homemade pumpkin puree …

November 16, 2012

Did you know it is easy to make homemade pumpkin puree?

It is really easy, and it only takes a few simple steps.  And, it taste far superior comparing it to the canned version. (Isn’t that always the case with homemade?!)

{Homemade pumpkin puree}
You will need some sugar pumpkins (aka pie pumpkins). This is a great variety because there is not as much moisture, and they have the most flavor!
Wash your pumpkin, and slice it in half lengthwise, and remove the seeds.
Place them cut side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or silpat.
Place about 1/4 cup water in the baking dish, and bake in the oven at 350 degrees for an hour or hour and a half, or when you can poke with a knife easily, and the pumpkin has soften.
Remove from the oven, and allow the pumpkins to cool for about ten minutes.  Then, scoop out the flesh, and place it in a food processor or blender.  Blend well, and place in a jar to use in your favorite recipes*.  It will keep about a week in the fridge, or up to three months in the freezer.
* If you want to drain the puree of all the moisture, you can put in a cheese cloth, and allow it to drain.  Homemade pumpkin puree contains more water than the canned kind, so you may need to adjust your recipe slightly like adding more flour.
{All photos by me, Caroline Armelle Drake}

pumpkin whoopie pies …

November 15, 2012

I made these yummy pumpkin whoopie pies when I hosted book club last week, and boy they were tasty!

Did you know that the name whoopie pie came about because the Amish women would send them in their husband’s lunch pails to surprise them, and when their husband’s opened up their lunch and saw them, they yelled, “whoopie!”  I think I would do the same if I were surprised with such a tasty treat!

I used this recipe from annie eats!  I would highly recommend it!  I added a tad bit more maple syrup to the frosting, and used vanilla bean paste instead of regular vanilla.

I think they are perfect for this time of year!

{photo by me, Caroline Armelle Drake}