Monday, November 16, 2015

Cream Cheese Pumpkin Pie with Caramel Sauce


You can see a larger version of the video here.

When it comes to Thanksgiving, I have always been a traditionalist. Turkey, stuffing, cranberries, mashed potatoes, and usually pie for dessert. I have varied a few things now and then, just to try them out. A pumpkin roll and pumpkin cheesecake come to mind.

In the days when my mom did the cooking, there was always an appetizer and soup as well. Those have fallen by the wayside, mostly because it was just too much food. So I thought I might try a cauliflower soup for my Thanksgiving week recipe. Ha! I'll be sharing that next week. I liked it a lot, but it's quite filling, so not at all appropriate for Thanksgiving. We need to leave room for the turkey!

When I was looking around for another idea, I started thinking about the filling I made for last week's post. Could I make that into a pie? So I threw caution to the wind and tried.

I used a 9.5-inch pie pan and the filling went right up to the top. This will work equally well in a 10-inch pie pan. You'll have leftover filling if you use a 9-inch pie pan. The pie will settle a little as it cools. That's okay.

The result is a surprisingly creamy pie. I do recommend baking this a day ahead of time. It takes a low, slow oven and you'll need your oven for other things, like the turkey. You can make the caramel sauce a day ahead of time, too. Pop it in the microwave for a few seconds if you need to loosen it up the next day. Whip the cream on the day you serve the pie. This will be prettiest if you cut the pie, add the cream and drizzle the sauce in the kitchen. But I've been know to do that at the table.

Optional shortcuts:

1. Buy a ready made graham cracker pie crust.
2. Buy cream in a can.
3. Buy caramel sauce.

If you do all three, you'll be down to making the filling and baking the pie. After that, it's just assembly!


Cream Cheese Pumpkin Pie
 with Caramel Sauce

Use 9.5 or 10-inch pie pan.

Graham Cracker Pie Crust

1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs (about 9-10 sheets)
1/3 cup light brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
6 tablespoons melted butter

Preheat oven to 350. In a food processor, pulse together the graham crackers, sugar, and cinnamon until fine. Add the butter and pulse. Pat into the pie pan. Bake for 10-15 minutes. Cool on a rack.

Cream Cheese Pumpkin Pie Filling

16 ounces cream cheese, room temperature or softened
4 eggs, room temperature
1 cup dark brown sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon cloves
2 cups pumpkin puree (not pie filling)
1 teaspoon vanilla

Preheat the oven to 275. Beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add the eggs one at a time and beat well. Add the sugar. Mix together the cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves in a bowl and stir with a fork to mix and eliminate any lumps. Mix into the filling. Add the pumpkin and the vanilla. Beat. Scrape down the sides and beat one more time. Pour into prepared pie crust. Bake one and one-half hours until the middle doesn't wobble.

Caramel Sauce

1/4 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup white sugar
1/4 cup dark brown sugar, packed

Place ingredients in a microwave safe bowl. (I use a Pyrex 2-cup measuring cup.) Microwave in short bursts from 20-50 seconds, stirring each time until it bubbles up and is hot. Set aside to cool.

Whipped Cream

1 cup heavy cream
1/3 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla

Beat the cream. When it begins to take shape, add the sugar and the vanilla. Beat until it holds a soft peak.

Assembly

Slice the pie. Place a dollop of whipped cream on each piece. Drizzle with caramel sauce.

Make a graham cracker crust.
Mix the spices with a fork.

Fresh from the oven!





MURDER MOST HOWL is coming November 24th! But I have two copies to give away! Leave a comment here by midnight, Wednesday, the 18th. Don't forget to leave your email address so I can notify you. 
Good luck!

119 comments:

  1. yummy, this pie looks delicious. I am going to have to try this for thanksgiving and surprise everyone. Thanks for the great recipe and a chance to win one of your books :) darholley1@aol.com

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  2. Oh my gosh! Looks scrumptious! and I can't wait to read Murder Most Howl! Thanks for the chance! angelhwk68@yahoo.com

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  3. Oh my, I think I am drooling! I adore desserts and the pie looks so good... Mmmmm
    Thank you for the giveaway.
    myrifraf(at)gmail(dot)com

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  4. Good morning! Could this be made as early as the Tuesday before?

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    1. Jody, I made this yesterday, and I'm not sure how it will be tomorrow. But pumpkin holds up pretty well. I think you could make it two days ahead if necessary. : )

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  5. The recipe looks dilish. Thanks for having the give away. Lois Rotella-- rainonlois@aol.com

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  6. What a grand recipe and just in time for Thanksgiving! Looking forward to reading Murder most Howl. dbahn@iw.net

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  7. The pictures are picture perfect!
    What is cream in a can?
    libbydodd at comcast dot net

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    1. Libby, I think it's called ReddiWhip? I haven't used it but I see ads for it all the time.

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  8. The pie sounds delicious! Thanks for the chance to win the new book, I'm looking forward to reading it.

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  9. Yum! Love to try that recipe. Oh and read the book. 😺
    Lady(dot) Janel at hotmail (dot) com

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  10. Wow that looks delish!! Thanks for the chance! Michellemartinek@yahoo.com

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  11. Looks super good that pie....but I can not eat it...it's not gluten or dairy free. Bummer. rachaelabrams317@gmail.com

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  12. Great recipe, great series. Shobrock66@gmail.com!

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  13. Looks absolutely delicious and I haven't read any of these Books yet but I would love to. Thanks for the giveaway....
    Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com

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  14. I'll definitely try to make the pie for Christmas since next week we'll be on our cruise celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary which is your release date!! I'm not a pumpkin pie person in general, but this looks amazing! Can't wait to try it!
    jenndian at yahoo dot com

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  15. Cream cheese and pumpkin. 2 of my fave foods! This looks yum krista! Can't wait to try it
    dellilla9@yahoo.com

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  16. Cream cheese and pumpkin. 2 of my fave foods! This looks yum krista! Can't wait to try it
    dellilla9@yahoo.com

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  17. Stunning Krista!

    Congrats on the anniversary JennDian!

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  18. Great recipes, great books. Thanks for the giveaway. I so hope I am one of the lucky winners.
    akguerra@verizon.net

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  19. Amy F.-- Love anything with pumpkin. Would love to win a copy of the book!

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  20. It's an easy recipe to convert to low carb, so it's doable. Sweet! Thanks for the giveaway. HUG! edith.patchan@live.com

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  21. Can't wait to read the book!
    pattymarsh31@gmail.com

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  22. Looking forward to visiting Wagtail again! dr(dot)oldsmobileaticlouddotcom

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  23. I've read all of the Diva books, but haven't read any in this series, so would like to win. pattie.tierney@gmail.com

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  24. I love the recipe, will definitely give it a try. Looking forward to a good read too.

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  25. Can't wait to read the latest adventures in Wagtail. Kkcochran@hotmail.com

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  26. I've read all your Demestic Diva books and love them. Would like to win this book and try out your other series.

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  27. I'm sure the pie is good but we have to many lactose intolerant people in the family.
    sgiden at verizon(.)net

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  28. Oh, I love anything pumpkin so this recipe is right up my alley. My family decided they wanted to do a low country boil on year for Thanksgiving. So on Thursday we did it for our family of 20+. Ob Friday they decided they missed turkey so on Sunday we gathered again for all the traditions. So they don't deviate anymore.
    Bettyjo.english@gmail.com

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  29. Thank you for the giveaway! My mom and I absolutely love this series. I might have to suggest this recipe to a woman my mom is baking for this holiday season. It is right up her alley! smmolloy1105@yahoo.com

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  30. This looks delicious! Thank you for the chance to win a copy! Looking forward to reading it! karen (dot) Kenyon (at) rogers (dot) com

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  31. Looks ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!! Can't wait to try ;). This series is ALSO so GREAT!!!

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  32. Oh boy i get a chance to win a book. That sounds like it is going to be fun to read. I love your books. My e-mail judymckay552@yahoo.com you have a great day.

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  33. Oh boy i get a chance to win a book. That sounds like it is going to be fun to read. I love your books. My e-mail judymckay552@yahoo.com you have a great day.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Oh boy i get a chance to win a book. That sounds like it is going to be fun to read. I love your books. My e-mail judymckay552@yahoo.com you have a great day.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Oh boy i get a chance to win a book. That sounds like it is going to be fun to read. I love your books. My e-mail judymckay552@yahoo.com you have a great day.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Oh boy i get a chance to win a book. That sounds like it is going to be fun to read. I love your books. My e-mail judymckay552@yahoo.com you have a great day.

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  37. I can't wait to get back to Wagtail! Karol.gordon9@gmail.com

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  38. Great recipes to go with a great series. Hope to win an early copy of Murder Most Howl. lmmeidam@gmail.com

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  39. Oh, this looks tasty! I love pumpkin anything. Yummy. Can't wait to read Murder Most Howl.

    brooke811 at ymail dot com

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  40. What a delectable pie. Love it and the great giveaway. Many thanks. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  41. looks like a fun read e-mail:pwtish171@gmail.com

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  42. Yum! Your pie is the perfect snack to eat while reading "Murder Most Howl"!
    QuiltinCats@yahoo.com

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  43. Wonderful treat and giveaway. Thanks. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

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  44. Della at deepotter@peoplepc.com. Got to tell you I LOVE those punny tittle's!!!! Nice cover. Recipe looks delicious. Gotta try it. My son thinks it looks good too. Caramel is one of his favorites. So is pumpkin. Pumpkin for me, not so much on the caramel. And we both love cream cheese. So looking forward to giving this a try. Thanks.

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  45. Krista Davis this recipe sounds too yummy to be true! breannaherron@icloud.com

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  46. Krista, I'm hoping to make it for your 2nd giveaway. I can't wait to read this book!

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  47. Krista, I'm hoping to make it for your 2nd giveaway. I can't wait to read this book!

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  48. The Murder Most Howl movie is so cute. Thanks, for the recipe and chance to win. patucker54 (at aol dot com)

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  49. I might have found a new thanksgiving favorite dessert and book series. Thank you for both!!!
    vernagass@gmail.com

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  50. I always love new recipes and I adore this book series! Reemsab071@aol.com

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  51. This book is a want to read book! Thanks for the giveaway!
    jawdance@yahoo.com

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  52. Looks good wish that I could try it
    Diane Rivera
    quickchangeus@yahoo.com

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  53. That looks fantastic! I have been excitedly waiting for the next installment of this series. Here's hoping I win!. estelleheather@gmail.com

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  54. Wonderful recipe -- I'm not sure I can wait for Thanksgiving to try it!!! Thanks for the chance to win Murder Most Howl! kimdavishb@gmail.com

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  55. I really want to read this book. I would love to win this book.
    angelbear19662000@yahoo.com

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  56. Can't wait to read this new book!!! (anajs95 at gmail dot com)

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  57. Thanks for the recipe and a chance to win your book. jr_dj_gantt@juno.com

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  58. I love pumpkin---so this recipe must be tried immediately. Thanks for the recipe and the giveaway.
    suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

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  59. I love the title, and I would love to read it!!!!!

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  60. Pie looks delicious! Looking forward to reading your new book!

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  61. That looks delicious!! Can't wait for your new book!! The new video is adorable! Thank You for this opportunity!!
    b.alexander9212@gmail.com

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  62. Who can pass on cheesecake. Thanks for a chance to win. I would love to read this.
    b5sycop@nefcom.net

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  63. The pie sounds delicious, and since I'm on pie-baking duty for Thanksgiving I might have to give this one a try. Thanks for the recipe and the fun chance to win. You authors are always so generous with your book giveaways. rencw@verizon.net

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  64. Sounds great! I don't bake, but maybe someone that loves me will make it. Thanks! robin.christofaro@yahoo.com

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  65. I just love cheesecake sounds so good. Thank you so much for the print giveaway and two of them is so nice !ptclayton2@aol.com

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  66. OMG - that cheesecake looks soooooooooo good~! MURDER MOST HOWL - love to win a copy.
    kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com

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  67. Pumpkin cheesecake is definitely on my Thanksgiving menu. Your pie looks absolutely decadent, especially with the caramel sauce! bobandcelia@sbcglobal.net

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  68. I'm going to try that cheesecake asap... grammyd01@comcast.net

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  69. I love the video. So cute! I can't wait to read Murder Most Howl.
    cindy226@gmail.com

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  70. kat8762@aol.com. That is the cutest video! And topping it off with pumpkin cheesecake and caramel sauce? Priceless! My Thanksgiving dinners growing up were always a multi-course affair: starting with a variety of cheese, salami, veggie (I did artichoke & shrimp one year) appetizers...serving first squash or leek soup and/or green salads...continue to the main event of turkey (one year we added a prime rib choice), mash potatoes, green bean casserole, candied yams, mac 'n cheese providing days of leftovers...topped off with pumpkin pie, mincemeat for Dad, apple crisp, ice cream...ending with an unbuckling of belts and a nap! Happy Thanksgiving!

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  71. The pie looks great. ��
    pmettert@yahoo.com

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  72. LOVE this recipe, Krista! Thanks so much for sharing, I love the fact that you created it by throwing caution to the wind - some of the best recipes are happy accidents or experiments. I look forward to trying this.

    Nicole :-)

    p.s. It's funny that you should mention the soup, and it being too much food, because I'm currently re-reading (well, via Audible this time around) The Diva Runs Out of Thyme and they're serving the soup and it dawned on me that I've never, ever served soup for Thanksgiving but I'm going to have to give it a try - but maybe on Friday or Saturday with the leftovers. :-)

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    Replies
    1. I forgot to leave my email address! Here you go: nicolev.girldetective@gmail.com

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  73. It looks positively wicked good! Happy almost Thanksgiving <3

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  74. I am looking forward to reading Murder Most Howl. Just love this series. It is so much fun. Such a great town. Thank you for a chance to win! Doodlesink@hotmail.com

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  75. I can't wait for this book (or any of your books). Happiest of Holidays!! Thanks for the opportunity!! tami.norman@gmail.com

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  76. This has got to be one of the most delectable dessert recipes ever!
    I am looking forward to reading Murder Most Howl.
    Thanks for both, from Nancy R in Ottawa, Canada

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  77. Oh my!! I want the book!! I'm not ashamed to beg, just like my dog, lol. I love the first two and can't wait to read this one! raeannbarnett@yahoo.com

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  78. I love how you do these recipes with the stories... sounds delish! (gonna try it Vegan style) Thank you for the chance to snag the book :)

    Kelly Gaelicark@gmail.com

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  79. Yummy pictures! The book looks tasty, too. Bobbipad@gmail.com

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  80. Sounds yummy. sable677 at yahoo dot com

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  81. Love pumpkin pie and this sounds very tasty!

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  82. Thanks so much for the tasty looking recipe. I love your covers and would love to have your book to read. Thanks for the giveaway. robeader53@yahoo.com

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  83. Love all the recipes!! saamm7@msn.com

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  84. I would love to start reading in your series! And the pumpkin cheesecake pie sounds awesome! Thank you for the chance to win!
    jeaniedannheim (at) ymail (dot) com

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  85. The pie sounds very good! I may have to try that next week. (Since my copy of the book is on its way, don't draw my name for a book.) Thanks for the recipe!

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  86. I haven't read this series yet but I love your Diva series. Would love to win a copy!

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  87. I would love to win a copy of this book! The recipe sounds doable in little or no time. Thanks, I am going to try it!

    davisel1830@hotmail.com

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  88. looks like an awesome book!!! thanks!
    mygnomeshome@gmail.com

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  89. Great recipe! I've been waiting for this book, I can hardly stand the wait. Thanks for the give a way. Gabi
    gaeagon@gmail.com

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  90. Looking at the photos made me so hungry! Thanks for the chance to win. I can't wait to read this one. doward1952@yahoo.com

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  91. Both the recipe and the book sound wonderful. Thanks for a chance to win a copy. elainehroberson@gmail.com

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  92. Susan Egger is having trouble leaving a comment. This is her official entry.

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  93. I am sooooo looking forward to reading this book.
    Stephaniehalk@aol.com

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  94. Like everyone else, not only does that recipe have me drooling, but the chance to win your book does as well!!!
    mtrver@gmail dot com

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  95. Looking forward to reading your latest book! hewettjo@yahoo.com

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  96. Love that video . . . sshhhh! Looking forward to this book, and that pie just might have to make an appearance on our Thanksgiving dinner table. Thanks for the giveaway.
    sallycootie@gmail.com

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  97. The pie looks absolutely delicious. Would love to win a copy of this book! crossxjo@hotmail.com

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  98. Oh my does that look good!! My mom still does most of the cooking for Thanksgiving, I am just the extra set of hands and set up gal. Anyone that wins this book is going to LOVE it. kayt18 at comcast dot net

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  99. Oh, that looks amazing!! And I'd love to win a copy of Murder Most Howl. Fingers crossed!

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  100. I am excited to read this book. If I liked pumpkin pie, I'm pretty sure I'd be all over this. It sounds almost good enough to tempt me to try it again. llcejka at gmail dot com

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  101. I can not wait for this book! I always read your books too fast and then I'm sad I have to wait a year for the next! Echolodge5@aol.com

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  102. Love this recipe. I may try this this year. Thanks. Looking forword to this new book. Thanks

    gibsobk at hiwaay dot net

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  103. I love the idea of the caramel sauce with that cheesecake recipe!
    little lamb lst at yahoo dot com

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  104. My husband was peeping over my shoulder & started drooling over this recipe. I guess I'll have to try it. 😉 I can't wait for my next visit to Wagtail. I'm getting my Mom all 3 books for her birthday this month so she can visit Wagtail with me too.
    bpwoodfield@gmail.com

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  105. your books sound awesome first off and those covers soooooo adorable!

    that recipe omg that looks like heaven and sinful all at once deff will be tryying that ty for posting i t

    mortalsinn@yahoo.com

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  106. The carmel sauce over the cheese cake sounds amazing. I would love a chance to win this book, thanks for the giveaway. Linda May & email is lindamay4852@yahoo.com

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  107. The pie looks yummy but the book is more my piece of cake! LOL! kec200@aol.com

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  108. I love the idea of the cream cheese in the pumpkin mixture. And, what doesn't taste amazing with caramel sauce!!
    harbingerdc(at)gmail(dot)com

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  109. That pie looks so yummy! Putting the book on my "to read" list.
    scarletbegonia5858@gmail.com

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  110. This looks wonderful... pumpkin is my favorite!
    Love your books
    Lbieri68@gmail.com

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  111. This looks wonderful... pumpkin is my favorite!
    Love your books
    Lbieri68@gmail.com

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