A great Thanksgiving appetizer recipe for use with all kinds of sliced fruit and or cookies, this recipe is sweet or spicy in just a few minutes, so its very flexible or easy to make two batches. More on that later though. Decorate with sliced fruit or cookies platter style bowl in the middle for a good decor. For an express way to get a "slice of" pumpkin pie, get some graham crackers out!

• 1/2 can of Libby's 100% canned pumpkin I have a hard time finding this, so you may have to substitute for another, or use real pumpkin.
  
• 1/3 to 1/2 cup of sweetened condensed milk
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• Aunt Jemima's original syrup or equivalent to taste (usually around a 1/4 cup)
  
• 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon and vanilla extract

If you need a lower sugar content I would use your favorite sugar substitute in place of the brown sugar. Substitute Aunt Jemima's syrup for Log Cabin sugar free, as its the best sugar free syrup in my opinion. You may have to add more pumpkin with these changes.

Its best to throw the sweetened condensed milk and canned pumpkin into a food processor or bowl and mix to find your desired texture first. You'll want to use a large wooden spoon if mixing the canned pumpkin with a bowl. I find it best to get a smooth textured puree something a bit thinner than a milkshake before adding any cinnamon, vanilla or sugar as its easier to mix this way. The Aunt Jemima's original syrup shouldn't change the texture too much. If it does, add more pumpkin as needed.

My KitchenAid food processor, wish I got it at this price!

The most convenient way to cut fresh fruit for this dip is as follows:

• Bananas are best when sliced when cold, or pre-sliced and frozen from the supermarket. If you would rather use a fresh banana just freeze your own overnight. Be very careful slicing bananas this way, as the fruit has a tendency to slip on your cutting surface. No experience with this, I swear ;)
  
• Apples are best cored and sliced into eight to ten vertical pieces (i halve the apple, then scoop with a spoon to core)
  
• Pears should be sliced just as apples, cored the same way also.
  
• Strawberries serve as a whole fruit
  

If you make this and decide you want a spiced dip you can! Just add 1/4 tsp of each cayenne, coriander and cloves at a time until you find the taste you want.

Its best to lighten the texture if you plan to serve cold, as we don't want any of the broken fruit pieces making out great tasting pumpkin dip look bad. As always enjoy your holidays and be safe!

After the holiday celebrations you may feel the need to lose some pounds quickly! Check out my fitness hub by clicking here!

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