Dark Chocolate & Pumpkin Swirl Bundt Cake

September 15, 2018 Amanda Plott

We’re finally in the 80’s around here, and I can feel Fall in the air just about. It’s one of my favorite times of year. Halloween is just around the corner and pumpkin spice is featured almost anywhere you look. Bring. It. On. I am so ready to get to use my stove and oven again without having to worry about spending the rest of the day cooling the house back off. The struggle is real, y’all.

Baking is not my favorite thing to do in the kitchen. It scares and intimidates me. And today was one of those reasons why. I turned my back for (what seemed like one second) and I over-beat my batter. Meaning my cake collapsed a bit in the middle. I was frustrated beyond belief with myself, but the family didn’t mind at all. In fact, they all said how good the cake was - even though I was mad at it…

'Pumpkin Pie' Cheese & Cracker Bites

November 16, 2017 Amanda Plott

Thanksgiving is officially just a week away and I really wanted to up my appetizer game this year. While I know that cheese and crackers aren't the most healthy thing that you could serve as an appetizer, it definitely has its place and time. Holidays and special celebrations happen to one of them for me!

These cute little cheese and cracker bites are made to look like a little slice of pumpkin pie and are sure to impress your friends and family with how unique they are. They actually hold up pretty well with a softened cream cheese being used as the 'glue' that holds it all together...

Pumpkin Spice Monkey Bread

November 14, 2017 Amanda Plott

Getting ready for Thanksgiving means preparing for the hungry crowd that will invade my home next week. And to do that, I need to have a nice warm, quick and easy breakfast ready and waiting in the wings. Monkey bread has been a long time go-to of mine since it's quick to make and rather impressive to see as an end result.

To keep the Thanksgiving theme and all things pumpkin, I decided to try my hand at making a pumpkin spice monkey bread today, and I was not at all disappointed...

Pie in a Pumpkin (Pilgrim's Pumpkin Pie)

October 26, 2017 Amanda Plott

Haven't you ever wondered how pumpkin pie got started? Did the pilgrims really make 'pumpkin pie' for the first Thanksgiving? I guess we'll never know. But, if they did, it probably would have been a lot different from today's standard pumpkin pie. And according to one source, it's thought that it would have been more of a 'pie in a pumpkin'.

This more 'traditional' pumpkin pie is basically made by baking a pie pumpkin and filling it with a delicious lightened up custard mixture that bakes into the whole pumpkin; giving you all the flavors of the pumpkin pie that we all know and love...

Skinny 'Day Before' Mashed Potatoes

November 3, 2016 Amanda Plott

Once upon a time my mom and dad were in charge of Thanksgiving (along with all other Holiday meals) and my mom always ended up pretty stressed out, just like every other mother out there. Then along came my adult self. Together with my mom, we found the perfect end-all to the stresses of the Holiday cooking.

I had basically stumbled onto a perfectly planned out and super delicious make ahead menu plan that was complete with days, times, oven temperatures, etc. You name it, it was there. I like to consider it my Holiday Feast Code Book. Or Holiday Cooking Bible. It has been a life saver ever since it came into our lives, and I'm so happy that I've never had quite the traumatic holiday feast that some do. Oh, the horror stories I've heard...

Brownies & More Bottom Pumpkin Pie (Sponsored)

November 1, 2016 Amanda Plott

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #BakeHolidayGoodness #CollectiveBias

Phew! Now that Halloween is over, it's time to move on to the next great holiday in our paths. I think next to Halloween, Thanksgiving is my second most favorite holiday. Why? Well, that's pretty simple; it revolves entirely around food. It's no secret that I love food. Plus, Thanksgiving is full of good memories for me. When growing up, my mom always did her best (even in the worst of times) to make it amazing, memorable, and full of traditions for myself and my little brother.

Every year my mom would make two pies, a classic pumpkin one and a chocolate meringue. Sometimes she would throw a third in there, usually a pecan pie of some sort. This year though, I'm shaking it up. I'm putting a twist on two old classics and making them into one brownie bottom delectable pumpkin pie that is sure to please everyone. Don't worry though, I've lightened it up!...