last minute neighbor & friend gifts... from your kitchen~

here are some recipes that i got from some of my fellow members of THE HIVE. all of them look delicious, so i though i would feature all of them & there great blogs! in no particular order...

{caramel marshmallow rice crispy treats}

these are a little labor intensive, but just look at them! you can find this recipe here @ City Home/Country Home.

next up...

{reindeer corn cookie bark}

this is so fun & different! it is also a great way to get the kids in to kitchen for some cooking fun. over at the Home Based Mom, you can grab this recipe & lots of other fun holiday bark recipes!

drum roll please...

{mindika's white chocolate & peppermint fudge}

what is Christmas without fudge??? & this is such a great mix of flavors! head on over to Mindika's Moments to find this & lots of other great recipes for the holiday!

just wait...

{confessions of a bake-aholic's chocolate mint cookies}

i love everything over at Confessions of a bake-aholic! she does such a great job!!! & this recipe is no exception. cookies are a must have during the holidays! & this is a great choice.

& last but definitely not least...

{mel's perfect almond roca}

almond roca is one of my favorite candies! & this is a great recipe for a great toffee! she does different nut toppings for different variations. of course my favorite is her almond roca, but i wouldn't turn down any of them:) head over to mel's kitchen cafe to get this and many other great recipes!

hopefully these yummy treats will make it to from your kitchen to your friends & neighbors home! i wish all of you a happy holiday season, covered in sprinkles, glitter & of course- flour:)!

amy's pumpkin cookies with a twist...

i love this recipe! it's easy, delicious & different:) give it a try for an easy after school treat for your kids... you'll look like the best mom ever without too much effort.

{amy's white chip & macadamia pumpkin cookies}

1 cup canned pumpkin

1 cup white sugar

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1 egg

2 cup all-purpose flour

2 tsp baking powder

2 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp nutmeg

1/2 tsp salt

1 TBSP warm milk

1 tsp baking soda

1 TBSP vanilla

2 cups white chocolate

1/2 cup chopped macadamia nuts

Combine pumpkin, sugar, vegetable oil, egg.

In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, nutmeg.

Dissolve baking soda in milk and stir in.

Add flour mixture to pumpkin and mix well.

Add vanilla, chocolate chips, nuts.

Spoon onto greased cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 10 min or until slightly brown.

Give and Get is Here!

I know this isn't food, but who doesn't love a deal just as much???
plus, you can make your non-profit feeding america:)

Give and Get is Here!: "Enjoy 30% off from November 11-14 at Gap, Banana Republic and Old Navy plus we'll make a 5% donation to a non-profit."

sticking with the apple theme:)

this is one of my favorite fall dessert recipes! it is light, satisfying, but not too sweet! a zeppole is like an Italian doughnut. fried & crispy on the outside, light & fluffy inside. i prefer mine with some whipped cream, maybe even cinnamon whipped cream! give them a try this weekend!

{sweet apple zeppole's}

1 large apple, peeled & grated- about 1 1/2 cups

1/4 cups sugar

1 stick butter

1/4 tsp. salt

1/2 cup water

1 cup flour

4 eggs

Vegetable oil for frying

Cinnamon Whipped Cream

1 cup whipping cream

2 TBSP powder sugar

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. vanilla

In a medium sauce pan combine the butter, salt, sugar & water over medium heat. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat & stir in flour. Return pan to medium heat & stir constantly until mixture forms a ball. About 3-5 minutes. Transfer mixture to a medium bowl. Using an electric hand mixer on medium speed, add eggs one at a time. Incorporating each egg completely. Beat until smooth. Add grated apple & stir to combine. Cover with plastic wrap & refrigerate while mixing whipped cream.

Combine all cream, sugar & cinnamon. Beat until thick & fluffy. Add vanilla & stir until combined.

Meanwhile pour enough oil into a large frying pan to reach a depth of 2 inches. Heat oil over medium heat until oil is ready... *check tip.

Carefully drop a rounded TBSP of dough, 4-5 at a time, into hot oil. Cook until golden & puffed up, turning once or twice. About 2 minutes each side. With a slotted spoon, remove from oil, drain on paper towels, toss with cinnamon sugar. Transfer to serving dish. Serve cinnamon whipped cream on side for dipping.

* press bottom tip of a wooden spoon onto the bottom of the pan. if bubbles come from the bottom of the pan around the spoon handle, the oil is ready:)

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.