Prolific Pumpkins
Baked homemade gifts are an easy and delicious way to share the joy of the holidays. This year, indulge family and friends with the spiced goodness of pumpkin treats. Versatile pumpkin is scrumptious in more than just a silky pumpkin pie. These classic recipes deliver on the taste of the season. In fact, they're so good, you'll want to make extra for yourself!
For more holiday recipes, tips for these recipes or to view a step-by-step video on how to make a classic Pumpkin Roll, visit VeryBestBaking.com.
<b>Cake</b>¼ cup powdered sugar (to sprinkle on towel)C\v cup all-purpose flour½ teaspoon baking powder½ teaspoon baking soda½ teaspoon ground cinnamon½ teaspoon ground cloves¼ teaspoon salt3 large eggs1 cup granulated sugar2/3 cup pure pumpkin1 cup walnuts, chopped (optional)<b>Filling</b>1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, at room temperature1 cup powdered sugar, sifted6 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened1 teaspoon vanilla extractPowdered sugar (optional for decoration)For cakePreheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease 15 x 10-inch jelly-roll pan; line with wax paper. Grease and flour paper. Sprinkle a thin, cotton kitchen towel with powdered sugar.Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves and salt in small bowl. Beat eggs and granulated sugar in large mixer bowl until thick. Beat in pumpkin. Stir in flour mixture. Spread evenly into prepared pan. Sprinkle with nuts.Bake for 13 to 15 minutes or until top of cake springs back when touched. (If using a dark-colored pan, begin checking for doneness at 11 minutes.) Immediately loosen and turn cake onto prepared towel. Carefully peel off paper. Roll up cake and towel together, starting with narrow end. Cool on wire rack.For fillingBeat cream cheese, 1 cup powdered sugar, butter and vanilla extract in small mixer bowl until smooth. Carefully unroll cake. Spread cream cheese mixture over cake. Reroll cake. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least one hour. Sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving, if desired. Makes 10 servings.Cooking tipsBe sure to put enough powdered sugar on the towel when rolling up the cake so it will not stick.Nutrition Information per serving: 370 calories, 150 calories from fat, 16g total fat, 10g saturated fat, 105mg cholesterol, 280mg sodium, 52g carbohydrate, 1g fiber, 43g sugars, 5g protein, 50% vitamin A
6 cups all-purpose flour3 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon baking soda1 tablespoon salt6 cups granulated sugar1 can (29 ounces) pure pumpkin8 large eggs2 cups vegetable oil1 cup orange juice or water2 cups sweetened dried, fresh or frozen cranberriesPreheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour four 9 x 5-inch loaf pans.Combine flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda and salt in extra large bowl. Combine sugar, pumpkin, eggs, oil and juice in large bowl with wire whisk; mix until just blended. Add pumpkin mixture to flour mixture; stir until just moistened. Fold in cranberries. Spoon 4 cups of batter into each prepared pan.Bake for 60 to 65 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in centers comes out clean. Cool in pan on wire racks for 10 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely. Once completely cooled, wrap loaves in plastic wrap. Makes 4, 9 x 5-inch loaves.Nutrition Information per slice: 260 calories, 90 calories from fat, 10g total fat, 1.5g saturated fat, 35mg cholesterol, 260mg sodium, 40g carbohydrate, 1g fiber, 26g sugars, 3g protein, 45% vitamin A
2 cups granulated sugar1 cup packed light brown sugar¾ 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter2/3 cup (5 fluid-ounce can) evaporated milk½ cup pure pumpkin2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice2 cups (12-ounce package) white morsels1 jar (7 ounces) marshmallow crème1 cup chopped pecans1½ teaspoons vanilla extractLine 13 x 9-inch baking pan with foil.Combine sugar, brown sugar, evaporated milk, pumpkin, butter and spice in medium, heavy-duty saucepan. Bring to a full rolling boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Boil, stirring constantly, for 10 to 12 minutes or until candy thermometer reaches 234 degrees to 240 degrees (soft-ball stage).Quickly stir in morsels, marshmallow crème, nuts and vanilla extract. Stir vigorously for 1 minute or until morsels are melted. Immediately pour into prepared pan. Let stand on wire rack for 2 hours or until completely cooled. Refrigerate tightly covered. To cut, lift from pan; remove foil. Cut into 1-inch pieces. Makes about 3 pounds or 48, 2 piece servings.Nutrition Information per serving: 150 calories, 60 calories from fat, 7g total fat, 4g saturated fat, 10mg cholesterol, 30mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate, 0g fiber, 20g sugars, 1g protein
½ cup chopped pecans1 package (18.25 ounces) spice cake mix1 can (15 ounces) pure pumpkin1 cup vegetable oil4 large eggsOrange Syrup (recipe follows)Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour two 6-cake mini Bundt pans. Sprinkle nuts over bottom.Combine cake mix, pumpkin, vegetable oil and eggs in large mixer bowl. Beat on low speed for 30 seconds or until blended. Beat for 4 minutes on medium speed. Spoon about ½ cup into each mold.Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in cakes comes out clean. Remove from oven. With back of spoon, carefully pat down dome of each cake to flatten. Let cool in pans for 5 minutes. Invert cakes onto cooling rack(s). Poke holes in cakes with wooden pick. Spoon a tablespoon of Orange Syrup over each cake. Allow syrup to soak in. Cool completely before serving or wrapping for gifts. Makes 12 cakes.Orange Syrup: Place ¼ cup butter, ½ cup granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons water and 2 teaspoons grated orange peel in small saucepan. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat. Stir in 2 tablespoons orange juice.Nutrition Information per serving: 480 calories, 270 calories from fat, 31g total fat, 7g saturated fat, 80mg cholesterol, 50mg sodium, 48g carbohydrate, 2g fiber, 30g sugars, 5g protein, 90% vitamin A, 10% calcium, 10% iron
