BE FREE FRIDAY #129: Catching Up w/Sara & Monica

SARA’S SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE WITH CRUNCHY TOPPING:

Ingredients-Filling

  • 3 cups mashed sweet potatoes ( or 1 large can)
  • 2/3 cup sugar
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1/3 stick butter (melted or softened)
  • ½ cup milk
  • 2 eggs

Ingredients-Topping

  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup flour
  • 1/3 stick butter melted
  • 1 cup chopped nuts

Directions

  • Preheat the over to 350-degrees.
  • Mix the filling ingredients and put in a greased baking dish.
  • Sprinkle the topping on top of mixture
  • Bake for 35 minutes.

MONICA’S PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE (it’s really Emeril’s, but Monica made a few modifications):

Ingredients-Crust (note: I double all of this because I love a thick crust)

  • 1 3/4 cups graham cracker crumbs
  • 1/4 cup finely ground pecans
  • 3 tablespoons light brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Ingredients-Filling

  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (I added this, it makes all the difference)
  • 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (Kerrygold is best, TRUST ME IN THIS)
  • Three 8-ounce packages cream cheese, at room temperature
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 large egg yolks
  • One 15-ounce can solid-pack pumpkin puree
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream
  • Optional: vanilla whipped cream; caramel to melt and drizzle on top

Directions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Combine the cracker crumbs, pecans, brown sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon of the cinnamon in a medium bowl. Mix in the melted butter. Press the mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom and about 1 inch up the sides of an ungreased 9-inch springform pan. Bake the crust in the center of the oven until fragrant and lightly golden around the edges, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove and cool on a wire cooling rack.
  • Reduce the oven temperature to 325 degrees F.
  • Beat the cream cheese, sugar, cornstarch, vanilla, the remaining 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and the nutmeg in the bowl of an electric mixer on low speed until smooth and fluffy, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Add the eggs and yolks and beat just until blended. Mix in the pumpkin and cream. Spread the batter in the pan, and place it on a baking sheet.
  • Bake until the center is nearly set, 1 hour and 20 to 1 hour and 30 minutes. Cool on a wire rack for 15 minutes.

  • Carefully run a sharp knife between the cake and the sides of the pan. Remove the sides of the pan. Cool completely on the rack before covering tightly with aluminum foil or plastic wrap.

  • Refrigerate until well chilled before serving, at least 4 hours or up to 2 days.
  • Top with vanilla whipped cream or if you’re feeling really fancy, drizzle with caramel!

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