Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies // 2

This is my second attempt at these cookies. I don't remember where I found the original cookies I made, but when I whipped these up last night, they blew me away! I was definitely more impressed with these,.

I altered the original recipe to my own liking, so maybe that's why they are better!

I also doubled the recipe, without realizing HOW MANY these would make! I have like five dozen! That's totally okay though, because they are amazing. I might be the most self-restrained baker I've ever met. I've only had three since I made them! I keep eyeballing them every time I walk into the kitchen, so I need to get rid of them quick! If I don't quit making these huge desserts with no one to eat them, I'm gonna get super fluffy!

Mini Pizza Cups

These are perfect! I was craving pizza but didn't want to A) Leave my house B) Eat a whole pizza, which is entirely possible. So I came up with these little bites of deliciousness.

Southern "Kolaches"

So I know a lot of you have never heard of this foreign word called Kolache, but they are absolutely amazing. You can get them at donut shops in Texas. Our family tradition was to go and buy donuts and Kolaches on Sundays, and then go home and read the Sunday newspaper. It was a blast, and I always loved that tradition. They also became a tradition to make them at home on Thanksgiving and Christmas mornings, so we would have plenty of room for the holiday meals. That is were this recipe originated!

But then I stopped eating red meat. So the kind of kolache I ate was out of the question. The original kolache has fruit in the middle, but in Texas, they used a breakfast sausage, cheese, and jalapeno for their fillings. And no, they are NOT pigs in a blanket. It's totally different.

But I found a miracle at the grocery store this week! TURKEY lil breakfast sausages! I was so excited! That means I can eat them again! So I grabbed all the ingredients and made them to see if they were up to my standards. They were, of course.

  

Yum yum in my tum tum! Sorry, I couldn't help myself.

Jack-o-Lantern Stuffed Bell Peppers

I'm really proud of myself on this one. I actually thought of this all by myself! The only thing I took from the original recipe is that the bell peppers had cute little pumpkin faces!

My great grandmother would be proud.

Now someone out there might like the original recipe way better than mine. Who knows? But I don't eat red meat, nor have I ever really like ground beef, so I chose to change mine up a bit. Okay, a lot.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bites

These are not your normal bites.

You could even eat them guilt free.

That's right. Guilt free.

They are amazing, by the way. The taste is just a beautiful medley of deliciousness.

Did I mention they are healthy?

If you haven't heard or read by now, I am obsessed with Chocolate Covered Katie. She makes all of these crazy good recipes that are healthy! HEALTHY! I love it, and I admire her for doing so much.
So that is, of course, where I got this recipe from.

Don't be skeptical, because I grew up eating only junk food, and it's been a recent change to live a healthier lifestyle. I still struggle with the desire to devour a whole box of cheez-its or to go buy a 1,200 calorie pizza and eat it all by myself. So when I say something is delicious, I mean it.

These are homemade Lara Bars, says Chocolate Covered Katie, and they are full of good nutrients! Can't go wrong with that! If you check out her website, she has a bunch of different flavors. I'll make most of them eventually, but if you're curious, go check her out!

INGREDIENTS
2/3 C pitted dates
1/4 C nuts, such as almonds or cashews
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 C chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS
1. In a food processor, blend the dates, nuts, and vanilla. Add in the chocolate chips.

2. Form the bites in any shape or form you want, such as a bar or round bites.

Pumpkin Pecan Brownies

These phenomenal recipe is made with two ingredients. Yup. You read that right. Two ingredients.

Don't those look like the chocolatiest brownies you've ever seen? Moist and scrumptious. Yum.

I did a bit of altering to this recipe (of course!) and it turned out way better than I expected!

 I added a few extra ingredients to spice it up. Like I said, the original post only calls for two ingredients, but if you're a pumpkin fanatic, then feel free to experiment. The original recipe also gives a frosting recipe, so feel free to check it out and test the frosting!

Pumpkin Coffee Cake

** Edited November 2014 - Click here for the new version, 1/2 sized **

This recipe.... this recipe is so intense, I can't even describe the process it took to make. It wasn't a hard process, necessarily, but it was time consuming, and the original poster made the directions a bit confusing. I'm going to simplify the directions, and how to put the recipe together, and I'm hoping to make it easier for any one else who doesn't cook as often, or has trouble understanding recipes. I'm just grateful I got it right!

This recipe is AMAZING heated up with a cup of coffee. Hence why it's called coffee cake! The flavors are delectable, and I can't get over every texture I bite into! It's just truly wonderful!

 Right here, I will show you the ingredients, but please read through the rest of the recipe's directions before you start. It will make your life a while lot easier! You'll also enjoy this a little bit more!

Strawberry Shortcake Cookies

Holy. Cow. I wish more desserts had REAL strawberries in them!
This cookie was absolutely delicious! It tasted JUST LIKE a strawberry shortcake!

This recipe was pretty simple, and quick to make. Also quick to go! I have one left, and I'm sure it'll be gone within the hour. While there seems to be a lot of ingredients, it's not too complicated to put together, as you'll see in the directions.

Here's a tip for you novice cooks (and you veterans, too!). When a recipe calls for parchment paper: use it. I really need to go buy some, and it's just perfect for any cookie you make. It keeps the bottom from burning, and anything that touches the pan from over cooking. It also is an easier clean-up, and who doesn't love that!?

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bars

Pumpkin ALL the things! But really. I mean it. It is FALL! And it's the first day of October! Do you know what that means? Rent is due! And it is socially acceptable to use pumpkin in every dish until New Years. I'm serious.

This recipe was a HIT in my morning design class. Everyone just about jumped for joy (as much joy as you can have at 9:30 in the morning) when I showed up with breakfast on critique day!

I found this recipe on Pinterest, OF COURSE! And if you haven't followed my Board, I have a Pumpkin Cravings Board, that is full of not only pumpkin desserts, but main dishes and appetizers as well!

INGREDIENTS
6 large eggs
1 + 1/2 C vegetable oil
3 C granulated sugar
1 + 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 large can (29 oz) pumpkin
3 + 1/4 C flour
1 + 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tbsp ground cinnamon
1 + 1/2 tsp salt
1 C semi-sweet chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

2. Mix together eggs, oil, sugar, vanilla, and pumpkin. Set aside.

3. Whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Pour dry ingredients into wet and combine.

4. Pour into a 13 x 18in jelly roll pan. Sprinkle chocolate chips over batter. Bake for 30-40 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool for 10 minutes before cutting into rectangles.