Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Nothing says fall like pumpkin cookies!!  These have become a staple at our house the past few weeks.  It's good and bad.  Good as in they are my favorite cookie, bad on the diet!!!  I have posted this before, but it's been a few years, thought I would share it again.  This is my recipe I have used for years and it's by far the best that I have found!


Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
1 cup canned pumpkin
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup shortening
1 egg
2 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 Tbsp milk
2 cups chocolate chips
1 tsp vanilla

1) Pre-heat oven to 375
2) Combine sugar and shortening. Add egg and beat well. Add pumpkin and vanilla.
3) Add flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt and mix by hand until combine
4) Dissolve baking soda in milk and add to above.
5) Add chocolate chips. Mix well
6) Bake for 10-12 minutes. Enjoy!

The Perfect Cupcake

The Perfect Cupcake

1 pkg. cake mix (choc. or white)

1 cup sour cream

4 eggs

3/4 cup oil

3/4 cup water

1 pkg. small dry pudding mix (choc. or vanilla)

Mix all the ingredients together until well blended. I use muffin liners, but I usually spray them with Vegalene, just to make sure the cupcakes slide out easily. Fill each muffin cup 2/3rds of the way full. Bake at 350 for 15-16 minutes, or until cake springs back when lightly touched.

This recipe will yield the yummiest, moistest, perfect shaped and most beautiful cupcake you have ever seen! I topped these with a vanilla buttercream frosting. Oooh, so delicious.

Brownies

My oldest who is almost 8, wants to learn to cook! It's awesome, but so far his cooking consists of sweets only! He helped me to make these brownies and was so proud. I had to take them to a fireside, just to get rid of them because he and I couldn't stop eating them!

Brownies
3 eggs
2 cups sugar
1 cup shortening (butter)
2 cups flour
1 tsp. salt
1/2 cup cocoa
1 c. walnuts

Cream shortening, sugar and egss. Add flour and other dry ingredients. Add in walnuts, chocolate chips, whatever your heart desires. Place in a greased 13x9 baking sheet. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

This could be co nsidered a bread or a dessert. Anyway you look at it, it's yummy!
Zucchini Bread

1 cup oil

2 cups sugar

3 eggs

2 cups grated zucchini, peeled

3 cups flour

3 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. baking powder

Nuts

Raisins

or my favorite, cinnamon chips!!!

Mix oil, sugar and eggs. Add zucchini and vanilla. Mix well. Add remaining ingredients. Place in a greased bread pan Bake at 350 for 50 - 60 minutes. Makes 2 loaves.

The New Way to eat Graham Crackers

My kids still love the frosting on top!

For me, it's sugar free Cool-Whip, sprinkled with raspberry crumbles. Simply heavenly!

Pudding and Cool whip Pops

Pudding Pops:

Mix 1 small box of pudding with 2 cups of milk. . Put a small scoop into a small cup. Add a scoop of cool whip on top of that and then top with more pudding. Insert Popsicle sticks and freeze.

To eat, pull out of freezer and run warm water around the cup to release the pop from the paper cup.

We also make these and use our morning smoothies to make a healthy afternoon treat. The kids love the soft layer of cool-whip in the middle of the pop.

Pudding Chocolate Chip Cookies

These are the best cookies. So soft and sweet. I've had this recipe in my binder for years. I copied it down out of an old cook book that a friend of mine had.

Pudding Mix Cookies:

1 cup butter
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup white sugar
1 box vanilla/butterscotch pudding
1 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs
2& 1/4 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
2 cups chocolate chip (I do 1/2 choc. and 1/2 butterscotch)

Cream butter and sugars together. Add eggs and vanilla. Blend until well blened. Add the rest of the ingredients and stir until well blened. Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes.

(Sugar Free) No Bake Cookies

I'm on a quest to compile a recipe book full of healthy cookies and goodies!!! Is that possible? I made these the other day and they were so good! They don't harden up the way a normal no bake cookie does. They are pretty soft, but so good! Just a bit crumbly.

I took my original recipe and played around a bit with the measurements. I got about 18 cookies out of this patch. The almonds were an after thought, just to make it a little bit healthier! For the most part, I think this is a pretty healthy cookie!!

Sugar Free No Bake Cookies

1/4 cup butter or margarine

2/3 cup Xgave, or could use 1/2 cup splenda brown sugar

1/4 cup milk

2 Tbsp. + 2 Tsp. cocoa powder
1/4 to 1/2 cup peanut butter, depending on taste
2 and 1/2 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup sliced almonds

Melt butter in a pan. Mix in Xagave, milk and cocoa. You will need to whisk it until the cocoa is blended and no lumps are in the sauce. Bring to a boil and boil for 1 minute. Take off burner and stir in peanut butter until smooth. Stir in oatmeal and almonds. Drop by spoonfuls onto waxed paper and let cool.

Spaghetti & Meatball Cupcakes

I think these are pretty cute. My cute neighbor, Ashley, who is only 13 made them for a family party a few weeks ago. She brought a plate of them over to us and I thought it was such a cute idea.

They dyed the white frosting with yellow food coloring and some how cocoa powder was involved. Not sure on that detail. But you just take the frosting and swirl it all crazy over the top. Then you add spoonfuls of strawberry jam for your sauce. Top with a whopper and grate a little white chocolate on top for Parmesan cheese!

So cute. The girl's got talent!

Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies

Hmmm, these were tasty! A bit crumbly, but super yummy! I just came off another round of HCG and am looking for recipes to make. The kids wanted cookies on Sunday so I tried this recipe and of couse had to cheat and try a cookie! I want to try and make them with Splenda and see how they are. I guess I need to run to the store for some white sugar Splenda and try it. They were also very flat and they spread a bunch on the pan, but who cares if they are pretty as long as they taste good!

Flourless Peanut butter Cookies

1 cup all-natural chunky or smooth peanut butter
1 cup sugar (1/2 cup brown sugar and 1/2 cup granulated sugar)
1 egg
1 teaspoon baking soda

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a baking sheet with butter and set aside. In a mixer combine peanut butter and sugars until well combined, about 2 minutes. Add egg and baking soda and mix for another 2 minutes. Roll into walnut sized balls and create a cris-cross pattern with a fork. If Bake for 10 minutes, until lightly browned. Cool on a baking sheet for two minutes.

Recipe, via Joy of Baking

Easy Peasy Cheesecake

Oh so easy!!! Seriously tasty and you probably have the ingredients on hand. And it only takes about 10 minutes to make.

Easy Cheesecake

2 (8 oz.) pkgs. cream cheese softened
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs
1 ready to use graham cracer pie crust

Mix cream cheese, sugar and vanilla with an electric mixer on medium speed utnil well blended. Add eggs, mix until blended. Pour into pie crust. Bake at 350 for 50 minutes or until center is almost set. Cool. Refrigerate for 3 hours.

I made my crust............

1 & 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/3 cup melted butter

Combine the graham cracker crums and cinnamon in a medium bowl. Mix in melted butter. Press into pan until even on all sides. Put the crust in the reezer until the filling is done.

Mudslide

We made this for our New Begninnings this weekend. It was so good! I cheated on my diet and tried one bite from a corner that was left in the pan!! Everyone raved about it!
Crust:
1 C Flour
1 cube margarine
1 C chopped walnuts

Mix flour and butter like pie crust then add nuts.Press firmly into 13x9 pan, bake at 350 degrees for 20 min.

Middle Layer:
1 8oz. cream cheese
1 C cool whip
1 C Powdered sugar

Blend and spread over cooled crust

Top Layer:
1 (5.9 oz) pkg chocolate instant pudding
3 C milk

Blend and spread over middle layer.

Top w/ remaining cool whip & grate chocolate bar over the top.
Refrigerate 5 hours

Peanut Butter Carmel Popcorn

This is my VERY favorite thing to make! I mean that too. That is why it only gets made 2 maybe 3 times a year. I got this recipe from a coworker years ago and it has become a family favorite. I put different candies in it for different holiday's. Carmel Corn for Halloween, red & green M&M's at Christmas. It is so versatile. Just be careful not to eat the whole bowl!!
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Peanut Butter Caramel Popcorn

1 bag microwave popcorn, poped with kernels removed

3/4 cup sugar

3/4 cup Karo Syrup

3/4 cup peanut butter

1 tsp. vanilla extract

Combine sugar and Karo syrup in a heavy saucepan. Stirring constantly bring to a full boil and allow to boil for 1 minute. Remove from heat and add vanilla. Stir in peanut butter until smooth. Pour over Carmel and stir to coat.

Caramel Apples

I love Carmel Apples! No, I don't just love them, I ADORE them! You can add so much to them by using a variety of toppings. Please ignore our slightly blurry picture. We made these at young women's tonight and I ran off and forgot my camera. So this picture was taken with a phone. We started this at 7:15 and we were cleaned up and ready to go by 8:30 and that includes about 40 minutes in the fridge, while we worked on personal progress.

You will need a microwave safe bowl, cookie sheet and spoon.

Caramel
1 regular sized bag of Caramel's, unwrapped
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 stick of butter (no substitutions)

Combine ingredients in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave on high for 2 minutes, take out and stir. Continue to microwave for 2 minutes at a time, always stirring in between until you reach your desired consistency ~ Smooth!!

Dip your apples in the Caramel making sure to scrape off any excess caramel from the bottom. Place them on a greased cookie sheet. (I was melting chocolate while they dipped) Decorate as desired. Place in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to set and then enjoy!

The toppings that we had were white and semi-sweet chocolate, that we melted down and drizzled on top. Sprinkles, mixed nuts and almonds. You could also use crushed m&m's or oreo's. OH HEAVENLY DAY!

(Also, I found caramels that were unwrapped and were shaped like little, sixlet sized balls. So easy to melt!! It made the process go much faster.)

Another great idea, from my mom, who got this recipe and this particular idea from her Bishop, was to make the caramel as directed and then roll big marshmallows in the caramel. Then you can roll them in nuts, coconut or crushed candy! Oh, sugary high waiting to happen. How fun to do this for Christmas goodie plates. I may have to try it!

Happy Dipping!

The Most Delicious Cupcakes Ever!!

I honestly don't know where I got this recipe. When I was doing food therapy (first round of HCG) I would spend hours looking at food blogs and printing recipes for that happy day when I could eat agian! Well, it's time to eat! I made these yesterday and they are the best cupcakes I have ever had! Seriously!! If this recipe came off your blog, let me know so I can give you credit, because you DESERVE it!

Extra Delicious Cupcakes:

1 box yellow or chocolate cake mix
1 - 4 serving box of vanilla or chocolate instant pudding mx
4 eggs
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup oil

Mix all ingredients togehter. Bake at 350 for 17-22 minutes. While they are cooking, make sure to lick the spoon! It's sooooo worth the calories. Cool completely and frost.

They aren't a rounded top cupcake. They kind of sink and spread outward, which makes them look a little diffrent, but oh my, my, oh heck yes, they sure do taste delicious.

Speaking of delicious. Cupcakes should be both delicious and pretty.

I'm having a love affair with cupcake decor.

Check out this darling Esty shop!

Bake It Pretty, is another fun shop.

Full of eye candy and temptation.

How's a girl to choose?

Peanut Butter Bars (well kinda)

One of my very favorite recipes!!! I changed it a little bit. All I did was add 2 cups of chocolate chips to the recipe instead of frosting them with peanut butter and chocolate frosting. Makes a great cookie bar!!! LOVE them as peanut butter fingers too! Just depends what your in the mood for. I also break these down and bake in 2 9x13 pans. They cook better this way. I have also done it in a sheet cake size pan, you just have to cook them a little longer.

Peanut Butter Fingers

1 cup butter
1 cup sugar

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup peanut butter

2 eggs

2 tsp. vanilla
2 cups flour
2 cups oatmeal

1 tsp. soda

½ tsp. salt

Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs, peanut butter, and vanilla; cream. Add remaining dry ingredients. Spread on a sheet cake sized cookie pan. Bat at 350 degrees for about 15 to 18 minutes. Take out of the oven and spread with a thin layer of peanut butter. Let cool and cover with a layer of chocolate frosting.

Pink Rice Krispie Hearts

I am the "party mom" for my first graders class and I have been trying to come up with some fun snacks. I know I will be overloading them with sugar but Valentines Day is my very favorite holiday-it is also my anniversary.

I just took the basic Rice Krispie treat recipe off the box of cereal. I added food coloring to the melted butter and marshmallow right before I added the cereal. I then used a cookie cutter to get the heart shape, and melted chocolate to put a heart in the center of the Rice krispie. I finished it off with sprinkles.

I think they turned out really cute and hope the kids will enjoy them. I am making a couple other things too but I think Brandy is posting the heart oreo cookies. She made them for her sons preschool class and they were a success, so I will be doing those as well.

My Rainbow Cupcakes!

So I made the rainbow cupcakes. I didn't actually do the recipe that used the sprite and cake mix, although that is something I will be trying. I don't have any Sprite in my house today so I just used, my Alison's Pantry Creme Cake Mix. This was so easy, and I thought it would be time consuming. HA!! I am in love with this idea. I think this will be our new birthday cake at our house, because it really is cool to look at. What a fun new tradition! The kids thought it was great fun and loved it.

Cry Baby Cookies

These have been a favorite of mine since I was little and now my kids love them. Each Christmas these are on our neighborhood "goodie plates". I am loving the Holidays so far this year and loving the smells of different yummy cookies. I don't know about you but I can never have too many cookie recipes! Enjoy.

2 C flour
2 t soda
1 t cloves
1 t ginger
1 t cinnamon
1 c sugar
1 egg
3/4 C shortening
4 T molasses

Mix well. Roll into balls and roll in a sugar/cinnamon mixture. Press with fork. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet at 350 for 8-10 minutes. Takes at least this long, but watch closely because they are dark cookies and can easily overcook! Should yield 3 doz. Cookies!

Pumpkin Cheesecake

Crust:

1 & 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs

5 Tbsp. butter, melted

1 Tbsp. sugar

Filling:

3 (8 oz) pkg. cream cheese, softened

1 cup sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

1 c. canned pumpkin

3 eggs

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. nutmeg

1/4 tsp. allspice

Mix crust ingredinet together just until coated and crumbly. Press onto the bottom and 2/3 up the side of an 8 inch spring pan. Bake for 5 minutes at 350. Set aside

Combine cream cheese, sugar and vanilla in a large bowl. Mix with an electric mixer until smooth. Add pumpkin, eggs, and spices. Mix until creamy and smooth. Pour into pie crust. Bake for 60 to 70 minutes or until top turns a bit darker. Remove from oven and allow to cool to room temperature, and then refrigerated. After chilled, remove the pan sides and cut. Serve with whipped cream.

I made this without a crust today. Long reasoning, but I did. I put mine in a 9x13 pan. SMELLS SO GOOD!! Can't wait for tomorrow, when I get to eat it. I have been eating cookies all day. Not all the kids will eat pie. I'll post them next week. To die for Chocolate chip cookies!!