Christmas Day Menu and Memories

Merry Christmas 2010!  What a great holiday we had - it was my first time making Christmas dinner, first time roasting a turkey, and first time cooking a lot of these recipes.  I would do them all over again - and can't wait to cook again next year!

The day started with Christmas gifts and Breakfast Casserole

Then our friends Lee and Michelle came over and we had delicious appetizers to tide us over until dinner - Alton Brown's Shrimp Cocktail and Spinach Artichoke Dip.

Dinner turned out perfect!  Here is the full menu:

Simple Thanksgiving Turkey
Mom and Peggy's Thanksgiving Dressing
Homemade Whole Cranberry Sauce
Turkey Gravy
Creamed Brussel Sprouts with Pancetta
Rutabaga and Turnip Gratin
Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes
Garlicky Brocollini (Michelle is sending me the recipe - stay tuned!  It was delish!)

Dad was in charge of carving the turkey.

After dinner we had Pumpkin Cake for dessert!  First time I have ever baked a cake - it turned out really well.

We really couldn't have asked for a more perfect Christmas. 

Pumpkin Cake

Cake Ingredients:
2 cups sugar
2 cups flour
2 tsp baking soda
1 tbsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
4 large eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
1 can pureed pumpkin (2 cups)

Pre-heat oven to 350

Combine dry ingredients in large bowl and set aside.In a smaller bowl, lightly beat eggs then gradually beat in oil.&Beat egg mixture into dry ingredients.Once mixed completely, beat in pumpkin.

Pour batter into two greased and floured 9 in cake pans. Bake 35-40 minutes.

Frosting Ingredients:
6 tbsp butter
1 pkg (8oz) cream cheese
1 tbsp real maple syrup
1 lb powder sugar

Cream together butter and cream cheese. Beat in maple syrup. Gradually beat in powder sugar

Frost cake when cool, chill until served.

A new Thanksgiving favorite!