I share favorite family recipes that are perfect for the holidays or any time of the year. They include Chocolate Cream Cheese Tarts, Pumpkin Pie Squares, Seven Layer Cookies and always a favorite at Thanksgiving, Apple Pie Cake.

Enjoy!

Chocolate Cream Cheese Tarts

1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs

1/4 cup sugar 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon 1/4 cup melted butter

12 paper muffin cups

2 8-ounce packages cream cheese

1/4 cup sour cream 2 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 to 1/2 cup chocolate chips, optional

sour cream and berries for garnish

Mix crumbs, 1/4 cup sugar and cinnamon in large bowl. Add butter. Press mixture in 12 paper muffin cups that have been placed inside a muffin tin.

In a small bowl, beat rest of the ingredients but chips until smooth. Add chips. Pour mixture into muffin cups. Bake in a 350-degree oven for 16 minutes. Chill and peel off paper. Garnish with dash of sour cream and berries.

Can be eaten without sour cream and berries. Can also be frozen. One of my favorites.

Pumpkin Pie Dessert Squares

1/2 cup melted butter or margarine

1 package yellow cake mix 1 egg

3 cups (1 pound, 14-ounce can) pumpkin pie mix or 1-pound can pumpkin and 2 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice and 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar

2 eggs 2/3 cup evaporated milk 1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup softened butter or margarine

Grease bottom of 9x13 pan. Reserve 1 cup cake mix for topping. Combine remaining cake mix, melted butter and one egg for crust. Press into pan.

Prepare filling by combining pumpkin mix, eggs and evaporated milk. Mix until smooth. Pour over crust.

For topping, combine 1 cup cake mix, cinnamon, sugar and butter. Sprinkle over filling. Bake at 425 degrees for 10 minutes, then at 350 degrees for 40 to 50 minutes, until knife comes out clean when inserted in cake.

Serve with whipped topping. Serves 8 to 12. This cake is yummy and delicious.

Seven Layer Cookies

1 stick butter 1 cup graham cracker crumbs

1 cup coconut

6-ounce package chocolate chips

6-ounce package butterscotch chips

14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk

1 cup chopped nuts

Melt butter in 9x13-inch pan. Then layer in order as follows: crumbs, coconut, chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, milk and nuts. Bake at 350 degrees for metal pan or 325 degrees for glass pan. Bake 30 to 35 minutes. Cool before cutting into bars.

Easy and makes nice gifts wrapped in colorful plastic wrap in airtight container.

Apple Pie Cake

2 cups flour 2 cups sugar 2 eggs 1/2 cup vegetable oil 2 teaspoons cinnamon 2 teaspoons baking soda 1 teaspoon salt

1 16-ounce can apple pie filling

Combine all ingredients except pie filling in large bowl. Blend well. Stir in pie filling and pour into greased and floured 9x13- inch baking pan. Bake 1 hour at 350 degrees. Cool and frost.

Frosting

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

2 3-ounce packages softened cream cheese

5 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Combine ingredients and mix to spreading consistency. Serves 12 large pieces.