Pumpkin Apple Butter

So I think it's time for another recipe.  What do you think?  Yeah, I figured as much it's been too long right?

Well never fear I have the bestest recipe that will not only have you in love with breakfast again but something you can give as a gift to a teacher, friend or special someone for the holidays.  Pumpkin Apple Butter!  This is such an easy recipe, simple ingredients and honestly easy to make.

What you're gonna need:
5 cups of Applesauce...I used unsweetened but if you only have sweetened go ahead and reduce the sugar from the recipe.
4 cups of Pumpkin Puree (I didn't use the canned stuff, but I think one of the big cans of pumpkin is about 4 cups)
2 cups of brown sugar (yes 2 whole cups)
2 Tablespoons of cinnamon
Nutmeg and Cloves to taste
1 large Crock pot (yes, you can make it on the stovetop)

See easy list of ingredients.  Now all you have to do is dump them all into your crock pot...

Stir well.

Then turn on to the low setting and let it cook for about 8 hours.  I highly recommend stirring it once an hour just because all the sugar can get cooked to the sides of you bowl.  Let cool then refrigerate (I kept mine in the crock pot dish)  Once cooled you can transfer it to containers.  I being of high fashion and refinement put it in ziplock bags then stored them in the freezer :)  I imagine you could skip the cooling period if your intention was to can the Pumpkin Apple Butter, however I do not can food so I am no expert on that.

I did put a little bit in a jar for a friend...

It definitely looks prettier than my bags in the freezer, but tastes just the same.

Enjoy!
{{hugs}}
Buffy

See another tasty gluten free recipe to add to your repertoire!  I hope you enjoy the recipes as much as I enjoy coming up with them.  Any suggestions for the next recipe?  Maybe Peppermint Mocha Cupcakes?

Gluten Free Pumpkin Spice Latte Cupcakes

via pinterest original source annies-eats.net

So almost exactly one month ago my blogging pal Shannon posted this picture on her weekend wishes.  She very subtly asked me to make them for her, but gluten free of course.  Well, me being a fabulously wonderful friend (humble too, I might add) I started to make the recipe gluten free.  I started with the original recipe from Annie's Eats, but it just didn't turn out right :(  So I thought and thought and dreamed and sewed (what you didn't know that sewing is a big part of creating a recipe?) and then the other day I got the idea to check some of the recipes I already had.  I found this delicious sounding recipe that was perfect for tweaking!  So Shannon...here you go:

Gluten Free Pumpkin Spice Latte Pumpkin Cupcakes
recipe adapted from Applesauce Spice Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting found in The Complete Cooking Light Cookbook

1 cup Sorghum Flour
1 cup White Rice Flour
1/2 cup Cornstarch
1/2 cup Potato Starch Flour (note: you could use a whole cup of cornstarch or switch out the potato starch for tapioca)
1 1/2 teaspoons xanthan gum
1 1/2 teaspoons guar gum (again, you could use an entire tablespoon of xanthan gum)
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
1/3 cup butter or margarine (stick)
1 1/2 cups pumpkin puree (I used fresh, but you could use canned)
1/4 cup apple butter
2 tablespoons instant coffee grounds
2 large egg whites
1 large egg

Makes: I made 18 cupcakes and a small 8 inch circular cake...so you could easily make 24-30 cupcakes with this recipe.

I find it easier and faster to gather all my ingredients and measure them before starting the mixing process.  You'll also want to preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit  and line your cupcake tins with paper liners.

Mix dry ingredients together (flours, soda, xanthan gum, guar gum, & spices), set aside.

Cream butter and sugar together.  This takes about 3-5 minutes at medium speed so while the mixer is going microwave the apple butter for 20-30 seconds.  Then add the instant coffee grounds to the warm apple butter, mix well.

When butter and sugar are well blended add pumpkin puree, egg whites, egg and apple butter mixture.  Beat well.

Add flour mixture in slowly, beating until well blended.

Batter will look like this.  Spoon batter into prepared cupcake pans.  Bake for 15 minutes.

Allow cupcakes to cool.  Then frost if desired.

I used a cream cheese frosting and sprinkled a little cinnamon on top for looks and flavor.

Now all that is left to do is enjoy them!  Or better yet, invite a friend over for coffee, knitting and a tasty cupcake.  Shannon, your cupcake is waiting!

{{hugs}}
Buffy

You might see a few more recipes on here the next couple of weeks.  I've been busy baking and I love to share what I make.  Is there a recipe you'd like gluten free?  Let me know and I'll see if I can recreate it for you!