Instead of (or better yet, in addition to!) pumpkin pie for dessert, here are some other pumpkin recipes to try that are fun and easy to make and are a great opportunity for kids to get involved in the cooking on Thanksgiving day!

Start the day with PUMPKIN PANCAKES! What could be a better breakfast treat while watching the Thanksgiving parades? Start with your favorite pancake recipe or mix and prepare the batter as usual. Separately, mix about 1/3 cup pureed pumpkin (can), 1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice, and 1 tablespoon sugar. Add this mixture to the pancake batter and prepare pancakes as usual. Adding chocolate chips or a dollop of whipped cream makes these great pancakes even better!

Stir up some PUMPKIN FUDGE! A yummy sweet treat with a beautiful orange color.

For this recipe, the kids can do the mixing and measuring, but adults should take over when the mixture begins to boil. To start, mix 3 c. sugar, 1/2 c. pumpkin, 1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice, 1/2 c. butter, and 2/3 c. evaporated milk (small can) in a saucepan. Stir constantly over medium heat until the mixture boils. Continue to stir until boiling mixture reaches 'soft ball' stage or 234 degrees on a candy thermometer. This can take about 15 minutes. Then remove from the heat and add 1 12 oz. package white chocolate chips, 1 7 oz. jar marshmallow creme, 1 c. walnuts and 1 tsp. vanilla. Mix until smooth and then quickly pour into greased 9x13 pan. Cool and cut into squares that will disappear quickly when family and friends arrive!

If little ones don't like the texture of traditional Pumpkin Pie, they may prefer the crunchy taste of this PUMPKIN PECAN CAKE that is fun to make. First mix 1 can pumpkin, 1 12 oz. can evaporated milk, 3 eggs, 1 cup sugar, and 4 tsp. pumpkin pie spice. Pour this mixture into a greased 9x13 pan. Sprinkle a package of white cake mix on top of the mixture and then top with 1 1/2 c. pecan pieces. Finally, drizzle the top with 3/4 c. melted butter. Bake at 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes or until a knife comes out clean. This dessert is delicious served warm with ice cream.

If the kids would rather craft than cook, let them make a Thanksgiving pie stand. Paint a 4 inch terra cotta pot with acrylic paints. Also paint the outside of a 10 inch terra cotta saucer. When both pieces are dry, glue the bottom of the pot (so that it is sitting upside down) to the inside of the saucer (it is also upside down). Place the pumpkin pie on this stand for a lovely dessert centerpiece.

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