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" 1 package (3.4 oz.) instant
French vanilla pudding mix 2 tablespoons sugar ½ teaspoon nutmeg ½ teaspoon cinnamon ⅛ teaspoon ginger ⅛ teaspoon allspice 5 cups milk (whole or 2%) ¾ cup heavy cream 4 tablespoons pure maple syrup ½ teaspoon vanilla extract ¼ teaspoon rum extract (optional) Combine dry pudding mix, sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, and allspice; mix together well. Combine milk, cream, maple syrup, vanilla, and rum extract in a large bowl. Slowly hand whisk dry ingredients into wet ingredients until mixed thoroughly. (Do not use a blender.) Refrigerate for at least one hour to thicken (two or three hours is better). Stir well. (If the consistency is thicker than desired, add ½ to 1 cup milk to thin.) Pour into cups, garnish each with a spoonful of cinnamon whipped cream (next page), sprinkle with freshly ground nutmeg, and enjoy! "
― Camron Wright , Christmas by Accident
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" Before you begin baking, be sure all the ingredients are at room temperature. They will mix more easily and the finished cheesecakes will have a smoother texture. Crust: Purchase a package of your favorite chocolate wafer cookies. (For a gluten-free option, omit the crust, letting the bottom chocolate cheesecake layer become the crust.) Cheesecake Filling: 3 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened 1 cup sugar 2 tablespoons cornstarch 3 large eggs ½ cup sour cream 1 teaspoon vanilla extract For Chocolate Filling: 1½ cups semisweet chocolate chips, melted and cooled For Peppermint Filling: 1 cup crushed peppermint candy canes
(approximately 6 large candy canes) 1 teaspoon peppermint extract Sour Cream Topping: 1¼ cups sour cream ⅓ cup sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Garnish: Chopped peppermint candies and chocolate chunks. Heat oven to 325 degrees F. Put paper liners in 24 muffin cups. Put a chocolate wafer cookie in each muffin cup. Filling: Beat cream cheese, sugar, and cornstarch in a large bowl until smooth. Beat in eggs one at a time, just until blended. Fold in sour cream and vanilla. Divide batter between two bowls. Mix melted chocolate into one bowl. Stir crushed peppermint candies and extract into the other bowl of batter. Put a spoonful of chocolate filling into the bottom of each muffin cup over crust. Carefully smooth until even with a small knife. Spoon peppermint filling over chocolate layer to cover until the cups are almost full. Smooth with knife as before. Bake 18–20 minutes, being careful to not overbake. "
― Camron Wright , Christmas by Accident
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" 2 cups milk (whole milk preferred) 1 cup heavy cream 5 ounces quality dark chocolate, chopped (approximately 72% cocoa) 2 tablespoons light brown sugar 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1 teaspoon vanilla extract ¾ cup quality caramel sauce, divided (Torani brand, if available) 4–5 gingersnap cookies, crushed Whipped cream Mix milk and heavy cream in a medium saucepan and heat on medium-low, stirring occasionally, until just before the mixture simmers (the edges will barely begin to bubble). Use a large enough saucepan to ensure it isn’t more than half full. Add chopped chocolate and whisk until melted. Whisk in brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, and ½ cup of the caramel sauce. Continue to heat for two or three minutes, whisking occasionally. It will thicken slightly. (If it begins to boil, turn down the heat.) Ladle hot cocoa into mugs until they are half to three-
quarters full. Top with whipped cream and sprinkle generously with gingersnap crumbles. Drizzle with remaining caramel sauce. Enjoy! "
― Camron Wright , Christmas by Accident
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" Laugh with me, monkey. Bring impish tricks and mischievous heart. Help sorrow waft and cheer restore before the sun sets red. Run with me, tiger, with imposing stripes of orange and deafening growl. Cause enemies to cower and bring my spirit courage. Pull with me, water buffalo. Turn furrowed fields to golden rice that’s sweet. Show true resolve and the strength of a determined mind. Rest with me, turtle, with emerald shield and wisdom old as time. Teach me to value a strong home that will protect against the rain. Swim with me, fish, through renewing waters that are broad and deep and blue. Cleanse my body and keep it cool from the sun’s hot rays. Sing with me, bird. Trill nature’s song and carry tired limbs through indigo sky. Open my eyes to the world’s expanse and Nature’s wonder. Scurry with me, beetle. Remind of life’s short days and of precious time. Tap your violet legs about to keep me alert and prepared. Scurry, beetle—sing, bird—swim, fish—rest, turtle—pull, water buffalo—run, tiger—laugh, monkey. Play together in my dreams. Dance across nature’s sky. It’s now time that I must sleep. "
― Camron Wright , The Rent Collector