Pumpkin Spice Makes Good Things Great by Cari Lynn Webb



I’ve developed a new habit this year: every time I make a deadline, I bake. Perhaps because it’s a way to ease my guilt for leaving my family to fend for themselves while I was immersed in deadline mode. Or perhaps because baking gives my brain a chance to unwind. I’ve loved to bake since I was a child. My mom likes to say: my father hasn’t met a dessert he didn’t like, so it was always fun to bake for my dad. Add in 3 older brothers who ate whatever, whenever and I had the perfect taste testers for all my baking hits and misses. Now my husband and daughters are enjoying the products of my baking sprees.

Two weeks ago, as I crossed off another deadline on the calendar, I added an extra dance because it’s fall. And fall means all things pumpkin. Ironically, I don’t like pumpkin pie (I think it might be a texture thing). However, I adore anything pumpkin flavored from: pumpkin spiced lattes to pumpkin scones to pumpkin ice cream and yes, even pumpkin beer. Recently I’ve been buying out the grocery store’s stock of Dannon’s Greek Yogurt Limited Edition Pumpkin flavor. (Yes, it’s really that good.)

In honor of fall, my pumpkin cravings and deadline celebration, I thought I’d share a few of my favorite pumpkin recipes in case any one feels the need to bake. (Or like me, just can’t say no to pumpkin flavored foods.)

  1. Pumpkin Cheesecake – Our family loves cheesecake and it’s one of my favorite desserts to make. I have a favorite cheesecake recipe, White Chocolate Raspberry that I make during Christmas, but this one comes in a very close second. You can find the recipe here
  2. Rum Glazed Pumpkin Cake – Deliciously spiced – I like this slant on the rum cake. Click here for the recipe. 
  3. Pumpkin Spice Latte cupcakes – this recipe combines two wonderful things: cupcakes and pumpkin spiced lattes – you cannot go wrong. Click here for the recipe.
  4. Pumpkin Streusel Muffins – in the interest of time I’ve been known to make these from a box 😊 but I’ve made homemade too. Click here for recipe. 


On My To-Make List this fall:
  1. Pumpkin Gnocchi with Sage Butter - We make potato and cheese gnocchi all the time – that’s our Italian roots, but this year I want to branch out. I’m not sure my teenagers will approve, but it’ll mean more for me.
  2. Creamy Pumpkin Alfredo - Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo is a staple in our house with my girls. I’m not sure they’ll buy into this one, but I’m still making it. 😊
  3. Spicy Pumpkin Soup with Avocado Cream - because next to pumpkin, I can’t seem to resist avocado.

If you have a favorite pumpkin recipe, please share. I love adding new recipes to our kitchen table.

As luck would have it, my next book deadline is December 1st and just in time for Christmas baking. Oh the options for December are endless. Except I already feel the sugar rush coming on … I either need to find a new way to recharge after a deadline or maybe just add a few more minutes on the treadmill. After all, there’s too much baking left to be done.

Happy Reading!
Cari Lynn Webb

THE CHARM OFFENSIVE by Cari Lynn Webb is available now!
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0373368461
Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/2sqFG0j

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Comments

  1. You are on top of the newest trend for pumpkin spice. I saw pumpkin spice potato chips in the store yesterday. I think I'll stick to your cake and scone recipes. Thanks for including them.

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    1. Hi Roz - I saw pumpkin spice oreos and cheerios yesterday ... my curiosity will most likely get the best of me and I'll buy some to try. I'm with you thought - I like the baked goods.

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  2. You've given me new inspiration for the can of pumpkin puree in my pantry. I've got my eye on the streusel muffins... :)

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    1. Glad I could offer some suggestions for your pumpkin puree ... have fun cooking!

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  3. I love these recipes, Cari Lynn, and thanks so much for sharing. I saw a pumpkin cider in the local wine store recently but wasn't brave enough to try it. I also like your tradition of celebrating by bake AFTER the deadline and think I must try that rather than DURING the process! As to those pumpkin streusel muffins, I have my eyes on those too. All the best to the deadlines, which I'm sure your family look forward to even more than you!

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    1. Janice - pumpkin cider sounds interesting :) If I baked during the writing, I'm afraid I would spend too much time eating and not writing :)

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  4. I love all things pumpkin (including pie) so am glad to see these recipes. I had my first pumpkin cheesecake of the season last night, and it was sooo good! I like the yogurt, too!

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    1. Nice to know someone else shares my love of pumpkin, Liz :)

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  5. I grew pumpkins two years ago and so had a ton of pumpkin puree to use up. I discovered pumpkin risotto, and a recipe for pumpkin custard with a top sort of like creme brulee that's quite good. My husband's father taught me to sprinkle nutmeg over the whipped cream on pumpkin pie, and it adds a lot to the flavor. Enjoy your baking.

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    1. Beth - pumpkin risotto sounds wonderful. I need the recipe :) I've put the baking utensils away again now that I'm back on deadline. But my daughter asked for pumpkin bread so I might make an exception :)

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  6. Cari, I am a pumpkin nut, too. (I think pumpkin pie should be its own food group.) Pumpkin cobbler is also a favorite. And I have an amazing pumpkin bread with brown butter frosting recipe. It's so good I gave it away to a couple of friends for Christmas last year. I put the loaves on cute, reusable holiday platters. Big hit!

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    1. Brown butter frosting sounds delicious and the pumpkin cobbler - I haven't had the yet.

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  7. I don't like pumpkin pie either, but I love everything else pumpkin spiced. I bought pumpkin spice coffee last year and would use it as my dessert at night after the house calmed down and I was alone. I felt like a person in those commercials for International Delight. Right now I'm on a diet and I bypassed the pumpkin spice donuts yesterday, but I can hear them calling my name.

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  8. I'm not a pumpkin fan actually. But it's a great way to bake cakes and brownies (just 1 15 oz can plus one cake or brownie mix) without all the oil and eggs. :) Although I have to admit, that pumpkin gnocchi you mentioned, OMG. I want to try that

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  9. I'm so jealous that you make your deadlines. For the last year, I've been deadlined challenge. And, yup, haven't baked at all.

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  10. Hi Cari! I'm with you. Not a pumpkin pie fan. But pumpkin cheesecake??? That's a whole 'nother story! Can't wait to try your recipe. I love to bake. I can't cook worth a darn, but I love to bake. If I had any deadlines to meet right now, I'd definitely celebrate with baking!

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  11. Mmm... pumpkin spice. What a yummy post! I just have to jump on the pumpkin train and share my fav pumpkin recipe for pumpkin pancakes. Cari Lynn, I bet your family just loves when you have a deadline approaching and not to mention, your house probably smells heavenly. :)

    *PUMPKIN PANCAKES*

    best enjoyed while reading a great book, Harlequin Heartwarming, of course! ;)
    1 1/2 cups vanilla almond milk
    2 Tbsp. vinegar
    1 cup pumpkin purée
    2 Tbsp. margarine - (I use the Earth Balance brand)
    2 Tbsp. maple syrup
    1 tsp. vanilla syrup
    2 Tbsp. vegetable oil
    3 Tbsp. brown sugar
    2 cups whole-wheat pastry flour
    1 tsp. baking soda
    2 tsp. baking powder
    1/2 tsp. salt
    2 1/4 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

    Combine the almond milk, vinegar, pumpkin purée, vegan margarine, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and vegetable oil in a large bowl and set aside.
    In a separate bowl, combine the brown sugar, flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and pumpkin pie spice.
    Combine the wet and dry ingredients, then let sit for 5 to 10 minutes.
    Spray a skillet with cooking spray and heat over medium heat. Pour about 1/4 cup of the batter into the skillet. When the batter starts to bubble, flip and cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes. Repeat with the remaining batter.
    Serve with maple syrup and a pinch of pumpkin pie spice for a delicious breakfast!

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  12. Eeek! I am sorry for the super long post. I didn't mean to take up so much room. I have this stored in my email and can't find the link anywhere. :(

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  13. I'm not a fan of pumpkin either, but I do like the smell of a nice spicy pumpkin candle.

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  14. Cari, I'm laughing at how much alike we are. I bake up a storm after a deadline too!! And during fall, I'm all about pumpkin or butternut squash recipes. I seriously love butternut squash and make a cheesecake out of it. I think I included that recipe in the A Heartwarming Thanksgiving anthology.

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