Thursday, October 23, 2014

Pumpkin Pecan Delight


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One of my favorite desserts is Pecan Delight. The nuttiness of the crust with the creaminess of the puddings are the perfect combo. Wouldn’t it be awesome if there were a Fall version of that dessert? Well here it is!! Yummy pumpkin with real cream and a nutty crust…the perfect fall dessert.
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Enjoy Fall with this easy, creamy pumpkin dessert!

1 cup flour
1/2 cup (1 stick)  butter
1/2 cup pecans, chopped small
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
3 cups whipped topping, divided 
2 1/2 cups milk
3 sm pkgs. white chocolate instant pudding mix
1 15 oz can pumpkin puree
1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1 cup toffee bits

Layer 1: Mix flour, butter and 1/2 cup pecans together. Press into a greased 9x13 pan. Bake for 15 minutes at 350 degrees, then remove and let cool.

Layer 2: Blend cream cheese and powdered sugar, add 1 cup of the whipped topping and fold in. Spread over cooled crust.

Layer 3: Mix milk, pudding mix, canned pumpkin and pumpkin spice and whisk with a hand mixer until smooth and thick. Fold in 1 cup of  whipped topping. Spread over top of layer 2.

Layer 4: Spread remaining 1 cup of whipped topping on layer 3 and sprinkle with toffee bits..
Let chill for 3 hours or until set.

*From Lil’Luna

Monday, October 13, 2014

Zucchini Carrot Muffins


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I make these about once a week. My kids love them so much and they’re packed full of nutritious things so I don’t mind. They even ask for these for dessert after dinner. I love win-win’s when it comes to kids and food. I like to bake them in a mini muffin tin, but they definitely can be made into regular sized muffins. They’re just so cute mini:)

3/4 cup whole wheat flour
3/4 cup old fashioned oats (I’ve used quick oats before and it works)
1/2 cup flax seed meal
1/4 plus 2T brown sugar
1 t cinnamon
1/2 t ground ginger
1/2 t nutmeg
1/2 t cloves
1/2 t salt
1 t baking soda
1 t baking powder
1/2 c mini chocolate chips (optional)
1 c zucchini, grated with skin on
1/2 c carrots, grated
2 eggs
6 oz plain Greek yogurt (sour cream can be substituted)
2 T oil
1/2 cup applesauce
1 t vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray muffin tin with nonstick spray or line with paper cups. I usually use paper cups when making regular sized muffins and don’t with the mini’s.

In a large bowl, use a whisk to combine all of the dry ingredients with excluding the chocolate chips.
In a medium bowl, whisk together all of the wet ingredients including zucchini and carrots. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and combine well. Fold in chocolate chips.

Using a tablespoon for the min muffin tins or a 1/4 cup for the regular sized muffins, fill each muffin cup. I usually fill 2 mini muffin tins or 1 regular muffin tin. Bake for 6-7 minutes for the mini muffins or 16-18 minutes for regular muffins or until toothpick comes out clean or cupcake springs back when touched. 

Wait 2-3 minutes before removing if not using paper cups. Let cool or eat straight out of the oven;)

*From The Lemon Bowl