I have an ongoing relationship with Dixie Crystals as a recipe developer and brand ambassador. I receive product, coupons and/or compensation for posts featuring their products. This post may contain Amazon Affiliate links. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Love and Confections possible. As always, all opinions are my own.
Archives for October 2017
Black Velvet Cauldron Cupcakes
I have an ongoing relationship with Dixie Crystals as a recipe developer and brand ambassador. I receive product, coupons and/or compensation for posts featuring their products. This post may contain Amazon Affiliate links. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Love and Confections possible. As always, all opinions are my own.
Pumpkin Pie Spice Snowball Cookies #PumpkinWeek
Snowball cookies are a family favorite around the holidays. My aunt makes a ton of them for Christmas (she seriously makes a freezer full of cookies) and traditional Snowball Cookies are one of them. My other favorite her family makes is Nutmeg Logs. There is just something about those cookies that makes the holidays feel special.
We freeze these cookies all the time, and waxed paper is great at separating the layers. Also, before serving, I re-roll them in the powdered sugar pumpkin spice mixture, to make sure they are fully coated. I love the spice in these cookies, it gives it a great warming Fall flavor. Pecans are used in snowball cookies fairly often, but the walnuts give it a different taste. You can have pecans, walnuts, or do a mixture of both, depending on your preference. I hope you enjoy some of my Pumpkin Pie Spice Snowball Cookies this holiday season.
Here are today’s #PumpkinWeek recipes:
Pumpkin Drink Recipes:
“Grown Up” Potter Pumpkin Juice from The Crumby Kitchen.
Hot’N’Spicy Pumpkin Margarita from Culinary Adventures with Camilla.
Savory Pumpkin Recipes:
Pumpkin Chili from Making Miracles.
Pumpkin Crab Soup from Hardly A Goddess.
Pumpkin Pasta from Caroline’s Cooking.
Thai Pumpkin Curry from Palatable Pastime.
Sweet Pumpkin Recipes:
Easy Pumpkin Ice Cream from Forking Up.
Fall Harvest Pumpkin Sourdough Muffins from Cooking With Carlee.
Pumpkin Spice Milkshake from Family Around The Table.
Pumpkin Pie Cream Horns from Mildly Meandering.
Pumpkin Spice Thumbprint Cookies from The Bitter Side of Sweet.
Pumpkin Spiced Banana Bread from Daily Dish Recipes.
Pumpkin Tiramisu from The Redhead Baker.
I have an ongoing relationship with Dixie Crystals as a recipe developer and brand ambassador. I receive product, coupons and/or compensation for posts featuring their products. This post may contain Amazon Affiliate links. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Love and Confections possible. As always, all opinions are my own.
Cinnamon Pumpkin Muddy Buddies #PumpkinWeek
Muddy Buddies, or puppy chow, is such a fun treat to have. I knew that I wanted to make pumpkin muddy buddies for #PumpkinWeek a while ago. While I like pumpkin pie, I prefer other pumpkin-flavored treats more. I think it just stems from having pie crust that doesn’t taste that great, so I take pie out of the equation and have all that deliciousness in a snack. It’s also covered in powdered sugar, so you can’t go wrong with them.
Chocolate is the most common flavor, and one that I grew up loving. Playing around with flavor profiles is always fun, and these pumpkin muddy buddies are soon to be your family’s favorite. I plan on making some more batches for Halloween and Thanksgiving, and maybe even as favors for everyone to take home.
A lot of recipes out there use candy melts. I opted to use white chocolate, which can seize a bit if overheated or adding wet ingredients to it. That’s where the coconut oil comes in. You can use shortening as well, but since I have wet pumpkin in the mix, I wanted to thin the chocolate just a bit. It also helps to try and pat your pumpkin dry as much as you can before mixing it in.
See that cute ghost in the photos? That little guy was made by my grandfather a few years before he passed. My grandfather was a great artist and he made it for my mom for Halloween one year. I wanted to incorporate him into the photos because he really is too cute.
Cinnamon Pumpkin Muddy Buddies
By Love and Confections
Published 10/05/2017
Ingredients
- 12.1 ounce box Cinnamon Chex (approx 8 cups)
- 1/3 cup pumpkin puree, patted dry
- 3 teaspoons coconut oil, divided
- 3 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice, divided
- 16 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate chips
- 3 cups confectioner’s powdered sugar
Instructions
- Pour cereal into a large mixing bowl and set aside. Make sure pumpkin is patted as dry as you can get it. Place pumpkin, 2 teaspoons of coconut oil, and 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice in a heatproof container. Heat in microwave, a few seconds at a time, until oil is melted. Mix together then pour over cereal. Toss to coat.
- Place chocolate and remaining coconut oil in a heatproof container or measuring cup. Melt according to package directions. Pour over cereal and toss gently to coat each piece.
- Combine powdered sugar and remaining pumpkin pie spice in a large zip top bag. Add cereal to bag and shake to coat. May need to repeat the process in batches.
Until next time,
LOVE & CONFECTIONS!
Here are today’s #PumpkinWeek recipes:
Savory Pumpkin Recipes:
Pumpkin Farrotto from Culinary Adventures with Camilla.
Pumpkin Habanero Salsa from Rants From My Crazy Kitchen.
Pumpkin Quesadilla from Making Miracles.
Sweet Pumpkin Recipes:
Pumpkin Cheesecake Macaron from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures.
Pumpkin Chip Cookies from Palatable Pastime.
Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting from Daily Dish Recipes.
Pumpkin Cream Cheese Danish from It Bakes Me Happy.
Pumpkin Cream Puffs from The Redhead Baker.
Pumpkin Creme Brulee from Kudos Kitchen by Renee.
Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies from A Day in the Life on the Farm.
Pumpkin Struesel Bar from Cookaholic Wife.
Slow Cooker Pumpkin Butter from Mildly Meandering
Spiced Pumpkin Mini Cakes with Mulled Cranberries & Brandy Brown Butter Glaze from Bacon Fatte.
Whipped Pumpkin Pie Honey Butter #PumpkinWeek
Pumpkin Pie Honey butter is my Fall morning ritual. It’s delicious on bagels, waffles, pancakes, croissants, toast, biscuits, and just about any breakfast carb you can think of. It’s not just for breakfast though. You can add this pumpkin pie honey butter to sweet potatoes or warm rolls at dinner, or scones as an afternoon snack with tea… we love tea parties here.
While in culinary school, the pastry students worked in a kitchen that connected to the culinary students’ kitchen, so we were always near each other, assisting, and tasting everyone’s recipes. The culinary students were required to take an intro pastry class so they could learn the basics of baking. Near the middle of the semester, we finished early and were watching their class make an apple dessert. One guy was hand whipping cream to top his dessert. He kept whipping and whipping and whipping… and whipping. Turns out, he didn’t know when to stop and by the time he was done, had hand whipped homemade butter – and was incredibly sore.
Hand whipping butter is tiring, but if you have a stand mixer or food processor, then it’s a piece of cake. He was about to throw it away when my class snatched it up and made some cinnamon honey butter for our freshly made croissants. He definitely learned a lesson that day, and payed attention to his whipping cream the rest of the semester. Everyone loved our compound butter, especially on the warm croissants.
My pumpkin pie honey butter is easy to make, especially since we aren’t making the butter ourselves. You can use homemade butter, but I’m all about easy, fast and clean when I have a three year old running around me while I’m in the kitchen. This recipe doesn’t make a large amount, but is perfect for my size family. If making it for a party or holiday, I recommend doubling the recipe. This would be so delicious on your Thanksgiving table next to some warm rolls or cornbread! My mouth is watering just thinking about it!
Whipped Pumpkin Pie Honey Butter
By Love and Confections
Published 10/04/2017
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons pumpkin puree
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine all ingredients and whip until incorporated. Store in airtight container in refrigerator for up to one week.
Until next time
LOVE & CONFECTIONS!
Here are today’s #PumpkinWeek recipes:
Pumpkin Drink Recipes:
Pumpkin Spice Coffee Syrup from The Nifty Foodie.
Savory Pumpkin Recipes:
Chicken and Pumpkin Curry from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures.
Pumpkin Beef Stew from Rants From My Crazy Kitchen.
Pumpkin-Poblano Salsa from Culinary Adventures with Camilla.
Pumpkin Risotto with Garlic and Sage from Making Miracles.
Pumpkin Sausage Mac and Cheese from Daily Dish Recipes.
Pumpkin Sausage Skillet Dinner from Cindy’s Recipes and Writings.
Pumpkin Walnut Sage Pierogi from The Crumby Kitchen.
Savory Pumpkin Sage Biscuits from Kudos Kitchen by Renee.
Sweet Pumpkin Recipes:
Pumpkin Chess Pie from The Spiffy Cookie.
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies from Amy’s Cooking Adventures.
Pumpkin Cranberry Muffins with a Pecan Oat Crumble from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks.
Pumpkin Dump Cake from Seduction in the Kitchen.
Pumpkin-Nut Crumble Cake from Hardly A Goddess.
Pumpkin Pie Cream Puffs from Mildly Meandering.
Pumpkin Praline Cheesecake from A Day in the Life on the Farm.
Spice Cookies with Pumpkin Dip from An Affair from the Heart.
Stuffed Pumpkin Cupcakes from The Freshman Cook.
Whipped Pumpkin Pie Honey Butter from Love and Confections.
White Chocolate Pumpkin Biscotti from The Redhead Baker.
Maple Glazed Pumpkin Spice Doughnuts #PumpkinWeek
Are you that person that spells it “doughnuts” or “donuts”? I am the former, that’s just how I have always spelled it, except when referring to that famous donut chain. There is nothing like freshly made doughnuts on a weekend morning with a good cup of coffee. Pumpkin doughnuts with maple glaze have me longing for the weekend and wanting to curl up with a blanket, good book, and cup of coffee!
My favorite are yeast doughnuts – usually Boston cream and chocolate frosted. I have a love-hate relationship with cake doughnuts, though. Most of it comes from having dry doughnuts that don’t have taste. These pumpkin doughnuts are definitely not dry and are packed full of flavor. My only qualm is that sometimes cake doughnuts bake up a little flat. I am still tweaking recipes to try and get fluffy, delicious baked doughnuts.
I didn’t want the glaze to be too think, and thinned it out a bit. It’s a personal preference how you like your doughnut frosted. I will probably try a little thicker glaze next time. You could even try a chocolate ganache. Pumpkin and chocolate are a great combination.
Maple Glazed Pumpkin Spice Doughnuts
Doughnuts adapted from King Arthur Flour,
Glaze adapted from Crunchy Creamy Sweet
Published 10/03/2017
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 3 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 cups pumpkin puree
- 1 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 3/4 cups + 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1-2 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350F. Grease doughnut pans.
- Beat oil, eggs, sugar, pumpkin, spices, salt and baking powder until combined. Add flour and stir until combined
- Fill doughnuts 3/4 full, approximately 1/4 cup batter. Bake for 15-18 minutes or until cake tester comes out clean. Let cool in pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to rack to cool completely. While cooling, make glaze
- Sift powdered sugar into medium mixing bowl. Add butter, maple syrup, and milk (1 teaspoon at a time) and whisk until desired consistency. Dip doughnuts and place on cooling rack for excess glaze to drip off.
Yield: 18 doughnuts
Until next time,
LOVE & CONFECTIONS!
Here are today’s #PumpkinWeek recipes:
Savory Pumpkin Recipes:
Pumpkin Lasagna from A Day in the Life on the Farm.
Pumpkin Pie Hummus from Mildly Meandering.
Pumpkin Polenta from Cindy’s Recipes and Writings.
Savory Pumpkin Bread from Rants From My Crazy Kitchen.
Sweet Pumpkin Recipes:
Bourbon Caramel Pumpkin Roll from The Crumby Kitchen.
Maple Glazed Pumpkin Spice Doughnuts from Love and Confections.
Old-Fashioned Pumpkin Bread from Palatable Pastime.
Pumpkin Casserole with Roasted Marshmallows from Daily Dish Recipes.
Pumpkin Cookies from Making Miracles.
Homemade Apple Cider Floats
It is officially Fall and I am excited about this season. Fall is probably my favorite of the four seasons, because of the changing leaves and cooler temperatures. Granted, we don’t get that in Florida, so maybe that is why I love Autumn so much.
There is something special about Fall; maybe it’s the weather, or the fun activities, but it is almost magical. Pumpkins pop up everywhere, pumpkin spice everything, Fall festivals and corn mazes, getting ready for Halloween and Thanksgiving, and that feeling of change and excitement all come around this time of year.
Apple picking is another quintessential Fall activity and I am almost bursting with excitement because I am finally going to go apple picking for the first time next week. For many Northerners, visiting apple orchards are a regular Fall activity, but for this Southern Florida girl apple picking garners way more excitement than usual. I love going to orchards and farms to pick fruits and vegetables and have never been far enough North, and able to pick, during apple season.
I am definitely going to bring back some apples from my trip, and cannot wait to make more homemade apple cider. The warm, delicious smell that wafts through the house while making cider is amazing. Pair it with freshly churned vanilla bean ice cream for an extra special Fall treat. Cheers!
Until next time,
I have an ongoing relationship with Dixie Crystals as a recipe developer and brand ambassador. I receive product, coupons and/or compensation for posts featuring their products. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Love and Confections possible. As always, all opinions are my own.
Pumpkin Pie Moscow Mule #PumpkinWeek
Welcome to #PumpkinWeek 2017!! I can’t believe what started as a small gathering of bloggers wanting to celebrate their love of this fabulous Fall flavor has turned into such a great event year after year. What started off with 17 bloggers and 65 recipes has turned into 35 bloggers and 105 recipes, 4 years later. As usual, I like to start off my week-long celebrations with a cocktail, and this Pumpkin Pie Moscow Mule does not disappoint!
Within the past couple of years, I have jumped on the Mule bandwagon. Aside from the fact that drinking out of a copper mug is awesome, I really do love all the flavors in it. Now, sometimes they are a bit more gingery or limey depending on the recipe or bartender, but since it is quite different than my usual fruity/sweet cocktail order, I like to try them at restaurants or bars.
This recipe does not use lime, but the ginger beer I used had a hint of lime. It’s all about personal preference, and this recipe can easily be made for two or to serve a crowd. The Pumpkin Pie Simple Syrup is enough for quite a few drinks. I am actually saving some for another pumpkin-inspired cocktail coming soon.
I started the syrup with both granulated and dark brown sugars. The rich molasses flavor from the dark brown sugar complements the spices, but I also didn’t want it to be too overbearing. When mixed together, the whole drink is warming and delicious. You can probably even use a flavored vodka (caramel, pumpkin, or apple pie) or to really give it a punch, some bourbon.
I love playing around with different flavor Moscow Mules, and even created a Berry Basil Moscow Mule this past Summer. October has me craving pumpkin, apple, cinnamon, nutmeg, and all those lovely warm spices that feel like Fall. Since it isn’t quite sweater-weather yet, I am definitely enjoying this Moscow Mule that is cool, refreshing, and tastes like Fall in a glass. Cheers!
Pumpkin Pie Moscow Mule
By Love and Confections
Published 10/02/2017
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup pumpkin puree
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste
- Vodka
- Ginger Beer
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine water, sugars, pumpkin, spices and vanilla bean paste. Heat until sugars have dissolved. Set aside for 10 minutes.
- Discard cinnamon sticks. Pour syrup into heat-safe container and refrigerate until chilled.
- Once syrup is chilled, in cocktail shaker or measuring cup, combine 2 ounces pumpkin syrup and 2 ounces vodka per serving. Divide between glasses, top with ginger beer, and garnish with cinnamon stick.
Until next time,
LOVE & CONFECTIONS!
Here are today’s #PumpkinWeek recipes:
Pumpkin Drink Recipes:
Pumpkin Pie Moscow Mule from Love and Confections.
Savory Pumpkin Recipes:
Chicken Enchiladas with Pumpkin Sauce from Hardly A Goddess.
Goat Cheese and Sage Pizza with Pumpkin Crust from The Spiffy Cookie.
Kaddo Bowrani (Afghan Pumpkin with Yoghurt Sauce) from Caroline’s Cooking.
Pickled Pumpkin with Sage and Autumn Spices from Culinary Adventures with Camilla.
Pumpkin Beer Bread from Forking Up.
Pumpkin Beer Cheese Soup with Herbed Croutons from The Crumby Kitchen.
Pumpkin Chili from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures.
Pumpkin Corn Chowder with Shrimp from Kudos Kitchen by Renee.
Pumpkin Focaccia Bread from Cookaholic Wife.
Pumpkin Ravioli with Parmesan Sage Cream Sauce from Rants From My Crazy Kitchen.
Pumpkin Rosemary Hummus with Sizzled Garlic from Amy’s Cooking Adventures.
Pumpkin Stew with Chicken and Black Beans from Palatable Pastime.
Sweet Pumpkin Recipes:
Brown Butter Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies from The Redhead Baker.
Cheesecake Stuffed Pumpkin Bundt Cake from Cooking with Carlee.
Easy Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake from Daily Dish Recipes.
Jumbo Pumpkin Spice Muffins with Pecan Streusel Topping from Family Around The Table.
Pumpkin Blondies from It Bakes Me Happy.
Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars from The Bitter Side of Sweet.
Pumpkin Coffee Cake from The Chef Next Door.
Pumpkin Madeleines from Mildly Meandering.
Pumpkin Pie Energy Bites from Making Miracles.
Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal from Seduction in the Kitchen.
Pumpkin Pie Tassies from Cindy’s Recipes and Writings.
Pumpkin Scones from The Freshman Cook.
Pumpkin Spice Donuts from A Day in the Life on the Farm.
Pumpkin Spice Donuts from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks.
Pumpkin Zucchini Streusel Bread from An Affair from the Heart.
Ridiculously Good Dark Chocolate Pumpkin Cake from Bacon Fatte.