Pumpkin Spiced Waffles

Pumpkin spiced waffles...  I saw this video playing over and over on my news feed the other day.  One of those brainwashing, your are going to make them and you are going to like them videos.  You don't know how it keeps getting to the top of your events.  It certainly isn't because you have liked the post, then left a comment, added a suggestion, and replied to another opinion of the matter.  No I am sure that is not the case.  Anyways I just happened to wake up this morning with the sky still half asleep.  It is a overcast day!! We pumpkin spice lovin weirdos don't like anything better than a overcast  day the first few days of fall.  It plays into our warped fall fantasy that summer is really really over and that the fall foliage is just around the corner, also giving the false sense that it is chilly outside!  So with it being a Saturday morning which means breakfast with out a doubt has to be cooked and it has to be awesome, I decided to make this recipe.  Waffles are a delicacy in my house.  When I want to act like I have my life together I make waffles!  The recipe has several ingredients.  All important to the cause of course.  They are delicious.  That is all I got.    

Pumpkin Spiced Waffles

Mix dry ingredients and set aside.

1 ½ Cup flour
½ tsp baking soda
1 TB baking powder
dash of salt
1Tb cinnamon
1 tsp ginger
½ tsp all spice

Mix wet ingredients adn then add to dry ingredients until combined.

1 cup pumpkin puree
2 eggs
4 TB butter
1 cup milk
¼ cup brown sugar

Add ½ cup of batter to hot waffle iron and cook accordingly.

Cinnamon Rolls

One thing I always have room for morning, noon or night is a big ole sweet cinnamon roll.  I mean it is very appealing is it not?  Warm, buttery, flaky, tender cinnamon roll topped with a dollop of creamy icing oozing all over.  I am however one of those who has never had a bad cinnamon roll!  Its a cinnamon roll how can it be bad!  Also I love walking into the food court during the holiday season at the mall.  Although I never eat at any of the places, Cinnabon just gives the mall atmosphere that holiday rush and i can immediately find the strength to fight off all those crazy holiday shoppers.  So here it is a pretty quick and easy cinnamon roll recipe sure to please.

I start off with my dough hook on my mixer and to the bowl i add 3 cups of warm water.  You want this water warm enough to activate the yeast.  Some people believe boiling the water and letting it come down to temperature is the best way.  In my opinion ain't no one go time for that.  So I use the hot water straight from my faucet and you know what it works pretty darn good.  1/2 cup of sugar, 1/2 cups oil ( I used EVOO) and 4 packets of the active dry yeast.  Oh and the secret ingredient a few grates of fresh nutmeg.  I let that sit for about 15 minutes so it can work it's magic, then I add 1 TB of salt, 3 whole eggs one at a time and 10 cups of flour.  Once again about a cup at a time.  Once everything is in the mixer getting all brought together you can wash dishes or something for about 10 minutes while the dough is getting worked.

 After about 10 or 15 minutes of being kneaded with the mixer you are ready to oil your table top, butchers block whatever it is that you have that you do your wok on.  I use oil because I find it doesn't ever stick like it does when I use flour.  Use whatever you like best I am not judging.

For my cinnamon rolls I like them extra cinnamony.  I do 1/2 cup of white sugar, 1/2 cup of brown sugar and 3-4 TB of cinnamon.  If you just like the essence of it then by all means use less.  Before sprinkling on the yummy goodness I lather my spread out dough with a layer of butter.  Yes butter.  I never said these were a healthy version.

You can then roll the dough (I spread mine with my hands) and slice off about 3 inches for each roll.  I like them big, I like them buttery and once again if you can't handle it go to skinny girl.com or something.  I lightly spray the baking sheet with a non stick spray to ensure all my hard work won't be for nothing if I cant get them off the pan after baking!  I let them rest about 15 minutes before baking.  Brush them with butter before placing in the oven just to ensure a beautiful browning.

Bake them at 350 for 25-30 minutes.  Or of course until they are done.  Some people actually like gooey cinnamon rolls.  You may want to pull them just a few minutes early for that.   I top mine with a simple butter icing recipe.  1 stick of melted salted butter, 1/2 bag of powder sugar, and 2-4 TB of milk.  You can make it thicker and place on rolls after pulling from the oven and let it melt all over, or you can make a more runnier icing and brush on after being pulled from the oven or even after cooling.  

Apple Fritters

Welcome to the first day of fall!!  The wait is over and it is finally here.  Along with the stocked grocery shelves of pumpkin spice coffee, apple cider, fall candles and anything that screams cold weather.  I had in mind a few days ago to make these for today that I could barely wait.  Knowing this morning that when I awoke I was going to get to make these little bits of heaven had me almost to excited to sleep!    Although I would love to say these are five minute fritters they are in fact not.  There is actually no five minute fritter just FYI!!  Sounds appealing though!  From start to finish you are looking at about 30-45 minutes with clean up.  In reality thats not too bad!  An completely worth every minute.

I placed four cups of olive oil in a sauce pan on medium heat.  It heated up the entire time I was preparing batter...

Apple Fritters:

Mix Together:

1 Cup of AP Flour

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 Cup granulated sugar

1 TB Cinnamon

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1/2 tsp cardamom

1 tsp baking powder

Mix together:

1/2 Cup milk

1 Extra large egg

1 tsp vanilla

1 TB Melted butter

2 Peeled and diced apples (of your choice)

Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients.  Mix just until the flour disappears.   Once the flour is no longer visible add 2 peeled and diced apples and fold in.  The juices from the apples will loosen the batter a bit if you think yours may be just a touch too dry.  

Once your oil is hot enough spoon about 1 Tb of batter into hot oil.  I could fit 7 comfortably in one batch.  Do not place too many in the pan at a time because it will take longer to brown and you will chance combining all the pieces and making a huge mess.

Once golden brown about 2-3 minutes, place on napkin to absorb the oil.

Icing:

3 Cups powder sugar

1/2 cup milk 

Mix until all powder sugar bits are dissolved.

Dip each bite into icing with your own fingers and place on a rack with a pan underneath to dry.

Once the icing is set you can handle them mess free with your hands.  Too easy not to try especially if you enjoy the flavors if fall.  This recipe as well is completely versatile.  Don't like apples but you want something fall then substitute the apples with 1/2 pumpkin puree.  It is really that simple.

I however love apples and decided to have Dunkin' Donuts pumpkin spice coffee on the side.  Yes I am that classy.  I am not impressed with homemade pumpkin spice lattes.  Plus pumpkin spice coffee is a treat.  It is seasonal.  I do not like knowing I am capable of making a fall treat through out the year for myself.  Takes all the simple pleasure of fall away.