If you’re going to have gingerbread, it’s worth the extra effort and fun to make into smile bringing shapes, whether “people” or animals, or whatever your kids have up their sleeves!

“A pie without the cheese is like a kiss without the squeeze”—or so the saying goes in the Leatherstocking district of New York state. This region, named for deerskin pants worn by early settlers, was made famous by James Fennimore Cooper’s The Last of The Mohicans (which was one of his Leatherstocking Tales).

The rustic pear galette is lovely on its own, but with the addition of the balsamic syrup, it becomes a sophisticated and stunning looking dessert.

A delectable pumpkin pie recipe made even richer with a crunchy pecan streusel topping.

If you don’t need to prebake your crust simply add your filling after freezing for 20 minutes then bake as desired.