Smashing Pumpkin Recipes

Pumpkin Cookies with Brown Sugar Frosting

1. In a mixing bowl place 1 cup pumpkin, 1 cup shortening, 1 cup sugar and mix
2. Add one egg and 1 tsp vanilla and mix again
3. Sift in 2 cup flour, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice, and 1/4 tsp ginger and mix a final time
4. Spoon cookies onto a baking sheet and bake in a 350 degree oven for 15 min.
5. For the frosting, melt 3 Tbsp butter in a sauce pan, add 1/2 cup brown sugar and 1/4 cup milk, stir until sugar is dissolved.
6. Place in your mixing bowl and add 1 tsp vanilla and about 3 cups of powdered sugar, mix until smooth, add a couple more tablespoons of milk to get the right glossy texture. 
Frost cookies and enjoy!
Makes about 2 dozen cookies. 

Pumpkin Apple Bread with Streusel Topping

1. In a mixing bowl place 1 can of pumpkin, 1 cup vegetable oil, 1 cup white sugar, 1 cup brown sugar, and 4 eggs and mix
2.  Add 3 cup flour, 2 Tsp baking soda, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice, 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon and mix again
3. Peel, core and dice 2 tart apples and fold into the batter
4. spray loaf pans and evenly divide the batter between them.
5. To make streusel topping in a bowl combine 2 Tbsp flour, 1/2 cup white sugar, 2 Tbsp brown sugar, 2 tsp cinnamon, and 2 tbsp softened butter. Mix with a fork until crumbly. Spread over each loaf.
6. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 35-40 min (until a toothpick comes out clean) up to 1 hour for large loaves 
Makes 8 mini loaves for 2 large loaves.

Pumpkin Popcorn

1. Pop 1/2 cup popcorn kernels or use a bag of microwave popcorn.
2. While it is still hot pour into a paper bag with 1/2 cup pumpkin chips and shake, shake, shake. (if the pumpkin chips aren't melting, you can microwave the paper bag for a 20 or so sec until they melt)
3. rip open the bag and allow the pumpkin to cool and harden a bit and serve.

Pumpkin Juice

1. In a blender pour 3 cup apple cider, 1 - 6 oz can pineapple juice, 1 cup pumpkin, 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice and 1 cup orange juice (you can sweeten with some agave nectar or honey)
2. Blend for 30 sec.
3. Store in a pitcher in the fridge. The pumpkin will settle to the bottom so stir before serving.

Mini Pumpkin Whoopie Pies with Cream Cheese Frosting. 

(This was a Martha Stewart recipe that I adapted and changed a little.  Here is a link to the original recipe http://www.marthastewart.com/344826/pumpkin-whoopie-pies-with-cream-cheese-f )

1. In a mixer place 1 1/2 cup pumpkin, 1/2 cup oil, 1/2 cup white sugar, 1/2 cup brown sugar and mix
2. Then add 1 egg and 1/2 tsp vanilla and mix again
3. Sift in 1 1/2 cup flour, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ginger, 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice and mix a final time
4. Line baking sheets with parchment paper and put batter into a prepare piping bag
5. Pipe out an even number of cookies (for sandwiches) and bake at 350 for 10 min. Allow to cool completely.
6. For frosting place in a mixing bowl 1 cup powdered sugar, 3 oz softened cream cheese, 3 tbsp softened butter and 1/2 tsp vanilla. mix until smooth
7. place frosting in anther prepared piping bag and place a dollop of frosting on 1/2 of the cookies. Top with other cookie to make the whoopie pies. Make about 3 dozen mini pies.
Store in the fridge in an air tight container with parchment paper as a liner for layers.

Now That's A Party! - Halloween Party

 Here are some awesome recipes for a kid friendly Halloween party. 

Store bought treats

Boo Sticks - Draw a ghost face on some white cheese sticks

Jack-o-Lantern Cuties - Draw a jack-o-lantern face on mini oranges

Homemade Treats

Witch Fingers - 1. Cut Celery sticks into finger shapes. 2. Spread backside with peanut butter. 3. Use a bit of PB on a dried cranberry for the nail. 

Mini Mummy Dogs - 1. cut hotdog in half. 2. Cut croissant dough into strips. 3. Wrap the dogs with the croissant strips. 4. Bake a 375 for 12-15 min. 

Pumpkin Cheese Ball

1. In a mixing bowl combine: 1 package softened cream cheese, 1/4 cup minced orange pepper, 1 sliced green onion, 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese, 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 1/2 tsp garlic salt (optional) 1/2 cup chopped chipped beef 

2. Form into a ball and cover outside with more cheddar cheese. Wrap in plastic wrap.  Use string to wrap around forming the pumpkin shape.  Refrigerate at least 1 hour. 

3. To serve, remove string and plastic wrap and top with the orange bell pepper top 

Witches Brew Punch - Combine lime sherbet, sprite and green koolaid.  

To have the misty effect, place some dry ice in a container below the punch and when you pour some water on it, it will mist and bubble. **Don't touch dry ice with bear skin, it will burn. Use tongs. 

Add Halloween cookies and or cupcakes and you have yourself a spooky party! 

Fall Chex Mix

 This is a favorite Fall tradition with my kids and each year it's slightly different depending on what we find at the store 

Basic Chex Mix Recipe 

• Melt 1 stick of butter in the microwave and add 2/3 cup Worcestershire sauce, 2 tsp salt, 1 tsp garlic powder 1 tsp onion powder (if you like a stronger flavor your can add 2 tsp of onion and garlic powder), stir to combine. 
• In a very large bowl add 1 box of the corn chex, 1 box of rice chex, 1 box of golden grahams, 1 bag soup crackers, 1 bag mini pretzels, 1 container pumpkin seeds.  Stir to mix up
• Pour the sauce over the crackers and stir to evenly coat (I usually have to do this in 2 bowls because I don't have 1 bowl that is big enough to hold it all) 
• Pour out on 2 baking sheets and bake in a 325 degree oven for 25 (stirring every 8 min to prevent burning
• Turn out on a paper sack and let cool
• Add the fall fixings and stir to mix. 
• Store in zip lock bags or air tight containers

Fall Mix in Ideas

• Caramel corn
• Dried apples
• Candy Corns
• Reese's Pieces 
• Honey Roasted peanuts
• Caramel bits

It makes a ton so it's perfect to share with neighbors and friends. 

Apple of My Eye - Apple Recipes

Apple Pie Applesauce

1. Wash, peel, core and cut 6 lbs of apples and place them in a heavy bottomed saucepan or Dutch oven.  

2. Add 2 cups of Apple Cider, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp nutmeg, 1/4 tsp ground ginger
3. Boil until soft (about 20-30 min) Stirring to make sure all the apples get cooked.
4. Puree apples in a food processor and put back in the pot.
5. Add 1/2 cup sugar (1/4 cup brown, 1/4 cup white) 1 tsp butter and a pinch of salt, stir .
6. Taste and make adjustments (ex. more sugar, more cider)
Store in refrigerator or can for later.  (See the "I Think I Can, Canning" episode for canning instructions)

Wassail Applesauce 

1. Wash, peel, core and cut 6 lbs of apples and place them in a heavy bottomed saucepan or Dutch oven.
2. Add 2 cups of Orange Juice, 1 can crushed pineapple, pinch of ground cloves, 1 cinnamon stick (or 1 tsp ground cinnamon)
3. Boil until soft (about 20-30 min) Stirring to make sure all the apples get cooked. (Make sure to remove the cinnamon stick)
4. Puree apples in a food processor and put back in the pot.
5. Add 1/2 cup sugar (1/4 cup brown, 1/4 cup white) 1 tsp butter and a pinch of salt, stir .
6. Taste and make adjustments (ex. more sugar, more cider)
Store in refrigerator or can for later.  (See the "I Think I Can, Canning" episode for canning instructions)

Apple Butter

1. Wash, peel, core and cut 6 lbs of apples and place them in a heavy bottomed saucepan or Dutch oven.
2. Add 2 cups apple cider and boil until soft (about 20-30 min) Stirring to make sure all the apples get cooked.
3. Puree apples in a food processor and put back in the pot.
4. Add 2 cups of orange juice, a pinch of allspice, a pinch of cinnamon and stir
5. Cover and Bring back to a boil, cook until the mixture is thick and a dark brown color.  Stir often to prevent burning.  You know it is done when the butter sits on the back of a wooden spoon without running off the sides.
Store in refrigerator or can for later.  (See the "I Think I Can, Canning" episode for canning instructions)

Apple Fritter Donut Holes

1. Cut biscuits into 4ths
2. Deep fry until golden brown 
3. Roll in cinnamon/sugar

4.Chop up 1 tart apple into small pieces and saute in 1 Tbsp butter and 2 Tbsp sugar until soft

5.Pour over the donut holes and toss to coat

Serve hot and enjoy!

Apple Pie

2 pie crusts

6 tart apples (peeled, cored & thinly sliced)

3/4 cup sugar (1/2 cup white, 1/4 cup brown)

1 1/2 Tbsp flour

1 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1/4 tsp ground ginger

1. Preheat oven to 400
2. Combine sugar, apples, flour and spices in a bowl
3. Pour into bottom crust
4. Dot with butter
5. Add top crust
6. Bake 40-50 min

Traditional Sourdough Bread

 

See my Sourdough Starter post here

1. Feed Starter and allow to at least double in side *placing on heating matt speeds up the process

2. Using a scale set to grams: zero out mixing bowl

3. Add 300 g warm water and 125 g starter, mix together

4. Add 500 g bread flour (less is you live in a dry area) In Kansas City, it is very humid

**in the summer I use 285g water, 115g starter because it’s so humid**

5. Add 10 g salt, mix together until loosely combined, cover and allow to rest 30 min

6. Do a slap and fold to start gluten production, place back in bowl, cover and rest for 30 min (or just in the bowl stretch and fold works fine too) 

7. Do your first stretch and fold to further develop gluten, cover and rest for 30 min

8. Do your final stretch and fold, dough should be smooth and firm

9. Transfer to an oiled lidded container and allow to bulk rise and ferment until dough has doubled in size *placing on a heating matt speeds up the process

10. Turn out dough and shape, place upside down in a floured basket and pull over seams creating a tight ball, cover and allow to rest for at least 30 min.  Store in fridge if not ready to bake 

11.  put a dutch oven in a cold oven and heat to 450 degrees

12. Turn dough onto parchment paper and score to allow steam to escape while baking

13. Place bread and parchment paper inside the hot dutch oven and cover with lid, bake for 20 min
**hopefully bread rose correctly and the "ear" formed at the score

14. Turn oven down to 425, Remove lid and bake another 25-30 min

15. Allow to cool completely before slicing. 

Baking for 2 Mini Loaves 

Covered 450 degrees for 20 mins 

Lower oven to 425 degrees, uncovered for 15 

For 4 Bread bowls 

Covered for 450 degrees for 15 

Lower oven to 425, uncovered for 10 min 

Sourdough Discard Tortillas

 1. In a mixing bowl combine 2 cups flour, 1/3 cup sourdough discard, 1/4 cup avocado oil, 1/2 cup water and 1/2 tsp salt, 

2. Knead inside bowl to fully combine

3. Cover and let rest for 30 min

4. Divid into 8 pieces

5. Roll out each piece as thin as you can get it

6.  Place each tortilla (one at a time) in a skillet on medium heat , cook on both sides until done. 

Honey Wheat Sourdough Discard Sandwich Bread

 

1. In a bread Machine place

1/2 cup sourdough discard

1 cup water

2 cups white flour

1 cup wheat flour

1/4 cup honey

2 Tbsp oil

2 tsp salt

2 tsp yeast

2. Start Machine on wheat bread setting 

3. Let cool and slice

4. Store in a ziplock bag for several days on the counter or a week in the fridge