(Culinary.net) If you’re looking for an easy dessert, this Whoopie Pie recipe is the perfect way to cap off weeknight meals.

Find more dessert recipes at Culinary.net.

Watch video to see how to make this recipe!

Whoopie Pies

• 1          box spice cake mix
• 1 1/2    cups apple butter
• 1/2       cup canola oil
• 2          eggs
• 8          ounces cream cheese
• 4          tablespoons butter
• 3          cups powdered sugar
• 2          tablespoons milk
• 1          teaspoon vanilla

1. Heat oven to 350° F.
2. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
3. In large bowl, whisk spice cake mix, apple butter, oil and eggs.
4. With ice cream scoop or large tablespoon, spoon batter into rounded heaps, about 2-3 inches in diameter, onto parchment paper. Space spooned batter 2 inches apart.
5. Bake 14 minutes. Let cool.
6. In large bowl, beat cream cheese, butter and powdered sugar until smooth. Add milk and vanilla; beat until blended.
7. Frost flat sides of pie halves and place halves together.
8. Refrigerate and store in sealed container.

Festive flavors and seasonal sips

(Family Features) The holidays are the perfect time to gather with friends and family to celebrate the season.

Take the stress out of hosting by shopping at a store like ALDI for your holiday must-haves, including everything from food and wine to holiday decor and even gifts for nearly anyone on your list, helping you to save time and money.

Toast to the holidays with an impressive appetizer spread, paired with award-winning wines, with recipes like Cranberry Shrimp Ceviche Cups paired with the creamy and tropical taste of William Wright Chardonnay. Or whip up quick and easy Party Poppers made with dates, Brie cheese and bacon to mesh with the fruit, vanilla and spicy fall notes of Peaks & Tides Cabernet Sauvignon.

Blue Cheese and Walnut Mousse provides a savory finish when matched with La Rue Côtes de Provence Rosé and its hints of lavender, rosemary and thyme. Finally, add a little something sweet to your spread by pairing the refreshingly ripe Landshut Riesling with a festive Gingerbread Trifle.

Find more holiday recipes and shopping solutions at ALDI.us .

Blue Cheese and Walnut Mousse

Recipe courtesy of Chef Scott, ALDI Test Kitchen
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Yield: 10 servings

• 2          tablespoons Simply Nature 100% Pure Avocado Oil
• 3          large yellow onions, sliced
• 5          ounces Happy Farms Preferred Blue Cheese Crumbles
• 8          ounces Happy Farms Cream Cheese
• Stonemill Ground Black Pepper, to taste
• 1          cup Friendly Farms Heavy Whipping Cream
• 8          ounces Southern Grove Chopped Walnuts, divided
• 5          cucumbers, thinly sliced

1. In large pan, heat oil and saute onions until brown and caramelized.
2. In food processor, combine blue cheese crumbles and cream cheese. Process until smooth. Season with pepper, to taste.
3. In medium bowl, using hand mixer, whisk cream until soft peaks form. Fold in cheese mixture and 4 ounces chopped walnuts.
4. Top cucumber slices with mousse, caramelized onions and remaining chopped walnuts. Finish by grinding black pepper over top for garnish.
5. Pair each serving with glass of La Rue Cotes de Provence Rosé.

Tip: Mousse can also be served as a dip with baguette slices.

Gingerbread Trifle

Recipe courtesy of the ALDI Test Kitchen
Prep time: 20 minutes
Yield: 12 servings

• 1          package (3.4 ounces) Baker’s Corner Vanilla Pudding
• 1 3/4    cups Specially Selected Premium Eggnog
• 1/2       teaspoon Stonemill Pumpkin Pie Spice
• 7          ounces Café Bistro Soft Gingerbread, crumbled, divided
• 1 1/4    cups Friendly Farms Whipped Topping, divided
• 1          cup Berryhill Apple Butter, divided
• 2          teaspoons Stonemill Ground Cinnamon

1. Whisk vanilla pudding mix and eggnog. Add pumpkin pie spice and beat 2 min­utes. Chill in refrigerator 10 minutes.
2. In large glass bowl, layer one-third of gingerbread cookies, one-third of pudding, one-third of whipped topping and 1/2 cup apple butter; repeat two more times.
3. The third layer will end with whipped topping. Garnish with cinnamon.
4. Chill in refrigerator 2 hours.
5. Pair each serving with glass of Landshut Riesling.

Party Poppers

Recipe courtesy of Chef Alyssa, ALDI Test Kitchen
Prep time: 25 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Yield: 36 poppers

• 8          ounces Southern Grove Pitted Dates
• 4          ounces Specially Selected Brie Cheese Round
• 6          ounces Southern Grove Slivered Almonds
• 1 1/2    pounds Specially Selected Thick Sliced Hickory Bacon
• 2          teaspoons Stonemill Ground Black Pepper

1. Heat oven to 375° F.
2. Cut dates in half, lengthwise.
3. Cut brie into bite-size pieces, about the size of peanuts.
4. Place one piece of Brie and four almond pieces on each open date half. Place other half on top.
5. Quarter bacon slices, wrap tightly around stuffed dates and secure with toothpicks. Sprinkle with pepper.
6. Line baking sheet with foil and place wrapped dates on top. Bake 15 minutes, or until bacon is crispy. Serve warm.
7. Pair each serving with glass of Peaks & Tides Cabernet Sauvignon.

Cranberry Shrimp Ceviche Cups

Recipe courtesy of Chef Kates, ALDI Test Kitchen
Prep time: 20 minutes, plus 1 hour chill time
Cook time: 3 minutes
Yield: 16 ceviche cups

• 1 1/2    teaspoons Stonemill Iodized Salt, divided
• 16        ounces Specially Selected Black Tiger Shrimp, thawed
• 1          cup Southern Grove Dried Cranberries
• 1/2       red onion, roughly chopped
• 1/2       cup fresh parsley
• 1/2       jalapeno, roughly chopped
• 1/4       cup fresh lemon juice
• 1/4       cup fresh lime juice
• 1/4       teaspoon Stonemill Crushed Red Pepper or Ground Black Pepper
• 1          teaspoon Stonemill Oregano
• 13        ounces Simply Nature Organic Tortilla Chips, for garnish
• 2          limes, cut into wedges, for garnish
• fresh cranberries, for garnish (optional)

1. Bring medium pot of water to boil. Season with 1 teaspoon salt. Add shrimp and cook 3 minutes. Immediately plunge cooked shrimp into ice water bath. Peel shrimp and place in flat dish.
2. In food processor, combine dried cranberries, red onion, parsley and jalapeno. Pulse until finely chopped. Add cranberry mixture to shrimp.
3. Add lemon juice, lime juice, remaining salt, pepper and oregano. Stir to combine thoroughly. Refrigerate 1 hour.
4. To assemble: Spoon ceviche (about 4-5 shrimp each) into small clear cups or glasses. Garnish with tortilla chips, lime wedges and fresh cranberries, if desired.
5. Pair each serving with glass of William Wright Chardonnay.

Source: ALDI

(Family Features) When it comes time to entertain family and friends, it’s important to have a few simple, warm appetizers and small plates at the ready. Plan your menu with recipes that can be prepped ahead of time and popped in the oven when guests arrive. It can make hosting easier and more enjoyable.

A versatile ingredient that can enhance your favorite sweet and savory recipes, Musselman’s Apple Butter is more than just a spread. It’s made the old-fashioned way for perfect texture and a rich apple-cinnamon flavor, giving parties and get-togethers a unique taste in recipes like these Apple Brie Bites and Apple Butter Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp.

Find more appetizers ideal for entertaining at musselmans.com.

Apple Butter Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp

Servings: 10

• 3/4       cup Musselman’s Apple Butter
• 1/2       cup maple syrup
• 1/2       teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1/2       teaspoon salt
• 1/2       teaspoon smoked paprika
• 10        pieces bacon
• 10        extra-large shrimp, cleaned and deveined
• chopped cilantro, for garnish (optional)

1. Heat oven to 400° F. Line rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In medium-sized skillet over medium heat, add apple butter, maple syrup, red pepper flakes, salt and paprika. Whisk until mixture is thick and cooked down by half, about 10 minutes. Set aside.
3. In large skillet over medium heat, add bacon slices and cook until browned but still flexible.  Remove from pan and drain on paper towel-lined plate.
4. Wrap one bacon slice around each shrimp, secure with toothpick and place onto prepared baking sheet.
5. Once all shrimp have been wrapped, baste tops with apple butter mixture.
6. Bake 5 minutes then flip and baste other side of shrimp. Bake another 5 minutes. Continue to flip and baste shrimp (2 minutes each time) until shrimp is fully cooked. Do not overcook as glaze can burn. Sprinkle with cilantro, if desired.

Apple Brie Bites

Servings: 24

• 1          sheet puff pastry, thawed
• 5          ounces Brie cheese
• 1/2       cup Musselman's Apple Butter
• 1/4       cup pecans, chopped

1. Heat oven to 400° F. Grease mini muffin pan.
2. Press seams of puff pastry sheet together. Cut sheet into quarters then each quarter into six pieces. 
3. Use rolling pin to flatten each piece of pastry into square shape. Place one square into each muffin cup.
4. Put 1/2 teaspoon brie, 1 teaspoon apple butter and 1/2 teaspoon chopped pecans into each muffin cup.
5. Bake 13-15 minutes until golden brown. Serve warm.

Source:

(Family Features) When it comes to a great cookout, you want to keep things simple and tasting fantastic. And that starts with just the right recipes – like these.

The mild taste of pork tenderloin is perfect for pairing with the bold flavors of the Apple Butter Glaze in this recipe. The sweet and tangy taste of Musselman’s Apple Butter is nicely balanced with mild Vidalia onions, zesty Dijon mustard and a dry white wine.

When grilling, keep a couple of things in mind:

• Cook the tenderloin over indirect heat – the cooler side of the grill – so that it cooks slowly and evenly. This also keeps the glaze from scorching.
• Turn meat with tongs, never with a fork. Piercing the meat releases its natural juices – and you’ll end up with a dry entrée.

For a savory side dish with a hint of sweetness, try these Honey Apple Butter Baked Beans. Three kinds of beans are baked with apple butter and honey with a hint of heat from cumin and cayenne pepper.

Get more delicious recipes for your cookout season at www.musselmans.com. 

Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Apple Butter Glaze

Servings: 4
Cooking Time: 25 – 40 minutes

• 1 cup Musselman's Apple Butter
• 2 tablespoons Vidalia onion, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
• 1/4 cup dry white wine or white cooking wine
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Vegetable oil
• 2 boneless pork tenderloins, trimmed (1 – 1.5 pounds each)

1. In medium bowl, whisk together apple butter, onion, mustard and wine. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
2. In small sauce pan, bring apple butter mixture to a boil, stirring constantly. Set aside a few tablespoons of the glaze to drizzle on the cooked meat before serving.
3. Preheat grill to medium high. Brush pork with oil and season with salt and pepper.
4. Over direct heat, brown tenderloin on all sides, about 5 minutes total. Brush meat with glaze and, if grill allows, move to indirect heat. Turn every 5 – 6 minutes to prevent glaze from scorching, brushing occasionally with additional glaze. Cook meat to an internal temperature of 160°F (cooking time will vary from 25 – 40 minutes, based on thickness of tenderloins and type of grill).
5. Remove from grill, brush again with glaze and let rest for 10 minutes. Slice into 1/2-inch thick slices, drizzle with reserved glaze, and serve immediately.

Honey Apple Butter Baked Beans

Servings: 8
Cooking Time: 50 – 60 minutes

• 1 cup Musselman’s Apple Butter
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 tablespoons minced dried onion
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 can (15.5 ounces) great northern beans, drained
• 1 can (15.5 ounces) black beans, drained, rinsed
• 1 can (15 ounces) red or pinto beans, drained

1. Heat oven to 375°F.
2. Mix all ingredients except beans in large bowl. Stir in beans.
3. Pour into 2-quart baking dish or casserole. Bake 50 to 60 minutes or until hot and bubbly.