Pumpkin Pancakes with Orange-Caramel Syrup

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...While searching for ways in which to use a small amount of leftover puree, I came across several recipes for pumpkin pancakes. I finally decided to play with one developed by Cara Eisenpress, who, along with her cohort Phoebe Lapine, created the blog Big Girls Small Kitchen. The two, both twenty-something cooks, have also written a book called Cara and Phoebe's Quarter Life Kitchen which will be in bookstores this spring. Their blog is terrific and I'm sure that their book, which features an introduction by Ina Garten, will be as well. While I've added a bit more spice and have created an orange-caramel syrup to drizzle over the finished pancakes, Cara's original recipe is solid. The changes that I made were simply to better suit the tastes of my family who love a hint of orange with their pumpkin. I must also admit that, unlike Cara, I cook my pancakes on an electric griddle. Folks would find the ones I make in a skillet most unappealing. If you plan to use the orange-caramel syrup, make it before you begin to work on the pancakes. For best taste, the pancakes and the syrup should both be served warm. I also suggest going easy with the syrup. It is very sweet and a little goes a long way. Both the pancakes and the syrup are simple to make. If you are looking for something a little different for fall and winter breakfasts, you might want to give these a try. Here are the recipes.

Pumpkin Pancakes with Orange-Caramel Syrup...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite inspired by Cara Eisenpress

Ingredients:
Syrup
4 tablespoons butter or margarine
1/3 cup light brown sugar
1/4 cup orange juice
1 tablespoon freshly grated orange zest
Pancakes
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon mace
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1/3 cup pumpkin puree
1 large egg
1 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 tablespoons butter, melted and cooled, or neutral oil


Directions:
1) To make syrup: Melt butter and brown sugar together in a small saucepan set over medium heat. Add orange juice and simmer until mixture is thick and smooth. Stir in the orange zest and set aside. Keep warm.
2) To make pancakes: Combine flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, mace, nutmeg, and brown sugar in a medium bowl. In a separate small bowl, combine pumpkin and egg and whisk to combine. Add milk, vanilla, and butter or oil, and whisk until mixture is smooth. Pour wet ingredients over the dry ingredients and fold only until combined--a few remaining lumps will do no harm. Heat a cast iron skillet or electric griddle. Using 1/4 cup batter for each, cook until bubbles form on top and surface of pancakes is no longer shiny. Flip cook 3 minutes longer. Remove to a serving plate. Serve hot with room temperature butter and still warm syrup. Yield: 10 pancakes.

You might also like these recipes:
Mini Ricotta Cakes - Expat Cucina
Latkes - Healthy Green Kitchen
Gingerbread Waffles - Annie's Eats
Applesauce Pancakes with Spicy Apple Syrup - The English Kitchen
Sourdough Pumpkin Pancakes - Neo-Homesteading
Red Velvet Pancakes - The Sweet's Life

Quick and Creamy Pumpkin Pudding

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...I've been known to joke that my house is always ready for company, except when it's not. The phone rang at one of my most "not" moments and left me with about three hours to sanitize, beautify and cook for folks we don't see often, but whose company we really enjoy. In the midst of the ensuing chaos, a plan for an easy but festive meal came together. I fell back on my three fall P's of pork, potatoes and pumpkin. Years ago, I made an icebox cake that was always well received. While I had no time to make or set the cake portion of the dessert, I could make the filling and serve it as a creamy, almost mousse-like, pudding. I think you'll really like this one. It is a novel way to serve pumpkin, but it still is in keeping with the spirit of the season. I've used whole milk and heavy cream to make the dessert, but low-fat and non-dairy products can also be used. I love to serve this with my favorite Swedish gingersnaps. A crackling fire and great coffee are also wonderful accompaniments. Here's the recipe.

Creamy Pumpkin Pudding...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite

Ingredients:
1 envelope unflavored gelatin
2 cups cold milk, divided
1 package (8-oz.) cream cheese, softened and at room temperature
2 packages (3.4-oz. each) instant vanilla pudding
1 can (15-oz.) pumpkin puree
Spice Mix:
...1 teaspoon ground ginger
...1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
...1/4 teaspoon ground mace
...1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
...1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1 tablespoon fresh orange zest
1 cup whipped cream

Directions:
1) Place 1/2 cup milk in a small microwave container. Add gelatin. Allow to soften for 2 to 3 minutes. Heat in a microwave oven for about 30 seconds on high power, or until until gelatin is dissolved. Set aside.
2) Beat cream cheese in a large bowl until light and airy. Beat in dissolved gelatin, 1-1/2 cups milk, dry pudding mix, pumpkin, all of spice mix and orange zest. Beat on low speed for 2 minutes until well-blended. Fold in whipped cream. Spoon mixture into individual serving dishes. Chill for at least two hours, or until set. Yield: 4 to 6 servings.

You might also enjoy these recipes:
Pumpkin and Chocolate Layer Cake - Baking Bites
Pumpkin Nut Bars - Eating Out Loud
Rum Spiked Pumpkin Pie - My Gourmet Connection
Spiced Pumpkin Walnut Cake - Little Corner of Mine
Pumpkin Toffee Cheesecake - The Other Side of Fifty
Raisin Pumpkin Bread - The Food Addicts
Pumpkin Roll - What's Cooking Mexico?

Red Hot Cinnamon Apple Cider - Pink Saturday

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...I wanted to feature a fall holiday drink that can be enjoyed by children and adults who do not use alcohol. This one is very easy to do and only a witch's brew could be more seasonally appropriate. The drink has two ingredients: really good apple cider and cinnamon red hot candies. The two are heated together until the candies melt. That's all there is to it. This is tastiest when served warm.

Red Hot Cinnamon Apple Cider...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite

Ingredients:
1 quart apple cider
1/4 cup cinnamon red hot candies

Directions:
Place apple cider and cinnamon candies in a large sauce pan. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring constantly, until candies have melted. Serve warm. Yield: 4 servings.

You might also enjoy these recipes:
Apple Cider Milkshake Recipe - Amanda’s Cookin
Pumpkin Spice Hot White Chocolate Recipe - The Luna Cafe
Hot Caramel Apple Drink Recipe - Real Mom Kitchen
DIY Sparking Beverage Recipe - Elana’s Pantry
Pumpkin Chai Smoothie Recipe - Group Recipes
Warm Cacao with Cinnamon Recipe Made With Almond Milk and Agave - Rawmazing Raw Dood

This post is being linked to:
Pink Saturday, sponsored by Beverly at How Sweet the Sound.

Apple Oatmeal Bread

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...I know he means well, but sometimes the Silver Fox is not helpful. He has a tendency to comment on works in progress and I really didn't need to hear his, "...that'll grow hair on your chest," as I added oatmeal to my bread mix. As a child I was very literal minded. If someone were to say I'm beside myself, you can bet I checked the room. Old habits die hard. Without thinking, I glanced down and managed to give him his laugh of the day. What can I say? While it's more nutritious than many, the bread is not a cure for male pattern baldness. It is very easy to prepare and it can be quickly made with no special equipment. Needless to say, it perfumes the kitchen as it bakes and the lingering aroma of cinnamon and apples will drive the unsuspecting to distraction. It's a really nice bread that can be made with a wooden spoon. While it is heavier than many quick breads, it's a perfect fall treat. The bread stays fresh for days and it makes wonderful toast. I hope you will try it. Here's the recipe.

Apple Oatmeal Bread...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite

Ingredients:
1-1/2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2/3 cup brown sugar
1 cup rolled oats
1-1/2 cups grated apple
1/4 cup raisins
2 large eggs
1/4 cup whole milk
1/4 cup vegetable oil

Directions:
1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour an 8-1/2 x 4-1/2 inch loaf pan. Set aside.
2) Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, brown sugar, and oats in a large bowl. Add apple, raisins, eggs, milk, and oil. Mix until dry ingredients are moistened. Mixture will be stiff.
3) Put mixture into prepared pan and bake for 55 to 60 minutes, or until done. Let sit for 20 minutes. Remove from pan and continue cooling on a wire rack. Yield: 1 loaf (about 12 slices).

You might also enjoy these recipes:
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread - You Made That?
Glazed Apple, Carrot and Walnut Loaf - The English Kitchen
Banana Nut Bread - Brown-Eyed Baker
Cherry Pecan Bread - Amanda's Cookin'
Coconut Bread - Bored Cook in the Kitchen
Cinnamon Quick Bread - Sugar Plum
Raspberry Almond Swirl Bread - Baking Bites