Maple Pumpkin Custards

   Here is a delicious,easy recipe from an old edition of Martha Stewart's Food Magazine.This recipe does require 7 egg yolks,so it may be a good idea to make it when you are in the mood for an egg white omelet for breakfast!We don't want to waste anything! This treat can be made ahead of time,and contains all of the wonderful flavors of fall that we love...pumpkin,maple syrup,nutmeg & cinnamon!Enjoy!

Ingredients:
1 c. cream
3/4 c. milk
3/4 c. real maple syrup
3/4 c. pumpkin puree
7 egg yolks
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp. nutmeg(I use freshly ground)
1/8 tsp. salt
   Preheat your oven to 325 degrees. In a saucepan,mix together the cream,milk,maple syrup and pumpkin.Bring to a simmer.
   In a large bowl,whisk together the egg yolks,cinnamon,nutmeg and salt.While constantly whisking,add the hot cream mixture to the egg mixture.Strain the mixture through a sieve and into a large measuring cup.This is done so you have a nice,creamy,texture.Pour the mixture into 6 ounce ramekins and place in a large baking dish.Place the baking dish into the oven,and pour enough boiling water into the pan to come halfway up the sides of the ramekins.
   Cover the pan tightly with foil and bake for 40-45 minutes.When you insert a knife in the middle of the custard,it should come out clean.Let cool completely.Refrigerate ,covered with plastic wrap,at least two hours or overnight.Garnish with whipped cream and cinnamon if desired.

  

Giveaway-Fall Cupcake Liners!

  Another giveaway!This is the time of year when class moms scramble for ideas and treats to bring to their children's classrooms for Halloween parties.Since every class usually has cupcakes on the menu,here is a giveaway designed to make the job easier.....beautiful fall colored cupcake liners.One less thing to buy for that party!To enter the contest,please leave a comment on the blog,NOT ON THE FB PAGE, telling us what you are planning to make or send in for your child's Halloween class party this year.We will choose our favorite  idea ,and that person will win this set of 100 cupcake liners from Fancy Flours!We cannot wait to hear your creative ideas!Entrants must live in the continental U.S. Contest begins today and ends on October 7th at midnight!Good luck!

Giveaway!!!

How cute is this?The winner of this giveaway will receive this 5-piece pumpkin poke-in set to make your pumpkin look like a scarecrow!Pumpkin not included.To enter,unscamble the following three recipe titles from the blog.The first person with the correct answers ON THE BLOG PAGE ONLY,NOT FB will win!All entrants must live in the continental U.S. Good luck!
1.kbdea geduf
2.ocaoehtlc hguarcle
3.plaep rpsci

Martha Stewart's New Craft Book

For those of you who love crafts,especially around the holidays,this is the book for you.Available September 27, Martha's new book Handmade Holiday Crafts,is filled with 225 holiday projects for you and your family.The book covers all of the holidays throughout the year,so you are bound to find something perfect for you!Happy crafting!

Pumpkin Bread

I know it's a bit early for pumpkins,but this bread is so good that I want to share it now!It comes from Sarah Foster of Foster's Market.Even if you are not a pumpkin lover,you will enjoy this moist,flavorful bread.I have made it in a loaf pan,but it can also be made as muffins,or cupcakes if you add a little cream cheese frosting!Trust me on this one....you will be happy you did.This recipe makes 2 loaves. Ingredients:
3-1/2 c. flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 tbsp. cinnamon
1 tbsp.nutmeg(I use freshly grated)
2-1/2 c. sugar
4 eggs
1 c. canola oil
1-15oz.can pumpkin puree
1/2 c. water
1 tsp. vanilla
   In the bowl of your mixer,mix together the sugar,eggs and oil.Add the pumpkin,water and vanilla and mix well.
   In another bowl,mix together all of the remaining dry ingredients.Add the flour mixture to the pumpkin mixture and stir just until the ingredients are combined.
   Pour the mixture into two loaf pans(9x5x3),and bake at 350 degrees for approximately one hour,or until a toothpick comes out of the center of the cake clean.Let cool for 10-15 minutes,then serve warm.

**Feel free to add in 1 c. of chopped walnuts,pecans or cranberries if desired.
**These loaves freeze beautifully.Wrap well and freeze up to 3 months.

Giveaway!!!

Here is another fun givaway!The first person to repond correctly on the blog,NOT on the facebook page,will win the cookie/pie dough cutters from the Paula Deen collection shown above.A great way to add character to your fall pies!Winner must reside in the continental U.S. Please name 3 recipes on the blog that require NO BAKING ....just to be clear,this means that no part of the recipe needs to be placed in the oven for any amount of time.Good luck!

Galaxy Desserts Contest!

For all of my facebook friends...my favorite creator of all things pastry, Jean Yves Charon, is having a contest !If you go to the Official Page of Galaxy Desserts,you will have the opportunity to win some of his delicious new breads and pastries.To enter,simply post on their page telling them what your favorite pastry is and why.Here's the fun part..not only do you have a chance to win,but if you have five friends who like their page,they will also win with you!The contest winner will receive brioche,parker house rolls,savory rolls and Kouign-amman!The five friends of the winner will each receive their famous flaky,buttery croissants!The contest runs from September 1 to September 16.Check out their facebook page today for a chance to win these delicious treats!I've already entered!Have fun ,and good luck!

One of My Favorite Blogs

Looking for more fun ideas,treats,and all things that will put a smile on your face?Check out the blog by mother-daughter team Nancy and Melissa.I love their blog!It is full of delicious recipes and wonderful ideas.Take a look and add it to your favorites list too!  http://www.bestfriendsforfrosting.com/

GIVEAWAY!!!

Here is September's first giveaway!Name three recipes on the blog that list cinnamon as an ingredient.Please respond in the comment area of the blog,NOT our facebook page.The first person to correctly name three recipes with cinnamon in them,will win the mini pie molds seen above.Winner must be in the continental U.S. Thanks and good luck!

Maple Glazed Pumpkin Spice Cake

Well,it is September,and with that comes the desire to turn the oven back on.Here is a great recipe from All You magazine that will delight your family throughout the fall.Delicious!
Ingredients:
2-2/3 c. flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
2 Tbsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1/2 tsp. allspice
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. salt
1-1/4 c. canned pumpkin
3/4 c. buttermilk
1 tsp. vanilla
1-1/2 sticks of unsalted butter,room temperature
2 c. firmly packed light brown sugar
3 eggs

Glaze:
2 Tbsp. milk
2 Tbsp. pure maple syrup
1/2 tsp.maple extract(if you do not have ,add an additional 1/2 tsp. maple syrup)
2 c. sifted confectioner's sugar
   Preheat your oven to 350 degrees,and butter and flour a 10 inch bundt pan.In a mixing bowl,mix together the flour,baking soda,baking powder and spices.In another bowl,whisk together the pumpkin,buttermilk and vanilla.
In the bowl of your mixer,blend together butter and brown sugar until well mixed,approximately 4 minutes.Beat in the eggs,one at a time.Beat in one third of the flour mixture,then half of the pumpkin mixture,just until combined.Repeat,ending with the flour mixture.
  Pour the batter into the bundt pan,and smooth the top.Bake for 45-50 minutes.Test the cake by inserting a toothpick to see if it comes out clean.Let the cake cool ,then turn out onto a cooling rack.
   Pour the glaze over the cake on the cooling rack. and let it drizzle down the sides.Let the glaze set ,then place on your serving dish and enjoy!

***This cake freezes beautifully.To freeze,let the cake cool,then wrap carefully with plastic wrap.When ready to use,just remove from freezer and let come to room temperature.Once it is at room temperature,then you can the glaze the cake.Perfect for a make ahead dessert!