Pumpkin Cupcakes

So after the holidays I had a bunch of canned pumpkin left over.  I have been finding new ways to use it up. Why I had so much in the first place is a mystery to me, maybe I was supposed to make way more pies or something. Maybe my husband thought we were feeding an army instead of just the family.

I found a delicious recipe and used up some extra pumpkin. Here is the recipe:

Pumpkin Cupcakes
I only use whole wheat and natural cane sugar etc in my baking so these are actually delicious and healthy.
Now that you have the recipe you have no excuse to not make a batch and share them with everyone you know.  I am sure that you probably have some canned pumpkin hiding in your cupboards as well.

If you are a pumpkin fan, you will not be disappointed.  Enjoy, they really are tasty.

Read more ...

Healthy Homemade Granola Bars

This recipe is delicious and healthy, no High Fructose Corn Syrup or any refined sugars.  I made them for my son's class for a snack and they were very well liked, in fact, one of the students said they were the best granola bars ever.  
This is just the base recipe, you can add whatever nuts, fruits, wheat germ, flax seeds, or anything that may be good in them.  

Heathly Granola Bars

4 cups Old Fashioned Oats
2 cups Chopped Nuts - whichever kind you prefer
1 1/3 cups Sucanat
1 cup Honey
1/2 cup Butter
4 tsp. Vanilla  (you may add different flavorings, Almond, maple etc.)
1 tsp Kosher Salt (Regular may work just as well, may cut back a tad bit)
1/2 cup Craisins, or whichever fruit you prefer.

Preheat oven to 350*  Mix the nuts and oatmeal together and spread onto a cookie sheet. 
Toast in the oven until a golden brown.
Meanwhile, get your 9x9x13 pan ready by lining it with wax paper or foil.  Lightly spray the wax paper with cooking spray.
Keep checking on the oatmeal mixure to make sure it doesn't get to toasted. ( I like to forget this alot and have to start over).  After it is toasted, dump carefully into a large bowl and set aside.

In a saucepan combine Sucanat, honey, butter, vanilla, and kosher salt.  Bring barely to a boil and then remove from heat.

Pour over the oatmeal mixure and add your fruit.  Stir 

well to make sure you coat everything evenly.

Pour the entire mixture into your prepare pan, cover 

with more wax paper or foil and press firmly over the 

entire pan to make sure your bars don't crumble 

apart when they are cool.  

Set aside and let completely cool (2-3 hours)  or put in the fridge for a quicker cooling time. 
After they are completely cooled, turn out and cut into bars. 

 Wrap the bars if they are not going to be eaten right away.  Enjoy some delicious, healthy granola bars.

Read more ...