Pumpkin Spice Mini Doughnuts

 

This morning while making coffee, I suddenly had a craving for pumpkin doughnut holes. Changing out of pajamas and driving to the supermarket did NOT sound like fun, so I dug through my pantry. Inspired by numerous Pinterest recipes calling for canned pumpkin and boxed cake mix, I whipped up my own pumpkin muffin/doughnut concoction. I did consult a few "mom blogs" to check baking temperatures and times. Let me tell you, this recipe is easy, quick and sooooooo delicious! My 4-year-old daughter gobbled down 3 on the spot, while they were still warm! And my house smells better than any old Yankee Candle scent!

 

Pumpkin Spice Mini Doughnuts 

 

one box spice cake mix

one 15-ounce can pumpkin

granulated sugar

 

Combine the cake mix and canned pumpkin and blend till smooth. If you have a mini doughnut pan, it's WAY easier to fill if you put the batter into a resealable plastic bag, cut off the tip and pipe into the pan (see photo of my little "helper" below). If you don't have a mini doughnut pan, mini muffin tins work just as well; then you can call them "doughnut holes" instead!

Bake at 325 for 8-10 minutes.  I took the mini doughnuts out at 8 minutes, and the mini muffins at 10 minutes.  Scoop some granulated sugar into a resealable plastic bag, throw the still very warm muffins/doughnuts inside and shake to coat. These were amazing while still warm! Enjoy

 

 

 

A Seasonal Treat: Apple Butter!

 

Since we picked bushels and bushels of apples recently, I've had to come up with several different uses for them. I've already made applesauce, apple dumplings and apple crisp. I've never made apple butter before, but my maternal grandmother used to spend hours each fall in her church basement making vats of it with her church-lady friends.  

 

Online, I found recipes for making apple butter on the stove top or in a crock-pot. I was in a hurry, so I opted for the quicker version (only a few hours, not overnight)! No matter how much seasoning I added, it just tasted like cinnamon applesauce to me, but maybe that's how it's supposed to taste! Never fear, it really is good! Try it and see!

 

Apple Butter (adapted from www.bettycrocker.com)

 

12 medium tart cooking apples, peeled, cored and cut into quarters

1 1/2 cups brown sugar

1 1/4 cup apple cider

1 Tbl ground cinnamon

1 Tbl lemon juice

1 tsp ground allspice

1 tsp ground nutmeg

1/2 tsp ground cloves

 

Combine all ingredients in a big pot.  Heat to boiling, stirring occasionally.  Reduce heat, cover and simmer for one hour. Let cool slightly.  Mash apples with a potato masher (or fork), or puree in blender or food processor. Return to pot and cook on low heat for one or two additional hours, stirring occasionally, until mixture is very thick.  Let cool. Spoon into containers and store in refrigerator for up to 3 weeks, or freeze.