Showing posts with label Autumn. Show all posts

 


Apple Butter and Pumpkin Pie. My house smelled heavenly when I made this. 

 My daughter Melinda shared this recipe with the family.


1 cup Apple butter
1 cup canned pumpkin
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 tsp ground cinnamon
3/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/8 tsp ground ginger
3 eggs, slightly beaten
3/4 cup evaporated milk
1 unbaked 9-in pie shell (frozen)

Preheat oven to 425 F

-[Use a spoon to mix] Combine apple butter, pumpkin, sugar, salt and spices in a large bowl. Then stir in eggs (which should already be slightly beaten). Gradually add milk and mix well. Pour into pie shell. Bake for about 40 minutes or until set.

**You may end up with leftover mixture, I would pour the remaining into a cupcake tin.

**If crust starts to burn, wrap tin foil around the crust and finish baking.

Sweetened Whipped Cream:
1 cup cold heavy cream
2 TBsp confectioners sugar
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract

-Place cream in medium bowl & beat w/ mixer at medium speed until thick and frothy. While beating add sugar and vanilla and continue to beat until soft peaks form.

-Dust cinnamon over the whipped cream to finish off.



Paula Deen's Apple Butter Pumpkin Pie

November 20, 2025


My sister-in-law Dawn shared this recipe with me, and as she was making it for a party, she kept saying, “It’s like pumpkin crack — it’s so addicting!” I laughed and told her she had to share the recipe with me. It’s made with pumpkin, vanilla pudding, whipped topping, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla, and a splash of butterscotch schnapps. I have to admit, it really does sound (and taste) addicting. This year, I was thrilled when she brought it to one of my get-togethers — it was an absolute hit!


1 (15 ounce) can solid pumpkin 
1 (5 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix
 1(16 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice 
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
 1 Tbs butterscotch schnapps 

Mix all together, dust the top with a sprinkle of nutmeg.
 Great for dipping with ginger snapsvanilla wafers or slices of apples.


Recipe by Dawn Bass


Enjoy

 

Pumpkin Fluff Dip

November 12, 2025

 


An easy, homemade, rich-tasting gravy doesn't get any better than this.


1 package of Turkey Gravy Mix (McCormick)
1 tablespoons flour
1 1/2 cups cold water
1/2 cup turkey pan drippings or turkey broth
1/2 cup chopped cooked turkey giblets

Mix turkey gravy mix and flour in medium saucepan. Gradually stir in water and turkey drippings with whisk until smooth. Stir in chopped turkey giblets.

Stirring frequently, cook on medium heat until gravy comes to boil. Reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes or until thickened. (Gravy will thicken upon standing.)


Recipe McCormick

This is my go-to for my Thanksgiving Turkey gravy.



Perfect Turkey Gravy

November 4, 2025

 


Spicy Sausage, celery, onions, apples,
 and dried cranberries make this stuffing sweet and savory.


16 cups 1-inch bread cubes, white or sourdough (1 1/2 pound loaf)
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter
2 cups medium-diced yellow onion (2 onions)
1 cup medium-diced celery (2 stalks)
2 Granny Smith apples, unpeeled, cored and large-diced
2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3/4 pound sweet or spicy Italian sausage, casings removed
1 cup chicken stock
1 cup dried cranberries



Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.

Place the bread cubes in a single layer on a sheet pan and bake for 7 minutes. Raise the oven temperature to 350 degrees F. Remove the bread cubes to a very large bowl.

Meanwhile, in a large saute pan, melt the butter and add the onions, celery, apples, parsley, salt and pepper. Saute over medium heat for 10 minutes, until the vegetables are softened. Add to the bread cubes.

In the same saute pan, cook the sausage over medium heat for about 10 minutes, until browned and cooked through, breaking up the sausage with a fork while cooking. Add to the bread cubes and vegetables.

Add the chicken stock and cranberries to the mixture, mix well, and pour into a 9 by 12-inch baking dish. Bake for 30 minutes, until browned on top and hot in the middle. Serve warm.


A favorite

Sausage and Herb Stuffing

October 26, 2025

 


Perfect dessert, quick and easy using your Instant Pot. Gingersnap cookie crust gives it an extra special twist on the flavor, as does the cinnamon Cool Whip.

24 gingersnap cookies (about 5.7 ounces)
Kosher salt
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly 
24 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature 
1 cup canned pure pumpkin puree
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
3 large eggs, at room temperature
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 cup whipped cream


For the cheesecake: Put the cookies and a pinch of salt in a food processor and pulse until the cookies are broken down into fine crumbs. Add the butter and pulse until completely combined. The texture will be similar to wet sand. Press firmly into the bottom and 1 inch up the sides of a 7-inch springform pan. Put the crust in the freezer while you make the filling.

Wipe out the bowl of the food processor and add the cream cheese, pumpkin puree, vanilla, nutmeg, eggs, 3/4 cup of the sugar and 1 teaspoon of the cinnamon. Process until completely smooth, opening the lid and scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Pour the mixture over the crust.

Tear off a piece of aluminum foil about 1 1/2 feet long and put the springform pan in the center. Wrap the foil around the pan, folding down the sides as needed so the top of the pan isn't covered. The aluminum foil should only be on the outside of the pan. Tear off a second piece of aluminum foil about 2 feet long and lay the foil in front of you with one of the longer sides closest to you. Folding it toward you (the long way), fold the foil in half once then fold once again to create a foil sling for the cheesecake.

Pour 2 cups water in the bottom of a 6-quart Instant Pot® and insert the machine's trivet. Put the springform pan in the center of the foil sling, then pick up both sides of the sling, bringing them up the sides of the pan. Carefully lower the pan onto the trivet. Fold down the foil sling as needed so that it fits in the pot but does not touch the cheesecake. Follow the manufacturer's guide for locking the lid and preparing to cook. Set to pressure cook on high for 35 minutes.

After the pressure-cook cycle is complete, turn off the heat and let the steam release naturally for 25 minutes. After 25 minutes, follow the manufacturer's guide for steam release and allow any residual steam to air out. Being careful of any remaining steam, unlock and remove the lid and carefully use the foil sling to lift out the pan and set it over a cooling rack. Remove the foil from around the pan, then use paper towels to blot off any excess liquid from the top and sides of the cheesecake. Use a small offset spatula or the tip of a paring knife to loosen the sides of the cheesecake from the pan. Allow to sit at room temperature until mostly cooled, about 1 hour. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until completely set, at least 4 hours and up to overnight. 

Once fully chilled, remove the plastic wrap from the cheesecake and use a small offset spatula or the tip of a paring knife to again loosen the sides of the cheesecake from the pan. Remove the outer ring and set the cheesecake on a serving dish. Spread the whipped cream over the top. Whisk together the remaining 1/4 cup sugar and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon in a small bowl. Dust the cinnamon sugar over the top of the cheesecake before slicing.

Enjoy


Instant Pot Pumpkin Cheesecake

October 19, 2025

 



It is like grabbing an apple pie to go with dried cranberries, cinnamon granola, and Pink Lady apples.



1 1/2 cups (about 6 3/8 oz.) all-purpose flour
1/2 cup sweetened dried cranberries
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons apple pie spice
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup cinnamon granola (such as Nature Valley), divided
3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
12 (5-inch) parchment paper squares
1 large Pink Lady apple (about 8 oz.), cut into 1/2-inch pieces


1. Preheat oven to 375ºF. Stir together flour, cranberries, baking powder, apple pie spice, salt, baking soda, and 3/4 cup of the granola in a large bowl. Whisk together applesauce, brown sugar, butter, eggs, and vanilla in a medium bowl. Add applesauce mixture to flour mixture, stirring until just combined.

2. Fit 1 parchment square into each of the lightly greased cups of a 12-cup muffin pan, pressing folds into paper as needed. Divide muffin batter evenly among prepared muffin cups in pan. 

Lightly press apple pieces into tops of batter, and sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup granola.

 Bake in preheated oven until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean, 22 to 27 minutes. Cool in pans on wire racks 5 minutes. Remove from pans to wire racks, and cool completely (about 30 minutes). 

Drizzle with Sticky Maple-Caramel Sauce before serving, if desired.




Cranberry-Apple Granola Muffins

October 13, 2025

 


Pumpkin Bread is a Fall favorite, and adding chocolate chips makes it even more delish. This recipe makes 2 loaves.

3⅓ cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon freshly grated nutmeg or 1 teaspoon pre-ground nutmeg
2 teaspoons baking soda
1½ teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3 cups sugar
1 cup browned butter, cooled to room temperature
4 eggs
½ cup water
1 15-oz. can pumpkin purée
1 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Prepare two 9 x 5-inch loaf pans with cooking spray and line the bottoms with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, nutmeg, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.

2. In a large bowl, combine the sugar and browned butter. Beat with a mixer on medium speed until well blended. Add the eggs and beat until fully incorporated. Alternately add the flour mixture and water to the egg mixture, beating on low speed after each addition just until combined. Beat in the pumpkin, then stir in the chocolate chips. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared loaf pans.

3. Bake for 60 to 65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of each loaf comes out clean. Cool in the pans on a wire rack for 10 minutes, then remove the loaves from the pans and discard the parchment paper. Let the loaves cool completely on the wire rack. Once cooled, wrap them in plastic wrap and store overnight before slicing.

Joanna Gaines Recipe Here


How To Make Brown Butter
While brown butter tastes luxurious, it's a cinch to master using one simple ingredient and keeping a watchful eye. Make delicious brown butter following this method. Use the amount of butter required by the recipe:
    1. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat. When it boils, reduce the heat to medium and simmer until foamy.
    2. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally and scraping the bottom of the pan, until the foam subsides, the butter turns golden brown with a nutty aroma, and the milk solids separate into brown specks that sink to the bottom. This will take about two to seven minutes (depending on the amount of butter used).
    3. Remove from heat and immediately transfer to a heatproof bowl unless otherwise noted in the recipe (your butter may burn if left in the hot pan).
How to Use Brown Butter in Sweet and Savory Recipes
Try drizzling brown butter over just-cooked chicken, fish, or still-warm polenta, risotto, or mashed potatoes.

Tip

To guarantee you always have brown butter on hand to enhance pastries, sauces, and more, make a big batch and freeze it in ice-cube trays.

 A Martha Stewart Recipe Here


Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread

October 5, 2025

 


It's pumpking time! 
These hearty jumbo muffins have pumpkin pie spice flavors and a crumbly nut topping. Serve with a hot cup of coffee or an ice-cold glass of milk.


2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 cup canned pumpkin
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup canola oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup chopped pecans

topping:
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup finely chopped pecans
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup cold butter, cubed

In a large bowl, combine the first 7 ingredients. In another bowl, combine the eggs, pumpkin, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in pecans. Fill 6 greased or paper-lined jumbo muffin cups three-fourths full.

In a
 small bowl, combine the brown sugar, pecans, and flour, then cut in the butter until the mixture is crumbly. Sprinkle over batter.

Bake at 375° for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack. Serve warm.



Pumpkin Pecan Muffins

September 28, 2025

 


It's peach season, and I came across this super-easy recipe. Use this seasonal fruit in this easy-to-prepare Peach Cobbler. Serve with a scoop or two of creamy vanilla ice cream. In my book, this is a comfort food.



1 3/4 lbs. fresh peaches (4 cups)
1/2 cup (4 oz.) salted butter
1 cup self-rising flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup whole milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract



Preheat oven to 350ºF. Gently rub the peaches under running water to remove fuzz, and slice the peaches. 

Place butter in an 11- x 7-inch baking dish; place dish in oven until butter melts.

Stir together flour, sugar, milk, and vanilla in a separate bowl.

Pour ingredients onto melted butter. (Do not stir.) 
Spoon peaches over the mixture. (Do not stir.)

Bake in preheated oven until brown and bubbly, 45 to 50 minutes.


Note:
You can remove the skin from the peaches.
Sweeten to taste. If your peaches are sweet, use less sugar.
Serve warm. 
Drizzle caramel sauce over cobbler, whipping cream, vanilla ice cream, or fresh berries.
You can even sprinkle toasted pecans, walnuts, or almonds over the top.
Frozen, thawed peaches can be used.
Combine other fruits with the peaches, such as raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, plums, etc.


Credit
A Southern Living Recipe, you can see here
Jessica and Stephen Rose, of The Peach Truck, shared this recipe.
Photo Credit Stacy K. Allen, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle.

Peach Cobbler It's Easy

August 14, 2025

 


It is like grabbing an apple pie with baked-in dried cranberries, cinnamon granola, and Pink Lady apples.



1 1/2 cups (about 6 3/8 oz.) all-purpose flour
1/2 cup sweetened dried cranberries
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons apple pie spice
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup cinnamon granola (such as Nature Valley), divided
3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
12 (5-inch) parchment paper squares
1 large Pink Lady apple (about 8 oz.), cut into 1/2-inch pieces


1. Preheat oven to 375ºF. Stir together flour, cranberries, baking powder, apple pie spice, salt, baking soda, and 3/4 cup of the granola in a large bowl. Whisk together applesauce, brown sugar, butter, eggs, and vanilla in a medium bowl. Add applesauce mixture to flour mixture, stirring until just combined.

2. Fit 1 parchment square into each of the lightly greased cups of a 12-cup muffin pan, pressing folds into paper as needed. Divide muffin batter evenly among prepared muffin cups in pan. 

Lightly press apple pieces into tops of batter, and sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup granola.


 Bake in preheated oven until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean, 22 to 27 minutes. Cool in pans on wire racks 5 minutes. Remove from pans to wire racks, and cool completely (about 30 minutes). 

Drizzle with Sticky Maple-Caramel Sauce before serving, if desired.





Cranberry-Apple Granola Muffins

November 7, 2024

 


I love pumpkin and I love chocolate! What a perfect combo.


Cake
1 box Betty Crocker™ SuperMoist™ spice cake mix
1 cup canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)
1/2 cup water
1/3 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1/3 cup chopped semisweet baking chocolate
2 tablespoons unsweetened baking cocoa

Chocolate Ganache
1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup chopped semisweet baking chocolate


Directions

1 Heat oven to 325°F. Generously spray 10- or 12-cup fluted tube cake pan.

2 In large bowl, beat cake mix, pumpkin, water, vegetable oil, eggs and pumpkin pie spice with electric mixer on low speed 1 minute, scraping bowl constantly. Increase speed to medium; beat 2 minutes.

3 Pour 1 cup of the batter into the glass measuring cup you used for measuring the water and oil. Stir in the 1/3 cup semisweet chocolate and the baking cocoa until well combined. Pour half of the pumpkin batter into pan. Spoon chocolate batter over batter in pan. Top with remaining pumpkin batter.

4 Bake 40 to 45 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 15 minutes; turn upside down onto cooling rack or heatproof serving plate, and remove pan. Cool completely, about 1 hour. Place cake on serving plate.

5 In microwavable bowl, microwave cream uncovered on High 45 seconds to 1 minute or until cream just begins to simmer. Add the 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate to the cream, and stir until smooth. Cool 5 minutes. Drizzle over cake.

Pumpkin-Chocolate Swirl Cake with Chocolate Ganache

October 25, 2024