RECIPE : BAKED PUMPKIN DONUT HOLES

I made these baked donut holes for Halloween this weekend and since they turned out pretty good I thought I would share! I found a recipe online and made some minor changes (I forgot to save the link of course, sorry!) 

Here is what you need: 

1 3/4 c. Flour

1/2 tsp. Salt

1 Egg

2 tsp. Baking Powder

3/4 - 1 tsp. of Cinnamon

1/2 tsp. Nutmeg

1/2 tsp. Pumpkin Pie Spice

1/2 c. Brown Sugar (packed)

1/2 c/ Vegetable Oil

1/2 c. Milk (I used skim)

1/2 tsp. Vanilla Extract

About half a can of pumpkin 

Preheat the oven to 350.  Mix the dry ingredients together in a bowl (flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and pumpkin pie spice).  In a separate bowl mix the oil, brown sugar, egg, milk, pumpkin, and vanilla extract.  Combine all ingredients together and mix until smooth. In a very well greased (I used coconut oil spray) mini muffin pan spoon the batter evenly.  Fill them about half way. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until you can stick a toothpick in and pull it out clean.  Allow them to cool for a few minutes, while they are still warm you can mold them a bit to make them more round like donut holes. 

For the coating, melt a half stick of butter.  In a separate bowl mix a 1/2 cup of sugar and 2 tablespoons of cinnamon. Dip the donut holes in butter and lightly roll them in the cinnamon sugar mixture.  The cinnamon sugar takes away a bit of the pumpkin flavor so I left some of them plain and they were still delicious!

Happy Baking! 

XO

PUMPKIN CUPCAKES WITH MAPLE CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

I made these for our Halloween party last weekend, but we all know pumpkin carries over to Novmeber / Thanksgiving.  I'm definitely not sick of it yet! There's something about the smell of fresh baked good lingering though the house that makes me feel more like it's fall (since it's still 80 degrees here).  I just really love an excuse to bake (and thankfully Hunter likes to eat).  

I used some substitutes to make my cupcakes gluten free, I've listed both ways.  (I adapted this recipe from Free People Blog) 

Here is what you'll need: 

3 cups all-purpose flour (or coconut flour for GF)

½ tsp baking soda

1 ½ tsp baking powder

¼ tsp cinnamon (more if you reallllly like cinnamon like us)

¼ tsp pumpkin pie spice 

3 eggs

1 cup coconut sugar (for GF or use regular granulated)

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/3 cup fat-free milk

1 15 oz. can pumpkin

2 tbsp honey

1 tbs pure maple syrup

½ cup oil

½ cup applesauce

Preheat the oven to 350° and prepare two pans with cupcake liners or cooking spray (makes about 24 cupcakes). In a large bowl mix dry ingredients; flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and pumpkin spice. Using a mixer, beat the eggs, and gradually add the sugar until well combined. Mix in the pumpkin, followed by vanilla, milk, honey, maple syrup, canola oil, and applesauce. Once the mixture is smooth, mix in the dry ingredients and stir to combine. Pour the batter into pans and bake for about 22-25 minutes until the cupcakes are cooked through (use the toothpick trick to check them!).  

And now for the frosting! 

1 8 oz. package cream cheese, softened

4 tbsp butter, at room temperature

2 cups confectioners sugar

1 tsp vanilla

1 tbsp maple syrup

1/2 tsp cinnamon (again, more if you're cinnamon obsessed like me)

Using a mixer, beat the cream cheese, butter and vanilla until fluffy. Slowly add powdered sugar, scraping the sides of the bowl as you go. Pour in maple and continue mixing until fully combined.  The frosting should be light and fluffy. Spread onto cupcakes and enjoy! 

Happy Friday! xox 

ICED PUMPKIN SPICE COOKIES

I made these pumpkin spice cookies for the first time over the weekend...they were reallllllly good.  I can't even tell you how many Hunter ate.   I thought this recipe was a pretty perfect mix of spice and sweet, not one being more overpowering.  Before all things gingerbread starts taking over, whip up a batch of these babies, you won't regret it: 

You will need:

2 1/2 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder 

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg 

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup butter, softened 

1 1/2 cups white sugar 

1 cup canned pumpkin puree

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract 

For the icing: 

2 cup confectioners sugar 

3 tablespoons milk

1 tablespoon melted butter

1 teaspoon vanilla extract 

1. Preheat oven to 350.  Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt then set aside

2. Cream together butter and white sugar.  Then add pumpkin, egg, and vanilla to the mixture and beat until creamy.  Mix in dry ingredients.  Drop onto cookie sheet by tablespoonfuls and flatten slightly. 

3. Bake for 15-20 minutes.  Cool cookies than drizzle glaze with a fork. 

4.  To make the glaze: combine the confectioners sugar, milk, butter, and vanilla.  Add milk as needed for drizzling consistency. 

Happy Baking! 

HELLO NOVEMBER

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9

I can't believe today is November 1st.  Even though I'm a bit saddened by how fast this year has gone by, I'm thankful that the last three months of the year are filled with fun holidays, cool weather, and lots of family / friend gatherings.  The above photos make me extra excited for these things, such a warm and cozy vibe.  

Happy Friday xox