The Sensible Mom

Food, DIY, Chicago Mom Blogger

Dessert

Recipe: Peppermint Brownies

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peppermint brownie recipeMy family loves brownies, and we especially love eating them homemade.

I decided to add peppermint syrup to our brownie recipe, and the result was delicious. These brownies are chocolate-y goodness with a hint of peppermint. The peppermint in these brownies is just right. You can taste it, but it isn’t overpowering.

Delicious.

I think you’ll really enjoy this recipe.

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Peppermint Brownies

Ingredients

  • 3 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
  • 4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
  • 8 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 stick), cut into pieces
  • 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
  • 1 1/4 cups sugar (I used organic sugar)
  • 3 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons peppermint syrup (I used the Torani brand syrup)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour

Instructions

  1. Adjust oven rack to the middle position, and then heat to 350 degrees.
  2. Line an 8-inch square pan with foil, and then lightly spray the foil with vegetable spray.
  3. Add the chopped chocolate, butter, and cocoa powder to a bowl and stir, then microwave for 1 to 3 minutes. Make sure to stir the chocolate mixture every 30 seconds, so that it is well mixed. Let the chocolate cool slightly when finished.
  4. In a separate large bowl, whisk the sugar, eggs, vanilla, peppermint syrup, and salt together until combined.
  5. Whisk in the melted chocolate mixture.
  6. With a spatula, stir in the flour until no streaks are left.
  7. Pour the batter into the pan and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center of the brownies comes out with only a few crumbs. This should take approximately 50-60 minutes.
  8. Let the brownies cool completely before serving. Enjoy!
https://thesensiblemom.com/2019/10/recipe-peppermint-brownies/

Here’s a video where I make these brownies but without the peppermint. They’re fantastic either way! πŸ™‚

BROWNIE RECIPE VIDEO


Recipe: Fall Pumpkin Bread

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Awesome Recipe: Pumpkin Bread - delicious fall flavor!

Pumpkin bread.

It’s delicious. And I’m happy to say that I finally have a pumpkin bread recipe that everyone in my family loves – even the picky ones. πŸ™‚

This pumpkin bread is delicious with a drizzle of pumpkin spice glaze over the top. It’s so good served that way! You could also simply sprinkle a little powdered sugar over it.

That works, too.

Need a recipe for a delicious pumpkin bread? Try to this! It's a pleaser. :)

Here’s the recipe: 

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Pumpkin Bread

Ingredients

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup whole wheat flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup dark brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1-1/4 cups pumpkin puree, canned or fresh
  • 8 tablespoons butter, melted and cooled
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a loaf pan with oil or nonstick cooking spray. (I used coconut oil.)
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Set aside.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the brown sugar and eggs. Then, one at a time, add the pumpkin, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Whisk the mixture after each ingredient is added.
  4. Using a spatula, pour the pumpkin mixture into the flour mixture, and stir just until combined.
  5. Pour the pumpkin batter into the loaf pan. Spread the batter evenly using the spatula. Bake for about 50 to 60 minutes. Then remove from the oven and cool for about 15 minutes.
  6. Sprinkle with powdered sugar or drizzle with pumpkin spice glaze (recipe below).
https://thesensiblemom.com/2019/09/recipe-pumpkin-bread/

And, as I mentioned, this pumpkin bread is scrumptious when you serve it with a healthy drizzle of pumpkin spice glaze.

Super easy and super delicious recipe for Pumpkin Spice Glaze

Here’s that recipe:

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Pumpkin Spice Glaze

Ingredients

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2-1/2 tablespoons pumpkin spice liquid coffee creamer

Instructions

  1. In a small bowl, stir ingredients together until smooth.
https://thesensiblemom.com/2019/09/recipe-pumpkin-bread/

I made this bread over the weekend, and it’s gone already. I can’t wait for an opportunity to make it again!

Have you made pumpkin bread yet this season? What’s your favorite way to use canned pumpkin?


Scrumptious Baked Pumpkin Donut Muffins

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If you're looking for a fabulous donut recipe, you must try these scrumptious baked pumpkin donut muffins! #donut #doughnut #pumpkin

Do you know what resourceful people do when they want to make donuts, but they don’t own a donut pan?

They make donut muffins.

And that’s what I did.

I made the most scrumptious donut muffins ever. Ever. Ever. Ever.

They’re that good. πŸ˜‰

Baked Pumpkin Donut Muffins

If you're looking for a fabulous donut recipe, you must try these scrumptious baked pumpkin donut muffins! #donut #doughnut #pumpkin

Here’s the recipe:

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Baked Pumpkin Donut Muffins

Ingredients

  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/3 cup coconut oil, melted
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1 egg (for Vegan donuts, use egg-replacer - I used Ener-G Egg Replacer)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3/4 cup canned pumpkin
  • 1/2 cup rice milk

Instructions

  1. Adjust oven rack to the middle position, and then preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease muffin pan or line with baking cups.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, sea salt, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, nutmeg, and ground ginger.
  3. In a separate medium-sized bowl, whisk together the coconut oil, brown sugar, egg (or alternate egg substitute), vanilla extract, pumpkin, and rice milk.
  4. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and, with a spatula, mix just until ingredients are incorporated.
  5. Divide the batter evenly among baking cups. *I used a 1/4 measuring cup and a spoon to measure out the batter and then scoop it into the baking cups.
  6. Place donuts in the oven and bake for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with only a few crumbs on it.
  7. Allow donuts to sit in the muffin pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer them to a cooling rack and glaze. See recipe below this one for the glaze.
https://thesensiblemom.com/2019/09/baked-pumpkin-donuts/

Donut Glaze Recipe

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Donut Glaze

Ingredients

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons cold water
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. In a small bowl, mix ingredients together until smooth.
https://thesensiblemom.com/2019/09/baked-pumpkin-donuts/

I used a regular nonstick muffin pan (not mini) and found that with this type of pan, you can expect to make eleven absolutely delicious donut muffins.

Scrumptious Baked Pumpkin Donut Muffins

I hope your family enjoys these as much as mine. πŸ™‚

Have your ever made donuts at home?


Sweet Homemade Pumpkin Pie Recipe (and a Recipe for Pie Dough Cutouts)

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Thanks to Door to Door Organics for partnering with me on this recipe collaboration. I used their awesome food delivery service to gather ingredients for the recipe in this post.

This is a recipe for a Delightful and Sweet Homemade Pumpkin Pie! It's fabulous! #pumpkin #pie #pumpkinpie #Thanksgiving #recipe

I love pumpkin pie.

I’ve tried many different varieties over the years that fall into the categories of being either store bought, from a restaurant, or homemade.

And, you know, homemade wins every time.

Yes, there are some restaurant pies that are pretty awesome, but still, nothing beats homemade when you have a fantastic recipe! πŸ™‚

Pumpkin Pie Recipe

Today, I’m sharing my tried and true recipe for pumpkin pie. I love it because it creates a sweet pumpkin pie with a perfectly baked crust. Yum, yum, and yum!

This is a recipe for a Delightful and Sweet Homemade Pumpkin Pie! It's fabulous! #pumpkin #pie #pumpkinpie #Thanksgiving #recipe

Here’s the Printable Recipe:

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Sweet Homemade Pumpkin Pie

Ingredients

  • 1-1/4 cups rice milk
  • 4 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 15 oz. can pumpkin puree (or two cups of fresh pumpkin puree)
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup dark brown sugar
  • 3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 single pie crust

Instructions

  1. Adjust an oven rack to the lowest position and place a baking sheet on the rack. Heat the oven to 400 degrees. (I like using a baking sheet that's only rimmed on two sides. This makes it easier to place the pie on the hot baking sheet when the times comes.)
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the rice milk, eggs, and vanilla extract. Set aside.
  3. In a large saucepan, mix together the pumpkin puree, sugar, brown sugar, ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, and salt. Then cook the mixture over medium heat for 4 to 5 minutes just until it's heated through. Stir frequently.
  4. Remove the saucepan from the heat and slowly whisk in the milk mixture until ingredients are totally incorporated.
  5. Place the pie crust into the bottom of the pie pan. Then pour the pumpkin mixture into the prepared pie crust.
  6. Carefully place the pie on the hot baking sheet in the oven and bake at 400 degrees for 10 minutes.
  7. Once 10 minutes have passed, rotate the baking sheet, and turn the temperature down to 300 degrees. Bake another 60 to 85 minutes until the pie looks mostly firm, but the center of the pie is still not quite set. The pie will finish firming up and setting as it cools.
  8. Remove the pie from the oven and allow it to cool for approximately two hours before serving. This pumpkin pie is fantastic on its own or topped off with your favorite whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon. *Pie dough cutouts are a great way to decorate your pie. See the recipe below for pie dough cutouts and ideas.
https://thesensiblemom.com/2019/09/sweet-homemade-pumpkin-pie-recipe/

This is a recipe for a Delightful and Sweet Homemade Pumpkin Pie! It's fabulous! #pumpkin #pie #pumpkinpie #Thanksgiving #recipe

More About Pumpkin Pie

Below is what my pie looked like the same day I made it and after it had cooled. I used homemade pumpkin puree for the pie pictured, but canned pumpkin puree works great, too.

Helpful Tip: If you make this pie using canned pumpkin puree, then your pie will likely be finished baking around 60 minutes after you turn the temperature down to 300 degrees.

On the flip side, if you make this pie using homemade pumpkin puree, then your pie will likely be ready to take out of the oven around 85 minutes after you turn the oven down to 300 degrees. This has been my experience, anyway. πŸ™‚

This is a recipe for a Delightful and Sweet Homemade Pumpkin Pie! It's fabulous! #pumpkin #pie #pumpkinpie #Thanksgiving #recipe

This pie happens to be a great make-ahead dessert. Which means that if you’re making pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving or some other occasion, you can make it the day before, and it’ll be ready when you need it!

Here’s what my pumpkin pie looked like the day after I baked it:

This is a recipe for a Delightful and Sweet Homemade Pumpkin Pie! It's fabulous! #pumpkin #pie #pumpkinpie #Thanksgiving #recipe

Onto the Crust

Okay, pie crusts… they matter. A lot. So, if you don’t have a good recipe for a pie crust, I absolutely love the recipe I shared here. I use it every single time I make apple, pumpkin, or any sort of berry pie. It’s an awesome recipe. Trust me.

Do note, though, that that particular recipe is for a double pie crust. I recommend either freezing one-half for later use or using the other half to make a bunch of pie dough cutouts.

You’ll soon see that I chose to do the latter. πŸ˜‰

Helpful Tip: By baking the pie at a lower temperature of 300 degrees, you avoid burning the crust. The crust comes out beautiful, and the pie is creamy, sweet, and delicious!

Recipe for Pie Dough Cutouts

Before I jump into the recipe, I’ll start by saying that if you only want one or two simple cutouts to decorate your pumpkin pie with, then you don’t need a double pie crust. Duh, right?

You can simply use the excess dough from a single pie crust and with a cookie cutter or pie crust cutter, make whatever shape you’d like. Then brush the cutout with a little milk, sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar, and bake for about 8 to 10 minutes in a 350 degree oven. Allow the cutout(s) to cool, and then carefully place atop the finished pumpkin pie.

Now for those of us that want to get a touch more complicated, I’m sharing a recipe below for how to make a bunch of pie dough cutouts that could be used to decorate your pumpkin pie, or served alongside a slice of pie, or atop a single serving of pie.

Oh, the possibilities! πŸ™‚

This is a recipe for a Delightful and Sweet Homemade Pumpkin Pie! It's fabulous! And I include a recipe for pie dough cutouts as well! #pumpkin #pie #pumpkinpie #Thanksgiving #recipe #cutouts

Here’s the Printable Recipe:

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Pie Dough Cutouts

Ingredients

  • 1 single pie crust
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 tablespoon rice milk

Instructions

  1. Move oven rack to the middle position and preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Stir the cinnamon and sugar together in a small bowl. Set aside.
  3. Roll out the pie crust on a floured surface, then using pie crust cutters or cookie cutters, proceed to cut out shapes. *Tip: Dip the pie crust cutters or cookie cutters in flour before using them to cut out shapes. This helps to prevent sticking.
  4. Place shapes on a baking sheet, and brush the tops with rice milk. Then sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.
  5. Place the baking sheet in the oven and cook for about 8 to 10 minutes or until the pie cutouts appear light golden brown.
  6. Once cutouts are finished baking, remove the baking sheet from the oven, and place the cutouts on a wire rack to cool. Use to decorate pumpkin pie.
https://thesensiblemom.com/2019/09/sweet-homemade-pumpkin-pie-recipe/

Helpful Tip: If you’d like to keep the cutouts really simple, skip the cinnamon sugar and rice milk, and bake the cutouts plain at 350 degrees for about 8 minutes.

This is a recipe for a Delightful and Sweet Homemade Pumpkin Pie! It's fabulous! #pumpkin #pie #pumpkinpie #Thanksgiving #recipe

I’d love to know, what are some of your favorite ways to use pumpkin in recipes?