Happy Halloween!!

Wishing you all a safe and Happy Halloween!!I'm off to my children's schools with the goodies above!

Puffed Apple Pancake

This is a perfect fall  weekend breakfast,just add some bacon cooked with maple syrup,and a pot of coffee!It comes from Martha Stewart,and it tastes delicious!It reminds me of a bread pudding or a rich french toast.What a great way to use all of the delicious apples from your local farmer's market.

Ingredients:
6 eggs
1-1/2 c. milk
1 tsp. vanilla
1 c. flour
2 tbsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
pinch of nutmeg(freshly grated,if possible)
1 stick of butter
3 apples,sliced thin(gala works great)
1 tbsp brown sugar
powdered sugar
    In a medium bowl combine the eggs,milk and vanilla.Mix well.Add the flour,cinnamon,sugar and nutmeg.
MIx until batter is combined and only slightly lumpy.
  Place the butter in a 9X13 pan,and place ina 425 degree oven for about one minute,until the butter is just melted.Place the apples in the pan on top of the butter,in a single layer.Don't worry about being precise,once the batter goes in the apples are going to go where they want!Return to the oven and bake for 4 minutes,until the butter is bubbly.
   Pour the batter over the apples,then sprinkle the brown sugar on top.Bake at 425 degrees for about 20 minutes,until golden and puffed.Sprinkle with powdered sugar and enjoy!

My Favorite new Pan

Love this pan!If you are like me,no matter how hard I try to cut my brownies evenly,I can never do it.Now I don't have to.This pan,made by Chicago Metallic,provides an insert that cuts the square for you!Not only is it great for brownies,it works for any type of cake,bar cookie and even quiche.I just purchased at set of 2 pans at QVC for a whopping $19.99.A great investment,and I think it is a great gift idea,so you will see this on my gift page too!Look at the size of this brownie!

Quick Tip.........

With the holiday season is around the corner,we tend to find ourselves wondering what to bring when we visit friends and relatives....here is an easy suggestion.Here is a tray of sweets I made for my son's football dinner.Looks nice ,right?

   Well,to make it look more festive,I simply wrapped it in cellophane and tied it with a pretty fall themed ribbon.....looks nicer,don't you think?
   It's simple.Next time you are in your local Michael's Craft store,or even a party supply store,pick up a roll of cellophane(the good stuff,not the flimsy type),which will run you about $12.Pick a few pretty holiday ribbons and you will be equipped to make all of your treats beautiful this holiday season.What is even better is that this works great with store-bought items too!We are all pressed for time during this busy time of year,so if you pick up a pie,a cake or some cookies,you can wrap them up to make a fabulous presentation.
    It really is easy to take the ordinary and make it extraordinary,and your friends/family will appreciate the extra effort!

Mini Maple Cakes

This recipe comes from Martha,but I've changed it a bit.I decided to make mini cakes shaped like maple leaves(sticking with the maple theme) and topped with a cute maple cookie just for fun!These can be made as cupcakes too.Feel free to eat them plain,or with a sprinkle of powdered sugar.You can also decorate them with chopped walnuts or fall sprinkles.

Ingredients:
3-1/2 c. flour
4 tsp. baking powder
3/4 tsp. salt
1-1/2 sticks of butter,softened
1/2 c. brown sugar
2 eggs
1-1/2 c. pure maple syrup
3/4 c. milk
1 c. chopped walnuts
    In the bowl of your mixer,blend together the butter and sugar.Add the eggs,the maple syrup,salt & baking powder. Add the flour and milk,alternating between the two,and mix just until the batter comes together.Spoon the batter into your pan(I am using a mini leaf pan,you can use 2- 8inch cake pans if you like).Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes.Test for doneness.Remove from your oven and cool on a wire rack.

  Unmold the leaf cakes(or the larger cakes).Frost with the brown sugar frosting and decorate as desired.

Brown Sugar Frosting:
8 oz. cream cheese,softened
1-1/2 sticks of butter,softened
3/4 c. brown sugar
2 c. confectioners' sugar

   Blend all ingredients together in your mixer bowl.Spread on the mini maple cakes.

Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

Luscious cream cheese frosting nestled between two moist,delicious,spiced pumpkin cakes..what more needs to be said?How much icing you put between the cakes is entirely up to you.The recipe is easy and the results are delightful.
Cake Ingredients:
2 c. flour
1-1/2 tsp. baking powder
pinch of salt
2 eggs
1 c. brown sugar
2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1/3 c. butter,melted
3/4 c. cream
3/4 c. pumpkin puree
     In the bowl of your mixer,blend the eggs,brown sugar,melted butter,pumpkin,cream,salt,baking powder and pumpkin pie spice.Mix well.Add the flour and mix just until the batter comes together.

   On a baking sheet lined with parchment,place approximately 1 tbsp. of batter,a few inches apart from one another.Bake at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes,or until the tops of the cakes bounce back when touched.Remove from the oven and cool completely.
  Once cooled,turn one cake over and spread some frosting on it.Top with another cake.Enjoy!

Cream Cheese Frosting:
2- 8 oz. pkgs. cream cheese,softened
1 stick of unsalted butter,softened
1 16 oz. pkg. confectioners' sugar(sifted)
1 tsp. vanilla

   In the bowl of your mixer.blend together the cream cheese,butter and vanilla.Add the sugar and mix well.

Halloween Pretzel Fun!

Here are some fun ideas for Halloween treats using pretzels and chocolate...a perfect combination!I have made a few different treats using only pretzles,melting chocolate,and caramel.These are perfect for a fall afternoon project with your children,but use caution when melting the chocolate & caramel..that is for adults only!The kids will have fun dipping and decorating,and everyone will enjoy eating!

    For the pretzels,just melt chocolate,dip your favorite shaped pretzels in,then place on a parchment lined baking sheet and decorate as desired.I have used assorted sprinkles,but mini chocolate chips,mini m&ms,or chopped nuts all work well.
  For the caramel-chocolate pretzels,I melted a block of caramel(available at http://www.kingarthurflour.com/ ),and coated half of the pretzel rod with it.I let that set for about 5 minutes,then dipped them into melted chocolate.Again,you can decorate as desired.Yum!