Mini Pumpkin Loaves with Maple Glaze

 

Its March 4th and most are getting excited about the lighter flavors that come with Spring.  I'm still eating pumpkin over here.  I could eat it year round -- luckily we have cans of pumpkin stockpiled in our cupboard!  This pumpkin bread is packed with the usual suspects -- cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger.  However, the maple glaze sets it apart from your basic pumpkin loaf.

 

The mini loafs (sold here) are perfect for gifting or, in my case, perfect for selling at a bake sale.   

Pumpkin "7-Layer" Magic Bars

 

This past weekend my mom gave me the task of making dessert for a family lunch.  On the menu was a baked potato bar and turkey chili.  The perfect Fall lunch if you ask me so we had to have the perfect Fall dessert.  I can be very indecisive when it comes to menu planning -- especially deciding on desserts.  I sifted through all of my recipes and shared a few options with my mom.  She picked these... I was hesitant...  BUT I'm so glad I let her pick.  These were top notch. 

 

I feel like a broken record but, I'll say it one more time, I am obsessed with pumpkin and all of the flavors of Fall.  Pumpkin, apples, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves -- all of these flavors come together in this "magic bar".  I even decided to use gingersnaps as the base instead of a graham cracker crust -- so happy I did! 







Light(er) Pumpkin Muffins

Its probably very clear to most of you that I love baking with pumpkin!  Fall is, by far, my favorite season for baking and cooking.  I just can't get enough of all of the pumpkin, apples, cinnamon and spices!

So far this season, I've made my pumpkin cream cheese muffins, pumpkin blondies, mini caramel apple tarts, healthy pumpkin banana muffins, apple toffee blondies and Bakerella's pumpkin chip cookies.  However, the my very first pumpkin baking of the season was done making this light muffins.  They are light and fluffy and full of pumpkin flavor. 

If you have any favorite Fall recipes to share, please send them my way!

Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting

You have probably all guessed by now that I love to bake with pumpkin.  I've never met a pumpkin treat that I didn't love.  These are no exception.  I made these for my family when they were visiting for Thanksgiving and everyone raved.

I'm a firm believer that pumpkin can be used through the entire holiday season!  The cookbook in which I found these cookies clearly agrees -- calling them "North Pole Pumpkin Cookies."  I hope you add these to your Christmas cookie tray this year.

Pumpkin-Cream Cheese Truffles

These little truffles are filled with pumpkin, gingersnaps and graham cracker crumbs -- what more could you want?  As with all truffles, there are a few steps that go into making these (mix, chill, roll, dip) but other than that, these come together relatively easy.  Plus, they look fancy and are sure to impress.

Pumpkin Ginger Chewies

Gingersnaps are one of my favorite holiday cookies.  I shared my go-to recipe last year -- Sugar Crusted Ginger Chewies.  This pumpkin version is just as good and has all of the flavors you want in a Fall cookie.  The pumpkin makes the center of the cookie so soft, while the outside still has a nice crisp!  There is still time to add these cookies to your Thanksgiving menu.

Pumpkin Recipe Round-up

Pumpkin Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting and Caramelized Pecans

If you make any cake this fall, make this.  My favorite new recipe from last year, compliments of Mom.  

In case you want to start prepping for Fall baking, I've rounded up a few of our favorite pumpkin recipes from last year.  Enjoy!

Pumpkin Pie Pop Tarts with Maple Glaze

I'll take a pumpkin pie pop tart and a pumpkin spice latte. Healthy start to the day, no?

Pumpkin and Cream Cheese Muffins with Pecan Streusel

Rave reviews every time I make them -- what's not to love?  Pumpkin, sweet cream cheese filling, crumbly cinnamon streusel -- you get it.

Pumpkin Blondies with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

I can't even count how many times I made these in the Fall of 2010.  Always a crowd-pleaser and you can switch up the mix-ins -- white chocolate chips, cranberries, pecans, etc.

Classic Pumpkin Bread with Cinnamon Chips

Molly made this over Charleston Marathon weekend -- I ate about half of the loaf.  Just a great, simple pumpkin loaf.  She added cinnamon chips (delicious) and you can do the same or switch it up to your liking!

Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese Spread

Ever had Einstein's pumpkin schmear?  This is better.

Pumpkin Coffee Cake

The base of this cake is boxed yellow cake mix.  Shh... don't tell because they will never know.

Pumpkin Mousse Tart

Last but not least, this tart has become my Thanksgiving tradition.  Devine....

Pumpkin Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Muffins

I hope you don't mind that I'm sharing a pumpkin recipe when Spring is just around the corner (thank goodness!).  I just love pumpkin (year round) -- especially because it is great for making health(ier) baked goods.  These muffins for example.  I do love muffins, scones, pastries, etc. as much as the next person but I also like to have healthy alternatives.  These are my other favorite -- Pumpkin Banana Muffins.  So in case you have a can of pumpkin hiding away in the back of your cupboard, now you know what to do with it.

Cheers to the last day of February!

Note:  Canned pumpkin is still sold in grocery stores.  I saw a huge display just yesterday in my grocery store.

Cinnamon Chip Pumpkin Bread

I had the urge to bake this past weekend but had no desire to go to the grocery store, so I decided to get creative with what I already had in my pantry.  I came across a can of pumpkin and cinnamon chips and thought that combination sounded delicious...and it was!

This recipe has a bit of a healthy twist; it's made with part whole wheat flour and it uses oil rather than butter or shortening.  It does not lack in deliciousness though!

Pumpkin Pecan Pie

This may look like your standard pecan pie -- but don't be fooled.  This is pumpkin pie meets pecan pie -- I can't think of a better combination for the holidays.  There is a layer of pumpkin pie under there but I forgot to take a picture after slicing and serving.  I served this and the Pumpkin Mousse Tart at Thanksgiving (paired with Molly's cinnamon whipped cream) but I think it would be great for any celebration over the next few weeks!  Pumpkin is still in season, right?

Pumpkin Mousse Tart

**Picture taken prior to decorating with whipped cream

Sorry we've been MIA -- we've been busy getting back into the swing of things after being home for Thanksgiving.  I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!  Although Thanksgiving is over, I'm sharing this recipe because it would be an excellent dessert to serve during the upcoming holidays.

I found this recipe years ago and made it as an alternative to pumpkin pie because at the time, I wasn't the biggest fan of your basic pumpkin pie.  Since then, I've made it annually because its amazing and pumpkin pie haters love it.  According to my cousin, this is the best pumpkin dessert he's ever had.  The fact that the entire tart was devoured is also proof...

Pumpkin Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting and Caramelized Pecans

Happy Birthday, Dad!

I was back in Columbus last weekend and I was so excited I would have the chance to make the perfect birthday cake for my Dad (even if it was a week early).  I love baking when I go back home -- its where I fell in love with baking!  My mom just so happened to make this Pumpkin Cake for a friend's birthday the week before and everyone loved it.  I wasn't surprised because who doesn't love pumpkin with cream cheese?  I was sold when I heard caramelized pecans.  

I actually never tried this cake because I had to scurry out the door to get to the airport.  I will take everyone else's word for it -- AMAZING.  Apparently the caramelized pecans were a hit... as in, people were picking them off of the cake.  Those tasty pecans were my mom's own creation -- I trust that pretty much any recipe she sends my way will turn out delicious.

Pumpkin and Cream Cheese Muffins with Pecan Streusel

Hopefully you aren't sick of pumpkin yet because this might be the best recipe thus far!!  If there is one thing that makes it on your brunch menu this holiday season, it should be these muffins.  I never even got the chance to try one but I brought them to work and everyone raved... and they were gone in less than two hours.  

I decided to make mini muffins.  I ended up with 24 mini muffins PLUS 6 normal size muffins.  Depending on how many people you need to serve, this is a good option. 

Pumpkin Blondies with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

These blondies have become a fall favorite this year!  They are a great base for a pumpkin bar and you can switch them up any way you'd like -- I used white chocolate chips and added a cinnamon cream cheese frosting.  However, the original recipe I found on Annie's Eats used half white chocolate chips and half butterscotch chips.  I also think dried cranberries and pecans would be a great addition!

A Fall Gathering: Afternoon Baby Shower

I had the pleasure of helping a friend out with a baby shower this past weekend.  This was my first time creating a full menu and preparing everything from appetizers to desserts for a group of people.  I was so happy with the way everything turned out (and so honored that she asked me to help)!

The menu included the following:
Oat Snack Mix -- Everyone always seems to love this and I served it in cupcake liners so it would be easier to snack on.

Caprese Salad Bites with a Balsamic Reduction -- Such a pretty little appetizer.

Herb Goat Cheese Spread with Crackers -- This spread should be included every time I serve cheese and crackers.

Apple-Rosemary Blue Cheese Bites (not pictured)

Honey Yogurt Dip with Fresh Fruit -- I could eat this on its own (greek yogurt -- my fav) but a great dip to serve with fruit -- and only 3 ingredients!

Spinach Salad -- Year after year this salad seems to make an appearance at every family gathering -- Christmas, Thanksgiving, graduations, family reunions, you name it!

Chicken Salad with Cranberries and Walnuts -- A nice spin on chicken salad and nice and light -- just the way I like it.

Desserts included:
White Chocolate Cupcakes with Brown Sugar Frosting -- I thought these flavors seemed great for fall.  This is a denser cupcake so I'm glad I made them mini.  The idea for the chocolate "A" came from a friend -- love this idea!

Pumpkin Blondies -- These have been a hit with everyone who has tried them!

Cake Bites -- Chocolate cake with cream cheese frosting and white chocolate coating.

I will be sharing all of these recipes with you in the coming days and weeks.  If you have any preferences for which I post first, please let me know -- would love to hear from you :)

Side note:  Sarah and Molly are enjoying the weekend together in Charleston.  Wish I was there!!

Pumpkin Pie Pop Tarts with Maple Glaze

First and foremost, check out our new "about us" page (you can find the link on the right side of the site)!  My personal favorite picture is the explorer one at the bottom, ha!  Now for the food...

The moment I saw these on Joy the Baker I just wanted to leave work and go home and start baking; which I did...sort of, I stayed until the day was over.  

These are perfect.  I love everything about them, 1) the fact that the last time I had a Pop Tart my dad still had a car phone (yes, a big bulky car phone, not a cell phone), 2) the buttery crust, yummm 3) making these was the perfect excuse to not do homework, a very valid excuse if I say so myself, 4) it was the best dinner I've had all week, and 5) pumpkin.

My Pop Tart dinner did not even require a plate, and apple cider was the perfect compliment.  I may or may not have had more than one...you be the judge.

I will warn you ahead of time, there are a lot of steps involved in making these and it is somewhat time consuming.  But I assure you, the steps are very simple and these Pop Tarts are worth every second.

Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies

These cookies filled my kitchen with the scent of Fall!  Although I made them after returning from the beach, I like to pretend that it's a crisp 55 degrees out and there are red and orange leaves on the trees.

The recipe calls for cherries and white chocolate chips but I used cranberries rather than cherries (which were delicious); you can substitute anything you like.  Next time I might add pecans and chocolate chunks instead.  Well have a happy Monday and enjoy these yummy Fall cookies!

Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese

Fall has arrived...up north it has anyways!  But regardless of whether or not it is still 90 degrees in Charleston, I am so excited about all the Fall flavors; pumpkin, apples, cinnamon, nutmeg...yummm!!  I even went to Starbucks the first day their pumpkin spice flavor arrived and treated myself to a nice hot latte.  So about this pumpkin cream cheese, it is awesome!  You can put this on just about anything because it is that good.

Healthy Pumpkin Banana Muffins

These muffins turned out great.  I was hesitant -- banana and pumpkin?  After making these muffins, I am a fan.

To be honest, I made them because I had a bunch of ripe bananas and a half can of pumpkin leftover from Pumpkin Blondies I made over the weekend.  I wanted to make something healthy for breakfast that I could grab as I run out the door in the morning.

Pumpkin Spice Granola

  

As soon as I saw this recipe I just had to make it.  I love pumpkin and I love granola, so I knew it would be great!  The recipe calls for nuts and dried fruit; I used pecans and dried cranberries and the combination was just right.  I also added dark chocolate covered raisins to it to give it more of a dessert feel.  To go with this granola, I made a pumpkin yogurt; used equal parts canned pumpkin and honey flavored Greek yogurt.  Then I added a little pumpkin pie spice to it.  Add this granola to the pumpkin yogurt and you have a yummy parfait!  Even though I added chocolate raisins to mine, the granola is delicious enough on its own and would be perfect for breakfast.