The best part about Halloween this year was listening to Oliver say "Halloween costume" over and over. Anything that remotely resembled Halloween he would call a Halloween costume. I guess it was extra amusing since he's only started to talk a lot in the last few months and he still refuses to say a lot of simple words (like "yes").
Elsa quickly decided to be a pumpkin and stuck with her choice. Amelia had a hard time deciding. She finally came up with a mermaid fairy. Oliver attempted our old monkey costume for a bit but had an extreme dislike for the bulkiness of the costume and at some point switched to a skeleton.
Showing posts with label pumpkin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pumpkin. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Monday, October 1, 2012
fall baking.
Mini gingerbread pumpkin trifles:
Pumpkin and cream cheese whoopie pies:
Pumpkin and chocolate swirl brownies using this recipe:
And a few non-pumpkin treats.
A birthday cake. Chocolate cake with chocolate mousse inside and a chocolate ganache outside. And a crunchy toffee topping.
And I'm not going to lie. I've already made these cookies three times in the last two weeks. Nutella-stuffed brown butter and sea salt chocolate chip cookies. Okay, so the title is pretty ridiculous. Just imagine an amazing chocolate chip cookie (because browning butter is the best) with gooey nutella hiding inside and that delightful sweet/salty flavor going on. Recipe found here.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
pumpkin break
I'm interrupting the Peru posts to declare the awesomeness of Pumpkin Salted Caramel Blondies (recipe from Baked Bree). Somehow this week became crazy busy and all I really wanted to do was make (and eat) these pumpkin blondies. So I did.
And the sea salt and vanilla bean caramel sauce that goes inside (and on top if you're me) is heaven. In case you need something to do this week...
And the sea salt and vanilla bean caramel sauce that goes inside (and on top if you're me) is heaven. In case you need something to do this week...
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Pumpkin!
I have been trying out new recipes involving pumpkin to celebrate Fall. Here are a few favorites:
Pumpkin Whoopie Pies:

(Recipe found at MarthaStewart.com)
Pumpkin Swirl Brownies:


These were so good eaten warm right out of the oven. And equally good the next day. Perfect mix of pumpkin and chocolate.
(Recipe found at MarthaStewart.com)
Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting:

(These were soooo yummy. Especially good warm with a cup of cocoa.)
Pumpkin Cinnammon Rolls
(recipe found on GoodLife Eats)
Ingredients:
Roll Dough:
1/4 cup warm water (not hot, about 110 degrees)
1 package (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast
1/3 cup warm milk
1 large egg, beaten
3/4 cup pumpkin puree, either fresh or canned
1 tablespoon melted butter
2 cups (approximately) All-Purpose Flour
1 1 /4 cup Whole Wheat Flour
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
Filling:
1 stick butter
2/3 cup white sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon each of allspice and ginger
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon cloves
Cream Cheese Frosting:
4 ounces cream cheese
1 stick (4 ounces) butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 teaspoon lemon juice
2-3 cups powdered sugar
Gradually add remaining flour (all purpose), a little at a time, until you have a dough stiff enough to knead. Start with about 1 1/2 cups and increase if necessary. Turn dough out onto a floured surface. Knead, adding flour as necessary, until you have a smooth, elastic dough.
Put dough into an oiled bowl. Turn once to coat entire ball of dough with oil. Cover with a towel and let rise until doubled, about 1 hour.
Combine the white sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, allspice, ginger, nutmeg and cloves in a small bowl, set aside. Transfer the risen dough to a lightly greased work surface, and pat or roll it into a 16" x 12" rectangle. Spread softened butter over dough and then sprinkle with the sugar mixture.
Roll the dough into a log the long way; it'll stretch to about 20" long as you roll. Using a very sharp knife, slice the log into 15 slices. In order to cut down on drag, it helps to rinse the blade in hot water, and wipe it off, between slices. Place slices in a greased 9x13 inch baking pan (or in two 8 or 9 inch round cake or pie pans). Cover with a towel and let rise until almost doubled, about 45 minutes.
Bake in a preheated 375°F oven. Bake the rolls till they're brown around the edges and beginning to turn golden brown across the center, about 20-30 minutes.
While rolls bake, prepare the cream cheese frosting. Add the cream cheese, butter, vanilla, and lemon juice to a small food processor. Blend until smooth and combined. Add the powdered sugar 1/2 cup at a time, blending in between, until well mixed and desired consistency is reached. (I used 2 cups powdered sugar)
Frost warm rolls with the cream cheese frosting and serve immediately.
Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal:


These were quick to make and an unbelievably delicious way to start the day. Pumpkin pie has a little whipped cream on top, so why not this oatmeal?
Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal
(Recipe found at GoodLife Eats)
Combine the oats through salt in a medium sized bowl. Stir well. In a separate bowl, combine the vanilla, butter, pumpkin, and milk. Whisk thoroughly. Pour the pumpkin mixture into the oats. Stir until combined.
Divide mixture evenly between 4 individual sized ramekins. Place ramekins on a baking sheet (this makes it easier to move in and out of the oven.). Bake at 375 degrees F for 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, combine the ingredients for the topping: chopped pecans, butter, and brown sugar. After the oatmeal has baked for 10 minutes, remove and divide topping mixture evenly between the ramekins. Bake and additional 7 minutes. Cool for 5 minutes before serving. Top with a splash of milk and raisins, if desired.
Pumpkin Whoopie Pies:
(Recipe found at MarthaStewart.com)
Pumpkin Swirl Brownies:
These were so good eaten warm right out of the oven. And equally good the next day. Perfect mix of pumpkin and chocolate.
(Recipe found at MarthaStewart.com)
Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting:
(These were soooo yummy. Especially good warm with a cup of cocoa.)
Pumpkin Cinnammon Rolls
(recipe found on GoodLife Eats)
Ingredients:
Roll Dough:
1/4 cup warm water (not hot, about 110 degrees)
1 package (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast
1/3 cup warm milk
1 large egg, beaten
3/4 cup pumpkin puree, either fresh or canned
1 tablespoon melted butter
2 cups (approximately) All-Purpose Flour
1 1 /4 cup Whole Wheat Flour
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
Filling:
1 stick butter
2/3 cup white sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon each of allspice and ginger
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon cloves
Cream Cheese Frosting:
4 ounces cream cheese
1 stick (4 ounces) butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 teaspoon lemon juice
2-3 cups powdered sugar
Directions:
In a large bowl, stir yeast into water to soften. Let rest for 5 minutes before stirring. Add milk, eggs, pumpkin, butter, 1 1/4 cups whole wheat flour, brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, ginger and cardamom to yeast mixture. Beat vigorously for 2 minutes.Gradually add remaining flour (all purpose), a little at a time, until you have a dough stiff enough to knead. Start with about 1 1/2 cups and increase if necessary. Turn dough out onto a floured surface. Knead, adding flour as necessary, until you have a smooth, elastic dough.
Put dough into an oiled bowl. Turn once to coat entire ball of dough with oil. Cover with a towel and let rise until doubled, about 1 hour.
Combine the white sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, allspice, ginger, nutmeg and cloves in a small bowl, set aside. Transfer the risen dough to a lightly greased work surface, and pat or roll it into a 16" x 12" rectangle. Spread softened butter over dough and then sprinkle with the sugar mixture.
Roll the dough into a log the long way; it'll stretch to about 20" long as you roll. Using a very sharp knife, slice the log into 15 slices. In order to cut down on drag, it helps to rinse the blade in hot water, and wipe it off, between slices. Place slices in a greased 9x13 inch baking pan (or in two 8 or 9 inch round cake or pie pans). Cover with a towel and let rise until almost doubled, about 45 minutes.
Bake in a preheated 375°F oven. Bake the rolls till they're brown around the edges and beginning to turn golden brown across the center, about 20-30 minutes.
While rolls bake, prepare the cream cheese frosting. Add the cream cheese, butter, vanilla, and lemon juice to a small food processor. Blend until smooth and combined. Add the powdered sugar 1/2 cup at a time, blending in between, until well mixed and desired consistency is reached. (I used 2 cups powdered sugar)
Frost warm rolls with the cream cheese frosting and serve immediately.
Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal:
These were quick to make and an unbelievably delicious way to start the day. Pumpkin pie has a little whipped cream on top, so why not this oatmeal?
Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal
(Recipe found at GoodLife Eats)
- 1 cup old fashioned oats, not quick cook
- 1 Tbs whole flax seeds, optional
- 2 1/2 Tbs brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp allspice
- 1/8 tsp nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp lemon zest
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp vanilla
- 2 tsp butter, softened
- 3/4 cup pumpkin puree
- 3/4 cup milk
- 1/4 cup pecans, chopped
- 2 tsp butter, softened
- 1 Tbs brown sugar
Combine the oats through salt in a medium sized bowl. Stir well. In a separate bowl, combine the vanilla, butter, pumpkin, and milk. Whisk thoroughly. Pour the pumpkin mixture into the oats. Stir until combined.
Divide mixture evenly between 4 individual sized ramekins. Place ramekins on a baking sheet (this makes it easier to move in and out of the oven.). Bake at 375 degrees F for 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, combine the ingredients for the topping: chopped pecans, butter, and brown sugar. After the oatmeal has baked for 10 minutes, remove and divide topping mixture evenly between the ramekins. Bake and additional 7 minutes. Cool for 5 minutes before serving. Top with a splash of milk and raisins, if desired.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Pumpkin goodness.
In honor of the first day of Fall (and my mom's birthday!) we made pumpkin cookies today. Hooray for Fall!

Chocolate-Glazed Pumpkin Cookies
Makes 3 1/2 dozen.
2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin-pie spice
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 can (15 ounces) pure pumpkin puree
4 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, pumpkin-pie spice, and salt; set aside.
2. Using an electric mixer, beat together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg; beat until smooth. With mixer on low speed, alternately add flour mixture in two parts and pumpkin puree in one, beginning and ending with flour mixture; mix just until combined (do not overmix).
3. Drop dough by heaping tablespoons onto two baking sheets, about 1 1/2 inches apart. Bake until puffed and edges are golden, 15 to 20 minutes, rotating sheets once during baking. Immediately transfer cookies to wire racks, and cool completely.
4. When cookies have cooled, set them (still on rack) over a baking sheet or waxed paper. Place chocolate in a medium heatproof bowl set over (not in) a saucepan of simmering water; stir until almost melted. Remove from heat; stir until completely melted. Pour chocolate into a resealable plastic bag. Snip off a corner with scissors or a knife to make an 1/8-inch hole; pipe chocolate over cookies. Refrigerate until chocolate is firm, about 20 minutes.
Chocolate-Glazed Pumpkin Cookies
Makes 3 1/2 dozen.
2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin-pie spice
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 can (15 ounces) pure pumpkin puree
4 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, pumpkin-pie spice, and salt; set aside.
2. Using an electric mixer, beat together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg; beat until smooth. With mixer on low speed, alternately add flour mixture in two parts and pumpkin puree in one, beginning and ending with flour mixture; mix just until combined (do not overmix).
3. Drop dough by heaping tablespoons onto two baking sheets, about 1 1/2 inches apart. Bake until puffed and edges are golden, 15 to 20 minutes, rotating sheets once during baking. Immediately transfer cookies to wire racks, and cool completely.
4. When cookies have cooled, set them (still on rack) over a baking sheet or waxed paper. Place chocolate in a medium heatproof bowl set over (not in) a saucepan of simmering water; stir until almost melted. Remove from heat; stir until completely melted. Pour chocolate into a resealable plastic bag. Snip off a corner with scissors or a knife to make an 1/8-inch hole; pipe chocolate over cookies. Refrigerate until chocolate is firm, about 20 minutes.
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