TASTES AND SCENTS OF AUTUMN

Welcome to Foodie Friday!

Autumn or Fall, as many say, is upon us....only 4 more days until it's officially here! Our local weather reports that by next week here in the northeast we will be experiencing that first real bite of Autumn.

I love to bake this time of year. I'm so glad that my hubby's office loves baked goods or I'd have to double up on the daily workouts!

Today's blog is all about tastes and scents of Fall starting with Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bread and ending with my favorite Williams Sonoma Mulling Spices.

My interest peaked when I saw the recipe for this unique bread. They had me at the cream cheese center, but then topped it with a cinnamon glaze.....this was too luscious to pass up.  It's a nice twist on an already delicious fall bread.

 Step #1
-Prepare the bread batter according to the recipe. Pour half of the batter into two prepared loaf pans.

Step #2
-Prepare cream cheese filling according to the recipe.

Step #3
-Drop three spoonfuls of cream cheese into each pan.

Step #4
-Swirl the cream cheese with a knife through the batter.

Step #5
-Bake and cool.

Recipe may be found here:

http://nancycreative.com/2010/10/08/pumpkin-cream-cheese-bread/

Step #6
-Drizzle with cinnamon glaze.

If you don't have time to bake there is another way that your home can smell just as wonderful. It's using mulling spices.

Williams Sonoma sells Classic Mulling Spices that may be added to cider or wine and brought to a simmer. The fragrance and taste is full of their signature blend of spices and citrus peel. It makes you want to curl up by the fireside with your favorite blanket and a good book!

Nothing says "WELCOME TO FALL" folks like a warm glass of mulled cider or wine. Wishing you a wonderful weekend filled with everything that makes you feel warm and cozy!

Kathleen

***Sharing on Monday our beautiful trip filled with gorgeous eye candy and lots of Fall decor ideas! You won't want to miss this FALL EXTRAVAGANZA!

Marvelous Monday--Pumpkin Dip!!

I love weekends when we can just relax. I always look forward to the days I can spend with my husband. The weeks are always so jam packed anymore, it is nice when it is just the two of us with no set schedule to follow.....anything goes!

As promised after the Cocktail party blog was published, I am going to start posting some of the recipes that I used that evening. Today I am featuring the---

 Harvest Fruit Skewers and Pumpkin Dip

Fall can be a bit difficult when considering the fruit that will withstand a few hours on a platter without turning brown or getting mushy. I was lucky enough to be able to take advantage of strawberries, mangoes and dark seedless grapes.

My middle daughter found these adorable, and very convenient little hors d'oeuvre forks that worked perfectly for me.
The fork is wider and shorter than a BBQ skewer so the fruit did not fall off before making it to the guests mouth! 

You may find them on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Norpro-190-72-Pack-BamboParty/dp/B000OXH0GK/ref=pd_sim_sbs_k_2

The Pumpkin Dip is an old recipe that I ran across in my recipe box from years ago. It is so delicious my husband heard one lady guest say, (with her mouth full of dip and mango), "OMG---this is wonderful!" At least that is what he thought she was saying with her mouth full! He said it was hilarious.

PUMPKIN DIP

16 oz. Cool Whip

3- small boxes of instant vanilla pudding (dry mix only)

1- small can of pumpkin 

Pumpkin Pie Spice--to taste

Directions

Mix everything together and then sprinkle with Pumpkin Pie Spice to taste. I made this

the day ahead.

You can serve this with graham crackers and/or fruit. Just a warning........you may find yourself licking the spoon when you are finished making it. It is that delicious!

****NOTE---This recipe makes a huge amount of dip. You may want to cut  the

recipe in half if you have #20 or less people.

I hope you enjoy this simple easy Fall dip!! Drop me a comment if you make this. I am interested what you think about it and would love  to hear what your guests have to say!! 

ENJOY!

   K