Pumpkin Pie Cupcakes!

I made my normal amount of crust and ended up with leftovers. I also made a dessert just for C#1 and ended up with extra pumpkin. What to do!? What to do?!

I then thought why not mush the pie crust into the muffin tins and figure out a pumpkin pie filling. And this is what I came up with.

Pie crust to mush into the bottom of a muffin tin

1 package of yellow cake mix (or whatever flavor works for you.)

1 package french vanilla instant pudding (or regular vanilla or whatever works for you.)

3 eggs

1 1/2 cups pumpkin

1 teaspoon pumpkin pie seasoning

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon baking soda

Prepared vanilla frosting

Combine cake mix, pudding mix, eggs, pumpkin, pumpkin spice, cinnamon and baking soda with a mixer or beater or whatever you use for three minutes. Pour batter into prepared muffin tins with the pie filling -- 3/4 full (any extra can be put into a regular muffin tin with a paper liner.)

Bake in preheated oven at 325 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes or until wooden pick inserted at center comes out clean. Cool in pan on wire rack for 10 minutes. Remove from wire rack to cool completely. Spread cupcakes with frosting.  Makes 24 cupcakes/muffins.

Viola!

There was some skepticism when I presented them to the fam. But, after a taste test they were definitely a winner.  I will be making them, again, or maybe a different variation.

That's it for today. Until next time...

My new favorite toys!

This summer/fall I discovered two new favorite toys!  Thanks to my grandma, I was able to use the top toy without too much stress. I don't even dare say what it is. You know ---> in case someone is monitoring my blog...........

The second favorite toy is a "Foley Food Mill"! I was very glad that I purchased the bigger size, since it worked perfectly!

I processed tomatoes and apples and more apples and moreeeee in the unmentioned above item. Both items work together to make the very best applesauce.  And yes, I took loads of pictures.  

Here is how you make the applesauce.

Clean the apples. Cut up the apples and put ALL (skins/stems/seeds) of it into a pot with about an inch of cider or apple juice or water or all of the above.

Cook it until it's mushy.  Spoon it into the grinder -- every last bit.

Work the grinder until all you have left is skins, seeds and stems.

The apple remnant.

The lovely applesauce in the pot.

Pour it into the cleaned pint jars (or whatever size you use.) Make sure you purchase a canning funnel. It is a must have!

Put the jars with the new seals and lids into the unmentioned item.  Cook until it reaches 5 lbs and cook for 8 minutes.

Once it has thoroughly cooled in the unmentioned item, you have yourself some yummy, delicious, homemade applesauce. And all you will want to do is make more, moRE, MOREEEEEEEEEEE!!!  It's an addiction, I tell you!  But, sadly there is an end to the apples. *sigh*

So there you have it my toys and the fun stuff I've been doing.  I do apologize for my lack of blogging. It is very easy to get away from it. You know life and all.

Till next time...