Loaded Pumpkin Muffins

This is not a low-cal muffin, but it sure is good.  It makes a lot, but they freeze well or you could just share them with your friends and neighbors.

LOADED PUMPKIN MUFFINS

(makes 24-28 )

Muffins Ingredients:

*3 cups all-purpose flour

*2 cups granulated sugar

*1 teaspoon baking soda

*1 teaspoon baking powder

*1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

*2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

*1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

*1 teaspoon salt

*1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree

*2/3 cup vegetable oil

*3 large eggs

*3/4 cup white chocolate chips (dusted in flour)

*1/4 cup butterscotch chips (dusted flour)

*1/2 cup dried cranberries (dusted in flour)

*1/4 cup chopped pecans (dusted in flour)

Topping Ingredients:

*4 tablespoons flour

*1/2 cup granulated sugar

*1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

*1/2 cup butter, sliced

Muffin Directions:

~Lightly dust white chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, dried cranberries, and pecans in flour and set aside (this helps so they sink to the bottom of the muffins.

~Preheat oven o 350 degrees.

~Spray muffin tin with cooking spray or line with cupcake liners.

~In a large bowl, sift flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, cloves,  cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt together.

~In a separate bowl, mix pumpkin puree, vegetable oil, and eggs together.

~Stir pumpkin mixture into flour mixture until smooth.

~Stir in white chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, cranberries, and pecans.

~Scoop into prepared muffin tin.

Topping Directions:

~In a small bowl, mix together flour, sugar and cinnamon.

~Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

~Sprinkle topping evenly over muffin batter.

~Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until took pick inserted into the center of muffin comes out clean.

Tamale Pie

The topping for this can be made a couple ways.  My husband prefers the corn bread topping, while I prefer the Masa topping.   You could even put biscuits on top if your would like.

TAMALE PIE

(serves 6)

Filling Ingredients:

*1 pound ground beef

*1/2 pound ground pork

*1 large white onion, chopped

*1 red bell pepper, chopped

*1 green bell pepper, chopped

*4 garlic cloves, minced

*1/2 jalapeño pepper, seeds removed and chopped (optional, and if you like a lot of heat keep seeds)

*1 teaspoon ground cumin

*1 teaspoon chili powder

*1 teaspoon oregano 

*1/2 teaspoon salt

*1 teaspoon ground black pepper 

*1/2 teaspoon unseated cocoa

*1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

*1 (15 ounce) diced tomatoes

*2 tablespoons tomato paste

*1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained 

*1 cup frozen corn

*1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded

*fresh cilantro, chopped

Masa crust Ingredients:

*4 cups corn flour masa

*4 cups chicken stock

*2 teaspoons baking powder

*1 teaspoon salt

*1/2 cup butter, melted

*1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded 

Cornbread Crust Ingredients:

*1 1/4 cup cornmeal

*3/4 cup all-purpose flour

*1 tablespoon granulated sugar

*1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

*3/4 teaspoons baking soda

*1/2 teaspoon salt

*6 tablespoons butter, melted

*1 cup buttermilk 

*2 large eggs, beaten

*1 cup cheddar cheese, melted

Filling Directions:

~Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

~Add ground beef and sausage to a large oven proof skillet.

~When the meat begins to brown, add onion, red pepper, green pepper, garlic, and jalapeño peppers and cook until meat is done.

~Stir in cumin, chili powder, oregano, salt, pepper, unsweetened cocoa, and Worcestershire sauce until well mixed.

~Stir in tomatoes and tomato paste until well mixed.

~Stir in corn  and beans.

~Remove from heat.

~Add crust (choose mesa or cornbread)

Masa Crust Directions (make before filling)

~In a medium bowl, mix all the ingredients except cheese together until well mixed and soft dough.

~Mix in cheese.

~Cover and refrigerate while making filling.

~Once filling is done, drop dollops of masa mixture over filling.

~Gently spread over meat mixture.

~Bake for 30 minutes.

~Allow to cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Cornbread Crust Directions:

~Whisk cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into a large bowl.

~Whisk melted butter, buttermilk, and eggs into a separate bowl.

~Stir the wet and dry ingredients together util well mixed.

~Stir in cheese.

~Drop spoonfuls of cornbread mixture over top of meat mixture.

~Gently spread mixture over meat mixture.

~Bake for 30 minutes.

~Allow to cool for 10 minutes before serving. 

Caramel Apple Pecan Roll

 This recipe screams fall.   You can leave the nuts out and it will still be delicious.   

CARAMEL APPLE PECAN ROLL

(serves 10)

Cake Ingredients:

*5 large eggs

*1 egg yolk

*3/4 cup granulated sugar

*1 teaspoon vanilla extract

*1 1/8 cup all-purpose flour

*1/4 teaspoon salt

*1 teaspoon baking powder

*1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

*1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

*1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

*1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

Filling Ingredients:

*4 granny smith apples, grated

*1/4 stick butter

*1/8 cup light brown sugar, not packed

*1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

*2 tablespoons butter, softened

*8 ounces cream cheese, softened

*1 cup powdered sugar

*1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

*1 teaspoon vanilla extract

*1 tablespoon caramel sauce

*1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

*caramel sauce for drizzling 

Cake Directions:

~Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

~Line a 10x15 jelly roll pan with parchment paper or wax paper and spray with cooking spray.

~In a large mixing bowl, whisk 5 large eggs, 1 egg yolk and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract for about 2 minutes.

~In another bowl, sift 1 1/8 cup flour, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg, 1/4 teaspoons ginger, 1/8 teaspoons ground cloves, and baking powder together. 

~Mix dry ingredients into wet ingredients until smooth.

~Pour batter into prepared pan.

~Bake for 15 minutes. 

~Remove from oven and allow to cool for 5-8 minutes (cool enough to handle.

~Dust a tea towel with powdered sugar.

~Gently flip cake onto dusted tea towel.

~Roll up the cake by rolling towel inside cake.

~Place on a cooling rack seam side down, and allow to cool completely.

Filling Directions:

~Peel and grate 4 apples.

~In a medium saucepan, melt 1/4 stick (1/8 cup) butter.

~Add grated apples, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and 1 teaspoon brown sugar.

~Sauté for about 4 or 5 minutes or until apples are tender.

~Place into a strainer to remove any excess liquid (I leave it there for about 5-10 minutes.

~In a mixing bowl, mix 2 tablespoons butter, 8 ounces cream cheese, 1 cup powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and 1 tablespoon caramel sauce   together until smooth.

~Unroll cake.

~Spread filling evenly over cake, leaving a 1/2-inch space around edges.

~Spread apples evenly over cream cheese.

~Sprinkle 1 cup chopped walnut or pecans over apples.

~Drizzle caramel sauce over mixture.

~Roll up again without the tea towel.

~Wrap tightly with plastic wrap.

~Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

~Unwrap, slice and serve.

Pumpkin Roll

 This recipe takes a little time, but not hard and well worth the effort.

PUMPKIN ROLL

(serves 10)

Cake Ingredients:

*3 eggs, beaten

*1 cup granulated sugar

*1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

*1 cup pumpkin puree

*3/4 cup all purpose flour

*1 teaspoon baking soda

Filling Ingredients:

*2 tablespoons butter, softened

*8 ounces cream cheese, softened

*1 cup powdered sugar

*1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract or 1/4 teaspoon maple extract

*powered sugar for dusting

Cake Directions:

~Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

~Line a 10x15 jelly roll pan with parchment paper or wax paper and spray with cooking spray.

~In a large mixing bowl, whisk eggs, sugar, cinnamon and pumpkin together.

~In another bowl, sift flour and baking soda together. 

~Add flour mixture to pumpkin mixture and beat until smooth.

~Spread evenly over prepared pan.

~Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until cake is done (toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

~Remove from oven and allow to cool for 5-8 minutes (cool enough to handle.

~Dust a tea towel with powdered sugar.

~Gently flip cake onto dusted tea towel.

~Roll up the cake by rolling towel inside cake.

~Place on a cooling rack seam side down, and allow to cool completely.

Filling Directions:

~In a mixing bowl, bean butter, cream cheese, sugar and vanilla (or maple flavoring) together until smooth.

~Unroll cake.

~Spread filling evenly over cake, leaving a 1/2-inch space around edges.

~Roll up again without the tea towel.

~Wrap tightly with plastic wrap.

~Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

~Remove and slice.

Apple Pie Bars

Fall time means apple picking time around here.   A tasty way to use up some of those apples.

APPLE PIE BARS

(serves 12)

Crust Ingredients:

*4 sticks of butter (2 cups), softened

*3/4 cup granulated sugar

*3/4 cup light brown sugar (don't pack it)

*1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

*4 cups all-purpose flour

*1 teaspoon salt

Topping Ingredients: 

*1/2 cup pecans or walnuts

*1 teaspoon cinnamon

*Caramel Sauce (I use ice cream topping for this)

Filling Ingredients:

*3 granny smith apples

*3 Jonathan gold or golden delicious apples, peeled, cored and sliced thin

*1 tablespoon lemon juice

*1/4 cup granulated sugar

*1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

*1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

*1/4 cup butter, softened

Crust Directions:

~Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

~Spray a 9x13 inch pan with cooking spray.

~In a large mixing bowl, mix 2 sticks (2 cups) butter, 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 3/4 brown sugar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla for 3 minutes on medium speed, scraping sides of bowl so that everything gets mixed in well.

~In a medium bowl, mix 4 cups flour and 1 teaspoon salt tougher.

~Gradually mix into butter mixture, until well combined.

~Remove around 1/3 of dough and set aside.

~Press remains dough into bottom prepared pan and up the sided about 1/2 inch.

~Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the crust is a golden brown.

~Remove from oven and set aside.

Filling directions:

~In a large bowl, mix 3 thinly sliced Granny Smith apples, 3 thinly sliced  golden delicious apples, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon, and 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg until apples are well coated.

~Melt 1/4 cup butter into a large skillet.

~Add apple mixture, and cook over medium-low heat for 15-17 minutes, or until apples are fork tender (stir often).

~Spread apple mixture over crust, leaving a 1/2 inch border free of filling.

Topping Ingredients:

~Mix remaining crust dough, pecans or walnuts, and cinnamon until well mixed.

~Sprinkle over top of apple filling.

~Bake for  30 minutes, or until topping is starting to brown.

~Cool bar completely.

~Drizzle desired amount of caramel sauce over bars.

Apple Ham Salad

Yet another salad that I enjoy.   I put a maple dressing on this, but you can you any dressing you want.  

APPLE HAM SALAD

(serves 4)

Salad Ingredients:

*2 crisp apples, peeled, cored, and sliced thin

*Juice from one lemon

*1 (16 ounce bag) mixed greens

*1/3 cup dried cranberries or raisins 

*1/3 cup pecans, copped (I like to toast mine)

*1/4 cup red onion, sliced thin 

*1/2 cup celery, sliced thin

*3 or 4 radishes, sliced thin (optional)

*6 slices bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled

*1/2 pound black forest ham, cut into thin strips

*1/4 pound sharp cheddar cheese, cut into thin strips

*Feta cheese crumbles (optional)

Maple Dressing Ingredients:

*2 tablespoons pure maple syrup

*1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

*2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

*1 tablespoon granulated sugar

*1/2 cup olive oil

*1/8 teaspoon salt

*1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

*2 teaspoons poppy seeds

Salad Dressing Directions:

~Whisk 2 tablespoons maple syrup, 1 tablespoon dijon mustard, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, 1/2 cup olive oil, 1/8 teaspoon salt, 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper, an 2 teaspoons poppy seeds into a bowl until well combined.

~Allow to sit for 15 minutes before serving over salad.

Salad Directions:

~In a large bowl, toss 2 sliced apples with the lemon juice squeezed from one lemon.

~Mix in 16 ounce bag mixed salad greens.

~Add 1/3 cup dried cranberries, 1/3 cup pecans, 1/4  cup sliced red onion, 1/4 cup chopped celery,  3 sliced radishes and 6 slices crumbled bacon and toss .

~Arrange cheese and ham over top of salad.

~Sprinkle desired amount of feta cheese over top.

~Serve up salad .

~Drizzle desired amount of salad dressing over each salad (you may need to whisk dressing again before putting on salad). 

Pumpkin Spice Rice Krispie Treats

Looking for something easy, quick and good to make for a fall get together?  Here's the thing.   You can only find these pumpkin spice chips in the fall.

PUMPKIN SPICE RICE KRISPIE TREATS
(serves 16-20)


Ingredients:
*1 cup light corn syrup
*1 cup granulated white sugar

*2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
*1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
*1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract or 1/4 teaspoon maple flavoring
*6 cups rice Krispies

*1-2 cups white chocolate chips (I use 1 cup)

*1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

*1/2 - 1 cup Kraft caramel bits  (I use 1/2 cup)

Directions:
~Spay a 9x13 inch pan with cookie spray.
~Preheat oven to 200 degrees.
~In a  large bowl pour rice krispies and oatmeal and mix. 
~In a large sauce pan, combine corn syrup, pumpkin  pie spice and sugar.
~Cook over medium heat, stirring often, until sugar dissolves and is just short of a boil.
~Remove from heat.
~Stir in vanilla and peanut butter.
~Stir until peanut butter is melted.
~Pour mixture over rice krispy mixture.
~Stir until coated.
~Press into prepared pan.
~Sprinkle white chocolate chips over rice krispy mixture.

~Sprinkle  1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice evenly over white chocolate chips.

~Bake for 5 minutes.

~Remove from oven and with a knife, spread softened chips evenly over rice Krispy treats.

~Sprinkle desired amount of caramel bits evenly over rice Krispy treats.
~Place in oven.
~Bake for another 5 minutes or until chips and caramel become very soft.
~Remove from oven and with a knife, smush soften chips.
~Don't cut until the rice Krispy treats are firm.

Mississippi Potatoes

Pretty tasty and super easy to make.   This is great with just about any meal.  

MISSISSIPPI POTATOES:

(serves 8-10)

Ingredients:

*8-10 cups potatoes, diced finely

*16 ounces cheddar cheese, cubbed

*1 cup mayonnaise 

*1 pound, bacon, cooked and chopped roughly 

*4-6 green onions, chopped

*2-3 teaspoons minced garlic

*1 teaspoon ground black pepper

*1 teaspoon salt

Directions:

~Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

~Mix all the ingredients together in a large bowl.

~Pour into a 9x13 inch pan or a casserole dish.

~Bake uncovered for 1 1/2 hours, or until potatoes are tender.