Thursday, December 30, 2010

Zesty Chili aka Taco Soup

This recipe was given to me by a friend of mine.  It took me a while, but I finally tried it and man it was yummy.  I am posting her original recipe, then I am posting my altered version.  the first one was, alothough yummy to me, was too spicy for the babies.  The great thing about it, is this recipe can totally be altered to fit your taste.


Zesty Chili or Taco Soup

Ingredients:

1lb Ground Turkey breast
1/2 lb (2 links) Pork or Turkey sausage (I used sweet italian sausage and it was yummy, next time I am gonna use spicy turkey sausage)
1 onion diced
1-14.5oz can diced tomoatoes
1-14.5oz can fire roased diced tomatoes
1-14.5oz can Zesty Chili Style diced tomatoes
1- 14oz can Black Beans, drained and rinsed
1- 14oz can Spicy Chili beans
1 can sweet corn
1 small can of diced green chilies
Chipotle chilies in adobo sauce (it comes in a small can, they are very hot so I used 1 pepper, diced very small and then put some of the adobo sauce in the chili)
1 packet of taco seasoning
1 packet of Ranch dressing powder
1.5-2 tablespoons of chili powder
cumin, salt, red pepper flakes, ground red pepper all to taste
Directions:
1. Soften 1 chopped onion in a pot with 2 tablespoons of olive oil
2. Once onions are soft, brown turkey meat and sausage
3. Once brown, add all tomatoes and simmer for 10-20 mins
4. Drain and rinse the black beans and add to chili
5. Add chili beans with juice
6. Add corn with juice
7. Add all other ingredients and spices to taste and simmer about an hour or leave in crock pot all day.... you know the longer it cooks, the better it is!!!


Bonnie's Altered for my kiddos recipe:

Ingredients:

1lb Ground Turkey breast
1/2 lb (2 links) sweet italian sausage
1/2 of medium onion, diced
1-14.5oz can crushed tomoatoes
1-14.5oz can fire roased diced tomatoes
1-14.5oz can Zesty Chili Style diced tomatoes
1- 14oz can Black Beans, drained and rinsed
1- 14oz can Spicy Chili beans
1 can sweet corn
1 small can of Rotell
1 packet of taco seasoning
1 packet of Ranch dressing powder
2 tablespoons of chili powder
cumin, salt, red pepper flakes, ground red pepper all to taste

Directions:

1. Soften 1 chopped onion in a pot with 2 tablespoons of olive oil
2. Once onions are soft, brown turkey meat and sausage
3. Once brown, add all tomatoes and simmer for 10-20 mins
4. Drain and rinse the black beans and add to chili
5. Add chili beans with juice
6. Add corn with juice
7. Add all other ingredients and spices to taste and simmer about an hour or leave in crock pot all day....

When cooking in the crockpot, I cooked it on low for 8 hours, and served with cornbread!  It was totally Yummy, Thank you Erica, for sharing!!!

Friday, December 24, 2010

Candy Cane Fudge

Just in time for Christmas!!!


CANDY CANE FUDGE!!!  Can we say yummy?
Ingredients

2 (10 ounce) packages vanilla baking chips
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
1 1/2 cups crushed candy canes
1 dash red or green food coloring

Directions

1.Line an 8 inch square baking pan with aluminum foil, and grease the foil.

2.Combine the vanilla chips and sweetened condensed milk in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir frequently until almost melted, remove from heat and continue to stir until smooth. When chips are completely melted, stir in the peppermint extract, food coloring, and candy canes.

3.Spread evenly in the bottom of the prepared pan. Chill for 2 hours, then cut into squares.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Pumpkin Cinnamon Bun Cake

I know... I know... I know as if you didn't see enough Pumpkin recipes in October...

But this one was way too good not to share, and reshare in October!!!


Pumpkin Cinnamon Bun Cake


Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
4 tsp active dry or rapid rise yeast
1/4 cup warm milk (100-110F; low fat is fine)
1/2 cup pumpkin puree
3 tbsp vegetable oil
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 large egg

Filling/Topping
3 tbsp butter, room temperature
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
pinch freshly ground nutmeg
1/2 cup chopped pecans

Icing
1 cup powdered sugar
1-2 tbsp milk or cream

Directions:
1. Lightly grease an 8×8-inch square baking pan.

2. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, salt and pumpkin pie spice. Dissolve the yeast in a small bowl filled with the warmed milk and let stand for 2-3 minutes. Stir milk mixture, pumpkin puree, vegetable oil, vanilla extract and egg into the flour mixture. Mix well, until very smooth.

3. Pour into prepared pan and let rest for 15 minutes.

4. While the dough rests, make the topping. Mix together butter, brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg in a small bowl using a fork until all the butter has been incorporated into the sugar and mixture is crumbly. Stir in pecans. Sprinkle evenly on top of rested dough and press the mixture down into the dough with your fingertips (or swirl in with a spatula).

5. Place pan into a cold oven, then set the oven temperature to 350F.

6. Bake for about 30 minutes, until bread is golden brown at the edges and the center of the bread springs back when lightly pressed. Some of the sugar mixture on top may still be bubbling.

7. Cool in the pan for at least 30 minutes, then prepare the icing.

8. Whisk the powdered sugar and milk together to form a smooth, pourable icing and drizzle it onto the bread using a spoon.

Serve warm or at room temperature. Leftovers can be reheated in the microwave.
Serves 9.
Hope you enjoy as much as we did!
<3 Mommy of 6

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Pie Crust???

With it being the holiday season, I thought about making my pie crusts AGAIN...  and I just want to crawl away to the commissary and buy some premade...  I HATE making pie crust...  Yes it is true, this super mom, and Martha Stewart as I have been called has her kitchen nightmares!!!

So here are a few tricks I have learned:
Shrinkage?  When you put the effort into making a homemade pie crust for a Caramel Banana Cream Pie or other recipe that calls for a prebaked crust, it can be very disappointing if the crust that you worked so hard to make shrinks and gives your pie a less-than-perfect presentation. There are two ways that pie crusts can shrink and a couple of things that you can do to prevent it.


Pie crusts can shrink away from the bottom of a pie plate when you’re pre-baking the shell if you don’t put pie weights inside of the crust. Pie weights can be anything from a set of ceramic balls designed to be pie weights to a big batch of dried beans that are poured into a parchment-lined pie crust; pie weights are anything that will hold the pie crust down while it “sets” in the oven. This typically happens with pastry crusts and you don’t need to use pie weights for graham cracker or crumb crusts.

Pie crusts can also shrink away from the sides of a pie plate, giving a crust a very uneven appearance and creating openings for filling to sneak into and make the crust soggy. This shrinkage can’t be solved with pie weights because it is primarily the result of not resting the pie dough enough. Just like when you are baking bread, gluten develops when you work with pie dough. Rolling out the dough and working with it to fit into your pie plate tightens up the gluten, and if you bake it straight away, that tightness will result in the crust shrinking and becoming tougher during baking. To prevent this type of shrinkage, rest the pie dough for about 5 minutes after you roll it out onto your work surface and before you press it into your pie plate. Once it is in the pie plate, put it back in the fridge (or leave it on the counter if your kitchen is very cool) to rest for about 15 minutes before baking. This resting gives the gluten time to relax and will help keep your crust from shrinking during baking.

How to make a flaky crust?
Pie crust is typically made with just a few ingredients: flour, water, salt and fat. The fat is usually butter or shortening, and occasionally a little bit of sugar or cinnamon makes its way into the crust for flavor. It’s a simple recipe and it should be simple to make, but the reality is that it can be tricky to make a perfectly flaky pie crust. That said, it certainly doesn’t have to be tricky.


Butter is the ingredient that makes pie crusts flaky. When the pie crust bakes, the butter melts into the dough and two things happen. The fat from the butter tenderizes the dough, making it tender, and the water in the butter evaporates, creating a little air pocket in the dough, making it flaky. You need that puff of air from escaping steam to create flaky layers, and this is why all butter recipes are the best for other super flaky recipes, such as puff pastry and croissants. Shortening and lard are solid fats that make crusts tender, but do not add flakiness because they do not have the water content that butter – which is about 80% fat and 20% water – does.

When you cut in the butter, whether you’re working by hand or pulsing your dough in a food processor, you want your dough to be sandy and have pieces of butter about the size of a large pea still in it. Larger pieces of fat in the crust will result in a flakier texture. For this reason, it is good to stir in the water in the recipe by hand, rather than adding it into a food processor where it could become overmixed. Don’t use too much water or the dough will become tough, so add it in gradually.

Practice makes perfect (unless you are me, then NEVER stop practicing) when it comes to pie crusts, but using a recipe that is mostly butter, or all butter, is going to get you the flakiest crust every time.

Monday, December 13, 2010

Homemade Girlscout Cookies- Thin Mints


Homemade Thin Mints


Ingredients:
2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1/4 cup cornstarch
6 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup butter, room temperature
1/3 cup milk (any kind)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 tsp peppermint extract

Directions:
1. In a small bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, cocoa powder and salt.

2. In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar. With the mixer on low speed, add in the milk and the extracts. Mixture will look curdled. Gradually, add in the flour mixture until fully incorporated.

3. Shape dough into two logs, about 1 1/2 inches (or about 4 cm) in diameter, wrap in plastic wrap and freeze for at least 1-2 hours, until dough is very firm.

4. Preheat oven to 375F.

5. Slice dough into rounds not more than 1/4 inch thick – if they are too thick, they will not be as crisp – and place on a parchment lined baking sheet. Cookies will not spread very much, so you can put them quite close together.

6. Bake for 13-15 minutes, until cookies are firm at the edges. Cool cookies completely on a wire rack before dipping in chocolate.


Dark Chocolate Coating

10-oz dark or semisweet chocolate
1/2 cup butter, room temperature

1. In a microwave safe bowl, combine chocolate and butter. Melt on high power in the microwave, stirring every 45-60 seconds, until chocolate is smooth. Chocolate should have a consistency somewhere between chocolate syrup and fudge for a thin coating.

2. Dip each cookie in melted chocolate, turn with a fork to coat, then transfer to a piece of parchment paper or wax paper to set up for at least 30 minutes, or until chocolate is cool and firm.

3. Reheat chocolate as needed to keep it smooth and easy to dip into.

Makes 3 1/2-4 dozen cookies
Another one of my favs!!!  I hope you enjoy these as well!

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Homemade Girlscout Cookies- Do-Si-Dos


Homemade Do-si-dos a.k.a. Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies


Ingredients for Cookies
2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
2 tbsp baking soda
1 tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups unsalted butter, room temperature
3/4 cup chunky peanut butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup sugar
3 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups quick-cooking oats (not instant or regular)

Ingredients for Filling:
1 1/2 cups creamy peanut butter, room temperature
1/2 cup butter, room temperature
1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350F.

2. Start with the cookies. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

3. In a large bowl, cream together butter and peanut butter. Beat in the sugars until fluffy, then add in the eggs one at a time, waiting until each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in vanilla extract.

4. Working at a low speed, mix in the flour, followed by the oats (if you don’t have quick-cooking, pulse whole rolled oats in the food processor to chop them up a bit).

5. On a parchment-lined baking sheet, drop teaspoonfuls of batter (roughly 3/4-in. sized balls), leaving about 2 inches between each to allow for spread.

6. Bake for about 10 minutes, until cookies are a light golden brown. Cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes, making small holes in 1/2 of the cookies (for the tops of the sandwiches) before they set up. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

7. Once cookies have cooled, make the filling.

8. In a large bowl, cream together smooth peanut butter, butter and confectioners’ sugar until very smooth. Spread 2-3 tsp onto half of the finished cookies and sandwich with the remaining halves. If you chose to make yours with GS-lookalike holes in some of the cookies, use these as the tops of the sandwiches.

Store in an airtight container.
Makes about 48 sandwich cookies.

Note: *Use unsalted butter with this recipe, as different brands of peanut butter can vary hugely in salt content and it’s possible you’ll end up with a too-salty cookie with the salted butter, salted peanut butter and added salt. If you must use salted butter and are using brand of peanut butter that seems a bit salty, you can always reduce or eliminate the added salt. Personally, I like the salty sweet combination with peanut butter, but it’s only fair for me to give a little warning just in case!

These are my favs!!!
<3 Mommy of 6

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Homemade Girlscout Cookies- Tag-a-longs


Homemade Tagalongs (a.k.a. Peanut Butter Patties)


Ingredients for Cookies:
1 cup butter, soft
1/2 cup sugar
2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 tbsp milk

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350F.
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar. Mix in flour, baking powder and salt at a low speed, followed by the vanilla and milk. The dough should come together into a soft ball.
3. Take a tablespoon full of dough and flatten it into a disc about 1/4-inch thick. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and repeat with remaining dough. Cookies will not spread too much, so you can squeeze them in more than you would for chocolate chip cookies. (Alternatively, you can use a cookie cutter, as described in the post above).
4. Bake cookies for 11-13 minutes, until bottoms and the edges are lightly browned and cookies are set.
5. Immediately after removing cookies from the oven, use your thumb or a small spoon to make a depression in the center of each cookie
6. Cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Ingredients for Filling:
1 1/2 cups creamy peanut butter (natural or regular)
3/4 cup confectioners’ sugar*
generous pinch salt
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
about 8-oz semisweet chocolate

Directions:
1. In a small bowl, whisk together peanut butter, confectioners’ sugar, salt and vanilla. When the mixture has come together, heat it in the microwave (again in short intervals, stirring frequently), until it is very, very soft. Working carefully with the hot filling, transfer it to a pastry bag (or plastic bag with the tip cut off) and pipe a generous dome of the filling into each cookie’s “thumbprint”.

2. Chill cookies with filling for 20-30 minutes, or until the peanut butter is firm.

3. Melt the chocolate in a small, heat-resistant bowl. This can be done in a microwave (with frequent stirring) or on a double boiler, but the bowl of melted chocolate should ultimately be placed above a pan of hot, but not boiling, water to keep it fluid while you work.

4. Dip chilled cookies into chocolate, let excess drip off, and place on a sheet of parchment paper to let the cookies set up. The setting process can be accelerated by putting the cookies into the refrigerator once they have been coated.

Makes about 3-dozen
Note: *You might need slightly less sugar if you’re using the conventional peanut butter, as it tends to be a bit sweeter. Taste the filling before using to make sure you like the sweet/savory balance.
Enjoy,
<3 Mommy of 6

Friday, December 10, 2010

The Long and Awaited

Girl scouts aren't the only ones who can make these babies!!!

I love when friends make request, and are so very patient about waiting for me to post!  A friend of mine from here, asked me for this recipe oh way back in June I think!!!  Sorry Carol for just now posting!!!  Hope you enjoy though!
Now wipe the drool away from your mouth!  LOL!
Homemade Samoas (a.k.a. Caramel de-Lites)


Ingredients for Cookies:
1 cup butter, soft
1/2 cup sugar
2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
up to 2 tbsp milk



Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350F.
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar. Mix in flour, baking powder and salt at a low speed, followed by the vanilla and milk, adding in the milk as needed to make the dough come together without being sticky (it’s possible you might not need to add milk at all). The dough should come together into a soft, not-too-sticky ball. Add in a bit of extra flour if your dough is very sticky.
3. Roll the dough (working in two or three batches) out between pieces of wax paper to about 1/4-inch thickness (or slightly less) and use a 1 1/2-inch cookie cutter to make rounds. Place on a parchment lined baking sheet and use a knife, or the end of a wide straw, to cut a smaller center hole. Repeat with remaining dough. Alternatively, use scant tablespoons of dough and press into an even layer in a mini donut pan to form the rounds.
4. Bake cookies for 10-12 minutes, until bottoms are lightly browned and cookies are set. If using a mini donut pan, bake for only about 10 minutes, until edges are light gold.
5. Cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Ingredients for Topping:
3 cups shredded coconut (sweetened or unsweetened)
12-oz good-quality chewy caramels
1/4 tsp salt
3 tbsp milk
8 oz. dark or semisweet chocolate (chocolate chips are ok)

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 300. Spread coconut evenly on a parchment-lined baking sheet (preferably one with sides) and toast 20 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes, until coconut is golden. Cool on baking sheet, stirring occasionally. Set aside.
2. Unwrap the caramels and place in a large microwave-safe bowl with milk and salt. Cook on high for 3-4 minutes, stopping to stir a few times to help the caramel melt. When smooth, fold in toasted coconut with a spatula.
3. Using the spatula or a small offset spatula, spread topping on cooled cookies, using about 2-3 tsp per cookie. Reheat caramel for a few seconds in the microwave if it gets too firm to work with.
4. While topping sets up, melt chocolate in a small bowl. Heat on high in the microwave in 45 second intervals, stirring thoroughly to prevent scorching. Dip the base of each cookie into the chocolate and place on a clean piece of parchment paper. Transfer all remaining chocolate (or melt a bit of additional chocolate, if necessary) into a piping bag or a ziplock bag with the corner snipped off and drizzle finished cookies with chocolate.
5. Let chocolate set completely before storing in an airtight container.

Makes about 3 1/2-4 dozen cookies.

Note: These cookies are fairly time consuming to make, but if you take your time and have fun with them, the results will be worth it. That said, if you want something a little bit quicker, try baking a batch of Samoas Bars instead, which require no rolling and cutting of the dough!
Enjoy,
<3 Mommy of 6

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Peanut Butter and Chocolate Pillows

Peanut Butter Chocolate Pillows

makes 18

Ingredients:
1 sheet puff pastry, thawed and rolled out just slightly
1/3 to 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1/3 cup chocolate chunks or chips
water for brushing the edges of the pastry
cream or half and half for brushing the tops of the pastry
granulated sugar for sprinkling on top of the pastry

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Thaw frozen puff pastry in the the fridge. When no longer frozen gently roll out puff pastry on a well floured surface, extending the puff pastry about an inch on all sides.
3. Fold the puff pastry in half like a book to create a crease. Cut along the crease with a pizza slicer to divide the puff pastry in half. Stack the two halves, then slice the pastry into two sheets of 18 even squares. Remove the top squares from the bottom squares and set them aside for later.
4. Using a small spoon, dollop a small amount (about a heaping 1/2 teaspoon) of peanut butter into the center of 18 of the puff pastry squares. Top each mound of peanut butter with about 5 chocolate chips.
5. Using a pastry brush (or your finger if you don’t have a brush) dampen the edges of each square with a bit of water. Top each square with another pastry square and use a fork to crimp and seal the edges of the pastry. Make sure the edges are well sealed or all the filling goodness will pop out during baking.
6. Place filled and sealed pastry squares on a foil lined and lightly greased baking sheet. Brush each square with cream and sprinkle generously with granulated sugar.
7. Bake the squares for 8 to 12 minutes or until they are perfectly golden. Some of the puffs may have exploded a bit. I think that’s inevitable. It’s ok. Remove from the oven and allow to cool fro 5 minutes before serving warm. They’re best slightly warm. Super delicious!

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Homemade Almond Joys!

Homemade Almond Joy

makes about 30 little bars

Ingredients:
7 ounces sweetened condensed milk
1 cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
pinch of salt
2 1/2 cups unsweetened flaked coconut
30 almonds
about 20 ounces (a bag and a half) of good quality semi sweet chocolate chips

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F, spread raw almonds onto a baking sheet and toast for about 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together sweetened condensed milk, powdered sugar, salt and vanilla extract. Stir in the unsweetened coconut. The mixture will be thick. Place mixture in the freezer for 3o minutes. It’s easier to work with if it’s a little cold.
3. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Remove the coconut mixture from the freezer. With clean hands shape one tablespoon of coconut into a little log about 2 inches long and 3/4-inch thick. Press the logs together very well so they don’t crack when dipped. Place the log on the lined baking sheet and continue until all of the coconut mixture is gone. Rinse hands occasionally if they get too sticky. Press an almond on top of each coconut log. It might not completely stick. That’s ok. Place the baking sheet in the fridge to chill while you melt the chocolate.
4. Place a medium pot with two inches of water over a medium flame. Bring the water to a simmer. Place chocolate chips in a heat proof bowl and place the bowl over the simmering water. Stir the chocolate as it melts. Turn off the flame once the chocolate has melted but keep the bowl of melted chocolate over the hot water.
5. Remove the coconut candies from the fridge. Place one coconut almond log on a fork. Use a spoon to scoop a bit of chocolate over the almond. This will help the almond stick to the candy and not fall off during dipping. Lower fork into chocolate and spoon chocolate over candy to coat. Lift fork and gently shake to release some of the chocolate. Scrape the bottom of the fork along the side of the bowl and place on the lined baking sheet. You might need a toothpick to help get the candy off the fork. Repeat until all candy is coated in chocolate. If chocolate gets thick, just turn on the flame and heat slightly.
6. Let dipped candy harden in the fridge for 45 minutes. Store in an airtight container at room temperature. If you need to layer the candy in a container, use waxed paper to separate the layers.

These are absolutly yummy!  Enjoy!
<3 Mommy of 6

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Toasted Marshmallow Shake


Toasted Marshmallow Milkshake


adapted just slightly from Spike Mendelsohn’s (you know that really cute guy with the hat from Top Chef) recipe!!!
makes two small or one large milkshake


Ingredients:
8-10 large marshmallows
3 large scoops vanilla ice cream or a heaping 1-cup of vanilla ice cream
1/2 cup of milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:
1. Place marshmallows on skewer and toast until slightly charred over a gas flame. If you don’t have skewers or a gas range, you can toast the marshmallows on a sheet tray in the broiler for 2 or 3 minutes. Keep an eye on the marshmallows as they’re in the oven. They’re liable to burst into marshmallow flames pretty quick.
2. Place on a plate to cool slightly.
3. In a blender mix together ice cream, milk, vanilla extract and toasted marshmallows. Save one or two toasted marshmallows to top the milkshake(s). Blend well. For a thinner milkshake add more milk. If you’d like it a bit thicker… add more ice cream.
4. Pour into glasses and top with toasted marshmallows. Enjoy on the quick

Ok, now go try them!!!!
<3 Mommy of 6

Monday, December 6, 2010

I know I know I know....  As if you didn't see enough pumpkin in October!

But this one is too good not ot share, and reshare next October!

Pumpkin Cinnamon Bun Cake


ingredients:
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
4 tsp active dry or rapid rise yeast
1/4 cup warm milk (100-110F; low fat is fine)
1/2 cup pumpkin puree
3 tbsp vegetable oil
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 large egg


Filling/Topping
3 tbsp butter, room temperature
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
pinch freshly ground nutmeg
1/2 cup chopped pecans

Icing
1 cup powdered sugar
1-2 tbsp milk or cream

Directions:
1. Lightly grease an 8×8-inch square baking pan.

2. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, salt and pumpkin pie spice. Dissolve the yeast in a small bowl filled with the warmed milk and let stand for 2-3 minutes. Stir milk mixture, pumpkin puree, vegetable oil, vanilla extract and egg into the flour mixture. Mix well, until very smooth.

3. Pour into prepared pan and let rest for 15 minutes.

4. While the dough rests, make the topping. Mix together butter, brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg in a small bowl using a fork until all the butter has been incorporated into the sugar and mixture is crumbly. Stir in pecans. Sprinkle evenly on top of rested dough and press the mixture down into the dough with your fingertips (or swirl in with a spatula).

5. Place pan into a cold oven, then set the oven temperature to 350F.

6. Bake for about 30 minutes, until bread is golden brown at the edges and the center of the bread springs back when lightly pressed. Some of the sugar mixture on top may still be bubbling.

7. Cool in the pan for at least 30 minutes, then prepare the icing.

8. Whisk the powdered sugar and milk together to form a smooth, pourable icing and drizzle it onto the bread using a spoon.

Serve warm or at room temperature. Leftovers can be reheated in the microwave.
Serves 9.
Enjoy, I know we did!!!
<3 Mommy of 6

Peppermint Sandwich cookies

This is a long recipe, but oh so worth every minute!!!  Enjoy these little gems this winter!

Peppermint Sandwich Cookies

recipe found on joythebaker.com
adapted from The Essence of Chocolate
makes about 3 dozen cookies (mine batch came closer to two dozen for some reason)

For the Filling:
1/2 cup heavy cream
8 ounces white chocolate, finely chopped
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon pure peppermint extract (depending on how strong you want it)

For the Cookies:
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 cup plus 3 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
3/4 cup plus 1 Tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
15 Tablespoons (7 1/2 ounces) unsalted butter, but into 3/4-inch cubes, at room temperature (this is important)

For the Filling:
1. In a small saucepan, bring the cream to boil over medium heat. Remove from the heat and add the finely chopped white chocolate and peppermint extract. Make sure all the chocolate is covered by the cream. Let stand for 1 minute (this is important), then whisk the white chocolate until completely melted.

2. Transfer the filling to a small bowl and let stand until room temperature. You’ll need the filling thicker to assemble the cookies, so cover the filling and place it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes or an hour, until a thick consistency is reached. If the filling hardens too much, it can be rewarmed in the microwave for a few seconds. It's best if left at room temperature until the proper consistency is achieved. This meant leaving it out overnight for me.



For the Cookies:
1. Position the racks in the lower and upper thirds of the oven and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

2. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, combine the sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt and mix on low speed. With the mixer running, add the butter a few pieces at a time. The mixture will have a sandy texture at first and then will begin to form peddle-size pieces. As soon as the dough starts to come together, stop the mixer. Make sure all the butter is well incorporated. If there are large butter pockets, mix for a few seconds more.

3. Form and roll the dough straight from the mixer. The dough becomes hard to work with if chilled.
4. Transfer the dough to a board and use the heel of your hand or a pastry scraper to shape the dough into a block about 5 by 7 inches. Cut the block into two pieces.

5. One at a time, roll each block of dough between two pieces of lightly floured parchment paper until about 1/8-inch thick. Using a cookie cutter, cut into 2 inch rounds. Place 1/2 to 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheet. You can form and roll the dough scraps once after the first roll.

6. Bake for 12-15 minutes, rotating the sheets halfway through the baking. Remove from the oven and cool on the sheets for 2 to 5 minutes. They'll be too soft to move straight from the oven. Transfer the cookies to a cooling rack and let cool completely.

To Assemble the Cookies:
1. Place half of the cookies upside down on a work surface. Whip the filling lightly with a whisk to loosen it. It will lighten in color and fluff up. Don’t overwhip or the filling may begin to separate.

2. Transfer the filling to a pastry bag fitted with a 1/4-inch plain tip. You can just scooped the filling out by the half teaspoonful. Pipe or dollop one teaspoon of filling in the center of each upside down cookie. Gently, using your fingers, press the cookies together until the filling comes just to the edges.

3.  Roll edges in crushed peppermints for an added joy!

The cookies can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Blueberry Cream Cheese Ring

This makes for a very sugary, very sweet breakfast danish (which we would never do :P)  or a very yummy after dinner dessert...  However you like it... it is so yummy!  Enjoy!

Blueberry  Cream Cheese Ring

Ingredients:

2 (8 oz. each) pkgs. refrigerated crescent rolls
8 oz. cream cheese
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp. vanilla or almond extract
21 oz. can blueberry pie filling ( or cherry)

Glaze
1/2 cup powdered sugar
2-3 teaspoons milk

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Unroll crescent dough and arrange 12 of the triangles in a circle with wide ends toward the outside edge of the Large Round Stone - the points will not meet in the center. Lightly flour and roll out the seams making a 14" circle with a 3" hole in the center.
2. Combine the cream cheese, powdered sugar, egg & vanilla and spread over dough.
3. Top with pie filling.
4. Cut each of the 4 remaining triangles into thirds (starting at the wide end opposite the point and cutting lengthwise to the point). Arrange over filling evenly in spoke-like pattern. Press ends to seal at center and outer edges.
5. Bake 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Cool slightly.
6. Mix powdered sugar and milk until glaze consistency and drizzle over coffee cake.

Hope you enjoy,
Mommy of 6 <3

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Magic Marshmallow Cresent Puff

Magic Marshmallow Cresent Puffs

Ingredients:
Rolls:
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons Pillsbury BEST® all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 cans (8 oz each) Pillsbury® refrigerated crescent dinner rolls
16 large marshmallows
1/4 cup LAND O LAKES® butter or margarine, melted

Glaze:
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 to 3 teaspoons milk
1/4cup Fisher® Chef's Naturals® chopped nuts

Directions:


1. Heat oven to 375°F. Spray 16 medium muffin cups with CRISCO® Original No-Stick Cooking Spray. In small bowl, mix granulated sugar, flour and cinnamon.
2. Separate dough into 16 triangles. For each roll, dip 1 marshmallow into melted butter; roll in sugar mixture. Place marshmallow on shortest side of triangle. Roll up, starting at shortest side and rolling to opposite point. Completely cover marshmallow with dough; firmly pinch edges to seal. Dip 1 end in remaining butter; place butter side down in muffin cup.
3. Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown. (Place foil or cookie sheet on rack below muffin cups to guard against spills.) Cool in pan 1 minute. Remove rolls from muffin cups; place on cooling racks set over waxed paper.
4. In small bowl, mix powdered sugar, vanilla and enough milk for desired drizzling consistency. Drizzle glaze over warm rolls. Sprinkle with nuts. Serve warm..

Recipe and Picture from Pillsbury.com
Enjoy
Mommy of 6 <3

Monday, November 8, 2010

Strawberry Breakfast Cresents

Strawberry Breakfast Cresents


Ingredients:

1 (8-oz.) can Pillsbury® Refrigerated Crescent Dinner Rolls
4 rolls Betty Crocker® Fruit Roll¬Ups® Strawberry Fruit Snack
2/3 cup powdered sugar
¼ teaspoon vanilla
2 to 3 teaspoons milk

Directions:
1. Heat oven to 350°F. Spray cookie sheet with cooking spray. Unroll dough; separate into 8 triangles.
2. Unroll fruit snack rolls; cut each diagonally into 2 triangles. Place each fruit roll triangle on 1 dough triangle (fold or tuck each fruit roll so all is on dough). Roll up each dough triangle, starting with shortest side of triangle and rolling to opposite point; place point side down on sprayed cookie sheet. Curve into crescent shape.
3. Bake at 350°F. for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 2 minutes; remove from cookie sheet. Meanwhile, in small bowl, mix powdered sugar, vanilla and enough milk until smooth and desired drizzling consistency.
4. Drizzle glaze evenly over warm rolls. Serve warm.

For a fun kid-friendly snack, try using the multi-colored fruit roll-ups for fun colorful treats!!!

Recipe from Pillsbury.com
Enjoy,
Mommy of 6 <3

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Apple Bluecheese Bites

Apple Bluecheese Bites

Ingredients:
1 cup crumbled blue cheese (4 oz)
1/4 cup chopped pecans
1 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary leaves, crushed
2 medium apples, peeled
1 can (8 oz) Pillsbury® refrigerated crescent dinner rolls

Directions:
1. Mix blue cheese, pecans, cream cheese and rosemary. Cut each apple into 16 wedges; set aside.
2. Separate dough into 8 triangles. Cut each triangle in half lengthwise, forming 2 triangles. Spread 1 tablespoon cheese mixture over each triangle; place 2 apple wedges along wide end of each triangle. Roll up each triangle from wide end and place point side down 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheet.
3. Bake at 375°F 18 to 22 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm.

Recipe and picture from Pillsbury.com
Enjoy,
Mommy of 6 <3

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Easy Crescent Danish Rolls

Easy Crescent Danish Rolls


Ingredients:
1 (8 0z) pkg of cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 Tbsp. lemon juice
2 (8 oz) cans refrigerated crescent roll dough
4 tsp. preserves or jam

Glaze:
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
2 to 3 tsp milk

Directions:
1. Heat oven to 350. In a bowl, combine the cream cheese, sugar and lemon juice. Beat until smooth. Separate dough into 8 rectangles, firmly pressing perforations to seal. (or use the crescent creations dough and cut into 8 triangles. This is what I do now. No pressing the perforations needed!)
2. Spread each triangle with about 2 tablespoons of the cream cheese mixture. Leave 1/2 inch around 1 long sides and two short sides clean and free of cream cheese.
3. Roll up jelly roll style starting on long side, rolling to long side with 1/2 inch free of cream cheese. Firmly pinch edge and ends to seam. Gently stretch each roll to around 10-12 inches.
4. On an ungreased cookie sheet, coil each roll into a spiral with the seam side on the inside, tucking end under. Make a deep indentation in the center of each roll and fill with 1/2 tsp. jam or preserves.
5. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes until deep golden brown.
6. In a small bowl blend glaze ingredients, adding enough milk to make drizzling consistency. Put glaze in a small plastic zipper bag. Snip a small amount off the corner of the bag, creating a small hole. Drizzle glaze from bag using hole over warm rolls.

Enjoy and have fun,
Mommy of 6 <3

Friday, November 5, 2010

Bacon Cheddar Pinwheels

Ingredients:

1 can (8 oz) Pillsbury® refrigerated crescent dinner rolls or 1 can (8 oz) Pillsbury® Crescent Recipe Creations® refrigerated seamless dough sheet

2 tablespoons ranch dressing

¼ cup cooked real bacon pieces or 4 slices bacon, crisply cooked, crumbled

½ cup finely shredded Cheddar cheese (2 oz)

¼ cup chopped green onions (4 medium



Directions:

1. Heat oven to 350°F.

2. If using crescent rolls: Unroll dough; separate into 2 long rectangles. Press each into 12x4-inch rectangle, firmly pressing perforations to seal. If using dough sheet: Unroll dough; cut lengthwise into 2 long rectangles. Press each into 12x4-inch rectangle.

3. Spread dressing over each rectangle to edges. Sprinkle each with bacon, Cheddar cheese and onions.

4. Starting with one short side, roll up each rectangle; press edge to seal. With serrated knife, cut each roll into 8 slices; place cut side down on ungreased cookie sheet.

5. Bake 12 to 17 minutes or until edges are deep golden brown. Immediately remove from cookie sheet. Serve warm

Enjoy,
Mommy of 6 <3

Cresents anyone???


I have been exploring... Uh OH!!!  I wanted new things to do with cresent dough, and not just cresents!  LOL!  So I want to know what is your favorite thing to do with cresents?  You know the ones in the refrigerated section in the grocery store all rolled up in a tube?  Do you have any unique recipes to use them for?  I want to know, so post or email us some neat recipes!!!

Have fun and can't wait to see your comments,
Mommy of 6 <3

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Caramel Apples Anyone?

What fun things will you do with your apples?  Me I am trying to conquer the caramel apple thing...  So I have been researching , and finding things on the web about it....  Here is what I have discovered.....

One of the fellow bloggers over at "Splendid things" blog posted these pretty babies:
 And here is a closer look:  The one with white chocolate is Vanilla bean Apple Pie...  YUMMY!
I found some more flavors over at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory that I want to try to make as well...

Here is the tutorial that I found along with a recipe and tips to make perfect caramel apples...  Even a skilled kitchen artist like this one needs help, so I have to thank these ladies and thier blogging efforts!

So here are my Top Tips for Making Caramel Apples:


Step One: Rough up the apples with a fine grade of sandpaper, wash and insert stick (I used Popsicle sticks). Place on a cookie sheet. I lined mine with wax paper but did have a bit of a problem with the wax paper sticking – wax paper is edible, right?! Next time I would just place them directly on the cookie sheet.

Step Two: Make caramel. (recipe below) This time I tried a recipe for caramel shared by another blogging friend, Rachel. It was great! It uses brown sugar instead of white sugar. It made a nice smooth caramel. You must have a candy thermometer to make caramel from scratch and stir the pot constantly to prevent it from burning on the bottom. I also use a nice heavy pan – an older pressure cooker of my mothers works great!  We call caramel “patience candy” because you have to have patience stirring it and waiting for it to hit exactly the right temperature. But it’s worth it!

Step Three: Dip apples into caramel and allow to cool. (I placed mine in the refrigerator) I noticed as I was dipping and the caramel cooled that it stuck better to the apple so you may want to let the pot sit for a few minutes before you start dipping. Any left over caramel can be poured into a buttered pan and eaten as candy!

Step Four: Melt chocolate and/or almond bark and dip or drizzle on apples. I used milk chocolate and white chocolate. Quickly, after applying chocolate, sprinkle on the desired toppings. I used mini chocolate chips, mini M&M’s, rainbow sprinkles, crushed Oreo and chopped up Snickers. Nuts would also be great!

Step Five: Return to the refrigerator to set up

Step Six: Eat and enjoy!
And here is the recipe:


Caramel Apples

I was able to dip 10 medium size granny smith apples and had enough caramel left over to fill an 8 x 8 greased pan.

2 C brown sugar
1 C corn syrup
1/2 C butter
1 can sweetened condensed milk

Directions:
1. Combine the first 3 ingredients. After butter is melted stir in the milk.
2. Cook to soft ball (230degrees). Stir constantly.
3. Stir in vanilla.
4. Remove from heat. Dip apples into the caramel, then roll in nuts if desired.
5. Let set up on a cookie sheet. Place in refrigerator if needed. After completely cooled you can drizzle with chocolate and cover with toppings.

Suggested toppings: sprinkles, crushed Oreos, mini M & M’s, mini chocolate chips, chopped nuts, crushed candy bars.


Pictures and recipe from "Your Home Based Mom" Blog

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Pumpkin Bread

Pumpkin Bread Recipe

1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup pumpkin purée*
1/2 cup olive oil
2 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup water
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon allspice
1/2 cup  chopped walnuts

* To make pumpkin purĂ©e, cut a pumpkin in half, scoop out the seeds and stringy stuff, lie face down on a foil or Silpat lined baking sheet. Bake at 350°F until soft, about 45 min to an hour. Cool, scoop out the flesh. Freeze whatever you don't use for future use. Or, if you are working with pumpkin pieces, roast or boil them until tender, then remove and discard the skin.

Directions:
1 Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Sift together the flour, salt, sugar, and baking soda.
2 Mix the pumpkin, oil, eggs, 1/4 cup of water, and spices together, then combine with the dry ingredients, but do not mix too thoroughly. Stir in the nuts.
3 Pour into a well-buttered 9x5x3 inch loaf pan. Bake 50-60 minutes until a thin skewer poked in the very center of the loaf comes out clean. Turn out of the pan and let cool on a rack.
Makes one loaf. Can easily double the recipe.

Monday, November 1, 2010

PUMPKIN WAFFLES

Ingredients:
4 eggs separated
1 ½ cups milk
1 cup pumpkin
3/4 cup margarine
1 T Vanilla
2 cups flour
2 T baking powder
1 T cinnamon
1 T sugar
½ tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. salt
Directions:
1. Beat egg yolks then add milk, pumpkin, margarine, and vanilla.
2. Mix together dry ingredients and then add flour mixture.
3. Beat egg whites to stiff peaks and fold into mixture.
4. Cool in fridge several hours or overnight.
5. Serve with hot buttermilk syrup.



BUTTERMILK SYRUP
½ cup butter
1 cup sugar
½ cup buttermilk
1 tsp. karo syrup
Bring to a boil then remove from heat. Stir in 1 tsp. baking soda and 1 tsp. vanilla.

Tips: I made these earlier this week for dinner on the fly when we were running low on groceries. I usually always chill them overnight but was really craving these (and had leftover pumpkin in the fridge) and so I made them and let them chill for about an hour. The result--they still came out perfect. So I think I won't stress so much about having them always chill overnight. They may have been slightly flatter--but very slightly.

Sunday, October 31, 2010

Pumpkin Apple Streusel Muffins

Pumpkin Apple Streusel Muffins

Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups white sugar
1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup canned pumpkin puree
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 cups peeled, cored and chopped apple 
topping:
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/4 cup white sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
4 teaspoons butter

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease 18 muffin cups or use paper liners.
2. In a large bowl, sift together 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 2 cups sugar, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda and salt. In a separate bowl, mix together eggs, pumpkin and oil. Add pumpkin mixture to flour mixture; stirring just to moisten. Fold in apples. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups.
3. In a small bowl, mix together 2 tablespoons flour, 1/4 cup sugar and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle topping evenly over muffin batter.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into a muffin comes out clean.

Saturday, October 30, 2010

Baked Pumpkin

Here is a yummy side, but then again I love anything pumpkin, so maybe I am biased!



Baked Pumpkin

Ingredients:
1 sm. pumpkin
2 Tablespoon apple cider
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
2 Tablespoon. honey
2 Tablespoon melted butter

Directions:
1. Wash pumpkin well and place on a pie pan. Bake in 350 degree oven for 1 1/2 hours. Remove from oven and cut a hole in the top of the pumpkin 3 to 4 inch diameters. Scoop out pulp and seeds.
2. Mix together the honey, cider and melted butter. Baste the mixture over the flesh of the pumpkin.
3.  Replace top, return to oven and bake 30 to 40 minutes more, basting occasionally.
4. Cut into wedges and serve with leftover basting mixture.

Note: For an equally yummy variation, try tossing in some macintosh apple slices that have been washed, peeled, cored, and sliced.  Or you can also try squash and sweet potatoes mixed in with it!

Friday, October 29, 2010

Chocolate Pumpkin Muffins

I ran across these last year, they look so yummy, so I wanted to share! I have made these several times, when I can find pumpkin!!!  I have to say this woman is genious!!!  Pumpkin and chocolate in the same bite!!!  What is not to LOVE!  She also says that those who are on Weight Watchers, these are only 2 points per muffin. YUMMY!


Chocolate (Pumpkin) Muffins

Ingredients:
1 box devils food cake mix
1 (15 oz) can of pumpkin
2 egg whites
1/2 cup water
3/4 cup chocolate chips (I did 1 cup)

Directions:
Mix together all ingredients. Spoon batter into lined muffin pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 18-20 minutes until toothpick inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean. Makes 24 muffins.

Thank you Laura at "Real Mom Kitchen" blog

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Pumpkin fritters

Pumpkin Fritters

Imgredients:
 1 cup pumpkin puree
 1 egg, lightly beaten
 1 cup all-purpose flour
 1 teaspoon baking powder
 1 teaspoon curry powder
 1 teaspoon salt
 4 cups vegetable oil for frying

Directions:
1. In a medium bowl, combine pumpkin, egg, flour, baking powder, curry powder, and salt. Mix until smooth.
2. Heat oil in a deep saucepan to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Drop batter by spoonfuls into hot oil. Fry until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon, and serve immediately

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Pumpkin Pie Icecream

Pumpkin Pie IceCream

 
Ingredients:
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup milk
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
2 egg yolks
1 cup pumpkin puree



Directions:

1. Heat the cream, milk, sugar, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cloves in a sauce pan until it almost boils, about 5 minutes.
2. Reduce the heat to low.
3. Add one tablespoon of the cream mixture to the egg to temper it.
4. Add the egg to the sauce pan.
5. Cook at low heat without boiling, until it is slightly thickened and coats the back of a spoon.
6. Add pumpkin puree and stir.
7. Chill the mixture in the fridge.
8. Freeze according to the instructions for your ice cream machine.

Recipe from “Closet Cooking” blog

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Pumpkin Pie Milkshake

Pumpkin Pie Milkshake

(makes 1 milkshake)
Ingredients:
2 cups vanilla frozen yogurt
1/4 cup milk
1/3 cup pumpkin puree
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ginger
1/8 teaspoon cloves
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoon gingersnap cookies (crumbled, optional)



Directions:

1. Blend everything other than the gingersnap cookies in a blander.
2. Serve garnished with the gingersnap cookies.

Recipe from “Closet Cooking” blog

Monday, October 25, 2010

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies
Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup quick cooking rolled oats, uncooked
1 teaspoon baking Soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg, slightly beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup canned pumpkin
1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350F. Grease baking sheets. Combine flour, oats, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; set aside. Beat together butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla, mix. Alternate additions of dry ingredients and pumpkin, mixing well after each addition. Stir in chocolate pieces. For each cookie, drop 1/4 cup of dough onto prepared baking sheet. Bake 20 to 25 minutes until firm and lightly browned

Saturday, October 16, 2010

Heavenly Pumpkin Cake

Heavenly Pumpkin Cake
Ingredients:
2 cups flour

1 tsp soda
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups granulated sugar
4 eggs, well beaten
2 cups pumpkin
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla
1 cups vegetable oil

Directions:
Beat eggs; add pumpkin, cinnamon, oil, and vanilla. Mix well. Add rest of dry ingredients. Grease a 10x15 inch pan. Pour batter into pan. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes. Spread on frosting after cooled.



Frosting:
8 oz cream cheese
1/2 C butter
1 tsp vanilla
2 C powdered sugar

Combine and mix until well blended.



Friday, October 15, 2010

Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls

Don't these look pure amazing!

Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls

Recipe and picture from Allrecipes.com
Ingredients

1/4 cup warm water (100 degrees F/38 degrees C)1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
1 (5 ounce) can evaporated milk
3/4 cup white sugar
1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 egg, beaten
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
5 cups all-purpose flour, or more if needed

Filling:
1/4 cup melted butter
1 1/4 cups brown sugar, packed
2 tablespoons pumpkin pie spice


Cream Cheese Frosting:
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1/4 cup milk

Directions
1.Pour the warm water into a large mixing bowl, and sprinkle yeast over the water. Allow to stand until the yeast begins to form a creamy foam, 5 to 10 minutes. Stir in evaporated milk, white sugar, pumpkin, olive oil, and egg. Mix until thoroughly combined. Mix in 2 teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice, then add about 5 cups of flour, or as needed to make a stiff dough. Turn the dough out onto a floured work surface, and knead until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes. Dough will be slightly sticky. Form the dough into a ball, place into an oiled bowl, cover with a cloth, and let rise in a warm place for about 45 minutes. (The dough will rise, but it won't double.)

2.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.

3.Punch down the dough, and roll it out to a rectangle shape on a floured work surface until it measures about 18 inches wide and 26 inches long. Brush the dough with 1/4 cup melted butter. Mix the brown sugar with 2 tablespoons of pumpkin pie spice in a small bowl, and sprinkle the mixture evenly over the dough. Roll up the dough the long way, and pinch the seam closed, then cut the dough into 12 equal-sized pieces with a sharp knife. Lay the rolls into the prepared baking dish.

4.Bake in the preheated oven until lightly golden brown, 30 to 40 minutes.

5.While the rolls are baking, mix vanilla extract, cream cheese, 2 tablespoons of melted butter, confectioners' sugar, and milk together to make a glaze. Spread the glaze over the rolls as soon as they come out of the oven.

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Pumpkin Turkey Chili

Not your traditional chili, but yummy for the cool fall evenings, or the cold winter nights we have coming up!My Family loves this Chilli at all ages!!! 

Pumpkin Turkey Chili

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
1/2 cup chopped yellow bell pepper
1 clove garlic, minced
1 pound ground turkey
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes
2 cups pumpkin puree
1 1/2 tablespoons chili powder
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 dash salt
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup sour cream

Directions:

1.Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat, and saute the onion, green bell pepper, yellow bell pepper, and garlic until tender.
2. Stir in the turkey, and cook until evenly brown.
3. Drain, and mix in tomatoes and pumpkin.
4. Season with chili powder, pepper, and salt. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer 20 minutes.
5. Serve topped with Cheddar cheese and sour cream

Monday, October 11, 2010

Ok so I love my crock pot recipes... Whats not to love about them... So here is one of the dessert recipes I have that is made in the crock pot!
Pumpkin Pudding

Ingredients:
1 15.5 oz. can pumpkin
2 1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
2 tsp. vanilla
1 can evaporated milk
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup bisquick
2 tbsp. margarine
2 Eggs



Directions:
1. Spray Crock Pot, beat ingredients and pour into pot.
2. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
3. Spoon into cups and top with cool whip. Good hot or cold. It is really yummy warm with frozen cool whip! YUMMY!

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Double Layer Pumpkin Cheesecake


Sorry for the bad picture, but I will have to get a better one!

Ingredients:
2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
1 (9 inch) prepared graham cracker crust
1/2 cup pumpkin puree
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 pinch ground cloves
1 pinch ground nutmeg
1/2 cup frozen whipped topping, thawed

Directions:

1.Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
2.In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, sugar and vanilla. Beat until smooth. Blend in eggs one at a time. Remove 1 cup of batter and spread into bottom of crust; set aside.
3.Add pumpkin, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg to the remaining batter and stir gently until well blended. Carefully spread over the batter in the crust.
4.Bake in preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until center is almost set. Allow to cool, then refrigerate for 3 hours or overnight. Cover with whipped topping before serving.

Saturday, October 9, 2010

Iced Pumpkin Cookies

Iced Pumpkin Cookies

Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups white sugar
1 cup canned pumpkin puree
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups confectioners' sugar
3 tablespoons milk
1 tablespoon melted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract



DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ground cloves, and salt; set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, cream together the 1/2 cup of butter and white sugar. Add pumpkin, egg, and 1 teaspoon vanilla to butter mixture, and beat until creamy. Mix in dry ingredients. Drop on cookie sheet by tablespoonfuls; flatten slightly.
3. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes in the preheated oven. Cool cookies, then drizzle glaze with fork.
4. To Make Glaze: Combine confectioners' sugar, milk, 1 tablespoon melted butter, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Add milk as needed, to achieve drizzling consistency

Friday, October 8, 2010

Pumpkin Brownies

Not just one, but two very yummy Pumpkin Brownie Recipes today!!!  YUMMY!!!  Hope you enjoy!
Harvest Pumpkin Brownies
Picture and recipe from "Everyday food storage" blog

1 (16 oz.) can pumpkin
4 eggs (1/4 C. dry egg powder + 1/2 C. water)
3/4 C. vegetable oil (or 3/4 C. white bean puree)
2 t. vanilla
2 C. whole wheat flour
2 C. sugar
1 T. pumpkin pie spice
2 t. ground cinnamon
2 t. baking powder
1/2 t. salt



Directions:
1. Mix wet ingredients (including the water needed for your powdered eggs but not the dry egg powder…remember you DON’T need to mix these before adding to your recipes)
2. Mix dry ingredients with wet ingredients.
3. Pour into 9×13 pan and bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes.
4. Allow to cool and frost with cream cheese frosting or dollup cinnamon whipped topping.




Pumpkin Brownies

These are a chocolate and pumpkin! YUMMY! Sorry no pictures!
Ingredients
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup butter, melted
1 1/2 cups white sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 eggs
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup pumpkin puree
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

 

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease an 8x8 inch baking pan.
2. Stir the flour, baking powder, and salt together in a bowl.
3. In another bowl, stir together the melted butter, sugar, and vanilla extract; beat in the eggs one at a time with a spoon. Gradually add the flour mixture, and stir the batter until it's evenly moistened. Divide the batter in half in two separate bowls.
4. Into one bowl of batter, blend the cocoa powder and chocolate chips. In the second bowl of batter, stir in the pumpkin puree, walnuts, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg.
5. Spread 1/2 of the chocolate batter into the bottom of the prepared baking pan, and follow with 1/2 of the pumpkin batter. Repeat the layers, ending with a pumpkin layer, and drag a kitchen knife or small spatula gently through the layers in a swirling motion, to create a marbled appearance.
6. Bake in the preheated oven until the brownies begin to pull away from the sides of the pan, and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 40 to 45 minutes.
7. Cool in the pan, cut into squares, and serve.
 
~The Mommy of 6 <3

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Pumpkin Blondies

Pumpkin Blondies
 [Pumpkin+blondies.jpg]
Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
1 tablespoon pumpkin-pie spice
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 1/4 cups sugar
1 large egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup canned pumpkin puree
1 package (12 ounces) white chocolate chips



Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line bottom and sides of a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with foil, leaving an overhang on all sides. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, pie spice, baking soda, and salt; set aside. 2. With an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar on medium-high speed until smooth; beat in egg and vanilla until combined. Beat in pumpkin puree (mixture may appear curdled). Reduce speed to low, and mix in dry ingredients until just combined. Fold in chocolate chips.
3. Spread batter evenly in prepared pan. Bake until edges begin to pull away from sides of pan and a toothpick inserted in center comes out with just a few moist crumbs attached, 30 to 40 minutes. Cool completely in pan.
4. Lift cake from pan (using foil as an aid). Peel off foil, and use a serrated knife to cut into squares.

Tips: I used unsalted butter for the first batch because I had brought it. However, I only had salted butter for the second batch. I reduced the salt to about 1/4 tsp and we all agreed that there was no difference between the two.

Recipe from “whats for dinner” blog

Enjoy ~The mommy of 6 <3

Pupkin Pie Bars

Pumpkin Pie Bars

Ingredients: 
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup rolled oats
2 eggs
3/4 cup white sugar
1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin
1 (12 fluid ounce) can evaporated milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves



Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. In a medium bowl, cream together butter and brown sugar. Mix in flour. Fold in oats. Press into a 9x13 inch baking dish.
3. Bake in preheated oven 15 minutes, until set.
4. In a large bowl, beat eggs with white sugar. Beat in pumpkin and evaporated milk. Mix in salt, cinnamon, ginger and cloves. Pour over baked crust.
5. Bake in preheated oven 20 minutes, until set. Let cool before cutting into squares.

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Two Ice Cold Pumpkin Recipes today!

Try these for a family home evening! They are so yummy! Sorry there isn't any pictures, but for some reason the blogger upload isn't coming up?  Maybe I can edit another day! 


Pumpkin Pie Milkshake
Recipe and Picture from "Closet Cooking" blog

 
Ingredients:
2 cups vanilla frozen yogurt
1/4 cup milk
1/3 cup pumpkin puree
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ginger
1/8 teaspoon cloves
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
2 tablespoons brown sugar
Garnish with crumpled ginger snaps.

Directions:
1. Blend everything in a blender.
2. Serve garnished with the gingersnap cookies.
Recipe from “Closet Cooking” blog

Pumpkin Pie Ice cream
Recipe and Picture from "Closet Cooking" blog
Ingredients:
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup milk
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
2 egg yolks
1 cup pumpkin puree


Directions:
1. Heat the cream, milk, sugar, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cloves in a sauce pan until it almost boils, about 5 minutes.
2. Reduce the heat to low.
3. Add one tablespoon of the cream mixture to the egg to temper it.
4. Add the egg to the sauce pan.
5. Cook at low heat without boiling, until it is slightly thickened and coats the back of a spoon.
6. Add pumpkin puree and stir.
7. Chill the mixture in the fridge.
8. Freeze according to the instructions for your ice cream machine.



Recipe from “Closet Cooking” blog