Amazing Pumpkin Pecan Sticky Buns

We really enjoyed these... I mean, REALLY enjoyed them!  They were even better the next day after sitting and soaking in the glaze overnight.  Yum!  I will be making these again.  Be warned, they are very sugary and not necessarily good for you... But, there is pumpkin in them! :)

Ingredients

Streusel

• 1/4 cup coconut oil
• 3/4 cup all purpose flour
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 3/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice

Glaze

• 1/3 cup maple syrup
• 2 Tb coconut oil
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 3/4 cup chopped pecans

Buns

• 2 1/2 cup flour
• 4 1/4 tsp baking powder
• pinch of salt
• 1 TB coconut oil
• 1/2 cup almond milk
• 1/3 cup pumpkin puree
• 2 TB sugar

Directions

• Combine Streusel ingredients and set aside
• For Glaze, mix maple syrup and coconut oil together and pour onto bottom of 13x9 pan.  Sprinkle with brown sugar and pecans.  Set aside.
• For Buns, in a large bowl stir all bun ingredients until dough forms.  Place dough on lightly floured surface.  Knead to smooth dough, about 10 times.  Roll out dough to 15x9 inch rectangle.  Sprinkle dough with streusel.  Roll up dough tightly from one long side; pinch seam to seal.  Use sharp knife to cut dough into 12 equal slices.  Place cut side down in pan.  Sprinkle with any streusel that falls out.
• Bake 23 to 25 minutes or until golden brown.  Immediately turn pan upside down, releasing buns onto serving plate.  Serve warm.

Pumpkin Bites with Cream Cheese

Ingredients

• 1 3/4 cup white or whole wheat flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• pinch of salt
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp cloves
• 1/2 tsp ginger
• 1/3 cup homemade applesauce
• 1/4 cup real maple syrup
• 1 TB ground flax*
• 3 TB water*
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 3/4 cup pureed pumpkin
• 1/3 cup almond milk
• Cream cheese

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees
• In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder, salt and spices.
• In another bowl, mix pumpkin puree, syrup, applesauce, flax, water and vanilla until smooth.
• Add dry mixture to wet and mix until combined.
• Spoon into mini muffin tray and make 12-15 minutes.
• Let cool and top with cream cheese!

*Flax and water is used as an egg replacer, you can use 1 egg instead of flax and water.

Day 12 of 30 Days of Cookies - Pumpkin Spice Snickerdoodles

Ingredients

• 1 3/4 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp cream of tartar
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• 2 TB butter, softened
• 2 TB Greek  yogurt
• 1 TB honey or maple syrup (optional)
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 TB ground flax seed
• 3 TB water
• 1/4 cup pumpkin puree
• 3+ TB sugar (for rolling dough in)

Directions

• Preheat oven to 375.
• Combine flour, baking soda and cream of tartar in a bowl.
• Combine 1 cup of sugar, butter and yogurt in a bowl.  Add pumpkin puree.  Beat with mixer until well blended.  Add honey, vanilla, egg, flax and water and beat well.
• Add flour mixture to wet mixture,  mixing until just combined.
• Cover and chill 10 minutes.
• Roll tablespoonfuls into balls and roll in sugar.
• Place on baking sheet lined with Silpat and flatten slightly with fork.
• Bake for about 10 minutes.  Let cool about 2 minutes on sheet and then remove to cooling rack.

Pumpkin Smoothie

Even better than a slice of pumpkin pie, try a Healthy Pumpkin Smoothie!

Ingredients

• 1 cup almond milk
• 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/2 cup greek yogurt
• 2 handfuls frozen banana slices
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• Handful of ice

Directions

• Combine all ingredients into blender and blend until smooth

Note: I also added a drop of doTERRA Essential Oil On Guard to each glass.  This is optional but a fantastic way to help maintain a healthy immune system while enjoying a delicious treat!

Day 7 of 30 Days of Cookies - Pumpkin Banana Bread Cookies

Ingredients

• 2 cups flour
• 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup applesauce
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup mashed banana
• 1/2 cup pureed pumpkin

Directions

• Mix dry ingredients, add wet ingredients and mix until combined
• Bake in 350 degree oven for about 12 minutes

Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice

I go through A LOT of pumpkin pie spice this time of year.  But instead of buying it, I make my own and put it in an old Pumpkin Pie Spice jar.  I don't know how it comes out cost wise, but it sure is nice to just be able to whip some up when I run out.

Ingredients

• 2 TB Cinnamon
• 1 tsp nutmeg
• 2 tsp ginger
• 2 tsp cloves

Directions

• Mix all ingredients and pour (carefully) into container.  This will fit perfectly in a 1.12oz jar

Pumpkin Spice Chocolate Chip Cookies

I highly recommend making a double batch of these, they are truly amazing!  It hasn't even been 24 hours and between myself, my husband and my son, there are 3 cookies left.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups flour (you can do half whole wheat and half white)
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 TB coconut oil (or melted butter or regular oil)
• 1 egg white
• 2 TB pumpkin puree
• 1 tsp vanilla 
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Lightly spray cookie sheet or use Silpat (I LOVE mine!)
• Combine flour, baking soda, salt and spice
• In another bowl, whisk the sugars, oil, egg white, puree and vanilla together until light and fluffy
• Combine wet and dry ingredients and stir until combined
• Add chocolate chips and stir
• Drop by spoonfuls onto baking sheet
• Bake 8-10 minutes.  Remove form oven, let stand 5 minutes on baking sheet before removing to cooling rack

Pumpkin Spice Coffee Creamer

<3 Pumpkin Spice Coffee Creamer <3

The other day I made some Homemade Vanilla Coffee Creamer (this recipe uses sweetened condensed milk, which isn't super cheap.  I am going to experiment a bit more and try to find a cheaper homemade version)  But it was definitely a hit with the husband.  He will easily use 1/4 - 1/2 cup of creamer per cup of coffee (in his only slight defense, he does have a large coffee cup).

Since it 'tis the season, I decided I would make some Pumpkin Spice Coffee Creamer today (I was making many other Pumpkin things so it was good timing anyway).

Ingredients

• 1 cup Almond Milk (You can use half & half as well, or regular milk +1 TB melted butter)
• 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/4 cup maple syrup (organic is best!)
• 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• dash of sea salt

Directions

• Pretty simple, just blend in food processor (or even blender) and you're done!