Leader Enterprise - Nov. 4, 2015 - Pumpkin

Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice

Happy November! The year is zipping right past us isn't it? Are you 'pumpkin-ed' out yet?  There are SO many pumpkin recipes floating around blog world many are tired of it already.  Why do we love pumpkin?  Well, not only because it's tasty but it has some great natural health benefits too.

I've been hearing there's an impending pumpkin shortage this season so be sure to stock up when you find it. Hoping the stores will be able to stock it to get us through the holidays. I baked some smaller pie pumpkins and put the puree in the freezer, so hopefully I won't have to be without. 

Pumpkins are full of fiber--High-fiber foods help to keep us feeling full and satisfied. Delicious yet neutral--Pumpkin is naturally yummy with a creamy texture, but it's not that sweet on its own. Its mild taste makes it an excellent base for all sorts of flavors: cheesy, spicy, maple-y..even chocolate-y! This means you can use it in SO many different recipes.

This awesome dessert can also be made gluten-free by using a g-f cake mix. I've just been told by someone who tried it - they said it was fabulous too. 

Pumpkin Dump Cake

PUMPKIN DUMP CAKE

4 eggs

1 c. white sugar

1 (14 ozs) can sweetened condensed milk 

1 (15 ozs) can pumpkin puree

1 Tb. pumpkin pie spice

1 (18 ozs) box white or yellow cake mix

(gluten free if desired)

1-1/2 sticks butter

1 c. favorite nuts, optional 

Preheat oven to 350*. Grease 9" X 11" X 2" pan. 

In medium bowl, combine eggs and sugar until smooth, then add condensed milk, pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice; blend well. Pour into prepared pan. Sprinkle half the dry cake mix over the top, then swirl it into the pumpkin mixture with a knife. Sprinkle remaining cake mix over top and smooth. Cut butter into thin slices and lay across the top of mixture, covering completely. (don't skimp on the butter).  Top with nuts if desired. Bake 40 - 45 minutes until center is pretty much set. Cool; chill; serve with whipped cream. (If you're baking in a 9" X 13" X 2" pan, check it a few minutes early.)

A crowd pleasing recipe, and an added  bonus - it will make your house smell so good! 

CROCKPOT PUMPKIN SPICE LATTE

2 cups milk (I used 1%)

1/2 c. brewed espresso or 3/4 c. strong brewed coffee

2 Tb. pumpkin

2 Tb. sugar or sweetener

2 Tb. vanilla (yes, TB.)

1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

Place milk and espresso/coffee in crockpot. Whisk in pumpkin, sugar, vanilla and spices. Cover and cook on high for 2 hours if everything is cold. Whisk again before serving. Ladle into mugs and garnish with whipped cream and additional cinnamon.

Isn't it frustrating when you run out of something in the middle of a recipe and have to run to the store?  This recipe will help keep you at home. I make a triple batch in the early fall and there usually isn't much left by the new year. 

HOMEMADE PUMPKIN PIE SPICE

Large batch: 

Combine 1 TB. cinnamon with 1-1/2 tsp. ginger, 3/4 tsp. nutmeg, 3/4 tsp.allspice and 1/4 tsp. cloves. Use as you would store-purchased.

Small batch: (equals 1 tsp.)

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. ground ginger

1/8 tsp. allspice

1/8 tsp. nutmeg

few dashes of cloves 

Autumn carries more gold in its pocket than all the other seasons. - Jim Bishop

Homemade Laminate Floor Cleaner

Yep, just 3 simple ingredients and water and you can make your own laminate floor cleaner that will WOW everyone! 

When we sold our house a few months ago, the realtor and purchaser both begged to know what I used on my laminate floor because it had such an awesome shine.  I think it was a real selling point!! 

Needless to say, they both wrote down the recipe! 

It nearly brought me to my knees to have to pay high dollar for my laminate floor cleaner ($13 - Are you kidding me???), so you can imagine the thrill it was to find a homemade recipe....especially one that worked so nicely! (And cost about $1!)

HOMEMADE LAMINATE FLOOR CLEANER

1 cup water

1 cup rubbing alcohol

1 cup white vinegar

1 Tb. liquid dish soap

1 qt. spray bottle 

Mix together and put into a spray bottle.  Use as you would purchased cleaner - spray and mop.....and enjoy the $$ savings!!

You may have to buff it up a bit, but we found just walking on it with our socks did the 'trick'....

You might also enjoy these Homemade recipes...

Homemade Ice Packs (2 Simple Ingredients)

Homemade Catalina Dressing

Homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk

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Simple Snow Ice Cream

Yep...this recipe is for my friends and family up north and all over the country who have gotten an overload of snow this winter.  Our hearts have been very saddened for all our family and friends are enduring back home. Spring can't come soon enough!!!!

No...I didn't find snow in Florida, though it's been cooler than normal, I wouldn't trade it for the wicked weather we've had back home in Ohio....and throughout the country.  We are grateful to have a 2 month's break from that nastiness. 

I just happened to see this photo in my laptop that I never used to post last winter!!

Make use of some of that snow...and make something enjoyable to eat. I'm sure you're familiar with that old saying about 'when life hands you lemons...make lemonade'...same principle here, but instead we're using snow to make ice cream. 

You can flavor this up with maraschino cherry juice, or maybe you have some kind of fruity syrup to add flavor. 

I make my own Homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk so you can lower the sugar in a big way if you need to. Because the s.c.m. is thick, it helps bind the snow together.

This is as easy as easy gets! 

You can add chocolate or caramel ice cream topping, or just top it with your favorite ice cream topping...add some sprinkles and enjoy every tasty bite. 

SIMPLE SNOW ICE CREAM

Collect 8 cups of clean snow (You can set the empty bowl out to collect it while it's falling if you want). 

Simply stir in the can of s.c.m. until it's the consistency you'd like (we normally use the full can)

Add 1 tsp. vanilla or any flavoring of your choosing.

When all stirred together, scoop into bowls and enjoy. 

This really doesn't freeze very well, so I suggest eating it right away.  

I also saw a recipe for adding 1 c. sugar and 1 c. chocolate milk to the same 8 cups of snow for chocolate ice cream. Haven't tried it but may give it a stir one day. 

Linked to Weekend Potluck

You might also enjoy...

Peanut Butter Magic Shell (Sugar free option)

Ice Cream Dessert with Peanut Butter Crust

Crispy Ice Cream Squares

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Choco-Liscious Chocolate Cream Pie & Weekend Potluck #157

WELCOME TO WEEKEND POTLUCK...

VALENTINE STYLE!!

Hope you all enjoy a fabulous Valentine weekend...even if you don't have a sweetie...let someone know you love them...a child, a neighbor, a relative, etc. 

When I share something worth sharing...again...

Perfect for Valentine weekend...This pie is an easy and fabulous recipe...the link for making your own (reduced sugar option) Homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk at this post too....

Choco-Liscious Chocolate Cream Pie

Now, let's take a quick peek back at last week...

The recipe with the most clicks was ~

Super Creamy Mac & Cheese by Spicy Southern Kitchen

Recipes that caught our attention ~

Red Velvet Pie by Miz Helen’s Country Cottage

White Chocolate Dipped Cherry Cookies by Big Rigs ‘n Lil’ Cookies

And, a personal favorite ~

Honey Butter Dinner Rolls  by Table for Seven 

Your hostesses ~

• Sunflower Supper Club ~ Kim & Julie
• The Better Baker ~ Marsha
• Frugal Family Favorites ~ Tabitha
• Sweet Little Bluebird~ Mary
• The Country Cook~ Brandie

Remember that when you link up, it shows on all FIVE blogs. Plus…

We TWEET. We PIN. We LIKE.

Linky Guidelines:

If you wish to be a featured recipe or for us to promote your recipe either on Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest, you MUST follow these instructions.

1. Please link up to your exact post and not the main page to your blog.
2. LINK BACK HERE from your post so that others can find the fun. (Need help linking back? Read this or watch this great instructional videoPlease use a direct link within your post.

When you are kind enough to follow our guidelines, we work hard to get you as much exposure as possible so that your time here is well invested. We want this to be a fun and rewarding experience for everyone!

An InLinkz Link-up

'Skinny' Magic Bars {WW Points}

FYI: We are on the road headed South to warmer temps for a few weeks...God graciously laid this opportunity in our laps just a couple of weeks ago.  I will be slowing down some...be on the lookout for some great guest posts while I'm away...and for new recipe posts on Sundays and Tuesdays.  I won't be online as much, so just wanted you to be aware.  Maybe I'll even share a photo or three of our fun in the sun. *-* As always - thanks for your support and interest in TBB blog. 

If you want to splurge, but stop from going overboard....
These luscious bars would be perfect for the upcoming Valentine's Day celebration.  They are fantastic and sweet, but the reduced-calorie version. 

It seems I am always trying one more recipe from Nancy's Skinny Kitchen. Must be because they are ALWAYS a winner right?

With so many sweets over the holidays, I was tickled to find this 'reduced sugar/fat' recipe for those amazing layered bars...called Magic Bars, and sometimes called Hello Dollies. 

We lived a very frugal life when I was growing up, so when mom made rarely made these, it was SUCH a special treat.  I've had a fondness for them for years. 

They were very easy to put together because you just layer everything, there's no mixing.  Using fat free sweetened condensed milk 

(click here for my very low sugar homemade sweetened condensed milk)

reduced fat butter, and less chocolate, coconut and nuts...you can enjoy these and count 4 Weight Watchers Points per serving also. 

I always appreciate the fact that Nancy allows me to share the nutritional info from her wonderful website too.  Trust you'll pay her a visit and stay a while. 

Just look how she reduced the calories...from 356 to 133!  These special treats really ARE Magic! 

Weight Watchers (old points) 3

Weight Watchers POINTS PLUS 4

SKINNY FACTS: for 1 bar 133 cal, 5.7g fat, 3g protein, 19g carbs, 1g fiber, 61mg sodium, 16g sugar

FAT FACTS: for 1 bar made with full fat ingredients 356 cal, 22g fat, 6g protein, 38g carbs, 2g fiber, 163mg sodium, 31g sugar

SKINNY MAGIC BARS 

1/4 c. reduced fat butter

(like Smart Balance)

1-1/4 c. graham cracker crumbs

1/2 c. flaked coconut, sweetened

(I used unsweetened)

1 c. semi sweet chocolate chips

(click here for my homemade sugar free chocolate bars/chips)

1 (14 ozs) can fat free sweetened condensed milk
(click here for my homemade sweetened condensed milk)

1/2 c. chopped walnuts

(I used pecans)

Preheat oven to 350.  Spray 9" X 13" baking dish with nonstick cooking spray with flour, being sure to spray sides as well. Add butter to pan; place in oven to melt. (will take about a minute)

Sprinkle graham cracker crumbs over butter, patting down, but do not mix. 

Sprinkle coconut evenly over cracker crumbs, then do the same with the chocolate chips. 

Drizzle sweetened condensed milk evenly over all. (You can place can in a cup of warm water to make spreading easier). Top with nuts. Bake for 20 - 25 minutes or until golden brown. 

Cut into squares while still warm, otherwise, they'll be difficult to cut. 

Yield: 24 squares 

Linked to Weekend Potluck

You may also like to try....

Skinny Nutty Carrot Cake Bars

Skinny Chocolate Cupcakes with Chocolate Glaze

Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice & Apple Pie Spice

 I haven't purchased pumpkin pie spice in years...this works great and you probably have all the ingredients on hand...

HOMEMADE PUMPKIN PIE SPICE

Large batch: 

Combine 1 TB.cinnamon with 1-1/2 tsp. ginger, 3/4 tsp. nutmeg, 3/4 tsp.allspice and 1/4 tsp. cloves. Use as you would store-purchased.

Small batch: (equals 1 tsp.)

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. ground ginger

1/8 tsp. allspice

1/8 tsp. nutmeg

few dashes of cloves 

I don't use apple pie spice as much, but it's really good.  I love cardamom!!

Use this in any apple recipe, or substitute pumpkin pie spice. 

APPLE PIE SPICE

 1 tsp. cinnamon 

1/2 tsp.nutmeg 

1/4 tsp. cardamom

In a small jar add all ingredients. Place lid on jar and shake to combine. Add or decrease preferred ingredients to suit your personal tastes.

 I have a page at my blog with a longer list of baking substitutions...the tab is named Helpful Ideas..
check it out for simple substitutes like...

DIY Baking Powder
DIY Self-Rising Flour
DIY Powdered Sugar
DIY Sweetened Condensed Milk
DIY Corn Syrup
DIY Mustard

​Substitute for Molasses 

or Eggs 

Linked to Melt in Your Mouth Monday
Lou Lou Girls  
Weekend Potluck  

Easy Coconut Custard Pie (Reduced Sugar Option)

Y'all know I just love S-I-M-P-L-E!!...this recipe caught my interest when I saw it shared at Judy's The Southern Lady Cooks. Judy has a very large following cause once you get a taste of her amazing recipes, you'll only want more.

Please pop over to see her - tell her I said hello. 

I love that this dessert only has a few ingredients, and I could use my homemade sweetened condensed milk that has little sugar in it. 

Hope you won't put off trying it.  Hubby and I ate the whole thing ourselves....(but not all at once.) *-* 

(I'm not sure why the filling looks thinner than it actually was??)

EASY COCONUT CUSTARD PIE 

1 - 9" deep dish pie shell, unbaked

1 (14 ozs.) can sweetened condensed milk

Or try my Homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk

(much reduced sugar option)

1 1/4 c. hot water 

(hot tap water is fine - you don't want to cook the eggs)

1/4 tsp. salt

1 tsp. vanilla extract

3 eggs, beaten

1 c. (unsweetened) coconut 

Few sprinkles ground nutmeg, optional

Preheat oven to 425. 

In a mixing bowl whisk together the milk, water, salt and vanilla extract.  Beat eggs well and add to milk mixture, along with coconut; continue beating with wire whisk until smooth.  Pour into pie shell.  Sprinkle nutmeg on top.  Bake at 425 for 10 minutes, then reduce heat to 350 degrees and continue baking for 50 minutes until filling is set.  Remove from oven, cool to room temperature; top with whipped cream to serve. Refrigerate any left overs.  Enjoy!

Other great pie recipes...

Impossible Coconut Pie with Rum Sauce

No Bake Lightened Up Coconut Cream Pie

Linked to Weekend Potluck

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3 Favorite Do-It-Yourself Recipes {Blast from the Past}

OH.MY.STARS!  This simple 3-ingredient recipe is the way to go. 

Homemade Chocolate Bars/Chips (Sugar/Gluten Free)

I am always in awe over this recipe.  The texture of the s.c.m. is thick like store-purchased...I can't believe it's only 4 simple ingredients either!

Homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk

I love to add a tablespoon or more of this delicious pudding mix to apple crisp or overnight oatmeal. It's a great flavor booster.  

Mix can be cooked for pudding. 

Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix (for use in baking)

​

Almond Joy Fudgies (& Homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk Recipe too)

A special recipe from my archives....

I love chocolate...and coconut...AND almonds too! 

So of course when I saw this wonderful recipe it jumped right out at me, into my lap, and into my tummy.

I am loving soooo many recipes I find at Grandma Loy's Kitchen,

that I knew I could trust this one being great because all her recipes are.

These have a chocolate base and topping with a 'macaroon' filling - oh soo yummy! It's a decadent dessert, and perfect for Valentine's Day!

Loy found it in a Pillsbury Bake-Off cookbook, and she tweaked the recipe a bit and decided to rename them. 

I think the name describes them perfectly.

click here for my 'homemade' recipe...

I get excited just looking at this!=)

(I can testify to the fact this recipe really works!

I'm amazed at the likeness in consistency to store purchased sweetened condensed milk...I even make it using sugar and mostly xylitol.)

You can make it low fat by using 2% evaporated milk and less butter, or fat free by using ff evap. milk and no butter.

It's wonderful!  So that's a 'bonus' recipe in this post.

And since this recipe calls for half a can (about 2/3 c.) of

sweetened condensed milk, you can have enough for another batch.

I LOVE that this condensed milk lasts in the fridge for 2 weeks and can be frozen up to 6 months. 

What an awesome thing to have handy during the holidays, wouldn't you say????

This would make a wonderful addition to any holiday plate of cookies and treats. 

The recipe calls for topping the baked cookies with chocolate chips, but they were plenty sweet for us without it.  I suggest you do that if you want to 'impress' or dress up these yummy bars.

ALMOND JOY FUDGIES

1-1/4 c. butter or margarine
2/3 c. baking cocoa
2 c. sugar (I used 1-1/2 successfully)
1 c. all purpose flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
3 eggs
1 c. milk chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate chips

Filling:

2/3 c. sweetened condensed milk
2-1/2 c. flaked coconut
1 t. almond extract
1/2 c. toasted, sliced almonds

FILLING: In mixing bowl, combine sweetened condensed milk, coconut and almond extract. Mix well


Preheat oven to 350. Grease a 9" X 13" pan well. Melt butter and cocoa together in a saucepan over low heat or in glass bowl in microwave.  Remove from heat. 

Add sugar, eggs, flour, salt and vanilla.  Mix well. Spread half of chocolate mixture in prepared pan. Prepare filling and spoon evenly over chocolate batter.  Sprinkle sliced almonds evenly over filling. 

Spread remaining chocolate batter evenly over filling. Bake 35 - 40 minutes.  Remove from oven and immediately sprinkle with chocolate chips.  Place back into oven for 1- 2 minutes until chocolate chips soften and begin to melt.  Spread chocolate over the top of the brownies.  Allow to cool completely.  Cut into 36 bars.

Linked to Spring Link Party

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