Monday, October 23, 2023

5 Fall Copycat Recipes Featuring Pumpkin



Copycat recipes are a great way to recreate your favorite dishes from your favorite restaurants. These recipes are usually made up of ingredients that are easy to find, making them a great way to save money and time in the kitchen. With the help of copycat recipes, you can enjoy the same great-tasting dishes you love without having to make a trip to the restaurant. 


Copycat Starbucks Pumpkin Bread 

Starbucks Pumpkin Bread is a delicious, seasonal treat that is loved by many, and for good reason! It's a moist, dense bread that is full of warm spices and just enough sweetness to make it a great accompaniment to your morning cup of coffee.

Photo cred Taste of Home


TOTAL TIME: Prep: 25 min.    Bake: 1 hour + cooling     YIELD: 2 loaves (16 slices each).

Ingredients

  • 1 can (15 ounces) solid-pack pumpkin
  • 4 large eggs
  • 3/4 cup canola oil
  • 2/3 cup water
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1 cup honey
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/2 cup salted pumpkin seeds or pepitas

Instructions

    1. Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, beat pumpkin, eggs, oil, water, sugar, honey and vanilla until well blended. In another bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, salt and spices; gradually beat into pumpkin mixture.
    2. Transfer to 2 greased 9x5-in. loaf pans. Sprinkle tops with pumpkin seeds.
    3. Bake 60-70 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool.


    Copycat Dunkin Pumpkin Doughnut Drops

    These Copycat Pumpkin Doughnut Drops are the perfect fall treat! The delicious, deep-fried doughnut balls are made with pumpkin puree and topped with a generous sprinkle of cinnamon sugar. The doughnut drops are not overly sweet, but they still have a great flavor. They are the perfect way to satisfy a sweet tooth without overindulging. Plus, the pumpkin gives them a nice orange color that looks perfect for the fall season.

    Photo cred Taste of Home


    TOTAL TIME: Prep: 10 min. Cook: 5 min./batch YIELD: about 7 dozen.

    Ingredients

    • 2 large eggs
    • 1-1/4 cups sugar
    • 2 tablespoons shortening
    • 1 cup canned pumpkin
    • 2 teaspoons white vinegar
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 3 cups all-purpose flour
    • 1/2 cup nonfat dry milk powder
    • 3 teaspoons baking powder
    • 1/2 teaspoon salt
    • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
    • 1/2 cup lemon-lime soda
    • Oil for deep-fat frying
    • Additional sugar

    Instructions

    1. In a large bowl, beat eggs, sugar and shortening until blended. Beat in pumpkin, vinegar and vanilla. In another bowl, whisk together flour, milk powder, baking powder, salt and spices. Add to egg mixture alternately with soda, beating after each addition.
    2. In a deep cast-iron skillet or deep-fat fryer, heat oil to 375°. Drop teaspoonfuls of batter, a few at a time, into hot oil. Fry until golden brown, about 1 minute per side. Drain on paper towels. Roll in additional sugar while warm.

    Copycat Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte


    The Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks is one of the most popular seasonal drinks around. It's a creamy, sweet, and spicy blend of espresso, steamed milk, and pumpkin spice syrup. It's a perennial favorite among coffee lovers, and now you can make your own copycat version at home!

    Photo cred Taste of Home




    TOTAL TIME: Prep/Total Time: 20 min. YIELD: 6 servings.


    Ingredients

    • 3 cups 2% milk
    • 3/4 cup canned pumpkin
    • 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
    • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
    • 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
    • 1-1/2 cups hot brewed espresso or strong brewed dark roast coffee
    • Optional: Whipped cream and additional nutmeg

    Instructions

    1. Place the first 6 ingredients in a large saucepan. Cook and stir over medium heat until heated through. Stir in hot espresso. Pour into warm mugs. If desired, top with whipped cream and additional nutmeg.

    Copycat Trader Joe's Pretty Pumpkin Cinnamon Buns


    These Copycat Pretty Pumpkin Cinnamon Buns are a delicious and easy-to-make autumn treat. They are perfect for an afternoon snack or as part of a special weekend breakfast. The pumpkin in this recipe gives a hint of fall flavor and a subtle sweetness, while the cinnamon and sugar provide the classic cinnamon bun taste. The cinnamon and sugar swirls on top are a beautiful finishing touch.

    Photo cred Taste of Home




    TOTAL TIME: Prep: 45 min. + rising Bake: 25 min. YIELD: 2 dozen.

    Ingredients

    • 2 tablespoons active dry yeast
    • 1/2 cup warm water (110° to 115°)
    • 4 large eggs, room temperature
    • 1 cup shortening
    • 1 cup canned pumpkin
    • 1 cup warm whole milk (110° to 115°)
    • 1/2 cup sugar
    • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
    • 1/3 cup instant vanilla pudding mix
    • 1/3 cup instant butterscotch pudding mix
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 8 to 9 cups all-purpose flour

    • FILLING:
    • 1/4 cup butter, melted
    • 1 cup packed brown sugar
    • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

    • ICING:
    • 3 tablespoons water
    • 2 tablespoons butter, softened
    • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • 2 cups confectioners' sugar
    • 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

    Instructions

    1. In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add the eggs, shortening, pumpkin, milk, sugars, pudding mixes, salt, and 6 cups flour. Beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough (the dough will be sticky).
    2. Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
    3. Punch the dough down; divide it in half. Roll each portion into a 12x8-in. rectangle; brush with butter. Combine brown sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle over dough to within 1/2 in. of edges.
    4. Roll up jelly-roll style, starting with a long side; pinch seams to seal. Cut each into 12 slices. Place cut side down in 2 greased 13x9-in. baking pans. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes.
    5. Bake at 350° until golden brown, 22-28 minutes. In a small bowl, combine the water, butter and cinnamon. Add confectioners’ sugar and vanilla; beat until smooth. Spread over buns. Serve warm.

    Copycat Applebee's Blond Brownies a la Mode

    Applebee’s Blond Brownies a la Mode has been a classic dessert favorite for years. It is no surprise that people have been trying to recreate this delicious dessert at home. Luckily, this copycat recipe makes it easy to recreate this classic treat. The combination of a sweet and gooey blond brownie with creamy vanilla ice cream, drizzled with a decadent caramel sauce is absolutely mouthwatering.
    Photo cred Taste of Home


    TOTAL TIME: Prep: 25 min. Bake: 25 min. + cooling  YIELD: 20 servings.
    Ingredients

    ·         3/4 cup butter, softened

    ·         3/4 cup butter, softened

    ·         4 large eggs, room temperature

    ·         2 teaspoons vanilla extract

    ·         2 cups all-purpose flour

    ·         2 teaspoons baking powder

    ·         1 teaspoon salt

    ·         1-1/2 cups chopped pecans


    ·         MAPLE CREAM SAUCE

    ·         1 cup maple syrup

    ·         2 tablespoons butter

    ·         1/4 cup evaporated milk

    ·         Vanilla ice cream and chopped pecans

    Instructions

    1.     Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt; gradually add to the creamed mixture. Stir in pecans.

    2.     Spread into a greased 13x9-in. baking pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 25-30 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.

    3.     For the sauce, combine syrup and butter in a saucepan. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 3 minutes. Remove from the heat; stir in milk. Cut brownies into squares; cut in half if desired.

    4.     Place on dessert plates with a scoop of ice cream. Top with sauce; sprinkle with pecans.

     


    Do you have a favorite copycat recipe? We'd love to hear from you in the comments below!

    Keep it sassy,

    Kelly

    🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂


    FTC DISCLAIMER: This page informs you of our disclosure statement regarding the advertisements we use and disclosure of our Service and the choices we have associated with it. The compensation received will never influence the content, topics, or posts made in this blog. All advertising is in the form of advertisements generated by a third-party ad network or affiliates. Those advertisements will be identified as paid advertisements. The owner(s) of this website is not compensated to provide opinions on products, services, websites, and various other topics. The views and opinions expressed on this website are purely the owners. If we claim or appear to be experts on a certain topic or product or service area, we will only endorse products or services that we believe, based on our expertise, are worthy of such endorsement. Any product claim, statistic, quote, or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. This website does not contain any content which might present a conflict of interest.




      Monday, October 16, 2023

      Fall for Crock Pot Apple Cider


      Hot apple cider is one of the most delicious and comforting drinks you can have during the cold winter months. It's a beloved beverage that can be enjoyed by everyone, from kids to adults. The tartness of the apples combined with the warmth of the spices creates an irresistible flavor. The smell of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves that wafts through the air as the cider is simmering is sure to warm up any cold day. The best part about making hot apple cider is that it's so easy to make. All you need are a few simple ingredients and about 15 minutes of your time. 

      INGREDIENTS

      • 64 oz apple cider
      • 1 Tb. brown sugar
      • 3 cinnamon sticks
      • 1.5 tsp whole cloves
      • sliced orange
      • 1/2 lemon

      INSTRUCTIONS

      1. Combine all ingredients in a crockpot.
      2. Set on LOW for 3-4 hours
      3. Strain out the spices, if desired.
      4. Serve with fresh cinnamon sticks, and sliced apple and orange slices.

      Watch our video ⮟


      Do you like apple cider? Do you happen to make hot apple cider? We'd love to hear from you in the comments below!

      Keep it sassy,

      Kelly

      🍎🍏🍎🍏🍎🍏🍎🍏🍎🍏🍎🍏🍎🍏🍎🍏🍎🍏🍎🍏


      FTC DISCLAIMER:  This page informs you of our disclosure statement regarding the advertisements we use and disclosure of our Service and the choices we have associated with it. The compensation received will never influence the content, topics, or posts made in this blog. All advertising is in the form of advertisements generated by a third-party ad network or affiliates. Those advertisements will be identified as paid advertisements. The owner(s) of this website is not compensated to provide opinions on products, services, websites, and various other topics. The views and opinions expressed on this website are purely the owners. If we claim or appear to be experts on a certain topic or product or service area, we will only endorse products or services that we believe, based on our expertise, are worthy of such endorsement. Any product claim, statistic, quote, or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. This website does not contain any content which might present a conflict of interest.

      Monday, October 9, 2023

      Celebrating National Women's Small Business Month


      October is National Women's Small Business Month, and this year is the perfect time to celebrate the tremendous contributions of women-owned businesses in America. 
      Women-owned businesses are a vital part of the U.S. economy, providing jobs, services, and products to their local communities. Women entrepreneurs have faced numerous challenges over the years, but have persevered and continued to grow their businesses.  National Women's Small Business Month is an important time to recognize the hard work and dedication of these women entrepreneurs and to celebrate their achievements. It is also a time to recognize the importance of supporting and investing in women-owned businesses and to focus on initiatives that will ensure their continued success. 
      Let's celebrate National Women's Small Business Month by supporting and investing in women-owned businesses and their successes and recognizing their invaluable contributions to our economy.

      Women in Business Statistics

      Overview of statistics of women in business:

      1. 42% of all businesses in the U.S. are women-owned.
      2. Women-led businesses employ 9.4M workers and generate $1.9T in revenues annually.
      3. States with the most women-owned employer firms are Hawaii, Virginia, and Colorado.
      4. Over 1,800 new women-owned businesses are created each day in the U.S.
      5. 1 in 3 female entrepreneurs has experienced sexism as a business owner.
      6. The top priority of women-owned businesses is to get more funding and financial help.
      7. The average loan size for women-owned firms is 50% lower than for male-owned.
      8. Only 2.4% of venture capital funding goes to female founders in the U.S.
      9. 31% of women business owners have school-aged children at home.

      In this blog post, we are featuring women small business owners. Please take the time to connect with them by stopping by their stores (physical/online), social media pages, etc.

      • First up is our one and only oldest sister, Cathy Wright:


      I have been a reseller for at least 40 years. Buying storage units and thrifting is fun for me. I love a good treasure hunt! I sell items at yard sales, Facebook Marketplace, eBay, Mercari, Poshmark, Amazon, Depop, and Whatnot. Join me on Facebook Cathy's Online Sales and YouTube. You can also find me on Linktree.


      • Rhonda Byler is the second in line of us sisters, she is also a business owner:


      I have been the owner of three businesses.  My husband and I owned a building business for 30 years, a home inspection business for 30 years and we still own and operate a self-storage business for almost 20 years.  How can that be?   I am only 66 years old.  You guessed it, we ran more than one at a time.  For a few years, we had all three businesses going.  I am the office manager and bookkeeper.  My husband is a builder.  I handled the contracts, worked with the lenders and the customers, and kept the books for our building business.  I made the appointments and did the books for the inspection business.  I manage the day-to-day operations and do the bookkeeping for our storage business, Hubbards Road Self Storage, LLC.  I also sell DoTerra products.  I love the products and use them.  Doterra has oils, vitamins, personal care products, and more.  If you are interested, you can email me at BylerEssentials@aol.com.  There is more than one way to get products at the wholesale price.

      • Kelly Flickinger, ME, is the youngest of the sisters:


      Our mother and I had a party supply store for about 15 years until she retired. That was my gateway into entrepreneurship. During that time, I started a cake decorating business out of my home and did pretty well for many years. I began a reselling business in 2000 selling on eBay things I had around the house and I couldn't get enough of selling. My family teases me saying "She'd sell anything that wasn't nailed to the floor"! I sell new and gently used items such as clothing, household items, designer handbags, skincare, and electronics. I also have an Etsy shop where I sell some of my jewelry and other creations. You can find my eBay store KellyJo's Cache & my Etsy store KellyJo Designs.

      • Kim & Melissa from Gen X Couture



      We are two Gen X Ladies from Georgia, dear friends and co-owners of a budding Women’s Clothing brand!   We design and manufacture our items ourselves to cater to the Ladies of the 80’s ( and honestly any ladies) who like mind-blowing comfort in cool clothing.   

      Welcome to GenX Couture, the premier clothing brand for stylish and comfortable fashion. Our mission is to provide our customers with clothes that exude comfort and sophistication in equal measure. We strive to create luxuriously soft pieces, yet fashionable enough for any occasion—from a relaxing day at home to a night out on the town. 
      Our unique line of clothing features classic silhouettes combined with modern details such as eye-catching prints, intricate embroidery, and bold colors. Whether you’re looking for something casual or dressy, we have something perfect for every style preference. With GenX Couture, you can easily find your signature look! 
      We believe in empowering everyone through fashion; no matter who you are or what size you wear – everyone deserves to feel confident in their own skin while wearing clothes they love! That's why all of our garments come with flexible sizing options from XS-3XL so that anyone can enjoy the luxurious experience of wearing GenX Couture apparel.


      Check out their website Gen X CoutureFacebook YouTube & Instagram page.


      JustJillShop.com started in 2021. I was a host on QVC for 25 years, but after leaving in 2019, my followers wanted to continue to shop with me. So, we started with a few items and now carry over 500 items in all categories.

      I love finding other small businesses to showcase. They're the best stories!

      Stop by her web page Just Jill Shop and find her on Facebook.

      • Jeanette Shaver From Rodan + Fields & Scentsy




      My name is Jeanette Shaver. First, a little bit about me. I retired to TX 3 years ago to help my Mom as she ages. I miss my 2 girls, their husbands, and my 4 grandkids in VA, but am blessed to have this time with my Mom. 

      Two of my two passions are skincare and fragrance. I began using Rodan + Fields skincare in 2015 and the results were nothing short of amazing. So it just made sense that I became a Consultant to share my love of the products and help women (and a few men) age gracefully. My other passion is fragrance of all kinds. I was a Scentsy customer for many years before deciding to become a Consultant just a few days after retiring. My favorite part about Scentsy is the huge variety of scents and products, from warmers to wax, cleaning and laundry supplies, and even items for your body and your kids. I love what I do and welcome any questions you may have. I am very low-key and pride myself on never pressuring people. 

      Check out her websites Rodan + Fields and Scentsy.

      To all the female entrepreneurs out there who are making a difference in the world - thank you!

      Keep it sassy,

      Kelly

      🚺🚺🚺🚺🚺🚺🚺🚺🚺🚺🚺🚺🚺🚺🚺🚺🚺🚺🚺🚺🚺🚺🚺🚺🚺🚺


      FTC DISCLAIMER:  This page informs you of our disclosure statement regarding the advertisements we use and disclosure of our Service and the choices we have associated with it. The compensation received will never influence the content, topics, or posts made in this blog. All advertising is in the form of advertisements generated by a third-party ad network or affiliates. Those advertisements will be identified as paid advertisements. The owner(s) of this website is not compensated to provide opinions on products, services, websites, and various other topics. The views and opinions expressed on this website are purely the owners. If we claim or appear to be experts on a certain topic or product or service area, we will only endorse products or services that we believe, based on our expertise, are worthy of such endorsement. Any product claim, statistic, quote, or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. This website does not contain any content which might present a conflict of interest.

      Monday, October 2, 2023

      Fall Apple Pie Simmer Pot


      I don't know about you, but I get excited about fall decorating. The change of colors is always so pretty and fall just feels like such a cozy season. 

      One of my other favorite things about fall is all of the wonderful scents. Ahhh, the crisp fall air! There’s something so magical about it, and it’s the perfect time of year to enjoy all of the delicious aromas that come with the season. The rich spices like ground cinnamon and cloves bring a warmth to the air that can’t be denied.  Whether you’re cozying up to a fire, baking a delicious treat, or just taking in the sights and smells of the season, the crisp fall air, the rich spices, fresh apples, ground cinnamon, and cloves are all sure to bring a smile to your face. What's not to love?!

      DIY simmer pots are a great way to make your home smell amazing with no added chemicals or artificial fragrances. The scent of apple pie will fill your home in no time! It only takes a few minutes and it really does make the house smell sublime.  It’s also fun to experiment with different ingredients, so play around with what you have and see what you can come up with.

      I usually make this simmer pot on the stove but decided to try my small 1.5-quart slow cooker, because I don't have to keep such an eagle eye on it. If you are interested in a small slow cooker try this one ➤ Amazon.com: Elite Gourmet MST-250XW# Electric Slow Cooker.


      APPLE PIE Simmer pot

      • 1 small apple thinly sliced
      • 2 cups liquid (apple cider, apple juice, or water)
      • 1 tbsp. whole cloves
      • 3-4 cinnamon sticks
      • 1 tbsp. nutmeg
      1. Add all of the ingredients to a small saucepan and stir.  Bring to a gentle boil and then reduce heat to low. Continuously add more liquid (either cider or water) as needed and do not allow it to dry up.  
      2. Or do add all the ingredients to a crockpot, stir, and select the HIGH setting. Once it's hot, you can turn the setting to LOW or WARM.
      3. Stir it up every hour to get the scent going.  
      4. If you use a crockpot, you may need to increase the recipe size depending on the size of your crockpot.  


      I will keep the mixture going in the slow cooker for up to a week. This is a great way to enjoy the scent for an extended period of time, and also to be able to adjust the strength as desired. Each evening, I turn off the slow cooker, and in the morning I turn it back on. As the week progresses, I may add in some citrus peels or apple cores to give a bit of extra flavor, or I may add a bit more of the spices I used in the beginning. This ensures that the scent remains strong and fragrant throughout the week. I keep it going until either it doesn’t look too good, or the smell isn’t as strong as it was when I first started.




      Do you use a simmer pot to make your house smell delicious? We'd love to hear from you. Comment and share below!

      Keep it sassy,

      Kelly



      FTC DISCLAIMER:  This page informs you of our disclosure statement regarding the advertisements we use and disclosure of our Service and the choices we have associated with it. The compensation received will never influence the content, topics, or posts made in this blog. All advertising is in the form of advertisements generated by a third-party ad network or affiliates. Those advertisements will be identified as paid advertisements. The owner(s) of this website is not compensated to provide opinions on products, services, websites, and various other topics. The views and opinions expressed on this website are purely the owners. If we claim or appear to be experts on a certain topic or product or service area, we will only endorse products or services that we believe, based on our expertise, are worthy of such endorsement. Any product claim, statistic, quote, or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. This website does not contain any content which might present a conflict of interest.

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