The Great Pumpkin Dessert

If there is butter in the house, I really have no other choice than to bake, bake, bake until I have used it all up.  It's the real only solution when I see those creamy sticks calling my name. Today I made "The Great Pumpkin Dessert" to bring over to my mom's house.  It is a pumpkiny-pie crisp-topped pan of deliciousness!  I saw this and thought it would be perfect for my first official October dessert.

It's VERY easy to make as well!

15 oz. pumpkin puree
12 oz. can of evaporated milk
3 eggs
1 c. sugar
4 tsp. pumpkin spice
1 pkg. of yellow cake mix
3/4 c. butter - melted
(chopped walnuts if you want)

Combine 1st five ingredients in a mixing bowl.  Pour batter into 13 x 9 in baking pan.  Sprinkle dry cake mix on top then drizzle melted butter.  You can also top with chopped walnuts.  Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 1 hr or until fork comes out clean.

You can top with ice cream or whip topping for extra fun!

Granola Blondies

I love desserts that have some "healthy" aspects to them.  This is sweet and kind of crunchy because of the granola.  My first time making them and they turned out well.  These are also quick to make - I put them together while 2 of the 3 kids were napping - and still had time to play dinosaurs with the one that was awake!  

Granola Blondies with Raisins & Craisins

1 egg
1 egg white
1 1/4 c. brown sugar
1/4 c. veg. oil
1 c. flour
1 tsp baking powder
2 c. granola with raisins
1 c. craisins/dried cranberries

Combine 1st four ingredients in a mixing bowl.  Combline flour, baking soda, and salt in a bowl and mix into other mixture.  Add 2 cups of granola.  Add the dried cranberries.

Put into a 9 in square pan and cook in a pre-heated 350 degree oven for 20-25 mins!

The question on my mind

There is something about creaming butter and sugar together that makes all my woes drift away.  Baking is my therapy, my hobby, the way to my husbands heart, the reason I will never fit into size 4 jeans.

I think "What's for dessert?" when I go out to eat, go my mother-in-laws for dinner, and wake up at 6:00 a.m. with my boys.  Don't get me wrong, I love the main courses, but there's nothing like truffles, trifles, cookies, bars, pies, brownies, and mode!