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk (NOT evaporated milk)
Dash salt
1/2 to 1 cup chopped nuts (optional)
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

In heavy saucepan, over low heat, melt chocolate chips with sweetened condensed milk and salt. Remove from heat; stir in nuts (optional) and vanilla. Spread evenly into wax paper-lined 8- or 9-inch square pan. Chill 2 hours or until firm. Turn fudge onto cutting board; peel off paper and cut into squares. Store leftovers covered in refrigerator. Makes about 2 pounds

For more easy desserts, visit www.eaglebrand.com and www.eaglenonesuch.com

SOURCE: Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk
None Such Mincemeat