After that party I hosted for my coworkers, a few people have been asking me about recipes for the items I mentioned in the post, so here are the two I made.
Pumpkin Bars-this recipe comes from my mother who first made me these delicious bars.
1c vegetable oil
2c sugar
2c pumpkin (16oz can Libby’s)
4 eggs
2c flour
1tsp baking soda
1/2tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a small bowl, combine dry ingredients (flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon). Set aside. In a large bowl, combine oil, sugar, pumpkin and eggs. Mix well. Add dry ingredients. Mix well. Pour in to greased jelly roll pan and bake 20-25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely before frosting.
Cream Cheese Frosting-my mother and I both make 1 1/2 times this recipe for a little extra frosting
3oz brick cream cheese-set out while making bars to bring to room temperature
1tsp vanilla
1tbs milk
3/4 stick melted butter
2c powdered sugar
Cream the cream cheese, vanilla, milk, and melted butter. Add powdered sugar gradually while mixing. Add more powdered sugar if needed till spreading consistency. Frost cooled bars.
Mulled Wine-For the most part I followed a Food Network recipe but actually left out a few spices to, what I heard were, great results. It is also very easy to double, triple and even quadruple for parties.
1 bottle red wine (Cab Sauv)
4c apple cider
4 whole cloves
2 cinnamon sticks
Juice and zest of 1 orange
1/4c honey
Combine all ingredients in large saucepan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer 10 minutes. The recipe then says to “serve with orange peel garnish.” I did not do this and no one seemed to mind.
Coming soon: Holiday Sugar Cookies and the Perfect Hot Chocolate.
year of fun 