Thanksgiving recipes from Taste of Home's newest cookbook

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, where featuring great recipes from Taste of Home's newest cookbook, "Recipes Across America." Mark Hagen with the Taste of Home joins FOX6 WakeUp with great holiday ideas.

Spiced Sweet Potato Muffins

Minced gingerroot and dried orange peel enhance the taste of these spiced muffins. I especially love the whipped ginger butter served with these holiday treats. —Susan Bracken, State College, Pennsylvania

Prep: 15 min. Bake: 20 min.

1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar, divided
3 teaspoons grated orange peel
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup cold mashed sweet potatoes (prepared without milk and butter)
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
GINGER BUTTER:
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 tablespoons finely chopped crystallized ginger

Nutrition Facts: 1 serving (1 each) equals 243 calories, 9 g fat (5 g saturated fat), 56 mg cholesterol, 347 mg sodium, 39 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 3 g protein.

Cherry Wild Rice Salad

While touring Door County, I sampled this salad. As soon as I got home, I wrote the lady who'd made it requesting the recipe. The mix of rice, vegetables and orchard-fresh fruit is a tasty way to remember Wisconsin's premier cherry-growing area. —Yvonne Gorges, New London, Wisconsin

Prep/Total Time: 25 min.

2 cups fresh snow peas, halved
2 cups cooked wild rice
1 cup cooked long grain rice
1 can (8 ounces) sliced water chestnuts, drained
1 cup dried cherries
1/2 cup thinly sliced celery
1/4 cup chopped green onions

DRESSING:
6 tablespoons sugar
6 tablespoons canola oil
3 tablespoons cider vinegar
4-1/2 teaspoons soy sauce
1 to 2 garlic cloves, peeled
3/4 teaspoon minced fresh gingerroot
3/4 cup cashew halves, toasted

Nutrition Facts: 1 serving (1 cup) equals 355 calories, 17 g fat (3 g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 188 mg sodium, 48 g carbohydrate, 4 g fiber, 7 g protein.

Streusel Pumpkin Pie

Basic pumpkin pie is good, but we think this dressed-up version is even better. Plenty of pecans add a nutty crunch to the pastry and the streusel topping. It's a perfect dessert for Thanksgiving or any time you want to end a dinner with something special. -Bertha Johnson, Indianapolis, Indiana

Prep: 20 min. Bake: 40 min. + cooling

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup finely chopped pecans
1 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon shortening
4 to 5 tablespoons water

FILLING:
1 can (30 ounces) pumpkin pie filling
1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
1 egg, lightly beaten

STREUSEL TOPPING:
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup chopped pecans
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3 tablespoons cold butter

Nutrition Facts: 1 serving (1 slice) equals 355 calories, 17 g fat (5 g saturated fat), 27 mg cholesterol, 280 mg sodium, 47 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber, 5 g protein.