Pumpkin Pie Smoothie

I know what your are thinking another pumpkin recipe.

But I just love this time of the year and I love trying

out new pumpkin recipes.  I promise I will try to post

some other recipes without pumpkin in them soon.  :)

Recipe from Red Head Recipes

1/2 banana (peeled, frozen, diced)
1/3 cup pumpkin puree (Libby’s)
1/3 cup vanilla yogurt
3/4-1cup milk
Few shakes of pumpkin spice (Cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice)
Few shakes of cinnamon (optional)
Pinch of cloves
1tsp vanilla
4-5 ice cubes

Blend all ingredients in blender until smooth and sprinkle with
a little more cinnamon.

Baked pumpkin doughnut holes

Recipe from The Craving Chronicles

For Donuts1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoons nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon allspice
1/8 teaspoons ground cloves
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup canned plain pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling)
1/2 cup low-fat milk

For Coating1/2 stick of unsalted butter, melted
2/3 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons cinnamon

Preheat oven 350°F. Spray each cup in a 24-cup mini muffin tin with baking
spray.In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt and spices
(through cloves). In a separate, large bowl whisk together oil, brown sugar,
egg, vanilla, pumpkin and milk until smooth. Add dry ingredients to wet
 ingredients and mix until just combined –do not over mix!
Divide batter evenly among muffin cups. (Using a 2-tablespoon scoop will
ensure uniform size.) Bake at 350°F for 10-12 minutes or until a toothpick
comes out clean. While the muffins bake, melt butter in one bowl and combine
granulated sugar and cinnamon in another bowl. Remove muffins from oven
and cool for 2 minutes, or until just cool enough to handle. Dip each muffin
in melted butter, then roll in cinnamon sugar to coat.

Healthy Halloween Treat

Idea and picture from Instructables

A great way to sneak a healthy snack into your Halloween festivities.  Just take a sharpie to an orange,  clementine, tangerine, or mandarin and create your Jack o lantern face.  I know my boys would love finding one of these in their lunch box's.  :)

Pumpkin Pie oatmeal

1 c. quick oats

1/2 c. milk

2/3 c. water

pinch of salt

2 to 3 tablespoons maple syrup

1/4 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1/2 c. canned pumpkin

Add all ingredients to a small pan.  Heat on
high for 1 to 2 minutes or until oats start to boil.
Add any additional ingredients to adjust sweetness
(maple syrup or a little sugar).  Top with a little
whip cream and dash of cinnamon.

Chocolate chip pumpkin bread

1 1/2 c. sugar
1 c. pumpkin
1/2 c. applesauce
2/3 c. water
2 eggs
1 1/2 c. flour
1/2 tablespoon cinnamon
1/2 tablespoon nutmeg
2 teaspoon baking soda
dash of salt
1/2 c. chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour loaf pan.               
In a large bowl, combine sugar, pumpkin, applesauce, water, and eggs.
Beat until smooth. Blend in flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, and
salt. Fold in chocolate chips. Fill loaf pan.               
Bake for 45 min. to 1 hour, or until an inserted knife comes out clean.
Cool on wire racks before removing from pan.

Baked Mozzearella Bites

1/3 cup panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)
3 sticks mozzarella string cheese
1 egg beaten
Marinara sauce

Heat oven to 425.  Cut mozzarella sticks into 1 inch pieces.
Working with one piece at a time, dip cheese in egg and then
dip in panko breadcrumbs.  Place cheese on a baking sheet coated
with cooking spray.  Bake at 425 for 3 minutes or until cheese is
softened and thoroughly heated.  Pour marina sauce into a
microwave safe bowl.  Microwave for about 1 minuted until
heated.  Serve with mozzarella pieces. 

Monster hot chocolate

Idea and picture from Taste of Home

How clever and easy is this!  Just add two large marshmallows with junior

mints in the middle of the marshmallows to your favorite cup of hot chocolate. 

My boys will get a kick out of this!