Peter, Peter, Pumpkin Eater...

It's that time of the year when the air gets crisper, the mornings are chilly (or downright freezing if you are north of me!) and pumpkins are in abundance.

 

The Bad News: I don't really like pumpkin (no matter what Peter says.)

The Badder News: My family loves pumpkin (and I like to make up words.)

 

So, as a good mom and wife, I try to please my family everyonce in awhile. I went off exploring pumpkin recipes and want to share a few winners that I found with you!

This easy recipe for Pumpkin Pie Bars at cooks.com that is 

A M A Z I N G

and will covert all of you pumpkin haters. If your family is BEGGING for something pumpkinY for Thanksgiving, try this easy recipe and you will have people kissing your feet!

Best part: You don't even have to make a traditional crust! (I can almost hear the BIG sighs of relief...ahhhHHHH.)

PUMPKIN PIE BARS

1 c. flour 1/2 c. brown sugar 1/2 c. quick oats 1/2 c. butter Blend ingredients until crumbly. Press into 9 x 13 inch pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. FILLING: 1 can pumpkin 13 oz. can evaporated milk 2 eggs, slightly beaten 3/4 c. sugar 1/2 tsp. cloves 1/2 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. cinnamon 1 tsp. ginger Combine ingredients and pour into baked crust. Bake for 20 minutes. TOPPING: 1/2 c. brown sugar 2 tbsp. butter 1/2 c. nut meats Combine and spread over hot filling and bake for 20 minutes more.

 
Yes, I actually made these bars myself! And my motto is, "Everything is better with tons of frosting on it." So, feel free to whip up some frosting for these yummy bars. Your family will absolutely adore you.

Cream Cheese Frosting

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup butter, room temperature
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 tsp vanilla

Beat the cream cheese and butter together until creamy. Add the powdered sugar (don't mix on high at this point or you will dust your entire kitchen like I DID!) Add vanilla. Spread most of the frosting on the pumpkin bars. Save a little to eat straight out of the bowl.

.........................................................................................................................................

Then I went and outdid myself baking....

 

 

are you ready for it????

 

 

 

 

A Pumpkin Roll!

Teehee! These are actually fun to make and they look...impressive!

PUMPKIN ROLL

3 eggs 2/3 cup plain pumpkin (not pie filling) 1 cup sugar (maple sugar may be used if available) 3/4 cup flour 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon ginger (optional) 1/2-3/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans powdered sugar (for sprinkling) Preheat oven to 350°F. Combine all dry ingredients, add eggs and pumpkin (fresh, frozen or canned; if using frozen, drain out excess liquid). Butter or spray with non-stick spray a jelly roll pan (11x15 inch). Cut a sheet of wax or parchment paper to fit the bottom of the jelly roll pan. Line pan with wax or parchment paper to edges. Spread pumpkin mixture evenly over paper liner. Sprinkle with chopped nuts. Bake at 350°F for about 15 minutes or until done. While the pumpkin roll is baking, spread a large clean cotton dish towel or cloth on a work surface; sprinkle the towel with powdered sugar. When cake is done, remove from oven. Run a butter knife along edges to release cake from sides. While still warm, invert pumpkin roll onto towel. Gently peel off wax or parchment paper. Using the towel to help lift the cake, roll up the towel (cake and all) beginning at the short side of the cake; continue rolling until you have the cake in the shape of a jelly roll. Allow to cool in this position. When the cake has cooled, unroll gently; spread with filling (see below) and re-roll. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Filling for Pumpkin Roll: Mix and whip until creamy: 2 teaspoons butter 8 oz. package cream cheese 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 cup confectioners sugar Submitted by: CM

This roll from cooks.com was so much fun...and I only stressed once...when the cake stuck in one spot to the towel even though I dumped a TON of powdered sugar on it first. But, with a little begging, and a little pleading with the cake, it finally lifted off and rolled up beautifully! Let me tell you...my family calls me Betty Crocker now. :)

 

Wouldn't these make gorgeous little teacher/neighbor/friend gifts? I can see a slice or two wrapped up in a cute box and decorated with a few Prima flowers!

Now how simple is that? All I did was color a little tulle:

Spray Pumpkin Pie GM in a baggie...add your tulle and seal. Smoosh everything around until the tulle is the color you want. Open the bag and let the tulle air dry.

See how beautiful it is? (Save your baggie to use again!)

Grab some Prima paper scraps (which I cut and punched to fit my box), a sweet Tuscany flower and a few autumn leaves.

• Place your pumpkin bars or roll inside the box (place on parchment paper)
• adhere the script paper to the lid,
• tie the orange tulle around the box
• adhere the punched paper circle, Prima flowers and leaves
• add a greeting and give to your favorite person!

 

How sweet is that...(both inside and outside!)

Altered Box Supplies:

• 539689 - Autumn Leaves
• 841157 -  Shabby Chic Script Paper-Majestic Breeze
• 841164 - Pastiche Paper-Vintage Garden
• 543938 - Tuscany Flower- Seaside
• Marvy Uchida scalloped punch
• Tattered Angels Pumpkin Pie Glimmer Mist
• Cupcake box-repurposed

~~~Sharon

 

Comments

[Lori]

Oh my...I'm drooling over everything!
The box is gorgeous too lol

[Lee-Anne - Scraptherapy Babinda]

Who knew that pumpkin could be so naughty - TFS - yummy

[Jenny Brannies]

YUMMMO!

[Trina]

Looks amazing!!!!! Going to have to try those receipes for the school fair this week! Thanks for sharing!!!

[Candy]

I like the way the pumpkin roll looks! Beautiful! And pumpkin orange color is one of my favorite colors of all! Thanks!

[cari fennell]

you rock Sharon!!! I love anything with frosting-yum! Cute box too!

[Robin Wade]

Oooh... love the idea of the pumpkin pie bars instead of a an actual pumpkin pie... makin' lots of pies & this would be something different! TFS the recipe! Also loving those adorable decorative boxes!! TFS all of your talent!

[jan m]

Absolutely beautiful!! What a presentation!! And your pumpkin roll rocks!!