fall – Barnwood and Baked Goods

Happy Halloween!

This time of year is one of my favorites! I thoroughly enjoy the changing weather, the beautiful fall colors in Michigan, and it’s the time of year when I throw one of my biggest celebrations of the season our annual Halloween Party!

This past weekend months of preparation and planning came together in a fun night full of dancing and laughter with some of my very best friends, and neighbors! Each year we choose a party theme, and decorate our pole barn accordingly. This years theme was Masquerade! I really thought this theme was going to be easier to plan for than what it was. I found it challenging to decorate for… I ended up with a gold black and purple color scheme, lots and lots of balloons… I’m still winded…, and a few decorative mask centerpieces. Oh and I found a fabulous 9ft wide mask on Amazon that was a perfect match to our colors and theme!

I cooked a big crock pot of chili, made apple crisp and some cobb salad dip with crackers, many of our friends brought along passing dishes, and we had plenty to share!

We held a costume/ mask contest this year for the first time… I have no idea how it is I hold an annual Halloween party and never had a costume contest but we remedied that situation this year! Our big winner was Kasey with her Adams Family inspired look! It really was impressive!

We danced the night away, and paid for it the next day witha bit of a headache…perhaps not so much from dancing as from jello shots but well worth this great time! Hope you’re enjoying the Fall season and spreading a little Halloween Cheer, Happy Halloween!

Pumpkin Spice No- Bake Cookies~ Fall Cookie Series

I can’t think of a more marketed fall flavor than pumpkin spice! That being the case I couldn’t possibly go through the Fall Cookie Series without including a pumpkin spice cookie of some sort. So, after a little research, and a few trials I came up with a pumpkin spice no bake cookie that is a lot like eating pumpkin pie in cookie form, it’s seriously so yummy.

No Bake Cookies also known as Preacher cookies have been made for many years, They are fast, easy, and don’t require the use of an oven. They often use simple ingredients that anyone may have on hand, and named Preacher cookies because a housewife who saw the preacher coming on horseback round the mountains could have a batch whipped up and cooling before he reached her doorstep. A cookie meant for ultimate levels of hospitality. I love it!

Here is what you need for next level Fall Cookie baking! The Pumpkin Spice No Bake Cookie!

1/2 c. butter

2 c. Sugar

1/2 c. half and half

1/4 c canned pumpkin pie filling

2 Tbsp. Pumpkin pie Spice

1/8 tsp or pinch of salt

1/4 c prepared vanilla or butterscotch pudding (make it a little on the thick side)

1 tsp. vanilla

3-4c. quick oats

On medium-high heat cook butter, sugar, half and half, and pumpkin pie filling allow to boil for 1-2 minutes remove from heat and add remaining ingredients. Drop by the spoonful on a cookie sheet lined with parchment and allow to cool! You could also try pressing the mixture into a pan allow to cool and cut into bars. That’s it!

Fantastic Fall Cookies for the WIN!

So after polling my various social media outlets, email subscribers, and getting some feedback right here on WordPress.com, it looks like this fall I will be hosting a blog series on Fabulous Fall Cookies!

I’ve already started to compile a list of favorites, and can’t wait to get in the kitchen and get things started! I will include a couple of sugar free options as well, so stay tuned! I promise there will be a little something for every taste… Happy Fall Baking Y’all!

In a Fall Mood

I have a serious case of Autumn-itis. I am itching to get to the cooler weather, crock pot food, bonfires, and all of the wonderful fall desserts!

I made a nice family dinner tonight and decided to top it off with a Buttercream glazed Pumpkin Spice Pound Cake A la mode.

My house smells so good right now!! Pumpkin spice anything is a quintessential fall flavor. And it didn’t disappoint this recipe was delicious!

The warm spice cake combined with a creamy vanilla ice cream was perfection.

Here is the recipe, enjoy!

1 1/4 cup butter

2 eggs

1 c. Packed town sugar

1 1/4 c. Granulated sugar

1 can pumpkin puree

3 c. Flour

2 tap baking soda

1tsp cinnamon

Allspice, nutmeg, and ginger to taste.

Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes or until cooked through.

For the glaze

1/4 c. Butter

2 c. Powdered sugar

1tsp vanilla

Water to get proper consistency

Pour over warm cake

Warm Apple Crisp

The first official day of fall is coming this week and just the thought of it has me in the mood to get in my kitchen and make some fall baked goods!

My Mom always made the best apple crisp! It was an absolute treat when she would bake up a big pan of it. I have made my own version of her recipe, and hope my family has fond memories like mine when I bake up this delicious fall dessert for them too.

Fruit Crisp first appeared in cook books in 1924 Everybody’s Cook Book: A Comprehensive Manual of Home Cookery, Isabel Ely Lord

It consisted of rolled oats, butter, sugar, warm spices, and a seasonal fruit like apples or pears.

During WWII food rationing the recipe was adapted to exclude the oats and spices and utilized flour butter and brown sugar which would be rolled until it became the consistency of bread crumbs. This was then applied as a topping to seasonal fruit, and was referred to as crumble instead of crisp.

My version is much like the original, it’s a quick and easy recipe that your family will surely enjoy! Here’s what you need.

1 stick or 1/4c. of butter softened

1/2c brown sugar

1/4 tsp allspice

1/2 tsp cinnamon

2c. Rolled oats

3Tbsp. Granulated sugar

1/4tsp additional cinnamon

12-15 medium apples, I like crisp semi tart apples like Gala or Jonathon. Peeled, cored and chopped.

Preheat the oven to 350°F, prep your apples and place into an ungreased pie pan, sprinkle with granulated sugar and additional cinnamon and set aside. In a medium mixing bowl combine remaining ingredients. Mix well until the crisp has a course crumble appearance. Pour over top of the apples and bake 30min. Until lightly brown and bubbly at the edges. Allow to cool slightly and serve warm! Add a side of vanilla ice cream if you’d like, but I promise it’s amazing all on it’s own! Enjoy!