jennifer, Author at Hopeful Homemaker

Parchment Paper Winners

November 20, 2010 jennifer giveaways

Thanks so much for all your great comments. I loved reading about what you’re grateful for right now. Pausing to feel gratitude is one of life’s simple joys.

I drew the names using a random number generator and the winners are….

Nancy , who wrote, “I am grateful to be working two jobs, while the hours are long I am most grateful that the work is currently there for me since I’m a single mom putting a child through college with no help! I thank god for all that, even for being exhauseted because it means I’ve put in a good days work.”

And Deidra , who wrote, “(I’m a friend of Kristen’s) I’m grateful to be heading home for Christmas. I’ve always loved being home for the holidays, but moving 2,000 miles away makes me even more exited for that fill-me-to-the-top, cozy and happy feeling! And I’m grateful that with my grad student husband we’ve learned to live on less and exercise our self-reliance! Sometimes it’s not fun to sacrifice, but I know we’re blessed for living within our means.”

Congratulations, Ladies! Please send me your addresses and I’ll get your parchment paper in the mail to you first thing next week. I hope it will make your holiday baking simpler and more fun.

Hopeful Homemaker

One comment giveaways

Pumpkin Bread

November 19, 2010 jennifer All Things Pumpkin, Breads and Rolls

This pumpkin bread will be a nice after school snack for my children today. Simple. I love it.

Ingredients:

2 cups flour, divided 1 cup packed brown sugar 1 Tb. baking powder 1 tsp. cinnamon 1/4 tsp. salt 1/4 tsp. nutmeg 1/4 tsp. cloves 1/4 tsp. ginger 1 cup canned pumpkin 1/2 cup milk 2 eggs 1/3 cup shortening 2 drops cinnamon flavoring (the kind you would put in candy) nuts, raisins, chocolate chips or anything you may want to mix in In a large mixing bowl combine 1 cup flour, brown sugar, baking soda, baking powder and all spices. Add pumpkin, milk, eggs and shortening. Beat with an electric mixer on low speed until blended well. Add 2 drops cinnamon flavoring. Beat on medium or high speed for 1-2 minutes. Add remaining cup flour and beat until blended. Fold in nuts, chocolate chips, raisins or whatever you wish to mix in.

Spray bread pan with non-stick spray. Pour batter into pan and bake at 350 for 60-65 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes, then remove from pan and cool completely. Makes one large loaf.

Enjoy!
Hopeful Homemaker

Pumpkin Dessert Squares

November 18, 2010 jennifer All Things Pumpkin, Desserts

Aah, pumpkin. The word alone conjures thoughts of cool evening air and warm cozy homes, of rich jewel-toned colors and a feeling of being safely gathered in. And baking. These pumpkin dessert squares are another simple yet favorite pumpkin recipe. They’re quick to make and always taste moist and yummy. I’ve found it’s easy to keep the ingredients on hand in case I need to make something last minute, and the layers make it seem fancier than it really is. Because it uses a cake mix the prep is fast and easy to understand, making it a great recipe for kids to help with or manage on their own.

Pumpkin Dessert Squares Ingredients:
1 box yellow cake mix 3/4 cup butter, divided 1 cup pumpkin 2 tsp. cinnamon, divided 1/4 tsp. cloves 1/4 tsp. ginger 1/4 tsp. nutmeg 1/4 tsp. allspice 3 eggs 3 Tb. milk 1 Tb. flour 1/4 cup sugar Reserve one cup cake mix and set aside.

Mix remaining cake mix with 1/2 cup of melted butter and 1 egg. Press mixture lightly into the bottom of a 9×13 inch pan.

In another bowl, mix pumpkin, 1 tsp. of the cinnamon, and remaining spices together. Add 2 eggs and 3 Tb. milk and mix until fully incorporated and smooth. Pour over cake mixture in pan.

Combine reserved cake mix with 1 Tb. flour, 1 tsp. cinnamon, 1/4 cup sugar and 1/4 cup softened butter until it resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle over the top of the pumpkin layer.

Bake 35-40 minutes at 350 degrees or until golden.

Cool completely before serving. Slice into squares and enjoy!

I hope you’re enjoying this Thanksgiving season. What a wonderful time of year it is! And if you love pumpkin flavored baking at this time of year, click here for a list of favorite pumpkin recipes.

Jennifer