Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Blog Neglect!

Is there such a thing? Alright well last weekend I was home alone, no child, no husband! Here is a picture of the craftiness I engaged in that night.


I had this hankering for these butterscotch haystacks and as I was making them I thought hmm turkey bodies. Well here is the result. Pretty cute to give to the neighbor kids or as place settings I think.

Butterscotch Haystacks
1 - 11oz bag of butterscotch chips
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
10 oz. chowmein noodles
3 1/2 cup mini marshmallows

Microwave chips for 1-2 minutes until melted in a large bowl. Stir in peanut butter. Add noodles and marshmallows. Toss until coated and drop by tablespoon onto wax paper. Refrigerate until hardened.

For the turkey...
Cut out some "feathers" out of construction paper although real feathers would be cute too.
Wrap haystack in plastic wrap and glue or tape to feather arrangement.
Add pipe cleaner feet and make your cutest turkey face.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

I love Fall!

Nothing like the changing leaves to mark the beginning of fall baking. I love anything with pumpkin. I found this recipe and mmmm it was so good, even my hubby liked it. He does not have much of a sweet tooth, so I am always delighted when he likes the desserts I make. He really liked them because they weren't too sweet and they had cheese on them, cream cheese that is.

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Brownies



Ingredients:
6 tablespoons butter, melted
1 cup light brown sugar, packed
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 large eggs
1 cup pumpkin puree
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 egg
1/3 cup confectioners' sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 tablespoons flour

Preparation:Butter and flour an 11x7-inch baking pan. Heat oven to 350°.
In a large mixing bowl, beat butter with brown sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and 2 eggs until light and creamy. Beat in pumpkin puree. In another bowl, combine 1 cup of flour with baking powder, soda, salt, and spices. Slowly beat into the first mixture until well blended. Spread in prepared baking pan.
In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese, 1 egg, confectioners' sugar, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, and 2 tablespoons flour. Beat for 1 to 2 minutes, until smooth and creamy. Spoon onto the pumpkin batter. Using a small narrow spatula or butter knife, swirl the cream cheese batter into the pumpkin batter.
Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.