Pumpkin Bread!

Happy Halloween and in the spirit of the holiday, instead of tricks, I made treats! 15 loaves to be exact! 12 for BaBa to bless her friends, 1 for a dear friend who just lost her loving and loyal companion after 60+ years and two for me to take to work. I'm still new there, so I have to show them what I'm made of! ;)

Pumpkin Bread



1 cup butter, room temperature
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 cups granulated sugar
3 cups all-purpose flour
3 large eggs
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 Tbsp. baking powder
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp. ground cloves
1 1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. all spice
1 29 oz can on pumpkin

Cream butter and sugars together in a mixer. When mixed well, add eggs. Mix on med-high speed until thoroughly combined. Add spices, baking soda and baking powder and mix well. Add flour one cup at a time until mixed well. Add pumpkin and mix until combined.

Liberally grease, I used Baker's Friend (greatest stuff on the planet!!!) 2 or 3 loaf pans. I used 3, 2 regular sized and one smaller, but I didn't fill them up all the way. Bake on 350 for 45 minutes and then test with a toothpick for doneness. When the toothpick comes out clean take them out of the oven and let them cool on a wire rack. You can serve it warm with butter, cream cheese icing, or try a nut topping before you bake it!

White Hot Chocolate

White Hot Chocolate by Martha Stewart



2 cups heavy cream
6 cups whole milk
12 ounces white chocolate , finely chopped
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 block dark chocolate

Using a vegetable peeler, shave chocolate into curls; set aside.

Place white chocolate in a medium heat-proof bowl; set aside. Place milk and cream in a medium saucepan set over medium heat until bubbles begin to form around edges of pan (about 4 minutes). Do not boil.

Remove mixture from the flame. Immediately pour over white chocolate. When chocolate begins to melt, gently stir to combine.

Whisk in vanilla. Continue whisking until light foam forms.

Serve immediately. Garnish with chocolate shavings or marshmallows.

It's Beverage Week!! Chai Tea!!!!

There is even a brisk chill in the air in Florida this morning so this week we are going to do yummy beverages that will surely warm you up!

First on the list today, Chai Tea!



1 cup nonfat dry milk powder
1 cup powdered non-dairy creamer
1 cup French vanilla flavored powdered non-dairy creamer
2 1/2 cups white sugar
1 1/2 cups unsweetened instant tea
2 teaspoons ground ginger
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground cardamom

In a large bowl, combine milk powder, non-dairy creamer, vanilla flavored creamer, sugar and instant tea. Stir in ginger, cinnamon, cloves and cardamom. In a blender or food processor, blend 1 cup at a time, until mixture is the consistency of fine powder.

To serve: Stir 2 heaping tablespoons Chai tea mixture into a mug of hot water.

This could be made into a gift as well. Make the mix and display in a pretty jar with a label. The holidays are upon us!! Less than 12 weeks until Christmas!

Happy Monday!