Slow cooker curry lentil stew with sweet potato, sherry, and warm spices. Indian-inspired vegetarian stew served over fragrant basmati or jasmine rice.
Illinois apple pie fills a flaky double-crust shortening pastry with thin-sliced Granny Smith apples spiced with cinnamon, brown sugar, and nutmeg. Brushed with milk and dusted with sugar for a sparkling top.
Orange-scented sweet crepes rolled around a cinnamon-sugared cottage cheese filling. A Central European-style blintz made in a cast iron skillet, served for breakfast or dessert.
Italian nut biscotti with almonds, hazelnuts, cinnamon, cloves, and orange zest. Shaped into logs, baked once, then sliced on the diagonal for a big batch of crunchy cookies.
Rainbow chocolate oatmeal cake topped with M&M's, made with brown sugar, cinnamon, and chopped nuts. A colorful, kid-friendly bake that doubles as a giant cookie bar.
This is actually my pumpkin pie filling, but I prefer it without the pastry and it is better for me. No great amount of fat in this one.
Pumpkin cheesecake pie made entirely in the microwave with a graham cracker crust, cream cheese filling, and pecan topping. Lemon and orange zest brighten the rich pumpkin custard.
No-bake pumpkin parfait pie with vanilla ice cream, instant coffee, and warm spices set in a graham cracker crust. A creamy, mousse-like pumpkin pie that chills instead of bakes.
Sephardic-style haroset for Passover made with dates, figs, raisins, walnuts, almonds, and sweet kosher wine. Spiced with cardamom, cumin, and cinnamon.
Cinnamon swirl loaf made easy with frozen bread dough, rolled jelly-roll style around a cinnamon-sugar spiral, baked golden and drizzled with vanilla icing. Beginner-friendly and made for morning toast.
Ground beef and potato stir-fry seasoned with cinnamon, cumin, and paprika in a Moroccan-inspired spice blend. A fast 30-minute one-wok weeknight dinner.
A faux quark spread made by blending yogurt and sour cream with sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Tangy German-style breakfast cream stand-in for fruit, toast, or pancakes in five minutes.
Mini carrot cakes with chutney, coconut, walnuts, and warm spices baked in mini muffin tins. Topped with cream cheese frosting for bite-sized party treats.
Elephant ears with pecan filling: puff pastry rolled with cinnamon-cardamom-pecan filling, sliced and baked into butterfly-shaped pastries. Bakery-style breakfast treat at home.
Bread machine oat-date nut bread enriched with rolled oats, chopped dates, walnuts (or pecans) and a hint of cinnamon. A hearty, slightly sweet yeasted loaf for breakfast toast or alongside soup.
Fruited rice pudding made with skim milk and brown sugar, topped with fresh nectarines and plums. A creamy, low-fat stovetop dessert you can serve warm or chilled.