Holiday Recipes

The holidays are a magical time when families come together to celebrate and reflect on the year. However, the holidays in 2020 will look a bit different. As we limit the size of our gatherings and visit long-distance relatives via video calls, we’ll still continue holiday traditions like baking family recipes passed down from generation to generation. Here are two of Sanford’s most craved holiday dessert recipes  to help you begin your own family tradition!

Chef Hamm’s Pumpkin Roll

Chef Greg Hamm grew up in a family of great cooks and discovered at a young age how much he enjoyed preparing dishes for friends and classmates as part of school projects. As a result, he leapt at the opportunity to learn culinary arts in middle school, enrolling in Local Foods and Occupational classes where he gained valuable hands-on experience preparing food in concession stands. He credits his family for supporting his dreams of becoming a chef and his inspiring teachers for instilling his passion in culinary arts.

One teacher in particular stands out in Chef Hamm’s memory – PG Werth. Dr. Werth taught Chef Hamm a Pumpkin Roll recipe while he was in food service class in high school. It has become one of his favorites. Now, as Executive Director of Central Carolina Culinary Institute, Chef Hamm tasks his students with baking this flavorful masterpiece each holiday season in his Continuing Education classes. To learn more about Central Carolina Community College Culinary continuing education classes, visit www.cccc.edu/ecd/find-classes/

Continue reading to find Chef Hamm’s step by step recipe!

Mrs. Lacy’s Sweet Potato Pie

If you’ve been to Mrs. Lacy’s Magnolia House, you know just how delicious their desserts are. Faye Schulz, owner of Mrs. Lacy’s says many of her childhood memories involve being in the kitchen with her mother, Etheline Gunter. Etheline loved to cook meals for the family and was known for her famous sweet potato pie.

As part of their 25^th anniversary, Mrs. Lacy’s is generously sharing their recipe just in time for the holidays. Moreover, if you happen to be new to the world of baking, watch Faye’s video tutorial on how to make her homemade Sweet Potato Pie and other scrumptious pies. After you’ve mastered Sweet Potato Pie, purchase the Mrs. Lacy’s Magnolia House cookbook online and try your hand at any of their 500 mouth-watering recipes.

Keep scrolling to find Mrs. Lacy’s Sweet Potato Pie recipe!

Chef Hamm’s Holiday Pumpkin Roll Recipe

(makes 3 jelly rolls)

INGREDIENTS

• 12 eggs
• 4 cups sugar
• 2 ⅔ cups canned pumpkin
• 4 teaspoons lemon juice
• 4 cups sifted flour
• 3 tablespoons cinnamon
• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 ½ teaspoon nutmeg
• 2 cups chopped pecans

Filling:

• 24 ounces cream cheese
• 1 cup butter
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon vanilla

DIRECTIONS

1. Whip eggs until airy and fluffy (this is very important for the sponge method)
2. Add sugar, pumpkin, and lemon juice. Whip until fluffy (careful not to over-mix)
3. Fold in remaining ingredients except pecans.
4. Spray and line 3- cookie sheets
5. Divide dough mixture into 3 pans, sprinkle with pecans
6. Bake at 350 degrees for 12-14 minutes
7. Allow to rest for 3 minutes then pour into a powder sugar-dusted towel
8. Roll gently and allow to cool completely
9. Unroll and add filling

Filling instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients until smooth
2. Spread onto pumpkin roll once it’s cooled (Remember to roll it and allow it to cool while rolled in towel. This will allow the sponge cake to aerate.)

Mrs. Lacy’s Sweet Potato Pie Recipe

INGREDIENTS

• 3 cups sweet potatoes
• 2 ½ cups sugar
• ½ cup butter
• 3 eggs
• ½ cup half & half
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 deep-dish pie shells

DIRECTIONS

1. Boil sweet potatoes until done. Peel and mash enough to make 3 cups.
2. Add sugar and butter
3. Beat in eggs one at a time
4. Blend in half & half for desired consistency
5. Pour into 2 deep-dish pie shells
6. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes