Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Playing with Pumpkin: a worthy recap



Pumpkins are everywhere! Everywhere, that is, except in my kitchen, where they are disappearing into the oven almost as soon as they arrive. Once taken from their roasting pan, they are mashed, creamed or blended up and disguised as all kinds of autumn treats.

Yesterday I slow cooked three of these gorgeous orange orbs with a sac of apples and some spices to make a succulent Pumpkin-Apple Butter with Vanilla Bean. Now I have 17 pretty jars lining my pantry shelf--mementos of fall and its produce. (Recipe to come)

I couldn't resist highlighting some other ways we like to enjoy pumpkin around here. These recipes are from a series I did last fall as a result of playing with pumpkin. Plenty of fun, plenty of treats--who needs Halloween?!

Pictures above is the oh-so-memorable Pumpkin Spice Cake. I've been dying for a good reason to make this cake again, but with all the pie leftover from Thanksgiving, we really don't need any more sweets. This recipe also makes killer cupcakes: moist, tender and spicy.

Wait a sec...I do have that cupcake event coming up soon. Maybe I'll get my chance to make Pumpkin Spice Cake after all.



Alright, some people loved this Pumpkin Pie Fudge, some people didn't. It's subjective to personal taste. What do you think? Are you a pumpkin pie fudge kind of person or not??


Everyone --my picky preschooler included!!-- loves these Pumpkin Muffins with Golden Raisins. They are Eat-Three-Muffins-During-A-Five-Minute-Photo-Shoot kind of good.

'Nuff said.


I've been saving the best (and the baddest) for last: Pumpkin-Swirl Brownies.

Ever since Deb's stunning photo's of these treats permanently imprinted themselves on my eyelids, I wasn't given relief until I actually made--and ate--them for myself.

Let me just say this: pumpkin and chocolate were made for each other.

Alright, now go lug home a pumpkin, get the biggest knife you've got to split the thing open and get cooking. I've provided some inspiration (hopefully!) and motivation (um, yummy treats, Hello), now you just have to get busy.

Watch out for the brownies, though, they make a pile of dishes. Don't say I didn't warn you.

10 comments:

Melissa said...

Ohhhh! I'm anxious to see the recipe for the pumpkin-apple butter-yum!

Now, the frosting on the pumpkin spice cake looks so ridiculously delicious! I want to lick my computer monitor.

NKP said...

Pumpkinpalooza!
I am loving the sound of the pumpkin butter too. Everything looks great!

Elizabeth said...

Mmm, I just made pumpkin butter yesterday. Delicious! I bet mixed with apple it is just out of this world though!

Megan at Simple Kids said...

drool drool drool

I LOVE pumpkin anything. You have blessed my hungry tummy today!

Barbara said...

Everything I make results in a pile of dishes! So I'm going to dive right into those pumpkin brownies! Yum.

Ingrid_3Bs said...

Mmmm, love us some pumpkin here! Yes, we do. I'm thinking pumpkin pie sounds pretty good!

So, uh what are you doing with all those pretty little jars of pumpkin apple butter! :)
~ingrid

Anonymous said...

I can't wait for the pumpkin-apple butter recipe. It sounds like something delicious for a piece of piping-hot cinnamon-marbled toast. (:

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

I'd love all of them Aimee.

Kelsey B. said...

Delicious! I just posted pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting this week - I LOVE pumpkin. Can't wait to read your pumpkin butter recipe!

Aimée said...

Hi Melissa- I'm trying to remember the recipe. Kinda just threw everything in my crockpot...

Hi Natashya- Thanks!

Hi Elizabeth- Ohh, too bad we can't swap!

Hi Megan- A serious pumpkin lover, eh, this is the season for you!

Hi Barbara- OK, sounds like a plan.

Hi Ingrid- I'm swapping all the butter with friends at my annual jam swap.It's coming up soon!

Hi Lezi- Now you are talking! That sounds amazing.

Hi Val- Thanks!

Hi Kelsey- Oh,I'll have to check those out! Thanks for stopping by.

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