Turkey Day Desserts!

This year I cooked Turkey Dinner at my house. It was a small gathering, Phil, the kids and I, my mom and step-dad and my aunt Brenda. Last year I did not get to cook or really enjoy dinner due to the fact that I had H1N1 :( That's a whole other story. But I was not working this year and healthy so I was cooking dinner, even if it was just Phil and I. I made all the usuals: Roasted Turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, mac &cheese corn casserole, and rolls. I then found a few recipes from the Pioneer Woman website for some yummy looking pies. So I attempted them, and boy were they good! Everyone enjoyed them, even my traditional kind of food step-dad. He always tells me I am going to turn into a chicken because that's all I eat! Whatever you do, try these recipes, you will NOT regret it! Well your hips may, but that's ok, right?

****disclaimer: One of the following recipes does use raw eggs****

French Silk Pie
 via The Pioneer Woman

4 oz unsweetened baking chocolate
1c.salted butter, softened
1 1/2c. sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
4 whole eggs
1 baked pie shell

Directions:
In a small bowl melt the 4 oz chocolate until you are able to stir (I started @ 45 seconds and just added time as needed until melted) Set aside and let cool.

In a Kitchen aid mixer beat 1c. butter and 1 1/2c sugar until light and fluffy, 1-2 minutes. When chocolate is cooled drizzle it over the butter mixture, add 1 tsp vanilla and beat mixture until well combined.

Turn mixer on med speed and add eggs, 1 at a time, leaving 5 minutes in between each addition. This process will take 20 minutes, the mixture will take many different textures during this process, but in the end it will be smooth and creamy. Once well mixed pour mixture into baked pie crust. Chill for at least 2 hours in the fridge before serving. Top with whipped cream and chocolate shavings before serving.

Nantucket Cranberry Pie
via The Pioneer Woman

2c. fresh cranberries
3/4c. chopped pecans
2/3c. sugar
1c. flour
1c. sugar
1 stick butter melted
2 eggs lightly beaten
1 tsp almond extract
1/4 tsp salt
1 tbsp sugar for sprinkling

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350.
Generously butter a pie pan, add cranberries to the bottom of the pan, sprinkle pecans over cranberries, then sprinkle 2/3c sugar over cranberries and pecans.

In a mixing bowl combine the flour, 1c. sugar, melted butter, eggs, almond extract and salt. Mix gently until combined. Pour batter slowly over the cranberry, pecan mixture. Spread gently if necessary. Bake 45 minutes, sprinkle 1tbsp sugar over crust the last 5 minutes of baking.

Serve with ice cream or whipped cream.

Enjoy!