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  2. 5-Star Reviews: December 2011

5-Star Reviews: December 2011

December 01, 2011
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Credit: 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

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Flourless Peanut Butter-Chocolate Chip Cookies

Credit: 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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Candy Bar-Peanut Butter Cookies

Credit: 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

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Caramel-Cream Cheese Flan

Credit: 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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Root Vegetable Gratin

Credit: 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

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Caramel Italian Cream Cake

Credit: 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

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Spiced Butternut-Pumpkin Soup

Credit: 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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Chocolate Truffle Cheesecake

Credit: Photo: Jim Franco; Styling: Lydia DeGaris Pursell

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


Chocolate Truffle Cheesecake Recipe

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White Cranberry Spritzer

Credit: 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

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Pine Nut Cookies

Credit: 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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Vanilla-Spice Nuts

Credit: 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

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Prosciutto-Wrapped Stuffed Dates

Credit: 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

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Spicy Moroccan Chickpeas

Credit: 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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Spiced Persimmon and Pecan Muffins

Credit: 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

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Citrus Green Beans with Pine Nuts

Credit: 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

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Mexican Chocolate Pound Cake

Credit: 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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Pork Tenderloin Agrodolce

Credit: 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

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Sausage and Sourdough Bread Stuffing

Credit: 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

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Cardamom Pork Roast with Apples and Figs

Credit: 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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Grandma Erma's Spirited Cranberry Sauce

Credit: 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

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Apple Kuchen

Credit: 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

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Winter Jeweled Fruit Salad

Credit: 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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Balsamic Root Vegetables

Credit: 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

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Carrots Roasted with Smoked Paprika

Credit: 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

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Spinach-Apple Salad With Maple-Cider Vinaigrette

Credit: 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

24 of 31

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25 of 31

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Chocolate-Hazelnut Meringues

Credit: 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

25 of 31

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Latina Lasagna

Credit: 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

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Praline Pull-Apart Bread

Credit: 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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Applejack-Spiked Hot Cider

Credit: 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

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Date, Walnut, and Blue Cheese Ball

Credit: 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

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Salted Caramel-Pecan Bars

Credit: 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

30 of 31

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Mini Crab Cups

Credit: 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

31 of 31

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    Everything in This Slideshow

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    1 of 31 Flourless Peanut Butter-Chocolate Chip Cookies
    2 of 31 Candy Bar-Peanut Butter Cookies
    3 of 31 Caramel-Cream Cheese Flan
    4 of 31 Root Vegetable Gratin
    5 of 31 Caramel Italian Cream Cake
    6 of 31 Spiced Butternut-Pumpkin Soup
    7 of 31 Chocolate Truffle Cheesecake
    8 of 31 White Cranberry Spritzer
    9 of 31 Pine Nut Cookies
    10 of 31 Vanilla-Spice Nuts
    11 of 31 Prosciutto-Wrapped Stuffed Dates
    12 of 31 Spicy Moroccan Chickpeas
    13 of 31 Spiced Persimmon and Pecan Muffins
    14 of 31 Citrus Green Beans with Pine Nuts
    15 of 31 Mexican Chocolate Pound Cake
    16 of 31 Pork Tenderloin Agrodolce
    17 of 31 Sausage and Sourdough Bread Stuffing
    18 of 31 Cardamom Pork Roast with Apples and Figs
    19 of 31 Grandma Erma's Spirited Cranberry Sauce
    20 of 31 Apple Kuchen
    21 of 31 Winter Jeweled Fruit Salad
    22 of 31 Balsamic Root Vegetables
    23 of 31 Carrots Roasted with Smoked Paprika
    24 of 31 Spinach-Apple Salad With Maple-Cider Vinaigrette
    25 of 31 Chocolate-Hazelnut Meringues
    26 of 31 Latina Lasagna
    27 of 31 Praline Pull-Apart Bread
    28 of 31 Applejack-Spiked Hot Cider
    29 of 31 Date, Walnut, and Blue Cheese Ball
    30 of 31 Salted Caramel-Pecan Bars
    31 of 31 Mini Crab Cups

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