Pumpkin Whip Dip

When I post recipes, I like to include a step-by-step photo example of how to make things.  Since Scott was in Japan last week, he unfortunately took the camera with him too...which makes blogging a challenge.

Luckily, I was able to use my new phone to get at least one picture of this one, via Instagram.

I decided to make Pumpkin Whip Dip for a Christmas Ornament Exchange Party.  I got inspired by one of the blogs I follow and decided to put her recipe to the test!  Looking for more amazing dips, baked goods and unique party dishes? Check out her site...it's filled with them: Love Veggies & Yoga.

I know it seems like a Fall type of dip, but the crowd I was going to see are HUGE pumpkin fans, like myself.  I decided to go ahead and make it, and jazz it up with a little red and green flare for the Holidays.

Did they like it? Oh no...they LOVED it and I think you will too!

Pumpkin Whip Dip

1 15 oz. can of pumpkin puree
2 cups of Cool Whip (I used Cool Whip Lite)
1/2 cup of brown sugar, or to taste
1/2 tsp of vanilla extract
1/2 tsp of pumpkin spice
1/2 tsp cinnamon

*serves enough for a large party of people.
To make a smaller batch, reduce all of the ingredients in half:
1/2 can pumpkin, 1 cup of whip, 1/4 cup of brown sugar and 1/4 tsp vanilla extract, pumpkin spice & cinnamon.

prep time: 5 minutes

The recipe is SO easy, I don't think I really needed picture how-to's anyways.  There are several different versions out there that includes adding cream cheese, vanilla pudding, or yogurt to the base and even nutmeg, cloves and caramel sauce.

Although all of that sounds deliciously sinful, I had a goal to keep this dip more on the healthy side for a party of dancers. ;)  The worst thing involved is the brown sugar, and you could replace that with splenda, truvia, or stevia if you prefer.

To make whip dip: thaw cool whip by placing it in the refrigerator before hand, or out to room temperature.

Mix whip and pumpkin in a large mixing bowl.

Add in brown sugar, vanilla extract, pumpkin spice and cinnamon until well blended.

Stick dip in the fridge to cool, or serve immediately!

Again, I served this dip with red and green apples because I like the taste of sweetness combined with fruit.  Pumpkin Whip Dip would also go great alongside gingerbread cookies (more Holiday flare), sesame crackers, pretzels or graham crackers.

Yummy, yummy yummy!

Question:

What extra ingredients (if any) would you add to your Pumpkin Whip Dip?

Pumpkin Roll

Last time this year, Scott learned how obsessed with any sort of food (especially baked good) having to do with pumpkin.  Everything was pumpkin this, pumpkin spice that, I really do think I have a slight love affair with it.  Knowing this, he became eager to try out his step mom's Pumpkin Roll recipe and knew I would be right on board.

First, let me say...it was a a bit of effort to get a decent looking roll.  The first time we tried to make made a Pumpkin Roll, we didn't do everything exactly right and the poor roll crumbled in our hands.  Boo! We still ate it though, (and it was still very tasty) but didn't take any pictures of the Pumpkin Roll casualty...although that might have been entertaining. ;)

The other day I was at the grocery store and I was determined to even out this Pumpkin Roll 1 - Hesington 0 score, so I picked up the necessary ingredients to try it again.  When I left for work on Sunday I causally mentioned to Scott that we had everything needed for the roll again and before I knew it I had a REALLY exciting surprise waiting for me when I got home that night: a non-crumbled oooey-gooey finished and successfully rolled Pumpkin Roll.

*DISCLAIMER:  Since Scott re-tried the recipe when I wasn't around, I only have pictures from the first time we made it.  I've added all the photos that apply to the recipe listed, but not each step is pictured, like usual.

Pumpkin Roll:

I took this pic using Instagr.am.  Check out my gallery.

*NOTE: There are several different versions of the pumpkin roll out there, and you can get creative by adding things like raisins, walnuts or cloves.  For this purpose, I will be using the recipe Scott's step-mom, Kay gave us:

3/4 cup sifted all purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/2 tsp salt
3 eggs (beaten)
1 cup sugar
2/3 cup quality canned pumpkin
1 cup chopped walnuts (we didn't add this)
cream cheese filling (recipe below)

Cream Cheese filling:
6 tbsp softened butter
8 oz. (1 package) softened cream cheese
1 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla

To make Pumpkin Bread to roll: Grease a 10x15 inch baking pan and line with parchment paper.  Grease and flour the paper.

Beat eggs for about 5 minutes until they are thick and fluffy.

*NOTE: I used eggbeaters to substitute the real eggs (pictured), but Scott used real eggs for the second one.  I recommend sticking with the real things on this one.

Beat in sugar and pumpkin.

SLOWLY!

*TIP: Try pouring slowly while mixing on low.

*NOTE: It's really important to gradually add the pumpkin in to the batter.  If added to quickly, it might result in a crumbled bread (our first mistake).

Add flour, cinnamon and baking powder.

*NOTE: Pictured above is Baking soda.  One recipe called for soda, another called for half and half soda/powder while Kay's called for baking powder only.  Any combination of those will work.

Mix into pumpkin batter until blended.

Spread evenly onto paper...easy does it.

Sprinkle with walnuts (we did not use nuts). Scott Somebody doesn't like them. :(

The first time we added raisins instead (pictured above).  The second time we didn't (below).

Bake at 375 for 15 minutes.
Loosen cake around edges.
Invert onto clean damp towel dusted with powdered sugar.

*NOTE: You can also opt to use parchment paper, instead of the towel.
Peel off paper.  Trim 1/2 inch off all sides of cake. (Trimming will make more of a squared shape).  Roll up towel and cake together.

Cool seam-side down on wire rack. Make sure it cools completely.  While cake is cooling, make your cream cheese filling.

To make cream cheese filling: cream together the softened butter and cream cheese.  Add powdered sugar and vanilla.

Mix until smooth.

Carefully unroll the cake and spread cream cheese filling to within 1 inch of edges.

Re-roll (this time without the paper or towel) and refrigerate.

When you're ready to serve, dust with confectioner's sugar, if desired.  Cut into slices & Enjoy!

Oh, I almost forgot the last step: get your favorite helper to be in charge of clean-up! ;)

I hope you enjoy your pumpkin roll as much as we do did (That sucker's long gone now).  If you make one, feel free to share any success stories (or failed attempts like my first one) below in the comments section.

*Don't forget to enter in my Pumpkin Spice Coffee Giveaway: contest closes this Friday, Nov. 4th!

Happy Rolling!

Happy Halloween! Get Super Freaky...

This year's a little different for us as far as celebrating Halloween goes.  There weren't any crazy parties, dynamic duo costumes or even pumpkin carving.  What's wrong with us?

Halloween has always been one of our favorite holidays, only taking a backseat to Christmas and St. Patty's Day.  Scott and I both love dressing up, eating cooking seasonal treats (obviously...you've seen my pumpkin obsession by now) and dressing our little furry Hesington's up in costumes.

Today...we decided this is how we're spending our Halloween:

What? Dancing around in basements with a witch, mummies and Frankenstein is completely normal.

Even though we didn't partake in our normal Halloween festivities, we still love seeing what everyone else dresses up as.  Before I go any further about costumes, check out this cutie pie a friend of mine posted on their Pinterest board:

Ahhh! If that doesn't win the most adorable award I don't know what does?!  Besides admiring some adorable baby costumes online, (which is something I could do all day long) I got a preview of Halloween costumes Friday night when we went out for my friend's birthday.  Some of my personal favorites included...

Where's Waldo:

Lego Man:

 

LMFAO's Party Rock Anthem Robot:

 

and last but not least, Angry Birds:

Scott and I love putting together detailed and good quality costumes, but it would be fun to go as something totally random or funny like that one year.  Maybe 2012 is the year...

Until then, we'll keep a lookout for all of the awesome and/or funny costumes you guys come up with.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Questions:

• What did you/are you dressing up as for Halloween this year?
• Do you prefer an all over impressive costume or a funny one?

Halloween Costumes: this year's different

Halloween weekend is officially here and this is the first year since Scott and I have been together that we haven't carefully selected and put together dynamic duo Halloween costumes.

This year is different than previous ones because we're actually making an effort to save up for a house (finally!) and are trying to be smarter with our money.  During the Fall season, we usually hit up every Halloween or Fall event we can in Orlando, including Halloween Horror Nights, Epcot's Food & Wine Festival, and go to at least one or two Halloween Parties dressed to the tee.

Here's a little re-cap of our past 3 Halloweens together:

2008: "Dr. Pepper" + his "Hot Nurse"

2009: "Ken + Barbie"

K+B will always be a favorite of mine, but nothing compares to...

2010: "Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders: 

Before + After":

There just aren't any words for this.  All I can say is that we won the "Best Couples" costume award at that Halloween Party - BOOYAH!

Oh, did I mention that the his & hers DCC costumes were a find from our bonus room?  Don't ask why or how this happened, but I have a little confession to make:

Over the past 4 years that we've had a condo Scott and I, no...Scott has accumulated an entire room of props, costumes, and anything else you can think of that is random and has no use...until now.  You might have missed it, but you can see a VARIETY of the types of costumes I'm talking about he pulled from his personal collection in this Funny Bridal Shower Video.

For your enjoyment, and in lieu of having Halloween Costumes this year, we proudly present to you an: "I found it in the bonus room" costume fashion show!"

*NOTE: These photos were taken back in May when Scott had a full beard for the Orlando Magic's Fear the Beard <--- (funny video) campaign.  I finally made convinced him to shave his beard off before all of the wedding festivities began, but in all fairness I agreed to his only request of taking photos of beard disappearing.

So, in case you were wondering...that facial hair is legit.  First up, Harley Joe: the one man serious mullet show.

 Next, the "fu man chu" showcased by Scott the Sensei:

I know what you're thinking by now and yes...this is what I married.  It was almost too much to take at first, but sooner or later I had to join in and decided to embrace my inner Geisha:

Followed by channeling my secret Ninja skills...

Closing up with a pretty intense Kung Fu stance:

Ohhhh man.  Are you crying yet?  I am over here.  I seriously debated posting these or not, but they were too good NOT to share, right?  You're welcome.

I hope you all are having a wonderful Halloween Weekend celebrating, cooking yummy orange and chocolate treats & getting dressed up.

*Don't forget to enter in my Pumpkin Spice Coffee Giveaway! 

Questions:

• What did/are you dressing up as this year for Halloween?
• What is your favorite Halloween costume to date?