Perfect Pumpkin Pie

     I made a pumpkin pie.  It turned out beautifully.  Pumpkin pie happens to be a staple for Thanksgiving.  There is only one problem with pumpkin pie...I hate it.  I'm not a pumpkin fan at all; the smell, the taste, the texture...not for me.  But my man happens to love pumpkin pie and he needed one made for work, so I rolled up my sleeves and made one and loved every second of it.  Baking actually makes the world a better place. 

     Now I have not personally tried this pie, but Austin said it was great.  He is my ultimate taste tester.  He is honest in an encouraging way.  He won't hide his thoughts and tries to encourage with suggestions.  I appreciate his take on my recipes each time I bake.

     Usually I make my own pie crust.  I'll be honest, I consider it cheating if I don't make my own crust.  But I have been one busy girl, so I used a...store bought crust.  Wow, that was hard to type.  Anyway, it cuts down a lot on the time and time is something I am lacking these days.

Here is the recipe for this delicious pie.  Please don't follow my example by buying a crust.  Make your own...it's worth it.

Here is the recipe for Pumpkin Pie:

Serving Size: 2 regular size pies

Cook Time: Approximately 50-60 minutes

Oven Temperature: 425 degrees for the first 15 minutes.  Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees for approximately another 35-45 minutes or until knife inserted comes out clean.

Ingredients for Pie Filling:

·       -  1 (29 oz) can of pure pumpkin

·       -  2 (14 oz) cans of sweetened Condensed Milk

·       -  4 eggs

·       -  2 tsp ground cinnamon

·       -  1 tsp ground ginger

·       -  1 tsp ground nutmeg

·       -  1 tsp salt

     The best part of this recipe is that you literally put all the ingredients in the mixer until it is mixed together very well and divide it between the two pie crusts.

     I like to do different pinching methods with pie crusts.  As pictured above, I did one pie crust pinched further apart while the other was pinched closer together.  

     This is what the pie filling will look like after being mixed.

     Fill the pie crust and bake.

    That's all there is to it!  This pie is delicious and so easy.  It is the perfect end to an amazing Thanksgiving dinner.  Enjoy!

Thanksgiving Preparation Tips

    This year, Austin and I are hosting Thanksgiving.  Two of our friends are coming over to enjoy the day with us.  Austin and I have had Thanksgiving just the two of us from the past two years.  Between the two of us, we made great Thanksgiving meals both years.  I love making mashed potatoes, homemade bread, and pies!  Austin and I made the turkey together.  Austin made gravy and stuffing both years.  And I always steamed some yummy vegetables.  We loved having both of those Thanksgiving together, but we miss our families a lot for holidays like this.  Having our dear friends with us is a welcomed addition to our Thanksgiving.  The nice thing about this is having another girl alongside me in the kitchen. 

     She and I divided our favorite things to make for the holidays.  She and I will be making the turkey together.  I'll also be making the mashed potatoes and bread as well as pie.  The past two years, I have gone completely overboard with pies.  It was just the two of us so we ended up freezing some of the pies.  This year, I am only making one or two pies.  I am really looking forward to doing some cooking and hosting the holiday.

     I figured I would share some tips for hosting Thanksgiving that I plan to use this year.  I am working on a schedule for what needs to be made.

Delegate:  Don't feel the pressure to do everything yourself.  Allow others to help when they volunteer.  Even if it's just help with the dishes.  Holiday meals are so much work, help volunteering should be considered a good thing.

Test Beforehand: If possible, test out recipes before the big day.  I have some great recipes I have tried and love that I'm looking forward to using, but there are also a few things I haven't tried out yet that chances are I'm not going to.  In that case, I plan to spend significant time choosing a recipe and reading reviews on them.

Backup Plans: Just in case things don't go as planned in the kitchen, have some backups.  For example, we are planning to make our own gravy and stuffing but I bought some canned gravy and boxed stuffing, just in case. 

Space Options: For us, space is something we need to consider.  We have a decent size apartment, but a small table.  We need to take into consideration where we will be placing the food.  My plan is to use our breakfast bar as a place to set out all of the food. 

Table Setting:  I am planning to create a special centerpiece for our table.  I recently bought a new table cloth for the holiday.  I had contemplated a burnt orange, but choose a rich cranberry color instead.  It is a table cloth we can use for other holidays as well.  I plan to set our table the night before so I will not have as much to do the day of.  This also allows me the opportunity to make sure I have all the proper dishes available.

Shop Ahead:  Ensure everything is bought ahead of time.  I plan to make my shopping list in the next day or two.  We have already purchased the turkey.  We choose to buy a turkey breast instead of a full turkey. 

Start Right:  Start the day with a clean kitchen, it won't stay this way for long.  It's best to start off with the dishwasher empty and clean counter tops with a much space available as possible. 

Keep it simple: It's easy to get caught up in the planning, preparation, and hosting of Thanksgiving, but try to enjoy it.  Problems may occur, something might burn, the centerpiece may not turn out perfectly or your bread may not rise, but have fun and don't let the little bumps in the road ruin the day.  Don't let yourself get stressed out, instead enjoy every part of the holiday with family and friends.

I hope these tips help out some for planning the big day.  

Bridal Shower Cake

     Since I have shared a few of the cakes I have made on here, I thought I would share this one as well.  This is one of my favorite cakes I have made so far.  It was for my cousin's bridal shower.  She choose a beautiful blue for her wedding colors so I incorporated that in to the cake with royal icing blue flowers.  I also made cupcakes and mini cupcakes.  

     I hope to have the opportunity to make more cakes like this one!  I really enjoy baking and this was by far by favorite project so far! 

Photos by: K. M. Robinson Photography

Red Velvet Mini's

     Last night I made red velvet cupcakes to send with Austin to work today.  I made enough so I could take some to work with me as well.  They turned out perfectly.  I made mini's because they are simple and perfect for any kind of event or occasion.    

  

Cook Time: 18-22 minutes for regular size; 10-11 minutes for mini muffins

Oven Temperature: 350 degrees

Ingredients for Cupcakes:

- 1 1/2 cup sugar

- 1/2 cup butter (1 stick), room temperature

-2 eggs, room temperature

- 2 1/3 cup flour

- 2 1/2 Tbs of cocoa

- 1 tsp baking soda

- 1 tsp baking powder

- 1/2 tsp salt

- 1 cup buttermilk

- 1 1/2 tsp red food coloring

- 1 tsp vanilla extract

- 1 tsp distilled white vinegar

Directions to Make Cupcakes:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Beat the butter and sugar in mixer for 3 minutes on medium speed until light and fluffy.

2. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating until each is fully incorporated.  Be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure even mixing.

3. In a large bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.  In another bowl whisk together the buttermilk, vinegar, vanilla extract, and food coloring.

4. Add a fourth of the dry ingredients and mix, then add a third of the wet.  Continue adding in a dry, wet, dry pattern, ending in dry ingredients.

5. Scoop into cupcake papers, about 1/2 to 3/4 of the way full.  Bake for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.  Rotate the pan after the first 15 minutes of baking to ensure even baking. (For mini cupcakes, it took between 10 and 11 minutes)

6.  Allow to cool for one minute in the pan then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Ingredients for Frosting:

- 1/2 cup of butter (1 stick), room temperature

- 8 oz. cream cheese

- 3-4 cups of powdered sugar

- 1 tsp of vanilla

Directions to make frosting:

1.  Cream the butter and cream cheese together, about 3 minutes.  Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl to ensure even mixing.

2.  Add the vanilla extract and mix.

3.  Add the powdered sugar, continually taste to get the desired sweetness. Pipe onto cooled cupcakes.  

  

     In order to take these cupcakes to work, I used a cupcake carrier I got from Kmart.  This is my favorite way to carry cupcakes.  This particular carrier was in Kmart's Sandra Lee collection.  This carrier is definitely a worth while purchase!  It is sturdy and functional!

High Five For Friday!

     It's Friday again!  I had such a busy week.  Unfortunately, I am working Saturday and Sunday as well.  But even when I know I have to work over the weekend, I still look forward to Friday.  Here are my five highlights from this week!

1.  We got back Sunday from a wonderful weekend at the beach.  We were able to spend time with my parent which was so nice!  We went on tons of walks on the beach and we also got to go to the aquarium!

2.  Bella is so funny at the beach!  She had so much fun!  I have never seen her happier.

3.  I started school!  I am so happy to be doing school work again, but I think I'm just starting to realize how busy life is about to be for the next year and a half.  I am so thankful for the opportunity to be back in school. 

4.  This time of year is wonderful!  I love fall!  I love the weather, I love the food, and I love the smells.  I love lighting my pumpkin spice candle this time of year!

5.  We had an event at work yesterday for our residents.  We had chili and broccoli and cheddar soup.  It was delicious and warmed me right up!  I love opportunities to get to spend time with our residents!  

It was a great week!  Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Apple Crisp

     It is my favorite time of year to do some serious baking!  Especially with apples!  Two weekends ago, my hubby and I went to Carter's Mountain with some friends of ours.  Carter's Mountain is located in Charlottesville, VA and it is the best apple orchard.  Austin and I have gone a few times and we have always enjoyed ourselves.  This year we unfortunately chose the rainiest day to go.  It was so muddy, we decided to leave the apple picking to the experts and bought apples that were pre-picked.  From the people we saw coming back with their apples, I was convinced there was no way I was going to pick my own.  Everyone was covered in mud! 

     We enjoyed some apple cider and hot, fresh apple cider doughnuts.  We also ended up with two huge bags of Jonagold  apples.  This is definitely our favorite type of apple.  They taste great and they are perfect to bake with.

     I ended up making apple crisp as well as some apple sauce.  I loved how they turned out!  I thought I would share this delicious recipe for apple crisp today.  My mother-in-law shared her wonderful recipe with me.  It happens to be one of my hubby's  favorite recipe. 

Here is the delicious recipe:

Cook Time: 50-60 minutes

Oven Temperature: 350 degrees

Ingredients for apple crisp:

·         About 5 Cups of apples (peeled, cored, and sliced)

·         2/3 Cup of Sugar

·         3 Tbs Flour

·         Cinnamon (I don't use an exact amount; probably 2-3 tsp)

Ingredients for apple crisp topping:

·         1 Cup of Melted Butter

·         1-1/2 Cup of Brown Sugar

·         1-3/4 Cup Flour

·         2 Cups of Quick Oats

·         A little more cinnamon

Directions: 

1.  Heat oven to 350 degrees.  

2.  Place peeled, cored, and sliced apples in 9 X 13 pan.  

3.  Mix 2/3 cup of sugar, 3 Tbs flour, and cinnamon in a small bowl.  

4.  Fold mixture in to apples in pan.  

5.  Melt butter in a large bowl.  

6.  Once it is completely melted, mix 1-1/2 cup of brown sugar, 1-3/4 cup flour and 2 cups of quick oats in with the melted butter.  

7.  Sprinkle this mix over the apples.  This will make the dish very full.  

8.  Bake for 50-60 minutes or until the apples are tender and the mixture is bubbly.  The top will be browned.  

9.  Enjoy!