Just Doin’ Some Fall Baking…

I just love how our house smells this time of year… like pumpkins and nutmeg, apples and cinnamon… Mmm. Bri and I hosted our Life Group the other night and I was just thrilled to get any excuse to whip up some yummy baked goodness. These are some special family recipes that make me feel all warm inside. I hope you’ll enjoy ‘em too!

First up is my great grandma’s recipe for the classic fall treat, Pumpkin Bread. It’s moist and pumpkiny with a hint of cinnamon! Here’s what you need…

Sorry ... I love to bake at night which makes for not so pretty pictures.

Great Grandma Hale’s Pumpkin Bread
4 eggs
2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
2 Tsp baking soda
3/4 cup canola oil
2 Tsp cinnamon
15oz pumpkin

Grab a small bowl and beat your eggs. Then add sugar and oil and mix well.
Mix the dry ingredients and add to previous mixture. Add pumpkin, mixing well.
Pour batter into greased and floured aluminum pans. (4 small or 3 regular size)
Bake at 375 degrees for 35-40 minutes until centers seem to bounce back when touched.

HINT: to keep loaves moist -- wrap in saran wrap when hot. (As soon as you take them out of the aluminum pans.)

This next recipe came from a lady named Katy Clay. She owned an incredible little tea room called "Katy's Corner" in a Victorian Cottage near the famous Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. My Mama & Daddy bought her recipe book in 1982 on a weekend trip together. My Mama still raves about how good the food was and she's been makin' this Apple Cake ever since! Here's the yummy ingredients...

Marmie's Apple Cake                                       Katy Clay
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup shortening
2 eggs
2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. cloves
1 tsp. vanilla
4 cups peeled, finely chopped apples (about 4 average size apples)

First, cream the shortening and sugar. Add the eggs one at a time and beat well. Grab another bowl and mix dry ingredients, then add them slowly to the creamed mixture. The batter will be very stiff at this point! Add the apples & vanilla and mix it well!

Pour your batter into greased and floured 9" x 12" cake pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes.

After the cake cools completely, sprinkle powedered sugar on top and serve!

Happy Fall! Have a great weekend!