Skeleton Cookies

Oh, how I love Pinterest!  I used the same gingerbread cookie recipe used here, and used store bought icing to pipe on the the skeleton bones.  Happy Haunting!

Teacher Appreciation

I was honored to make cupcakes for a local elementary school's teacher appreciation banquet. The idea came directly from Disney's Family Fun magazine. Aren't they adorable?

Baby in Pink

I had the opportunity to throw my dear friend a surprise Diaper Party for her third baby, a girl.  My girlfriend missed the chance to try my Cherry Almond Vanilla cupcakes a while back and I thought she'd really enjoy them, so I opted for that specialty again.

They were a big hit.  I mixed the frosting up a bit this time, and it turned out to be just as tasty as the previous batch, and just a tad different with a hint of maraschino cherry.  Congratulations!  I can't wait to meet that baby girl!

{the very BEST} Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread

I found this recipe somewhere in the internet world a few years back.  I have been 100% addicted ever since.  It's a take on Great Harvest's Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread, and is honestly just as good as the real thing.  I often make it into muffins instead of bread just so we can share the wealth.  It bakes great either way.

the very BEST Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread

2 1/2 c. white flour

1 c. whole wheat flour

3 c. sugar

2 tsp. baking soda

2 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. nutmeg

1 tsp. salt

16 oz. cooked or canned pumpkin puree (not pie filling)

1 c. oil

4 eggs, beaten lightly

2/3 c. water

1 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 2 (9x5 inch) bread pans.

Mix flours, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt together in a bowl; set aside.

Mix pumpkin, eggs, water, oil, and 2/3 c. water and stir into dry ingredients.

Stir in chocolate chips.

Place batter in prepaired pans.

Bake 60-70 minutes (only 30 for the small ones) until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

*The only thing I do differently is that I use a large can of the pumpkin instead of only 16 oz and I use the entire bag of chocolate chips instead of just half. You know, if you're not going to eat whole wheat bread you might as well get the most out of it that you can.