Countdown to Thanksgiving

Southerners love Thanksgiving! The aroma of a turkey in the oven and friends and family gathering for a wonderful day of fellowship and thanks makes for a wonderful day and beautiful memories.

I have favorite recipes, some from my mothers table, some from my mother in laws table and some that I have picked up from other places.

This article is dedicated to a different pumpkin dessert....I suggest you try Paula Deens Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake. I baked this delicious pumpkin cake two years ago and it has become a tradition at our house. It is great for dessert and great for those office spreads as well.

Of course, Paula Deen, my favorite southern cook, taught me how to make this by watching her TV show on The Food Network.

While you are testing this one, I will be gathering up some really good, traditional Thanksgiving recipes and beautiful tablescape ideas and will meet you back here soon.
Until then, try this....

Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cakes Recipe ala Paula Deen from her Food Network television show.

Cake:
1 (18 1/4-ounce) package yellow cake mix
1 egg
8 tablespoons butter, melted
Filling:
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
8 tablespoons butter, melted
1 (16-ounce) box powdered sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Combine the cake mix, egg, and butter and mix well with an electric mixer. Pat the mixture into the bottom of a lightly greased 13 by 9-inch baking pan.

To make the filling: In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and pumpkin until smooth. Add the eggs, vanilla, and butter, and beat together. Next, add the powdered sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and mix well. Spread pumpkin mixture over cake batter and bake for 40 to 50 minutes. Make sure not to over bake as the center should be a little gooey.

Serve with fresh whipped cream.

Variations: For a Pineapple Gooey Cake: Instead of the pumpkin, add a drained 20-ounce can of crushed pineapple to the cream cheese filling. Proceed as directed above.

For a Banana Gooey Cake: Prepare cream cheese filling as directed, beating in 2 ripe bananas instead of the pumpkin. Proceed as directed above.

For a Peanut Butter Gooey Cake: Use a chocolate cake mix. Add 1 cup creamy peanut butter to the cream cheese filling instead of the pumpkin. Proceed as directed above.