(Culinary.net) Some desserts deliver sweet taste that satisfies taste buds while others provide a rich flavor that lingers long after you’ve finished that last delicious bite. When you’re pondering which type of dessert you’d like to make at home, it may be difficult to decide which direction to take.

Instead of making that nearly impossible decision, keep in mind you can have the best of both worlds with this Chocolate Caramel Peanut Butter Pie. On top of the hard-to-beat flavor, this recipe requires a short list of ingredients and limited time in the kitchen for an easy-to-make treat to satisfy your loved ones’ dessert desires.

Just mix together cream cheese, powdered sugar, peanut butter, milk and whipped topping before layering together in a graham cracker crust that adds just enough crunch to the creamy texture. Top with chocolate chips and drizzle with chocolate and caramel syrups before freezing, serving and putting smiles on all the faces in the room.

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Chocolate Caramel Peanut Butter Pie

• 1          package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
• 1          cup powdered sugar
• 1          cup peanut butter
• 1/2       cup milk
• 1          container (8 ounces) whipped topping
• 1          graham cracker crust
• chocolate chips
• chocolate syrup
• caramel syrup

1. In bowl of stand mixer, beat cream cheese until fluffy. Add powdered sugar and peanut butter; mix until blended. Add milk; mix until blended. Fold in whipped topping.
2. Pour into crust. Sprinkle with chocolate chips. Drizzle with chocolate syrup and caramel syrup. Freeze until set.

(Family Features) Breakfast for dinner may be a widely accepted practice for many families, but breakfast for dessert can be a new option for your loved ones when a sweet craving strikes.

This Maple Pecan Dessert Pancake from author and James Beard Award winner Ellie Krieger’s “Whole in One” is cooked in a skillet with a maple-sweetened egg batter and can be served warm or chilled. It feels like a homey, sweet pancake when served warm. Chilled, it becomes more of a flan-like tart with its custardy batter and caramelized sugars.

Visit milkmeansmore.org for more family dessert inspiration.

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Maple Pecan Dessert Pancake

Recipe courtesy of “Whole in One” by Ellie Krieger on behalf of Milk Means More
Servings: 8

• 1          cup pecan pieces, divided
• 4          large eggs
• 1/3       cup whole milk
• 1/4       cup pure maple syrup
• 1/4       cup light brown sugar
• 1/4       teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1          pinch salt
• 1          tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1          teaspoon confectioners’ sugar

1. Preheat oven to 400 F. In small bowl of food processor, process 1/2 cup pecans until finely ground. Transfer to bowl. In processor, pulse remaining pecans to coarsely chop.
2. In medium bowl, whisk eggs, milk, maple syrup, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt. Stir in finely ground and coarsely chopped pecans.
3. In 10-inch ovenproof skillet over medium-low heat, heat butter. Add batter to pan. Cook without stirring until edges begin to set, 5 minutes, then transfer to oven and bake until completely set and golden brown, 10 minutes. Pancake will puff up in oven then fall into place as it cools.
4. Allow to cool in pan 10 minutes then sprinkle with confectioners’ sugar and cut into eight wedges. Serve warm or chilled.

Source: Milk Means More

(Culinary.net) Comfort food typically calls to mind soups, stews and hearty meals meant to warm you up on a chilly day. However, you can also turn to tasty treats as a way to end a cold day on a hot note.

For example, warm fruits baked into a crisp dessert provide an easy, heartwarming option for putting a smile on loved ones faces when the weather turns south. This Walnut Apple Pear Crisp combines two fall favorite fruits in a sweet and simple yet flavorful nibble.

Start by mixing the walnut crisp topping separate from the soul of the recipe: the apple pear filling. Then layer in a cast-iron pan and bake for an easy treat that cooks while you enjoy dinner with the family. In the end, the crunch of the crispy walnut crust provides a savory contrast to the sweetness of the fruity filling.

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Walnut Apple Pear Crisp

Total time: 1 hour, 5 minutes
Servings: 4

Walnut Crisp Topping:

• 1 1/2    cups California walnuts, divided
• 1/4       cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4       cup brown sugar
• 1/2       cup quick-cooking oats
• 1/2       teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2       cup butter, chilled and sliced into pieces

Apple Pear Filling:

• 4          apples, peeled and sliced into 1/4-inch slices
• 3          pears, peeled and sliced into 1/4-inch slices
• 1/2       cup granulated sugar
• 2          tablespoons cornstarch
• 1          teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/8       teaspoon salt
• 1          tablespoon lemon juice

• ice cream (optional)
• caramel sauce (optional)

1. Heat oven to 350 F.
2. To make walnut crisp topping: In food processor, pulse 1 cup walnuts until finely ground. Set aside in separate bowl. In food processor, pulse remaining 1/2 cup walnuts until chopped. Set aside.
3. In medium bowl, combine ground walnuts, flour, brown sugar, oats and cinnamon. Cut butter into mixture until coarse crumb forms.
4. To make apple pear filling: In large bowl, toss apples, pears, sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, salt and lemon juice.
5. Pour fruit mixture in bottom of 12-inch cast-iron pan.
6. Layer walnut crisp topping mixture over fruit.
7. Bake 45 minutes, or until fruit mixture is hot and bubbly and topping is golden brown.
8. Top with ice cream and caramel sauce, if desired.

(Culinary.net) Pumpkin is the flavor of the season when fall comes around, especially when used in heartwarming desserts and sweet treats the whole family can enjoy.

This autumn, when your loved ones start searching the kitchen for sweets, you can turn to Spiced Pumpkin Carrot Cheesecake Cupcakes for a tasty handheld way to appease those festive cravings. Combining pumpkin quick bread with a handful of household ingredients, this easy recipe makes it simple to serve up traditional tastes in a matter of minutes.

Plus, with kid-friendly instructions that call for minimal complicated tasks, the whole family can enjoy creating these cupcake masterpieces together as a celebration of moments spent together.

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Spiced Pumpkin Carrot Cheesecake Cupcakes

Serves: 12

• 1          box (14 ounces) pumpkin quick bread, divided
• 1          cup carrots, shredded
• 3          eggs, divided
• 3/4       cup milk
• 1/2       cup golden raisins
• 2          tablespoons canola oil
• 1          package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
• 2          tablespoons sugar
• 1          tablespoon lemon juice
• 1          cup pecans, chopped
• 3          tablespoons butter, softened

1. Heat oven to 350 F. Line muffin tin with cupcake liners.
2. In large bowl, stir 1/2 pumpkin quick bread package, carrots, 1 egg, milk, raisins and oil until blended. Fill each cupcake liner 3/4 full.
3. In medium bowl, beat cream cheese, remaining eggs, sugar and lemon juice until smooth.  Spoon cream cheese mixture over cupcake batter.
4. In medium bowl, use fork to combine remaining bread package mix, pecans and butter until crumbly. Sprinkle evenly over cream cheese in each cup.
5. Bake 25 minutes. Cool completely on wire rack.

(Family Features) Delight the chocolate lovers in your family with this easy recipe for a Southern classic like Mississippi Mud Cake. 

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Mississippi Mud Cake

• 1          chocolate cake mix (15 1/4 ounces)
• 1 1/4    cups water
• 1/3       cup canola oil
• 1/3       cup creamy peanut butter
• 3          eggs
• 1          cup semisweet chocolate pieces
• 1          can (16 ounces) chocolate fudge frosting
• 1          bag (16 ounces) miniature marshmallows
• 1          cup chopped pecans

1. Heat oven to 350° F.
2. Grease 13-by-9-by-2-inch baking pan.
3. In large bowl, using electric mixer on low speed, combine cake mix, water, oil, peanut butter and eggs. Stir in chocolate pieces. Pour into prepared pan.
4. Bake 30-35 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean.
5. Pour marshmallows over top of cake. Return to oven and bake 2-3 minutes, or until marshmallows are somewhat melted.
6. In microwave-safe bowl, melt fudge frosting in microwave.
7. Drizzle frosting over melted marshmallows.
8. Sprinkle pecan pieces over frosting.
9. Allow cake to cool completely before serving.

Source: Culinary.net

(Family Features)  Pizza and dessert are two things nearly any crowd can agree on. Combining classic rocky road ingredients – chocolate, marshmallows and peanuts – on a giant cookie crust makes for a sweet treat that’s perfect for a crowd and can be sliced and eaten with your hands.

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Rocky Road Cookie Pizza

Recipe adapted from Pillsbury

•             Nonstick cooking spray
• 1          roll (16 1/2 ounces) refrigerated sugar cookie dough
• 1          cup miniature marshmallows
• 1/2       cup salted peanuts
• 1/2       cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 1/3       cup caramel topping

1. Heat oven to 350° F.
2. Grease 12-inch pizza pan with nonstick cooking spray. In pan, break up cookie dough. In bottom of pan, evenly spread cookie dough to form crust. Bake 12-17 minutes, or until light golden brown.
3. Sprinkle marshmallows, peanuts and chocolate chips evenly over crust. Bake 8-10 minutes, or until toppings are melted. Drizzle with caramel topping. Cool completely, about 1 hour. Cut into wedges.

Source: Culinary.net

(Family Features) Fresh fruits are one of the highlights of summer. Try this tasty Fresh Pear Dumplings with Raspberry Sauce recipe, bringing pears and raspberries together for a delicious seasonal dessert.

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Fresh Pear Dumplings with Raspberry Sauce

Recipe adapted from Pillsbury

Pear Dumplings:

• 2          firm, ripe pears, cored and chopped
• 1/4       cup golden raisins
• 1/4       cup brown sugar
• 1          pie crust
• water
• 1          tablespoon milk
• 1          tablespoon sugar

Raspberry Sauce:

• 1          package (10 ounces) frozen raspberries
• 1          teaspoon cornstarch
• 3          tablespoons sugar

1. Heat oven to 425° F.
2. In medium bowl, combine pears, raisins and brown sugar. Mix well.
3. Lay out pie crust. Cut into quarters. Spoon pear filling on top of dough. Brush edges with water. Fold up sides to form three seams.
4. Place dumpling, seam-side up, on baking sheet. Brush tops of dough with milk. Sprinkle with sugar.
5. Bake 18 minutes, or until golden brown. Cool on rack.
6. In blender, blend raspberries until smooth. Pour blended raspberries into saucepan. Add cornstarch and sugar. Bring to boil, stirring often. Place in freezer 10 minutes.
7. Drizzle raspberry sauce on plate. Place dumpling over sauce. Top dumpling with additional raspberry sauce.

Source: Culinary.net

(Family Features) While lemon is a traditional summer flavor, you can add a little extra to your gatherings – from picnics and brunches – with this classic dessert. Quick and easy to make, these Lemon Bars feature a soft crust and a tangy, sweet filling topped with powdered sugar.

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Watch video to see how to make this delicious recipe!

 Lemon Bars

Recipe adapted from Better Homes and Gardens

•             Nonstick cooking spray
• 2          cups, plus 3 tablespoons, all-purpose flour, divided
• 1/2       cup powdered sugar, plus additional, for topping
• 2          tablespoons cornstarch
• 1/4       teaspoon salt
• 3/4       cup butter
• 4          eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 1/2    cups granulated sugar
• 1          teaspoon lemon zest
• 3/4       cup lemon juice
• 1/4       cup light cream, half-and-half or milk

1. Heat oven to 350° F.
2. Line 9-by-13-inch baking pan with foil; allow overhang. Grease foil with nonstick cooking spray; set aside.
3. In large bowl, whisk 2 cups flour, 1/2 cup powdered sugar, cornstarch and salt.
4. Using pastry blender, cut in butter until mixture resembles crumbs. Press mixture into bottom of baking pan. Bake 18-20 minutes.
5. To make filling: In medium bowl, whisk eggs, sugar, remaining flour, lemon zest, lemon juice and light cream.
6. Pour filling over hot crust. Bake 15-20 minutes.
7. Cool completely on wire rack.
8. Grasp foil overhang and lift from pan. Cut into bars. Sprinkle powdered sugar over bars before serving.

Source: Culinary.net

(Family Features) While Father's Day is for honoring dads, it's also a great opportunity to honor the men who have been father figures to us - stepfathers, grandfathers, uncles, even friends who have played that role in our lives.

This year, take some extra time to tell those men how much they've meant to you. A card or letter, a phone call or a face to face conversation - you'll give them a Father's Day gift they'll never forget.

To show them your appreciation, have them over for a special dinner. Grill up some chicken and top it with this Cilantro Cream Sauce. Serve with some southwestern-inspired rice and follow it all up with these Double Chocolate Warm Pudding Cakes for a homey dessert.

For more Father's Day dinner and dessert ideas, visit VeryBestBaking.com.

Cilantro Cream Sauce over Chicken

Makes 6 to 8 servings

• 6 to 8 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, cooked and kept warm
• 2 cups loosely packed fresh cilantro
• 1 can (12 fluid ounces) Nestlé Carnation Evaporated Milk
• 1 cup water
• 2 teaspoons granulated chicken flavor bouillon
• 3 tablespoons butter or margarine
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• Ground black pepper to taste

1. PLACE cilantro, evaporated milk, water and bouillon in blender; cover. Blend until smooth.
2. MELT butter in medium saucepan over medium heat. Remove from heat. Stir in flour, stirring constantly until smooth. Stir in cilantro mixture. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to a boil and thickens slightly. Season to taste with pepper.
3. POUR sauce over chicken breasts.

Nutrition Information per serving: 330 calories; 120 calories from fat; 14g total fat; 8g saturated fat; 130mg cholesterol; 380mg sodium; 9g carbohydrate; 0g fiber; 6g sugars; 40g protein; 10% Vitamin A; 20% Calcium

Double Chocolate Warm Pudding Cakes

Makes 8 servings

• Nonstick cooking spray
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar, divided
• 3 tablespoons plus 1/4 cup Nestlé Toll House Baking Cocoa, divided
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 can (12 fluid ounces) Nestlé Carnation Evaporated Lowfat 2% Milk, divided
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons water
• Lowfat whipped topping or ice cream (optional)

1. PREHEAT the oven to 350° F. Spray 8-inch-square baking pan or dish with nonstick cooking spray.
2. COMBINE flour, 3/4 cup sugar, 3 tablespoons cocoa, baking powder and salt in medium bowl. Add 1/2 cup evaporated milk, oil and vanilla extract; whisk until just blended. Spread batter into prepared baking pan.
3. COMBINE remaining 1/2 cup sugar and 1/4 cup cocoa in small bowl. Microwave remaining 1 cup evaporated milk and 2 tablespoons water in small, uncovered microwave-safe bowl on HIGH (100%) power for 1 minute. With wire whisk, stir in sugar-cocoa mixture into milk mixture until blended. Gently pour over chocolate batter in pan.
4. BAKE for 20 to 25 minutes (25 to 30 minutes if using glass dish) or until cake layer forms on top and edges are bubbly. Let stand for 10 minutes. Spoon into serving dishes, spooning chocolate sauce over cake. Top with whipped topping.

TIP: Individual servings can be reheated in microwave for 10 seconds.

Nutrition Information per serving: 250 calories; 25 calories from fat; 3g total fat; 1g saturated fat; 5mg cholesterol; 220mg sodium; 45g carbohydrate; 1g fiber; 32g sugars; 5g protein; 15% Calcium

Source: VeryBestBaking.com

(Family Features) From full-course brunches to simple sit-down dinners, Easter celebrations are a time to enjoy family, friends and the delicious tastes of spring.

However elaborate the festivities, a rich and creamy dessert is the perfect finale to any Easter gathering. Made from fresh milk and real cream, PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese is the high-quality ingredient that makes sweets stand out.

These fresh dessert ideas all feature everyone's favorite indulgence - cheesecake - along with other lively flavors, such as coconut, lemon and blueberry. Desserts this delicious will have your guests hopping up for seconds. For these and other recipe ideas, visit www.creamcheese.com.

Easter Mini Cheesecakes

Prep time: 20 minutes
Total time: 3 hours, 20 minutes
Servings: 18

• 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
• 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar, divided
• 3 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
• 3 packages (8 ounces each) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons BAKER'S ANGEL FLAKE Coconut, toasted
• 54 speckled malted milk eggs (about 9 ounces)

1. Heat oven to 325°F.
2. Mix graham crumbs, 2 tablespoons sugar and butter; press onto bottoms of 18 paper-lined muffin cups.
3. Beat cream cheese, vanilla and remaining sugar with mixer until blended. Add eggs, 1 at a time, mixing on low speed after each just until blended. Spoon over crusts.
4. Bake 25-30 minutes or until centers are almost set. Cool completely. Refrigerate 2 hours.
5. Top each cheesecake with 1 tablespoon coconut; shape to resemble bird's nest. Fill with malted milk eggs.

Note: To soften cream cheese, place completely unwrapped package of cream cheese in microwaveable bowl. Microwave on high 10 seconds or just until softened. Add 15 seconds for each additional package of cream cheese.

Blueberry Streusel Cheesecake

Prep time: 15 minutes
Total time: 6 hours, 45 minutes
Servings: 16

• 1 1/2 cups plus 3 tablespoons flour, divided
• 1 1/3 cups sugar, divided
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 3/4 cup cold butter, cut up
• 4 packages (8 ounces each) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup BREAKSTONE'S or KNUDSEN Sour Cream
• 4 eggs
• 2 cups fresh blueberries

1. Heat oven to 325°F.
2. Mix 1 1/2 cups flour, 1/3 cup sugar and cinnamon in medium bowl. Cut in butter with pastry blender or 2 knives until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Reserve 1/2 cup; press remaining onto bottom of 9-inch springform pan. Bake 25 minutes or until lightly browned.
3. Beat cream cheese, remaining flour, remaining sugar and vanilla with mixer until well blended. Add sour cream; mix well. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating on low speed after each just until blended. Pour over crust. Top with berries and reserved crumb mixture.
4. Bake 1 hour 25 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes or until center is almost set. Run knife around rim of pan to loosen cake; cool before removing rim. Refrigerate 4 hours.

Note: You can substitute cream cheese with Neufchatel cheese, or fresh blueberries with 1 (16-ounce) package frozen blueberries. Garnish with additional berries or cinnamon just before serving.

Double Lemon Cheesecake Bars

Prep time: 35 minutes
Total time: 7 hours, 15 minutes
Servings: 16

• 52 vanilla wafers, finely crushed (about 2 cups)
• 3 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
• 4 eggs, divided
• 4 packages (8 ounces each) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
• 1 3/4 cups sugar, divided
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest
• 1/3 cup lemon juice (about 2 lemons), divided
• 1/2teaspoon vanilla
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1/2 cup water

1. Heat oven to 325°F.
2. Line 13-by-9-inch pan with parchment paper, with ends of paper extending over sides.
3. Mix wafer crumbs and butter until blended; press onto bottom of prepared pan. Bake 10 minutes.
4. Separate 1 egg; refrigerate yolk until ready to use. Beat cream cheese, 1 cup sugar, flour, lemon zest, 2 tablespoons lemon juice and vanilla in large bowl with mixer until blended. Add egg white and remaining 3 whole eggs, 1 at a time, mixing on low speed after each until just blended. Pour over crust.
5. Bake 40 minutes or until center is almost set. Cool 1 hour. Refrigerate 4 hours.
6. Mix cornstarch and remaining sugar in medium saucepan; gradually stir in water and remaining lemon juice until blended. Bring just to boil on medium heat, stirring constantly; cook and stir until clear and thickened. Lightly beat reserved egg yolk in small bowl with fork until blended; stir in 2 tablespoons of hot cornstarch mixture.
7. Return to remaining cornstarch mixture in saucepan; stir until blended. Cook 1 minute or until thickened, stirring constantly. Cool slightly.
8. Spoon lemon glaze over cheesecake. Refrigerate 1 hour or until firm. Use parchment handles to remove cheesecake from pan before cutting to serve.

Note: This lemon glaze can be prepared ahead of time. Cool, then refrigerate up to 8 hours before spooning over individual slices of cheesecake. Garnish with 1/2 cup blueberries, lemon peel and fresh mint leaves.

Recipes/photos courtesy of PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese

Source: PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese