With Sprinkles on Top

Since I haven’t been providing many new posts, the least I can do is a Halloween/Fall recipe round up! Enjoy!

1. Pumpkin Cupcakes
2. Pumpkin Raisin Bread
3. Mummy Cupcakes
4. Halloween Brownies
5. Hoot Owl Cupcakes
6. Pumpkin Sandwich Cookies
7. Trick-or-Treat Rice Krispie Treats
8. Frosted Maple Spice Drop Cookies
9. Mini Maple Chocolate Chip Muffins
10. Pumpkin Cupcakes II
11. Apple Crisp
12. Candy Corn Cupcakes
13. Sparkling Candy Corn Cookies
14. Chocolate & Vanilla Halloween Cupcakes
15. Pumpkin Spiderweb Cookies
16. Apple & Pear Phyllo Crisp

HELLO! It has been nearly a month since I’ve posted, which is a little ridiculous. I’m STILL away from Madison and away from my kitchen, but I’m hoping to turn things around in November and bake bake bake. I’ve spent the past month in Gettysburg, Boston, Maine, and my hometown of Oshkosh, WI. I had a great time in all of those places, but culinarily speaking, Boston was a highlight.

Have any of you been to Mike’s Pastry in Boston? If not, add it to your to-visit list. I visited twice while I was in Boston. My first visit came after a long and sweaty (85 degrees in October!) day of walking the Freedom Trail. I ended up in the delicious North End and stumbled upon Mike’s Pastry. My friend Bethany had told me all about the bakery and how I HAD to try some of the treats. There were a few little problems though: I was starving, I was overheated, my feet hurt, and the line for the pastry shop was out the door and snaking around the block. My crankiness won out over my desire for a freshly baked cannoli and I went elsewhere to find lunch.

I returned to Mike’s Pastry a few days later, this time with Bethany in tow! There was no line and no stress, so we each got a box of pastries. I got a chocolate chip cannoli, two cupcakes, and two cookies. All for only $8! Awesome. This bakery is definitely worth it – everything is delicious and it’s a no-nonsense shop. No $7 cupcakes, no frilly decor, just straight-up good bakery.

Hope you’re all having a nice October! I’m in Gettysburg right now (up to my ears in Civil War knowledge!), but I wanted to stop and post a little something. Meghan and I made this giant candy corn cookie last week. I bought the pan at Target (super cheap! $6.99!). We filled the pan with gluten-free sugar cookie dough (store bought) and baked a big cookie. It was frosted with simple buttercream icing dyed yellow and orange. Meghan made the leaf, acorn, and pumpkin cookies as well!

October, my favorite month, has arrived! Time to kick off the fall season with some apple cheddar bread. This blog will be slowing down a bit this month. I will be away from my kitchen for about three weeks, but I’m hoping to include some Halloween goodies near the end of the month. Thanks for your patience — and for continuing to visit!

Apple Cheddar Bread
Recipe source: Gimme Some Oven
Print Recipe

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
8 Tablespoons butter, softened
1/4 cup light brown sugar
2 large eggs, at room temperature and fork beaten
2 cups apples, peeled and finely shredded
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
2-3 Tablespoons minced sage

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Coat a 9” loaf pan with cooking spray.
2. In a separate bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
3. Using an electric mixer, beat the butter, sugar until light and fluffy.  Then beat in the eggs until combined.  By hand, mix in the flour mixture.  Fold in the apples, cheese and sage. Spread batter into prepared pan.
4. Bake until risen and a wooden skewer comes out of the center clean, about 45 minutes. Cool to room temperature before slicing.

Friday Night Lights Cookies

This is more of a cookie decorating inspiration post rather than a recipe post. My roommate and I are ADDICTED to Friday Night Lights. So sad that the series has ended, but in celebration of Kyle Chandler’s recent Emmy win for his portrayal of Coach Taylor, Meghan decided to make some FNL cookies. Meghan used a gluten-free sugar cookie mix and used cookie cutters in the shape of a football helmet, football, star, jersey, and she hand-cut the state of Texas (talented girl, isn’t she?). She decorated them with Panther blue and yellow-colored buttercream.

Clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose.

Have a great weekend, everyone!