Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting

This frosting is what I iced the Pumpkin Spice Cake with that I told you about last week. This frosting is divine and is less intimidating than it looks. Let me walk you through it!

Here's the caramel, just finished.

And here's the finished icing, just try not to eat it all with your fingers!!

Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting
-1 lb powdered sugar, divided
-1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon whipping cream
-1 teaspoon vanilla
-1/4 teaspoon salt
-1 8oz. package cream cheese, softened
-1/2 stick butter (1/4 cup), softened
Heat 1/2 cup of sugar for two minutes on medium heat, until melty and starting to turn amber. Stir in 1/2 cup cream, vanilla, and salt, and then stir in the last of the cream. When you stir in the cream, the caramel may seem like it is seizing up, getting grainy, and being ruined- just keep stirring and it will come out beautiful and smooth! Let the caramel cool completely before using.
Beat the butter and cream cheese together, and beat in the remaining powdered sugar. Then beat in the cooled caramel! Adjust for texture by adding little bits of powdered sugar and milk or cream.

And here are the iced cupcakes!! I really hope you try them, they're delicious for any time of year!

Savor it!
love, rue

Pumpkin Spice Cake

This cake is actually what I made for Thanksgiving dessert back in November, but I'm just getting around to it now. It was fabulously delicious and I highly recommend making it!

Here's the batter all mixed up!

And the cupcakes ready for the oven!

Pumpkin Spice Cake
-1 15 oz can pumpkin
-1 1/2 cups sugar
-1 1/4 cups veggie oil or applesauce (I used over 1/2 applesauce)
-4 eggs
-2 teaspoons vanilla
-3 cups flour
-2 teaspoons baking soda
-2 teaspoons baking powder
-1 teaspoon cinnamon
-1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
-1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
-1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg (fresh is best)
-1/4 teaspoon allspice
-1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom (optional)
-1/4 teaspoon salt
Mix the pumpkin, sugar, and oil, then beat in the eggs and vanilla. Stir in the dry ingredients.
Bake at 350 F for 40-45 min for a 9x13'' pan, or shorter for cupcakes. Cool completely before icing.

And here are my cupcakes (and stars!) all baked up. Aren't the stars fun?!

I'll be back next week with the recipe for the icing!!
Savor it!
love, rue

Glazed Pumpkin Cookies

Happy Thanksgiving!!! Take some time today to remember what you're thankful for, including some damn good food. And then think about making these :) you'll be thankful for them!

These are super simple to whip up and completely delicious- good pumpkin flavor, etc. I hope you give them a shot! This recipe is heavily based on Libby's classic recipe, but I've made a few tweaks, so here are the pictures and recipe!


Here's the batter...



And the cookies all ready for the oven...


And all baked up!


Glazed Pumpkin Cookies
-1/2 cup butter, softened
-1 1/2 cup sugar
-1 cup pumpkin
-1 egg
-1 teaspoon vanilla
-2 1/2 cups flour
-1 teaspoon baking soda
-1 teaspoon baking powder
-1 teaspoon cinnamon
-1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg (I used freshly grated)
-1/4 teaspoon salt
Cream the butter and sugar, then mix in the pumpkin, egg, and vanilla. Stir in the dry ingredients.
Bake at 350 F for 15-17 minutes on greased baking sheets or parchment paper.
Let cool completely before glazing.

Glaze:
-2 tablespoons milk
-2 teaspoons melted butter
-1 teaspoon vanilla
-1 to 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
Mix together until smooth. Put on top of cookies.




Here's the glaze all made- it's super simple.


And the finished cookies!

Enjoy your holiday, and Savor it!
love, rue

Pumpkin Muffins (or bread!)

Today I have for you a deliciously simple recipe for pumpkin muffins or bread. It's just the right time of year for a pumpkin-based recipe, and this one isn't too sweet or overpowering- just right! You just mix all the ingredients and they bake up to beautiful browned peaks- let's get to those pictures and that recipe!


Here's the batter all mixed up...



The muffins all ready to bake...



And the breads all ready for baking too!


Pumpkin Muffins/Bread
-4 eggs
-2 cups sugar
-1 can pumpkin (15 oz)
-1 1/2 cups vegetable oil (I replaced 1 cup with applesauce and they turned out great!)
-3 cups flour
-2 teaspoons baking soda
-2 teaspoons baking powder
-1 teaspoon cinnamon
-1/2 teaspoon salt
-1 1/2 cups walnuts, chocolate chips, etc. (optional)
Mix up the eggs, sugar, pumpkin, and veggie oil/applesauce. Stir in the dry ingredients. Then stir in any add-ins that you'd like (I used walnuts).
Bake at 400 F for 15 minutes for muffins, or for 30-35 minutes for bread.
Cool for 5 minutes, then finish cooling on a cooling rack.



And here are the delicious goodies all baked up and beautiful- please try, and enjoy!!

Savor it!
love, rue