I am so very excited to be hosting Christmas this year, and have a lengthy list of snacks and appetizers and entrees and desserts and snacks…
Some are things I am making for the first time, so I have to give them a test run.
This is my second attempt at a pumpkin cheesecake spread (first was too sweet!), and we had a little Happy Hour at Home to give it a go. A couple of friends, a bottle of wine, a faux holiday roast (thank you, Theresa!), and some appetizers.
Second time was most definitely a charm, here, and I will be making a third time (probably doubling!) next week. This one is a holiday flavored keeper. I am undecided if this will be served as a spread, or piped onto sweet crackers as bite size snacks.
This time I served it with light crispy cinnamon cookies (recipe soon!), and Grammy Crisp crackers. The first time I tried these new Crunchmaster crisps was dunked into my roasted plum ice cream, where they held up perfectly – crunchy and slightly sweet.
They say they’re for kids. I say they’re a perfect vehicle for a pumpkin cheesecake spread.
They may not arrive in time for your holiday appetizer table, but I am giving some Crunchmaster yums away after the jump…
pumpkin cheesecake spread
dairy, egg, and gluten free, vegan
1/2 cup raw cashews, soaked
1/4 cup maple syrup
juice of 1 lemon
1/3 cup pureed pumpkin
8 ounces cream cheese (dairy free like Tofutti)
1 tablespoon vanilla paste
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
In food processor, pulse cashews until crumbly. Add maple syrup and lemon juice, continue processing until smooth. Add pumpkin, cream cheese, vanilla paste, cinnamon and nutmeg, continue processing until smooth and creamy.
One of my favorite cracker brands, Crunchmaster, is offering one (U.S. based) spabettie reader a variety of flavors, including the new product.
To enter, leave a comment for each:
1) What is your favorite sweet dip?
2) Are you cooking for the holidays? What is on your menu?
3) Tweet it! –> enter to win a Crunchmaster giveaway from @spabettie ! –> http://spabettie.com/?p=11130
4) Follow Crunchmaster via twitter.
5) Like Crunchmaster on facebook.
Enter through midnight Sunday December 23. Winner selected via random number generator and notified via email soon after.
{ 47 comments… read them below or add one }
does your pumpkin spread come with the giveaway? i think it’s a great combo! I want to try those crackers on s’mores now. Off to tweet!
haa
and YES, Lindsay – GREAT idea for s’mores!!
I’m with Lindsay. Minus the tofu, I would be all over that dip
I’m actually already a fan of Cruchmaster, as I love their original flavor. Yay for a giveaway!
Crunchmaster is the bomb. I love a good crunchy cracker…
LOVE crunchmaster crackers! I just posted on instagram about them!
Favorite sweet dip would be a goat cheese and jam dip!
How exciting you are hosting for christmas! I know you will do great and the food will be fabulous!
Hope all is well and your dad is doing well! <3
thanks, friend. the news we most recently received isn’t very good
but I may be looking for a second opinion… thank you SO MUCH for your kindness and strong support this year – you know it means THE WORLD to me!
I’m so sorry to hear that, Kristina. Never take what you’re told as written as stone. I’ll keep you guys in my thoughts XO
thanks so much, Abby. I have to be an aggressive advocate for my dad and his care – I will do all I can for him.
Never enough pumpkin! I don’t usually make sweet dips, but this may have to be an exception. And I want the plum ice cream. Stat.
I know, now that I’ve asked the question, I realize there aren’t very many sweet dips out there?
This looks amazing. I bet it tastes even better. I’m with Laura, I really don’t have a sweet dip either. But this is something I definitely want to make. I guess the sweetest thing I could think is the cream cheese topped with a jam trick.
I love the cream cheese topped with jam trick!
We’ll be spending Sunday in our hometown visiting both my mom/sis then my dad/sis. I won’t really be doing a lot of cooking. Probably just bring a veggie side dish to my dads.
sounds perfect!
And…..I tweeted
you are going to be such a great host! wish we could come over
pumpkin cheesecake spread yes please!! That sounds like it would be yummy with some socca
YES it would!!
My favorite sweet dip isn’t really sweet so much as sweet and spicy. I love cream cheese topped with spicy pepper jam. SO GOOD!
I love that kind of spread too – SO good.
I am for sure making more cookies this season, but I really need to figure out something to make at my mother-in-law’s place. I can’t find Gardein’s Holiday Roast around me anymore, or I’d make that….
Ohhh I love the idea of cashews in this dip! You are a genius in the kitchen, I swear!
Also? Every time you mention a happy hour or party you’ve put on, it makes me wish I lived next door so I could crash your parties every change I get
like I just told your sis, you two would ALWAYS be invited to the party!!
this dip looks ridiculous!! And I agree with Jess, I wish we were neighbors!! I’d be at your parties in an INSTANT!
you girls would have a standing invite…
My favorite sweet dip? Hmmm..I honestly can’t really think of one. I guess I always do savory dips, I guess I need to try this one! :
And I tweeted!
Do you have room for 4 more? The men and I will be there! I make a sweet dip with my peanut flour, chia seeds and some vanilla protein powder. I love it with apples and bananas! Your pumpkin dip looks sooooo good!
oooh, I SO WISH YOU COULD BE HERE!!
My favorite sweet dip is pumpkin pie dip; I’ve never made it with cashew cream before though!
the cashews give extra creamy feel and a rich flavor – really good!
I’m not hosting this year, but I’m cooking lots! Gluten free and vegan gingerbread cookies, pizza rolls, jalapeno popper dip, and crostini!
oooh, YUM Emily – I want to go where you’re going! cheers!
Goodness, this sounds phenomenal!! So glad you are hosting… can’t wait! Where did you live again? I lost your address.
hee hee, come on over, Kate!
I made something similar to this last year and it was seriously one of the most delicious things I’ve ever eaten! I love your inclusion of vanilla paste. Mmmm!
This might be my new favorite sweet dip!
I’m not cooking but my mother said she is preparing surprise vegan treats for me!
how exciting – I wonder what she’s making, I love secrets
enjoy!
I followed crunchmaster on twitter! They are my favorite cracker!!
I tweeted!
https://twitter.com/albene/status/282994562039943168
Hi! I’m a “newbie” here….so glad I found you, courtesy of Wheat-free Meat-free. Recipe sounds wonderful…wonder if it would work with almonds…altho I do love cashews. I usually do savory dips, but Mom used to make one with cream cheese & strawberry preserves. Hubby makes goat cheese with fig preserves (I can only eat a little bit of it)…goes wonderfully with GF crackers & grapes on the side. Since I’m LF, I’d use Tofutti. I’ve never tried Crunchmaster…never seen them in my area. It sounds like I’m missing a lot! S’mores with the dip…what a great idea!! I’m so there!
I’ve “liked” Crunchmaster on FB
Thank you so much for the recipe…good luck with your Dad my dear.
Hope you have a wonderful Christmas!
hi Lynne, so happy to have you reading! not sure about almonds, the flavor might be a bit different, I think the consistency would be close (I just love cashews for soup and dip bases!). hearing about the goat cheese + fig preserves is making me hungry – sounds so good!
I hope you had a nice Christmas too, and happy new year – cheers!
My mouth is watering! This sounds delicious! I was obsessed with the Pumpkin Hummus Spread at Bristol Farms this year but this sounds like a WINNER! Thank you for sharing
Love + Shine CourtStar
pumpkin hummus sounds good too, I may have to try that soon
I made another batch of this for yesterday’s holiday festivities, but this time piped it onto bite size cinnamon cookies – everyone loved it!
thanks for this, we love it!! making another batch tonight, had to come here again to make shop list
so happy you like it, Katie!
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