Pumpkin Snickerdoodles

 A great twist on snickerdoodle.   

PUMPKIN SNICKERDOOLES

(makes 3 dozen)

Cookie Ingredients:

*3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

*1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

*1/2 teaspoon salt

*1 heaping teaspoon ground cinnamon

*1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

*1 cup butter, room temperature

*1 cup granulated sugar

*1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed

*3/4 cup pumpkin puree

*1 large egg

*1/4 cup pecans, chopped very fine (optional)

*2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract or 3/4 teaspoons maple favoring

*1/2 cup granulated sugar

*1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions:

~In a medium bowl, sift flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg together.

~In a large mixing bowl, beat butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together on medium speed for 3 minutes, or until fluffy.

~Mix in pumpkin puree, egg, pecans, and vanilla (or maple) flavoring.

~Slowly add in flour mixture on low speed, until just combined.

~In a small bowl, mix 1 teaspoon cinnamon and 1/2 cup granulated sugar.

~Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

~Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

~Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.

~Scoop out dough with a cookie scoop (about 2 tablespoons) and place on cookie sheet.

~Roll into cinnamon sugar and place on cookie sheet (about 2 inches apart).

~Lightly flatten dough with a heavy bottom glass or measuring cup.

~Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the tops of the cookie start o crack.

~Allow to cool n cookie cool on cookie sheet for 5 minutes.

~Transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.

Biscuits & Gravy Casserole

 I make mine with homemade biscuits, but you can use Grand Biscuits if you prefer.   

BISCUITS & GRAVY

(serves 8)

Ingredients:

*homemade biscuits (or 1 package of grands refrigerated biscuits)

*1 pound breakfast sausage 

*1/2 small yellow onion, chopped 

*6 large eggs

*1/2 cup whole milk

*1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

*1/4 teaspoon salt

*2 tablespoons butter

*3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

*2 cups half & half

*1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper (if you like heat add a little more)

*1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

*1/2 teaspoon salt

*1-2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (optional)

Directions:

~Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

~Spray a 9X13 inch baking dish with cooking spray.

~Cut uncooked biscuits into small pieces, place dough evenly in the bottom of the prepared pan (If making homemade biscuits, roll out and cut into bite-size pieces).

~In a large skittle, brown sausage and onions, until sausage crumbles and is no longer pink.

~Remove from skillet and drain any excess grease

~Sprinkle cooked sausage evenly over biscuit dough.

~In a medium bowl, whisk eggs,  1/2 cup milk, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper, until mixed well.

~Pour eggs evenly over sausage layer.

~If you are going to add cheese, now is the time to do so.

~In the same skillet that you cooked the sausage in, melt butter.

~Whisk in flour,  1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and cook for 1-2 minutes, whisking the entire time.

~Slowly drizzle half & half into sausage flour mixture, whisking until all of the milk is mixed in.

~Bring mixture to a boil and allow to thicken (coats the back of spoon.

~Drizzle gravy evenly over over egg mixture.

~Bake uncovered for 40-45 minutes.  

Bacon Sausage

 I like this sausage the way it is, but if can add 1/2 teaspoon maple flavoring or 2 tablespoons maple syrup if you like maple flavored ice cream.  Easy to freeze.   Make the patties on place them on a cookie sheet (placing a sheet of parchment paper between layers).   Once frozen, place sausage patties into ziplock bag and seal.  Cook frozen over medium-low heat for about 5 minutes per side.

BACON SAUSAGE

(makes 20)

Ingredients:

*2 pounds ground pork

*2-3 slices uncooked bacon, chopped very small (I use kitchen scissors to cut it cup)

*1 tablespoon fresh sage leaves, chopped fine (or 1/2 tablespoon dried)

*2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves, chopped (or 1/2 teaspoon dried)

*1 teaspoon fennel seeds, crushed (I put them in a plastic bag and gently smashed them with a meat mallet).

*1/4-1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

*1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg 

*1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt

*1 teaspoon ground black pepper 

*1-2 tablespoon vegetable oil, for frying (optional)

Directions:

~Place ground pork and bacon pieces into a large bowl.

~Mix sage, thyme, fennel seeds, red pepper flakes, nutmeg, sal and pepper into a small bowl.

~Sprinkle over meat mixture and mixed well.

~Using a 1/4 measuring cup, scoop out pork mixture.

~Roll into a ball, and then flatten into about a 2 1/2 inch patties.

~Heat vegetable oil into a large skillet over medium heat.

~Fry sausage patties about 2-3 minutes per side.