Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Mail Call....and a Cake

I ordered several patterns from Amy at Down Sunshine Lane and they came last week. I love new stash! What I received is Pumpkins 4 Sale by Little House Needlewooks...My Lady's Quaker and Gentleman Quaker by Jardin Prive'...Autumn Days by Val's Stuff...Cottage Pinkeep Sampler by Midsummer Night Designs...Peacock Pin Pillow by Beehive Needleworks. I probably won't get the Autumn designs done this year as I am starting to wound down by Fall stitching, and moving on the Winter and Christmas items.



Even though Fall does not come until September 22, according to the calender, Mother Nature has decided that it needs to come now. The days are getting shorter and the temps are cooler during the day and almost cold at night. You need a light jacket during the mornings, but can shed it during the afternoon, and we are getting our share of rain. Even though the trees have not started to turn, there are leaves falling to the ground, so should not be long before we have beautiful trees. Wayne and I will make a trip to the apple farm before the end of the month to purchase apples to eat, bake with, and share with others. Since the weather is cooler, it makes me think of pumpkin, so yesterday I baked a Pumpkin raisin snack cake and will share the recipe with you.


Pumpkin raisin snack cake.....

1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
15-oz can pumpkin
1/2 cup butter, melted
4 eggs
2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2-1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup raisins
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans, optional

Thoroughly blend the sugars, pumpkin, butter, eggs and vanilla in a large bowl with a whisk or electric mixer. Combine flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a small bowl. Stir into pumpkin mixture. Add raisins and nuts. Pour into a greased jelly roll pan or 13 x 9 baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes for jelly roll pan, 35 to 40 minutes for baking dish, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool. Spread with Cream Cheese Frosting. I use store bought Cream Cheese Frosing, or you can use the recipe below.

Cream Cheese Frosting:

1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
3 cups powdered sugar
2 to 3 Tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, 2 T milk and vanilla until smooth. Add additional milk if needed to make a frosting consistency.

TIP: Coat the raisins with flour before adding to the mixture to keep them from floating to the bottom of the cake.

Fall is my very favorite season of the whole year. I love the colors of Fall and the cool nip in the air. Do you have a favorite season? Make the most of it by baking, stitching, and decorating your homes.

Blessings,
Barbara


5 comments:

Nancy said...

Pretty new stash Barbara! I love the Quaker Lady and Gentleman especially.

That cake looks so delicious! Thank you so much for sharing the recipe, and I will try it. It's still kind of hot here so I'll wait until it's cooler.

I have to say there is something about every season that I enjoy, but I do love the cooler temperatures. Isn't Autumn beautiful, and it smells so good!

Heidi said...

Fabulous new stash! I don't check out new things so I am not tempted but then looking at blogs is unhealthy...lol.

The cake look great. Wish I could stop in for a chat with tea and a slice of this.

We are off to the cottage this morning. I am looking forward to the drive as our leaves are starting to tinge in reds and oranges. It is just the prettiest time of year! I hope you are enjoying the start of fall around you my dear friend!

Hugs ~
Heidi

Nancy said...

That cake looks yummy. Our Amish bake shops sell pumpkin squares. I never bought them, but they must be very much like this.
I like all of your new patterns. I could not buy ahead like that, I would want to do them all at once.
Our weather is much like yours. I am going to one of our area county fairs today with my Son and cousin. I am trying to decided on a sweatshirt or light sweater. Hum?
Hope you are having a great day.
Nancy
my word to leave a comment is anglyga, almost angela lol

Joyful said...

Not sure I have written you before but appreciate that you state that you are a Christian first!

Couldn't help but notice on your profile that you live in Neosho - I live outside of Marshfield!

Since you enjoy cross stitching, I want to invite you to my website at: www.joyfulexpressions.us where most of the designs feature Bible verses. There is a free design called "His Name is Jesus" that you may enjoy stitching that has blessed many.

Yes, this cooler summer has been delightful!

Keep being a Light!

Sandra

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