Pumpkin Spiced Cookies with Vanilla Cinnamon Cream Ceese Frosting

As you know I love baking and trying new recipes! These are my new obsession. I will be making these again for Thanksgiving and probably annually in the fall from now on. These cookies are the perfect mix of fall flavors in a soft chewy cookie. The Vanilla Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting is the topper that sent this recipe into my favorites that will be made every Fall! You must try them!

Pumpkin Spiced Cookies with Vanilla Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting:

Ingredients:

3 cups all-purpose flour

2 tsp cornstarch

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

1/4 tsp ground ginger

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

1/3 cup unflavored vegetable shortening

1 1/4 cups granulated sugar

2 large egg yolks

2/3 cup canned pumpkin puree

1 tsp vanilla extract

Frosting:

3 oz cream cheese, softened

3 Tbsp butter, softened

3/4 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

2 1/2 cups powdered sugar

1 - 1 1/2 Tbsp milk

Directions:

For the cookies:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a mixing bowl whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger for 20 seconds, set aside.

In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together butter, shortening and sugar until pale and fluffy. Mix in egg yolks one at a time. Mix in pumpkin puree and vanilla extract. With mixer set on low speed, slowly add in dry ingredients and mix until combined.

Scoop dough out and shape into 3 Tbsp balls (I just filled 1/4 cup 3/4 full). Place on Silpat or parchment paper lined baking sheets (you'll only be able to fit about 8 per sheet, these are fairly large cookies), and using your fingers lying flat, evenly flatten cookies into rounds until they are slightly under 1/2-inch thick. Bake in preheated oven 11 - 12 minutes. Cool on baking sheet several minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cool frost with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting. Store in an airtight container.

For the frosting:

In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, whip together cream cheese and butter until pale and fluffy. Mix in cinnamon, vanilla extract and powdered sugar. Mix in enough milk to reach desired consistency and mix until smooth and slightly fluffy.

Recipe Source: Cooking Classy

Lots of Love,  Natalie

Falling for Fall

 

Lots of Love, Natalie

 

Blacked Out

As Halloween draws closer that means it is time to get the house all decorated. I had seen some painted pumpkins in magazines and on Pinterest. I figured a black pumpkin would be different along with being a little spooky. I mean what is Halloween without a little eerie décor. I think making a pumpkin for your favorite sports team or with your house number would look great too! This DIY was very simple to complete. All you need is an hour or two, black matte spray paint, white acrylic paint, and a small paint brush. If you have made one or decide to I would love to see yours. Be sure to share a link to it in a comment. Trick or Treat!!

 

 

 Also, if you are interested or looking for another pumpkin decorating idea here is one from last year. (click on this link)

 

Lots of Love,  Natalie

Weekend Favorites

- Driving to Caledonia, Ms. with Jay to go to the Country Pumpkin Patch Saturday after getting off work -  

 

- At the Country Pumpkin there was a lot more than just pumpkins but more on that this week. There was a corn maze there so of course Jay and I had to try it out! -

- After we got back we went to the MSU Homecoming game with a few friends -

- Enjoying a relaxing cup of coffee on a pleasant Sunday morning -

 

- Sunday ended with Jay and I doing our annual pumpkin carving. I am successfully crossing things off my fall to do list (shown here)-

 (Jay's)

(mine)

 

-I apologize for last week. It got very busy for me. Don't worry I promise to be here all week! -

 

 

Lots of Love,  Natalie

Pumpkin Spiced Mini Bundt Cakes

Saturday I made these Pumpkin Spiced Mini Bundt Cakes with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting for a tailgate for the MSU vs. LSU game. These are the perfect fall treat. The smell that flows through the house when you make these is heavenly! Unfortunately, we lost the game but at least these treats were good!

 

Pumpkin Spiced Mini Bundt Cakes with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting:

 

Bundt Cakes:
1 box of Spiced Cake Mix

1 can of Pumpkin Puree

1 mashed Banana

1/2 cup of Applesauce

1 tbsp. of Cinnamon

 

Frosting:

8 oz. bar cream cheese (at room temp.)

1/2 stick unsalted butter (at room temp.)

2 cups confectioner's sugar

1/4 cup pure maple syrup

1/4 teaspoon table salt

 

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Make the cake: Mix all ingredients for the bundt cakes together in a big mixing bowl using an electric mixer until smooth.

3. Bake in the oven for 16-20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

4. Make the frosting: Using your electric mixer again, beat all ingredients on high until light and fluffy (3 to 5 minutes).

5. Let cakes cool then frost them.

 

 

P.S. Using the applesauce and mashed banana is a healthier alternative to the oil and eggs that they boxed cake mix calls for.

 

 

Lots of Love,  Natalie

Fall To Do List:

Fall has become my favorite season within the last few years. I used to love spring but I have decided that fall trumps spring. I love the weather, fashion, and holidays that it brings. It also lets you bake pies for new reason, make warm soups, cozy up by a fire, and spend more time with the ones you love. Since, fall officially started this past Friday it was time to make my list of things I plan to do this fall. Here is my list:

1. Go camping with good friends.

2. Watch at least one scary movie every week in October.

3. Carve a Pumpkin with Jay (our yearly tradition, you can see last years here).

4. Visit a real haunted house.

5. Make Cinnamon Sugar Pecans or Almonds.

6. Take a weekend trip with my man to celebrate our 3 year anniversary.

7. Drive the Natchez Trace with my mom to see all the leaves changing.

8. Have a weekly Girl's Night to watch "Scandal". Season 3 premieres on Thursday October 3 at 9/10c. If you haven't been watching it I highly suggest you catch up on the past two seasons on Netflix soon!

9. Go to a Pumpkin Patch.

10. Make my Christmas list before November.

I would love to hear from you on what you plan to do this fall! Also, the picture above is from the camping trip I took last year to northern Alabama, in case you missed it check it out here.

Lots of Love,  Natalie