Sunday, October 31, 2010

Moist FRESH Pumpkin Bread

What to do with all those pumpkins?? We grew a ton of pumpkins, so after halloween I shred them, store in freezer baggies (like I do my zucchini), and use it for FRESH pumpkin bread. So good! I love this a day or two (or three...or four... :) later! It keeps very well.




Ingredients:
2 cups
all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon
baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups
sugar
3/4 cup
vegetable oil
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon
vanilla extract
3 cups shredded fresh pumpkin
1 cup chocolate chips OR 1 cup toasted pumpkin seeds
(I've never used seeds)
Directions:
-Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
-Sift the flour, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, and salt together.
-In a separate bowl, mix the sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla. Combine both mixtures and fold in the shredded pumpkin and choc chips or pumpkin seeds. Once the ingredients are all incorporated pour into a non- stick 9 by 5 by 3-inch loaf pan. (I use mini-loaf pans instead. Use whatever you like best) If your pan is not non- stick coat it with butter and flour.
-Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes. (less time for smaller pans). At this point a knife inserted into the middle of the loaf should come out clean. Cool for 15 minutes and turn out onto a cooling rack. Cool completely. For muffins temperature should also be 325 degrees F., but bake for 30 minutes.

Saturday, October 30, 2010

Fun Dry Ice Drink everyone will love!

We had this at Halloween, but you could make it any time of the year and use different types of pop. It would be fun at a party!! My fam LOVED, LOVED it. It isn't just really cool to watch, because it steams and pops and fizzes, but it also makes the pop taste SO good!



Ingredients:
~ Block of dry ice (the block we used was about 5"x3" and it lasted all evening)
~ Root beer (you could try any flavor, I'm sure.)

Directions:
Place dry ice in a large bowl. Pour pop over dry ice and enjoy the delicious magic! Serve with a ladle.