red velvet.

my favorite cake during this season.

red velvet with cream cheese icing.

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♥

Pumpkin Swirl Brownies

Pumpkin & chocolate...not the normal combination for brownies.

I do admit, I have tried a lot of recipes that just don't taste good

even when the reviews are great.

But this recipe was from smitten and I trust her completely.

So I went out on a whim, and baked these swirl brownies.

You make 1 batter, than you split it to 2, and add the pumpkin.

You layer the chocolate brownie with the pumpkin 2 times each.

& swirl :)

The aroma in the kitchen during baking was phenomenal! Really.

But, the flavor of the brownie just isn't for me. It was interesting.

Almost crumbly..like the 2 batters just couldn't fully bake together.

I still love trying new recipes because it makes me feel more well-rounded.

Not just sticking to the normal things, but going out of the box

and really exploring the art of baking.

I encourage you to do the same.

Try not to get upset when a recipe doesn't work out.

Take it as a way of learning :)

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♥

vanilla cherry biscotti.

yet again, it's been another week . . . 

& i have recipes and photos piling up.

with all of the friends stopping by & having coffee, tea or hot chocolate,

biscotti was a necessity.

what flavor? whatever i wanted to make!

i started with a fig & walnut biscotti recipe because of the spices

and added my own spin to it.

tip for next time; a bit less sugar. white chips and dried cherries are so sweet

extra sugar isn't necessary, but doesn't hurt!

quite wonderful, and stores well in the cookie jar ♥

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chocolate ginger cookies.

its been weeks! thank you for sticking around ♥

chocolate ginger cookies, the best combination for this season.

not one flavor over the other

but both completely and equally perfect.

try them.

more to come!

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♥

pumpkin cupcakes with maple cream cheese.

pumpkin cupcakes by smitten kitchen.

a must have on your fall-to-do-list

i always make her recipes because i know i can 100% trust them.

she is really lovely. you should give her a look.

a simple batter, full of spices & pumpkin

make up these perfect little cakes.

topped with the best ever maple cream cheese icing

so smooth and rich, with a subtle maple essence.

enjoying our saturday afternoon. he is just so handsome ♥

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♥

homemade apple pancakes with apple cider syrup

a beautiful fall morning to wake up to.

apple pancakes were on my mind.

the first place i looked for a recipe was smitten

& of course, she had a wonderful recipe for me to use.

i figured this would be my last apple recipe for a while,

as my most recent posts have all been apple recipes.

time for pumpkin, cranberry, & pear desserts!

how to make apple pancakes.

chop the apples in a food processor.

i left the skin on, but you can peel them if you prefer.

gather the ingredients.

i cut the recipe in half since i was the only one eating them.

combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, & nutmeg.

combine the milk& egg + the dry ingredients.

heat a large cast iron skillet over low/medium heat with butter or oil.

flip when brown, maybe after 5 minutes on the first side & 3 on the other.

ready to eat!

apple cider syrup

heat 1 cup of apple cider on medium heat.

bring it to a boil & allow it to reduce/thicken.

add 1 tablespoon of pure maple syrup

&some freshly grated orange zest

add apple slices and heat until soft.

pour on top of the pancakes & enjoy!

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♥

oh, apple cake.

a wonderful, moist apple bundt cake covered in a brown sugar glaze

[recipe]

oil sugar eggs flour

baking soda vanilla salt

cinnamon coconut walnuts

& your favorite apples.

it pretty much has all of my favorite things in it.

apples, cinnamon, coconut & walnuts.

[you can probably substitute the nuts for raisins]

i love cakes that are just mixed, baked, and served. no fuss. really

this would be great for a breakfast treat or brunch.

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apple streusel coffee cake

yes yes yes, new jersey had a lovely snow storm in october this year.

which left me inside with only one thing to do; BAKE!

so with some of my apples that had been ignored for about a week,

i decided they were ready to be baked in this yummy cake.

Joy Of Baking has done it again with yet another wonderful recipe that i will cherish.

apple streusel coffee cake

for the streusel; flour, cinnamon, butter, brown sugar.

cake; flour, baking powder, salt, butter, sugar, egg, vanilla, milk & apples.

a very easy cake to prepare in a short time

[most of these ingredients you will have on hand.]

perfect for breakfast, brunch, and even for dessert with ice cream on top.

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a fall craft.

August, September, & October is the prime time for apples.

This weekend is the Apple Festival in Peddler's Village. I love going there.

Apples everywhere!

Dumplings, pies, apple butter, cider,

fritters, and caramel dipped apples!

here we are from last years festival.

a simple apple can inspire me to do something other then bake with it.

a simple fall craft for a dinner party or just everyday decoration.

what you'll need; an apple, lemon juice, a paring knife, and a tealight/votive candle.

cut out the center of the apple from the top, half way down

and cut the bottom of the apple so the apple sits flat.

brush the inside of the apple with lemon juice so prevent browning.

insert the candle.

light your candle and enjoy!

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mom's applesauce.

I have such fond memories of my mom making applesauce my entire life.

I even remember her hiding our vitamins in the applesauce.

But most of all, I just love that she actually made it homemade.

It is so easy and much cheaper than buying it in the store.

And it really is much more tasty. You can mix up different apples & spices.

Plus, you get to eat it warm when it's finished.

No recipe or measurements needed.

Just "what mom does"

Enjoy ♥

a variety of apples

no need for peeling [just wash] Put the apples in a pot and cover with water

Bring to a boil, then let simmer for 35-45 minutes on low.

Use a food mill to process the apples

sugar and spice & everything nice.

add your favorite spices to taste*; cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves.

add granulated sugar or brown sugar to taste*

or enjoy it plain.

*to taste = add sugar or spices for however sweet or spicy you prefer it.

This will last about a week or so in the refrigerator

and can also be frozen for up to 3 months.

& that's if it lasts THAT long!

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♥

blueberry crumb cake.

a buttery cake on the bottom, fruit or nuts in between, and a thick crumb topping.

What a diverse recipe, as you can change the fruit

mix fruit together, add nuts or chocolate

and it can be baked in so many different pans. I used a 9" cake pan and cut into slices.

You can easily double the recipe and use a 9x13 pan to cut the cake into squares.

adapted from Ina Garten

this lovely cake is sure to please a crowd

& can be served for breakfast, brunch, and dessert.

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♥