Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies With Brown Butter Frosting

These are my husband's all time favorite cookies!  They are perfect for this time of year and that Brown Butter Frosting makes them even more delicious.  As a substitute for self-rising flour just add 1 1/2 tsp of baking powder and 1/4 tsp of salt for each cup of flour.   

"Pumpkin Pecan Chocolate Chunk Cookies"

2 1/4 cup self-rising flour

3 tsp pumpkin pie spice

3/4 cup butter, room temperature

1 1/4 cup light brown sugar

1 cup sugar

2 tsp vanilla

2 eggs

1 cup canned pumpkin

1 cup chopped pecans

1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chunks (12 oz. bag as far as I'm concerned! I used chocolate chips because that's what I had.)

Whisk together flour and pumpkin pie spice.  Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, cream butter.

Add both sugars and beat until light and fluffy.

Add vanilla.

Add eggs one at a time and beat until combined.

Add flour/spice mixture to sugar mixture in three additions.  Alternate with pumpkin in two additions, ending with flour mixture.

Stir in chopped pecans and chocolate chunks/chips.

Drop on cookie tray lined with parchment paper.

(I use a cookie scoop)

Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes.  Makes about 4 doz.

"Maple Brown Butter Frosting"

3 cups sifted confectioners sugar

1/2 cup butter 

1/4 cup milk

2 tsp. maple flavoring 

Sift sugar and set aside.

Melt butter over medium heat until golden brown.  Watch closely so it does not burn.

Add butter to sugar, scraping all the butter into the bowl.

Add milk and maple flavoring.  Stir until smooth.

Maybe I Can .....

Do you ever dream of being multi-talented?  I know I do!  Once I get on Pinterest my mind runs wildly through all the wonderful decorating and craft ideas.  I pin this and that knowing full well that I don't have time or the talent to make everything I would love to try.  Then, yesterday I came across Marian's post on her blog Sweetopia and thought for one moment, maybe I could.  Maybe I could make these beautiful cookies shaped like a paint palette.  Wouldn't that be perfect since I so adore painting!  Maybe I could do these gluten-free since I don't eat wheat based products.  I may give it a try at some point, but for now I'll just share the visual beauty of these little cookie palettes.  Stop in and check out Sweetopia's wonderful cookie creations by the oh, so talented Marian.  

She has so many beautifully decorated cookie ideas on her blog that you will be totally captivated, especially if you are like me and think "just maybe I could do that."  She has the tutorial and recipe so you can give it a try.  

I can paint desserts, but can I actually decorate real cookies that look like art?

Stop in and tell Marian I sent you. 

Painting, Decorating and Baking Christmas Cookies

I thought I had put up a lot of wreaths on our windows, but I believe these folks win the prize!  This is an old Christmas painting I did a few years ago.  Christmas scenes are my favorite subject and I could paint them year round.  At this moment I am working on a new cupcake painting and should be able to share that soon.  After this one is finished I'm putting up my brushes and taking the rest of the month to finish up preparing for Christmas and enjoying some family time.

I'm still playing around with the tripod and camera settings and taking different shots of our tree.  I promise these should be the last two tree photos that I'll share. 

This morning I made sugar cookies and you can find the recipe here.  These cookies melt in your mouth and the aroma of fresh baked cookies will linger throughout the day!

Are there any presents under your tree yet? 

I'm linking this post to:

Dieting on Cheetos

Have you ever had one of those days? 

Deciding to start my diet this week I leave 3/4 of a pan of "Pumpkin Pie Squares" from Saturday to Thursday.  Lifting the foil of said cake, the smell of mold wafts up my nostrils.  I realize the Lord is beside me reminding me of my diet.  I then turn seeing the bright orange and turquoise Cheetos bag sitting on the counter that we bought to take to Grandma Chickie (101 years old) who is in a nursing home.  As I munch on her treat (three Cheetos, four, five, six....) guilt sets in and I roll down the top of the bag, clip it shut, and wonder how I'll explain this to Rick.

Pumpkin Pie Squares

1 - 13 oz. can evaporated milk

2 teasp. pumpkin pie spice

1 C. sugar

3 beaten eggs

1/2 teasp. salt

1 - 1lb. 13 oz. can pumpkin

1 pkg. yellow cake mix

1/2 to 1 C. chopped nuts

3/4 C. margarine

Combine evaporated milk, eggs, spice, salt, sugar, & pumpkin. Pour into a 9 x 13 pan. Sprinkle dry cake mix over top. Thinly slice margarine. Place margarine squares over top of cake mix. Sprinkle with chopped nuts. Bake 50 min. @ 350 degrees. Serve with whipped cream or ice cream. Serves 1-15.

I can't even sign my name to this post.

Rum Raisin Cupcake Painting

I finished this cupcake painting (in between gardening) and listed it on eBay:

"Rum Raisin"

Finally a cupcake painting for those with a neutral kitchen. This would look great on a granite countertop.

Yum, Yum, a Rum Raisin Cupcake to tempt your taste buds. This delightful treat is frosted with creamy icing, topped with raisins and dribbled with rum sauce.

A recipe for "Rum Raisin Cupcakes"  can be found at Good to Know Recipes.  I haven't tried this recipe, but it looks great!  

I'll be in the garden.  How about you?



Amelia Earhart Home and Spaghetti All'amatriciana

This week my artwork was featured on "Kate, Love, Home", Kate Wilson's blog.  Please stop by and visit Kate's blog and let her know I sent you. 

This past weekend we celebration our soon to be brother in law, Dave's, birthday and someone in my immediate family forgot to tell me to wear a flannel shirt.

My daughter, Amber, son Eric, and hubby Rick looking like they planned their attire for the day.

A while back I blogged about Eric returning from Spain and how he had cooked a wonderful meal for Rick and I.  A few people asked me for the recipe and Eric was kind enough to write it down for me and I absently forgot to post it. 

Look at the smile on that guy's face on his return home from Spain in the photo below.  I know it's blurry, but I wanted to share it anyway.

"Spaghetti All'amatriciana"

3 chicken breasts

7 oz. bacon (cut into small squares)

2lb. small tomatoes (plum tomatoes are best because they have fewer seeds)

1/2 onion (chopped)

grated pecorino or parmesan

olive oil (4 tbsp)

salt

chili powder

Peel the tomatoes and cut into quarters. Remove seeds with a small knife.

Set aside and cut chicken breasts into 1" pieces.  Cook in 2 tbsp. olive oil over moderate heat until browned.  Set aside, then cook the chopped bacon in 2 tbsp. olive oil until fat has melted.

Remove bacon and cook onion in bacon fat.  Add tomatoes and leave sauce to simmer & thicken (10 minutes).  Add chicken, bacon, chili powder & salt (to taste).

Cook an additional 10 minutes.

Serve over spaghetti.

This is spicy, but very yummy!

A couple weeks ago my friend, Susie, and I went to Atchison, KS.  We visited Nell Hill's and drove around the area looking at old homes.  Amelia Earhart's home is something I've always wanted to paint, so I took several photos to reference. 

To learn more about this famous lady and her life check out the official website.

Love those gothic windows!

Last year when my husband and I visited the area, we couldn't take a picture because a huge tree in the front yard had fallen down in a storm and landed right on top of a car parked out front.  Luckily no one was in the car. 

I hope to paint this in the very near future.  If you have any other ideas of great locations for paintings, please let me know.    I'm always open to ideas!

Gluten Free Cupcakes in a Jar

"Black Cherry Gluten Free Cupcakes in a Jar"

Recently we celebrated my father in law's 79th birthday and I knew that my daughter, Amber, wouldn't be able to eat any cake due to her gluten free diet.  I found this recipe at Whipperberrie's blog and decided to substitute a gluten free cake mix for the regular cake mix.  These are baked directly in the jars (1/2 pints). Gluten free does not raise as much as a regular mix.

 Check out the link for the recipe.

Click here.

I think she likes them! 

The frosting is very good because it's not very sweet and it was very light.

Try these out at your next party.  Believe me they were a big hit!

Recipes and Another Stage in my Autumn Painting

I'm still working on this painting:

It's a little slower progression because of all the people in this painting.  You can click on the photos for a closer view.

A few readers have asked me for the recipes from a previous post.  The Jello Salad can be found on the blog Mennonite Girls Can Cook.  This is one of my favorite blogs and where I find alot of wonderful recipes.

"Slow-Cooked Pull Pork"

1 T. oil

3-1/2 to 4-lb. boneless pork shoulder roast, netted or tied

10-1/2 oz. can French onion soup

1 c. catsup

1/4 c. cider vinegar

2 T. brown sugar, packed

12 sandwich rolls, split

Brown roast in oil on all sides and then place in crock pot.  Mix remaining ingredients, except rolls, and pour over roast.  Cook on low for 8-10 hrs. (I cook mine overnight)  Discard string and shred meat with a fork or fingers. Spoon sauce from pan over top or serve with your favorite BBQ sauce.

"Coconut Cream Pie"

2 c. milk

2/3 c. sugar

1/4 c. cornstarch

1/4 t. salt

3 egg yolks, beaten

2 T. margarine

1/2 t. vanilla extract

1-1/2 c. sweetened flaked coconut, divided

9-inch pie crust, baked

Cook milk, sugar, cornstarch and salt in a saucepan over med. heat until thickened.  Cook for 2 additional min. stirring constantly.  Remove from heat.  Stir a small amount of this mixture into egg yolks.  Pour yolks back into saucepan and simmer for 2 minutes.  Add margarine, vanilla, and one cup coconut and pour into crust.  Spread meringue over pie and seal edges.  Sprinkle remainer of coconut on top of pie.  Bake at 350 degrees for 12 min. 

Meringue:

4 egg whites

7-oz jar marshmallow creme

Beat egg whites with electric mixer on high until very stiff peaks form.  Add marshmallow creme and beat for 4 minutes.

Recipe for Maple Brown Butter Frosting

I have to apologize because I forgot to include the frosting recipe for these cookies in a previous post.  This frosting really makes this cookie and would also be great on cake.

"Maple Brown Butter Frosting"

3 cups sifted confectioners sugar

1/2 cup butter

1/4 cup milk

2 tsp. maple flavoring

Sift sugar and set aside.

Melt butter over medium heat until golden brown.  Watch closely so it does not burn.

Add butter to sugar, scraping all the butter into the bowl.

Add milk and maple flavoring.  Stir until smooth.

Spread on top of cookies with a knife or offset spatula.

I would like to share just one more photo of our trip to Madrid, Spain. 

Egyptian Temple of Debod

I know that it looks like we were in Egypt, but this was an old temple that was donated to Spain by Egypt.  I love the reflection in the water.  Promise not to bore you with any more vacation pictures.

Pumpkin Pecan Chocolate Chunk Cookies

This wonderful recipe came from Bakerella.  I've made it several times and it's always a hit.  I had my husband take the rest of the cookies to work this morning so they wouldn't end up on my hips.  Too late!!

The little red and white polka dot plates are a recent Target purchase and the yellow bowl came in a set of three from T.J.Max.

"Pumpkin Pecan Chocolate Chunk Cookies"

2 1/4 cup self-rising flour

3 tsp pumpkin pie spice

3/4 cup butter, room temperature

1 1/4 cup light brown sugar

1 cup sugar

2 tsp vanilla

2 eggs

1 cup canned pumpkin

1 cup chopped pecans

1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chunks (12 oz. bag as far as I'm concerned! I used chocolate chips because that's what I had.)

Whisk together flour and pumpkin pie spice.  Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, cream butter.

Add both sugars and beat until light and fluffy.

Add vanilla.

Add eggs one at a time and beat until combined.

Add flour/spice mixture to sugar mixture in three additions.  Alternate with pumpkin in two additions, ending with flour mixture.

Stir in chopped pecans and chocolate chunks/chips.

Drop on cookie tray lined with parchment paper.

(I use a cookie scoop)

Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes.  Makes about 4 doz.

Let cool.

In the above photo with all the cookies on the counter, if you look carefully, you can see this cute little cupcake stand that my sister gave me as a birthday gift a few months back.   Click to enlarge the photo below so you can see all the cute cookbooks that it's standing on. I purchased the bottom three from Amazon and will bake something from them soon and give them a review in a future post.


Now grab a warm cookie and follow me to my little reading corner in the living room.  Grandma made the quilt that hangs on the back of the chair. 

This is my view directly across from my reading chair.  I know most decorators don't like family photos, but I love mine and proudly display them. This table lamp matches the floor lamp by my chair and sits on top of an antique ice chest. 

This is one of the cupcake paintings that I've repeated in order to get a better photo for larger prints.  It's available in my Etsy Store.  The larger prints are available on my new Fine Art America Store.

We had three inches of rain last night with flash flooding in our area. So, the good Lord willing and the creek don't rise, I'm off to the post office!  

Frozen Frosty Cupcake Painting

I have so many Christmas and winter cupcakes floating around in my head, so this blog may get a little cupcake crazy!  I listed this little painting on eBay this past Thursday.  A few weeks ago I purchased an old cook book on eBay titled, The American Family Cook Book (published in 1952) and I found the perfect recipe for this painting.  I've included it at the end of this post if you'd like to try it out.

"Frozen Frosty Cupcake"

The background for this little painting is a recipe from an old cookbook that I decoupaged onto the front of the canvas. Frosty waves from his perch on top of this cupcake decorated for Christmas. Fluffy white frosting mimicking snow, is edged with a border of green piped frosting and red dots. Tiny white snowflakes adorn this scene and silver glitter outlines the recipe. A black and white checked grosgrain ribbon is wrapped around the edges of the canvas and is tied in a bow at the top.

"Frozen Cupcakes"

1 cup heavy cream

1/4 cup sugar

2 1/2 Tablespoons chopped nuts

1 1/2 cups crumbled sponge cake crumbs

1/16 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1 tablespoon maraschino cherry juice

3 tablespoons chopped maraschino cherries

Whip the cream stiff and then fold in the rest of the ingredients, lightly but thoroughly.  Fill tiny cups with the mixture and place in freezing tray of refrigerator.  Garnish with maraschino cherries and candied ginger.  Serves 4.

Yes my hair is now gray.

In case you didn't notice in my previous post, yes, my hair is now gray.  For years I've been coloring my hair and had grown tired of trying to keep the roots done.  If you've never tried to grow your hair out after coloring it with permanent color, believe me it's no treat.  At one point my gray hair scared me so much that I bought a box of Clairol "light ash blond" and now I still have that to grow out.  It's very hard to stay away from the hair color aisle.  I know that some of you will think I've lost my mind, but I'm happy with it now and think I can live with it.  My hubbie loves it and that's all that matters.  I have natural curly hair and have to flat iron it into submission.  Curly dark hair was o.k., but the curly gray hair makes me look like a little old lady with a kinky perm.  Wait a minute, I am a little old lady!

Now in case the gray hair doesn't make you think I've lost my mind, try this recipe out:
Fill some Bugles with peanut butter and then dip the top into melted chocolate.  My daughter and son in law loved them, but I thought they were more work than they were worth.  Try stuffing peanut butter into a 100 or more bugles and see what I mean!

Woodland Cove Folk Art Painting

"Woodland Cove"

I added this painting to my ebay auctions this week.

On Saturday nights, Bernice and Horace host a little get together with their neighbors. The women get the food prepared while the men get out the dominos for an evening of good food and fun games. Ethel and Walter introduced their new neighbors Flora and John to their hosts at church and they all became quick friends. The close knit community of Woodland Cove nurtures their friendships and is always there to lend a helping hand.

Wouldn't it be great to live on you own little island with you best friends and neighbors just a boat ride away. Take some time this week to invite some friends over for food and games. You'll feel so blessed and wish you had done it sooner. Here is a recipe for the chicken salad sandwiches that the ladies served:

"Chicken Salad"

Boil together in a 6 quart saucepan

4-4 1/2 lb. stewing chicken (I like chicken breasts)

1 Med. onion quartered

1 large carrot sliced

1 bay leaf

Mix :

1 lb. seedless grapes

2/3 cup mayo

1/4 cup milk

2 T. cider vinegar

1/8 tsp. pepper

1 cup diced green pepper

1 1/2 tsp. salt (I use 1 tsp. or less)

1/2 cup California walnuts or Cashews

1 cup sliced celery

Add chicken and mix.

Giveaway, New Painting, and Cake Recipe

This week I received two awards from two great bloggers. The first award comes from Jenny at All Roads Lead Home. This Lemonade Award is based on displaying great attitude or gratitude. Wow! Thanks Jenny. Check out Jenny's blog because I really think this award applies to her. She is the sweetest and cutest blogger and she even paints! I wish I had time to follow the rules and pass this on to several people, but since I don't, please grab this one for yourself right here. I love the attitude and gratitude of all of you who comment on my blog.

You can pick up this next award at Joyce's Blog, Moderate Suburban Chick. She's a lovely lady and has a pretty yummy looking recipe for quick Cinnamon Delights you can grab while you are there. We are even the same age as soon as my birthday arrives in February. Check out Joyce's blog and have a cup of coffee with her!
Now, as I was cleaning up around my paint room I came across this print, "Hill Crest Island", that I had crackled last year and have decided to give it away. Just leave a comment on this post before January 22nd when I will use a random number generator to pick the winner. Only one chance per person please. If your comment doesn't link to your blog, or you don't have a blog, please leave me an email address in your comment so I can contact you if you win. I promise to sign the print too. It will come with a certificate of authenticity with the following story:

Clarita and Henry Castaway live in a cottage on Hill Crest Island. They row their little red boat to the mainland each morning to have coffee and breakfast with their friends at a local cafe.

Yesterday I finished a house portrait which I hope to share with you soon and then I did a little painting that I listed on eBay titled, Hampton Hill.



Mrytle and Richard live in a cottage on Hampton Hill. Today is Richard's 55th birthday and as always, Myrtle is making his favorite cake to celebrate. As the snow gently falls they will enjoy dinner by the fire and share a piece of cake with their neighbors who have come to celebrate as well. Good friends, a loving wife, and great food, what more could a man ask for!



Here is the cake that Myrtle served her husband and I serve mine every year on his birthday:

"Watergate Cake"

1 White cake mix
3 Eggs
3/4 Cup oil
1 Can 7-up
1 Pkg. instant pistachio pudding

Mix together well and then add:
1 Cup pecan pieces
1/2 Cup coconut
Stir together with spoon
Bake at 325 degrees for 30-40 min.

Icing
(Put on cold cake)
2 pkgs. dream whip
1 pkg. instant pistachio pudding
1 1/2 Cup cold milk
Mix together and ice cake. Sprinkle cake with coconut and pecans. Keep cake refrigerated.

New prints are added to my shops weekly, so check them out.

Cookie Recipes

I've been busy baking cookies and packaging them up as gifts and to use for our church live nativity. I'll be taking pictures of the nativity tonight and if they come out, I'll share them with you. The cookies below are "Easy Oreo Truffles" and they are now my favorite Christmas treat!


"Easy Oreo Truffles"

Makes:

3 1/2 dox. or 42 servings, one truffle each (one, yeah right!)

1 pkg. (1 1b. 2 oz.) Oreo Cookies, finely crushed and divided

1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened

2 pkg. (8 squares each) Bakers's semi-sweet chocolate, melted

Mix 3 cups of the cookie crumbs and the cream cheese until well blended. Shape into 42 (1 inch) balls.

Dip balls in melted chocolate; place on waxed paper covered baking sheet. (Any leftover melted chocolate can be stored in tightly covered container at room temperature and saved for another use.) Sprinkle with remaining cookie crumbs.

(I used all the cookie crumbs when I made the balls, so I sprinkled them with decorating candies.)

Refrigerate 1 hour or until firm. Store any leftover (yeah right) truffles in a tightly covered container in refrigerator. Enjoy!

This is an all time favorite of ours:

Sugar Cookies

Mix cookies the day before and let set overnight in the frig.

2 eggs
2 sticks of butter
1 cup of powdered sugar
1 cup of granulated sugar
1 teasp. cream of tartar
1 teasp. salt
1 teasp. soda
4 1/2 cups flour
1 cup Crisco oil
1 Tablespoon vanilla
1 Teaspoon almond extract

Mix dry ingredients together and eggs and crisco together; then mix all together. Let stand over night in the frig. Form dough into balls about the size of a walnut. Grease cookie sheet and place balls 2 inches apart. Press down gently with the palm of your hand to flatten slightly. Sprinkle with sugar. Bake @ 350 degrees for 10-12 min.

For some reason I always need a size larger britches after Christmas.
Merry Christmas!