Pumpkin Thumbprint Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting

As I'm sure you've seen on most of the blogs and Pinterest lately, we've all gone a little bit pumpkin crazy!  I love the Fall and have been experimenting with several of my pumpkin recipes.  I decided to change my Cream Cheese Thumbprint Cookies into a Fall cookie by making it a Pumpkin Thumbprint with Cream Cheese frosting.   And let me tell you, it was SO worth the change.  This is a cookie that represents Fall to the fullest.  Not overly sweet with just the right amount of pumpkin and spices, all topped off with a wonderful cream cheese frosting.  Totally my new FAVORITE cookie!

Here's what you need:

Cookies
1/2 cup margarine, at room temperature
1/2 cup butter, unsalted at room temperature
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup pumpkin
1 egg
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
2-1/2 cups flour, all purpose
1/2 tsp. salt

Frosting
4 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
2 Tbs. butter, unsalted, at room temperature
2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla

Pre heat oven to 350 degrees.  Line a baking sheet with parchment and set aside.

In the bowl of a stand mixer or a medium bowl beat the butter and margarine until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.

 

Add the brown sugar and mix until well blended.

 

Add the pumpkin, egg, and spices and mix until well blended.

 

Add flour and salt and mix until combined.  

 

Drop by rounded tablespoonful's or using a medium Pampered Chef scoop onto a parchment lined baking sheet.

Using a well rounded teaspoon (dipped in flour) press into the very center of the dough to form the well for the frosting.

 

Bake for 10 minutes.  Remove from oven and remove the cookies to a cooling rack to cool completely.

Prepare the frosting by beating the cream cheese and butter until fluffy.  Add the vanilla and mix well.

 

Add the powdered sugar and mix until smooth and thick.

 

Place frosting into a plastic zip bag and seal, removing the air as you go.  Snip a small corner off the end with scissors.

Frost each center well of the cookies.

Yum!  These cookies are not overly sweet but taste just like Fall should.  All spicy warmth and creamy frosting.  Go make these now!  You won't regret it, I promise :)

Enjoy!

Serves - 2 dozen  - Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days (Ha! If they last that long)

Here's the handy printable - Pumpkin Thumbprint Cookie with Cream Cheese Frosting 

You can find me each week linking up to these wonderful blogs.

Creative Thursday Link Party No. 24

Welcome blogging friends!  How has your week been?  I've been crazy busy trying new recipes and actually making some decorations for Fall.  I'll be showing off my Front Porch to ya'll in a couple of days.  It was super fun to decorate:)

Last week we had an AMAZING turnout for the link party and everyone has been doing a super job of either cooking, baking, and DIY crafting!  You guys are so inspirational to me and my readers, so here's a GREAT BIG HUG FOR EVERYONE :)  Keep up the good work.

Here is the most viewed post from last week (top two, it was a tie) and my featured favorites from last week (the rest, in no particular order).

~Most Viewed Posts~

Loaded Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes from Pretty Providence Yum!  Who doesn't LOVE mashed potatoes with all the fixins

Fall Bucket List from Love Bakes Good Cakes totally cute printable for what you can do in the Fall

~Featured Favorites~

1.  Cinnamon Cream Cheese Coffee Cake from Life's Simple Measures I can't wait to try this heavenly cake.  Probably for breakfast!

2.  Beautifully up-cycled Cigar Boxes from Carla's Cards I would love to make one of these to hold precious keepsakes.

3. Pumpkin Frozen Yogurt from Peanut Butter and Peppers um, hello it has pumpkin in it!  

4.  Chalkboard Command Center from Just Us Four I would LOVE to have one of these amazing walls in my kitchen.

5.  Pumpkin Spiced Vanilla Latte and Pecan Pumpkin Muffins from A Rosie Sweet Home um hello again, Pumpkin coffee and a muffin?  I'm there!

6.  Roasted Garlic and Chicken Pizza from White Lights on Wednesday I LOVE pizza and can't wait to try this recipe!

7.  Chicken Alfredo Roll-ups from The Recipe Critic total yumminess all rolled up in a lasagna noodle.

Congrats to all who were featured ~Don't forget to grab a button from the sidebar~

Now on to the fun stuff ~ Party Time

Here’s the nitty gritty:

 Link to the specific post for something YOU have created – recipe, DIY, craft, idea.  Link to a specific post NOT your main blog page.

Please NO ETSY shops or giveaways.

Please link back to me somewhere in your post or post my button on your blog

Party runs through Monday night each week so link up as many times as you like.

Be sure to spread the love and visit other posts and leave a comment.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

Well it's that time again blogging friends.  I have entered the "Get your Chef on" challenge hosted by the lovely Jenn at Four Marrs and One Venus and Julie over at White Lights on Wednesday.  I'm so excited for this challenge not only because the secret ingredient is one of my all time favorites "PEANUT BUTTER" but also because I missed the last one and made sure I was home to participate in this month's challenge.

We have been challenged to go make our best recipe using peanut butter and I have a doozie for your baking pleasure today.  Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Banana Bread. Now I know some of you are already shaking your heads thinking why would you mess around with a perfectly good banana bread (which I thought too before I made this) but the combination is so subtle and packed full of flavor, not to mention MOIST that you will just fall in love with this bread.  I've made it twice this week alone. Now go make a loaf or three and enjoy!

Here's what you need:
1-1/2 cups flour, all purpose
3/4 cup sugar
1 Tbs. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup mashed ripe bananas, about 2 medium
1/3 cup milk
1/2 cup peanut butter
3 Tbs. vegetable or canola oil
1 egg
3/4 cup milk chocolate chips

Pre heat oven to 350 degrees. Spray three mini loaf pans with cooking spray and set aside.

In a bowl combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.

Make a well in the center and add the peanut butter, egg, mashed bananas, and oil. Mix by hand or with beaters until just combined.

 

Stir in the milk chocolate chips until mixed.

Evenly distribute the batter between the three sprayed mini loaf pans.

Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Remove from oven and cool in pan a few minutes before scarfing eating a slice or three.

This can also be made in a 9 x 5 inch loaf pan by extending the cooking time to 55-65 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Enjoy!  I know I did :)

Serves - 3 mini loaves

Here's the handy printable - Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Banana Bread 

Lime Jello Ambrosia

My Mom has been making the most delicious Lime Jello Salad for years and we usually only make it around the holidays where everyone is elbowing each other to take the leftover's home.  Well I decided that because my ambrosia recipe is super simple that I would try it with the same ingredients (minus a few) as Mom's Jello Salad and guess what?  It's Super Delicious!  Yea me!  I'm sure your family will love it just the same as mine.

Here's what you need:
1- 8 oz. tub of Cool Whip
1/4 cup sour cream
1 - 3oz. box lime jello
1/2 of a 20 oz can of crushed pineapple with juice (I realize they sell an 8oz. can, which I'm sure would be fine, but I only buy pineapple in the 20 oz can size because I always find a way to use the leftovers)
1 heaping cup coconut, I use sweetened
1 heaping cup mini marshmallows

Place the Cool Whip, sour cream, and jello in a bowl and stir until all the jello is dissolved.

 

Add the pineapple and juice and stir until combined.

Add the marshmallows and coconut and stir until combined.

Refrigerate at least 2 hours but 4 is better.  Serve as a side dish.

Enjoy!

Serves 8 - 12

Here is the handy printable - Lime Jello Ambrosia 

You can find me each week linking up to these wonderful blogs

Crescent Skillet Apple Pie

A few weeks ago I had a hankering for apple pie but didn't want to make a traditional one, so I opened up my fridge and took a peek at what was inside.  This is the super easy totally yummy dessert I came up with.  It has all the flavor of a traditional pie but none of the hassle.  Give it a try and let me know what you think :)

Pumpkin Spice Cookies

You all know how I've been talking up the Fall cooking and baking but haven't been actually posting anything?  Well here is the first new recipe.

I was totally desperate the other night feeling like I'd let everyone down with all this talk and no pumpkin action.  So I just had to try a cheater cookie recipe that was knocking around in my head.  And guess what?  These cookies are super soft and fluffy and taste just like pumpkin bread!  Total hit!  Yea me :)

I chose not to frost these cookies but you could use a cream cheese frosting and they would be over the top yummy.

Here's what you need:

1- 15.25 oz. box yellow cake mix

3/4 cup solid pack pumpkin

2 eggs

1/3 cup oil

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. nutmeg

1/4 tsp. ground ginger

1/8 tsp. ground cloves

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

In a bowl mix all the ingredients until combined.

 

Using a medium cookie scoop place the cookie dough two inches apart on the lined baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes.  Allow to cool a couple of minutes on the baking sheet then remove to a cooling rack.

(Sorry, no pics)

 

Take lots of pretty pictures with new Fall props :) These cookies taste just like Fall to me.

Enjoy!

Here's the handy printable - Pumpkin Spice Cookies

You can find me each week linking up to these wonderful blogs.

Creative Thursday Link Party No. 23

Welcome to Creative Thursday Link Party No. 23

Is everyone enjoying their start of the school year?  Hopefully all goes well with the kiddos adjusting to early mornings, new teachers and bed times.

I am patiently waiting for the start of Fall which is my favorite time of year, but still another week and a half away.

I love cold mornings when the house is quiet and I get to start my baking with a warm cup of coffee in my hand (instead of ice water).  Speaking of coffee have you tried the new Starbucks instant Pumpkin Spice packets?  Love them!

 I know I mentioned that I would be posting all kinds of Fall recipes and projects but I'm a tad bit behind due to family fun time on the lake last weekend. But stay tuned for some Fall inspiration soon.  I CAN say that two of my recipes will be featured on DJ's Sugar Shack and A Rosie Sweet Home in the next few weeks so be sure and check out these ladies blogs because they are both awesome!

Are you ready to party? I am!  You guys did an amazing job linking up last week.  I was inspired to get out my sewing machine and warm up the oven; wait is my oven ever off? I think not.

Here is this weeks top viewed (top 3) and featured favorites (bottom 5) from last weeks party (in no particular order)

1.  Tile Coasters from The D.I.Y. Dreamer totally cute use of scrapbook paper and Mod Podge.

2.  Fresh Tomato Basil Soup from Noshing with the Nolands ~ Delicious soup!

3. Kid Friendly Trail Mix from Stop Lookin' Get Cookin' the perfect combo of sweet and salty.

4.  Apple Spice Cupcakes with Salted Caramel Frosting from Heather's French Press I'm too busy drooling to say anything.  These are heavenly.

5.  Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo {Cajun Style} from My Sweet Little Steiner Family this pasta looks amazing.  6.  White T-Shirt Makeover from Pretty Providence a cute way to add pizzazz to your blah T-shirts.

7.  Sweater Pumpkins from Alderberry Hill super cute homemade pumpkins add grace to your Fall decorations.

8.  Baked Zucchini Sticks with Sweet Onion Dip from The Better Baker wonderful baked treat with all the flavor but without all the deep fried fat!

Congrats to all who were featured ~ Don't forget to grab a NEW button from the sidebar

Here’s the nitty gritty:

 Link to the specific post for something YOU have created – recipe, DIY, craft, idea.  Link to a specific post NOT your main blog page.

Please NO ETSY shops or giveaways.

Please link back to me somewhere in your post or post my button on your blog

Party runs through Monday night each week so link up as many times as you like.

Be sure to spread the love and visit other posts and leave a comment.