5-Star Reviews: December 2011

December 01, 2011
Photo: Sang An; Styling: Christina Wressel
Rated best-of-the-best by the MyRecipes community, these recipes taste as good as their praise.
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1 of 31

Flourless Peanut Butter-Chocolate Chip Cookies

Jamie Vespa

"Made these for the first time and WOW! Was nervous about the outcome with no flour or butter and these were not disappointing. My husband loved them. I will never make any other cookie. Great receipe." —Leenie8674


Flourless Peanut Butter-Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
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2 of 31

Candy Bar-Peanut Butter Cookies

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas; Styling: Buffy Hargett

"My family loved these cookies. Easy to make and even good without the snickers. I am always looking for good recipes for our annual Christmas cookie exchange. This will be a hit!" —cheese75


Candy Bar-Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe

3 of 31

Caramel-Cream Cheese Flan

Photo: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Lydia DeGaris Pursell

"I made this for Christmas for the first time and it was everyones favorite! So delicious and pretty easy to make and it looks beautiful! I have made it two more times and it's always a hit with everyone. I'm saving this in my 'Favorite recipies of all time' catagory." —Minerva


Caramel-Cream Cheese Flan Recipe
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4 of 31

Root Vegetable Gratin

Photo: Annabelle Breakey; Styling: Robyn Valarik

"This dish is fantastic. I made it for Christmas instead of mashed potatoes and it got rave reviews. It was even better warmed up the next day. Definitely a keeper." —JeanetteAC


Root Vegetable Gratin Recipe

5 of 31

Caramel Italian Cream Cake

Photo: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Lydia DeGaris Pursell

"The cake was a huge hit at my office--9X13 pan with only the caramel frosting. It is moist and absolutely delicious. I have trouble with carmel being grainy but had no problem with this recipe. The caramel was very smooth!" —annbauer24


Caramel Italian Cream Cake Recipe

6 of 31

Spiced Butternut-Pumpkin Soup

Photo: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Lydia DeGaris Pursell

"I used canned pumpkin and still it was amazing! I was also out of whipping cream so half and half fat free worked well too!" —agopchick


Spiced Butternut-Pumpkin Soup Recipe
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7 of 31

Chocolate Truffle Cheesecake

Photo: Jim Franco; Styling: Lydia DeGaris Pursell

"Truly amazing, best cheesecake I've EVER eaten!!!" —Memphismomof3


Chocolate Truffle Cheesecake Recipe

8 of 31

White Cranberry Spritzer

Photo: Sang An; Styling: Christina Wressel

"I made this over Christmas and loved it so much we made a double batch for our NYE party. I don't like sweet drinks so this was perfect! so smooth and delish!!" —loves2cookinNY


White Cranberry Spritzer Recipe

9 of 31

Pine Nut Cookies

Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Cindy Barr

"If you like crispy, buttery cookies, then try these! Wonderful with coffee or tea. My "starburst" of pine nuts migrated all over the cookie but still looks nice. Eleven minutes in my oven was plenty." —TripleTreat


Pine Nut Cookies Recipe
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10 of 31

Vanilla-Spice Nuts

Photo: Sang An; Styling: Christina Wressel

"Very good! Sweet, spicy and easy. Used all whole nuts that I had on hand (almonds, pecans and walnuts). Had them at my Christmas Eve party and had several requests for the recipe. Great snack for me at work - not much added sugar and no added fat. Thanks!" —Lessss


Vanilla-Spice Nuts Recipe

11 of 31

Prosciutto-Wrapped Stuffed Dates

Photo: Sang An; Styling: Christina Wressel

"I made these exactly as written. Very good, easy and elegant appetizer. I need to find larger dates next time. Prosciutto did not dry out; I was worried it would. It was easy to chew and had great flavor. Will make for Christmas!" —Marchia


Prosciutto-Wrapped Stuffed Dates Recipe

12 of 31

Spicy Moroccan Chickpeas

Photo: Jonny Valiant; Styling: Deborah Williams

"This was one of the best vegetarian dishes I have ever made. Even my husband was very impressed. Great flavor. I halved the reciple and it was a perfect amount for 2 hungry people plus a little leftovers. Also used diced tomatoes and garam marsala, and added some bell pepper because I had it on hand. Served it with a side salad and it was delish!" —JuliaGulia529


Spicy Moroccan Chickpeas Recipe
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13 of 31

Spiced Persimmon and Pecan Muffins

Photo: Jonny Valiant; Styling: Deborah Williams

"These muffins were wonderfully moist and flavorful. Definitely heat them again before serving if you're not going to eat them right away. So good!" —pinktigerlily


Spiced Persimmon and Pecan Muffins Recipe

14 of 31

Citrus Green Beans with Pine Nuts

Photo: Jonny Valiant; Styling: Deborah Williams

"Wonderful light but tasty recipe to go with a rich holiday meal. The orange gives it a wonderful flavor. I used frozen green beans that I thawed and they worked nicely. My husband suggested we try it with asparagus and it is great that way too!" —ewyancy


Citrus Green Beans with Pine Nuts Recipe

15 of 31

Mexican Chocolate Pound Cake

Photo: Jim Franco; Styling: Leslie Siegel

"I made this tonight and it was delicious! My husband, who is not really a sweets guy, ate 3 pieces! Velvety texture and not too sweet. I passed on the sauce and just dusted with powdered sugar. I dug out the bundt pan for this one and will definitely be making it again." —sealystar


Mexican Chocolate Pound Cake Recipe
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16 of 31

Pork Tenderloin Agrodolce

Photo: Jonny Valiant; Styling: Deborah Williams

"We LOVE this recipe. I make it just for us and when we have company. The combination of flavors is wonderful. I wish the cipollini onions came pre-peeled! Delicious. Sometimes I add extra cherries for more sweetness." —Lauracooksfor7


Pork Tenderloin Agrodolce Recipe

17 of 31

Sausage and Sourdough Bread Stuffing

Photo: Jonny Valiant; Styling: Deborah Williams

"I made this as a seaparate dish--not as a stuffing per se--and I'm glad I did because I think it retained the lightness that the croutons brings to the dish. REALLY, really good flavor. Excellent blend of spices made each bite interesting and flavorful. Honestly, this would be a great side dish to a meal anytime, not just TDay. I followed the recipe exactly and will do so next time." —valhalla


Sausage and Sourdough Bread Stuffing Recipe

18 of 31

Cardamom Pork Roast with Apples and Figs

Jan Smith

"Outstanding! My husband couldn't stop eating it. The apples and figs were perfect." —dotty351


Cardamom Pork Roast with Apples and Figs Recipe
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19 of 31

Grandma Erma's Spirited Cranberry Sauce

Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Angie Mosier

"This delicious and easy-to-make recipe is a winner! Made this for the first time this year and it was incredible. Shared the extra I made with a neighbor the night before Thanksgiving - she called me as I walked back into my house and said that she just had to try it immediately, that the sauce was 'divine' and that it probably wouldn't make it to Thanksgiving dinner. What a compliment!!!" —ubee1209


Grandma Erma's Spirited Cranberry Sauce Recipe

20 of 31

Apple Kuchen

Photo: Jonny Valiant; Styling: Deborah Williams

"OMG! I snuck a bite as this came out of the oven, it is VERY good!! I could see this becoming a Christmas or Thanksgiving must-have. Another great CL recipe!!" —davidslori


Apple Kuchen Recipe

21 of 31

Winter Jeweled Fruit Salad

Photo: Jonny Valiant; Styling: Deborah Williams

"I dislike fruit salads but they are virtually obligatory for brunch. This one, however, is stellar. Problem is getting ripe fruit. Can prepare jicama (wrap in plastic) and seed pomegranates (in a bowl under water) in advance to cut prep time. Definitely worth the effort!" —bingersoll


Winter Jeweled Fruit Salad Recipe
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22 of 31

Balsamic Root Vegetables

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas; Styling: Missie Neville Crawford

"My mother-in-law made this as a side dish for Christmas dinner. It was fabulous and she didn't even add the bacon." —kellynn


Balsamic Root Vegetables Recipe

23 of 31

Carrots Roasted with Smoked Paprika

Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Leigh Ann Ross

"Terrific! These were sooooo good and addictive. I think I could have kept eating these these carrots until I burst. Next time, I'm doubling the recipe." —8stringfan


Carrots Roasted with Smoked Paprika Recipe

24 of 31

Spinach-Apple Salad With Maple-Cider Vinaigrette

Photo: Beau Gustafson; Styling: Sissy Lamberton

"Served this for Christmas. WOW! Made pecans and dressing a day ahead. Very simple to put together. Taste explosion,all ingredients worked so well together. I will be making this often." —ellie58


Spinach-Apple Salad With Maple-Cider Vinaigrette Recipe
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25 of 31

Chocolate-Hazelnut Meringues

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Cindy Barr, Mary Lyn Hill Jenkins

"FTW recipe! I would make this every day if I could! :)" —Failb0at


Chocolate-Hazelnut Meringues Recipe

26 of 31

Latina Lasagna

Photo: Jim Franco; Styling: Leslie Siegel

"Have wanted to make this for two months. So worth the wait!!! I used pre-cooked jalapeno chicken sausage in place of chorizo and still delicious. I would love to add veggies... maybe spinach next time. It really needs no improving at all." —Kstewart


Latina Lasagna Recipe

27 of 31

Praline Pull-Apart Bread

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas; Styling: Caroline Murphey

"Had family in town and made this for brunch. Delish! I made it exactly as the recipe indicated, but I did leave about a fourth of the dish free from pecans for my crazy kids who do not like pecan. Also, the rolls had been in the fridge for several hours instead of being in the freezer so they had thawed just a bit. Everyone loved it." —JohannaH


Praline Pull-Apart Bread Recipe
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28 of 31

Applejack-Spiked Hot Cider

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Cindy Barr, Mary Lyn Hill Jenkins

"I made this last night for a holiday party, and it went over very well. I made two big pots of it, and they were all gone by the end of the night. I followed the recipe exactly, except I used a bit more Calvados than called for. I will definitely make this again--deliciously sweet and slightly spicy!" —skspillman


Applejack-Spiked Hot Cider Recipe

29 of 31

Date, Walnut, and Blue Cheese Ball

Photo: Jonny Valiant; Styling: Deborah Williams

"This was so easy to make and such a hit. The flavour of the blue cheese with the sweet dates is excellent. Brought this to a party and the host told me that I'm not allowed coming back without it. He likes the cheeseball more than me!" —hotpsoup


Date, Walnut, and Blue Cheese Ball Recipe

30 of 31

Salted Caramel-Pecan Bars

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas; Styling: Buffy Hargett

"Absolutely delicious! My husband, who claims he does not like sweets, has eaten half the batch. The caramel pecan flavor is wonderful with the salt. The receipe is so easy and fairly cheap to make. Perfect for giving away." —Dunateo


Salted Caramel-Pecan Bars Recipe
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31 of 31

Mini Crab Cups

Photo: Sang An; Styling: Christina Wressel

"I made these for my book club Christmas meeting. They were a huge hit and disappeared immediately." —KathyDC


Mini Crab Cups Recipe
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