more fall flavors...

with the perfect apple crisp! the tart apples with the sugar & spices. don't forget the crunchy topping! i promise that it is fall heaven!!! make this for your halloween parties this week!

{perfect apple crisp}

• 10 cups granny smith apples, peeled, cored and sliced
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp. nutmeg
• 2 cup quick-cooking oats
• 2 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup butter, melted
• 1 egg white

1/4 tsp salt

in a small bowl, mix together white sugar, 1 TBSP flour, cinnamon & nutmeg. toss with apples. Place apples in an ungreased 11x17 glass or ceramic baking dish. set aside

in a large bowl, mix oats, 2 cups flour, brown sugar, baking powder & soda, butter, egg white & salt. mix until all combined. spread evenly on top of apples.

bake at 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes, or until bubbly with a golden topping. let cook 5-10 minutes. serve with good vanilla ice cream.

flavors of fall... pumpkin spice cupcakes~

i made this recipe up yesterday for my hunny's birthday dinner & they couldn't have turned out better! not to mention they are easy peasy:) these are perfect for all fall long! ditch the pie & make these instead;)-

{pumpkin spice cupcakes with cinnamon cream cheese frosting}

1 cup sugar

1/3 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup oil

2 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

3/4 cup buttermilk

1- 15 oz. can pumpkin puree

2 1/4 cup flour

1 TBSP cinnamon

2 tsp. all spice

1 TBSP baking powder

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

in a large bowl, beat together sugars & oil. add eggs & vanilla. beat until incorporated. mix in pumpkin & buttermilk & beat well.

in a small bowl whisk together all dry ingredients until combined. add to pumpkin mix & beat until combined & creamy.

grease or line 24 muffin cups & fill 2/3 full. bake at 350 degrees for 18-22 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. let cool, top with cinnamon cream cheese frosting & sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.

{cinnamon cream cheese frosting}

8 oz. cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup salted butter, softened

1 bag powdered sugar

1/2 tsp. salt

2 tsp. vanilla

2-3 tsp. cinnamon

2-4 TBSP water

beat together cream cheese & butter. add half the powdered sugar, salt, cinnamon & vanilla. beat until incorporated. add other half of sugar & water. beat on medium high until light & fluffy. pipe or spread onto cooled cupcakes & sprinkle with cinnamon sugar:)

the perfect pair... or should i say pear?

pears are in season & this is the perfect salad for fall! the sweet juicy pears with the crunchy pecans & salty cheese all works so well together, add a great tangy honey dijon dressing & you've got an amazing side dish for any fall get together! come over & get all the details!

{fresh pear & gorgonzola salad}

fresh spring mix salad greens

fresh pears, thinly sliced

toasted or candied pecans

crumbled gorgonzola cheese

~creamy honey dijon dressing~

1/2 cup good dijon mustard

1/2 cup honey

1/2 cup cider vinegar

1 tsp. lemon juice

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. fresh ground pepper

2 TBSP sugar

1-1 1/2 cups oil

mix all ingredients except oil in the blender or food processor. blend until combined. slowly add oil in a slow steady stream until emulsified. serve on the side of the salad.

mary's brown bag apple pie...

just in time for Thanksgiving! kristin brought this recipe, from her mother-in-law mary, last month & it was oh, so delicious!!! i had heard of baking the pie in a paper bag but had never done it myself or tasted on that had been cooked that way. it was perfect! so if you haven't tried it & have wanted to, or not wanted to:) try it this week for Thanksgiving!

{picture courtesy of theelegantfarmer.com}

Crust:

• 1 1/2 cup flour
• 1 1/2 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup oil
• 2 T cold milk

Pat all ingredients into a pie pan

Slice and put in crust:

• 4 cups sliced apples (7-8)
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 T flour
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon

Topping:

• 1/2 cup flour
• 1/2 cup butter, softened but not melted
• 1/2 cup sugar

Sprinkle topping on and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour and 45 minutes. Bake in a brown grocery bag (place on a cookie sheet to avoid spilling in oven!

brit's pumpkin spice bundt cake...

recipe club was super yummy this month! everything that was brought i would make again!!!! this is the dessert that i made. i have made it before & it doesn't hurt that it is really pretty easy:) i think i over cooked it just a tad this time, but it was still really yummy.

{pumpkin spice bundt cake}

• 1 (18.25 ounce) package yellow cake mix
• 1 (3.4 ounce) package instant butterscotch pudding mix
• 4 eggs
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup canned pumpkin
• 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

In a large bowl mix together all ingredients. with a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat on low for 30 seconds. increase speed to high & beat for 4 minutes. pour into a greased & floured (or use this recipe for non stick greatness) & bake at 350 degrees for 40-55 minutes or until toothpick comes out this just a few crumbs. let sit 5 minutes & then turn out onto a cooling rack. glaze with cream cheese glaze & sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.

{cream cheese glaze}

4 tablespoons butter, room temperature
4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2-4 tablespoons milk (skim or regular)

beat together all ingredients until smooth. spoon or carefully pour over cooled bundt cake.

krisin's apple spice cake with caramel sauce...

kristin brought this to recipe club a few years ago & it was so yummy!  i made it just last week & had to share it with you!  the caramel sauce is to die for!  & the cake is so moist & flavorful.  with apples in season this is a fall must make!

{Krisin’s Apple Pudding Cake}

1 cup sugar 

1/4 cup butter

1 egg

2 un-peeled shredded apples

1 cup flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. nutmeg

1/4 salt

1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.  In a medium bowl cream together butter & sugar.  Add egg & beat well.  Add shredded apples & mix well.  Stir in dry ingredients & mix until just combined.  Stir in nuts.  Pour into a greased 9x9 pan & bake for 40-50 minutes.  Serve with caramel spice sauce & whipped cream.

**double recipe for 9x13 pan & bake for 45-60 minutes.

Caramel Spice Sauce:

1 stick butter

1 1/2 cup sugar 

3/4 cup evaporated milk

1 1/2 tsp vanilla

1/8 tsp. nutmeg

In a small sauce pan on medium heat, melt together butter, sugar & milk 

for 10-15 minutes (do not boil).  Stir frequently.  Add vanilla & nutmeg.