Author: Carma Spence

Carma Spence has been experimenting in the kitchen since she was four years old and loves trying out new recipe ideas. She is the author of Bonkers for Bundt Cakes and Your Perfect Pie, as well as author and contributor to several more non-food-related books. With Carma's Cookery, she is taking her passion for empowering people and blending it with her passion for cooking, gift-giving and entertaining.

Recipes

Maple Cinnamon Delights

Post author By Carma Spence
Post date December 18, 2017

This twist on a flavorful sugar cookie is made a bit healthier by using whole wheat flour and substituting some of the butter with olive oil.

Ingredients

2 1/4 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup + 3 Tbsp sugar (divided)
2 tsp + 1 Tbsp cinnamon (divided)
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup + 2 Tbsp olive oil
1/2 cup maple syrup (divided)
1 tsp maple flavoring

Directions

In a large bowl, add flour, 1/2 cup sugar, 2 tsp cinnamon, butter and olive oil.
Mix with an electric mixer on medium speed until the dough begins to form pea-sized balls.
Add in 1/4 cup maple syrup, egg and maple flavoring. Mix again until just combined and the dough can be formed into a ball.
Chill dough for 30 to 60 minutes.
Roll chilled dough into balls up to an inch-and-a-half in diameter.
Mix together 3 Tbsp sugar and 1 Tbsp cinnamon. Roll the cookie balls in this mixture.
Place two inches apart on a greased cookie sheet. Flatten with a fork, making a criss-cross pattern.
With a pastry brush, lightly brush the cookies the remaining maple syrup.
Bake at 325 degrees for about 13 to 17 minutes.

Tags cinnamon, Cookies, maple

Creative Cookery Flavor Blending Healthy Living Special Occasions

5 Ways to Bake Healthy Christmas Cookies

Post author By Carma Spence
Post date December 15, 2017

Do you ever wish there were healthy Christmas cookies? I don’t know about you, but Christmas time is pretty much cookie time! I’m a total cookie monster and all those delicious varieties of cookies can add up to a lot of sugar and calories. So how do you enjoy your cookies and eat healthier, too?

The obvious idea is to eat fewer cookies. But that isn’t always practical, am I right? Another idea is to make healthy Christmas cookies. So, here are some ideas to make the cookies that you bake healthier, whether they become gluten-free, low-carb, or lower in fat and calories.

Healthy Christmas Cookies Idea #1: Switch to Dark Chocolate

Quite a few Christmas cookies contain chocolate, but that doesn’t mean you need to do without these yummy cookies when you are trying to be healthier. A better way to make healthy Christmas cookies with chocolate is to make the switch to dark chocolate.

Dark chocolate has slightly less fat and calories than milk chocolate. But more important, dark chocolate is good for you. It is filled with antioxidants, and sometimes even doctor-recommended. Add dark chocolate chips to your favorite Christmas cookies to make them a little healthier.

Healthy Christmas Cookies Idea #2: Roll Flatter Sugar Cookie Dough

A super easy way to cut the overall fat and calories per cookie with traditional sugar cut-out cookies is to roll the dough flatter. You are going to reduce the portion sizes but still, have some amazing sugar cookies. It is a simple way to get some cookies that will cut the nutritional facts in half, but by using the exact same sugar recipe your family is used to. It also lets you have more dough to make even more cookies than you are used to making. Of course, this doesn’t give you license to eat more of them. That will defeat your point!

Healthy Christmas Cookies Idea #3: Use Healthy Oils

Another thing that Christmas cookies often have in common is using a lot of fats, such as butter. However, you can easily make them heart healthy by cutting out those fats and instead switching to healthier oils.

Get rid of all the butter, shortening, and vegetable oil in the recipe, and opt for coconut oil or olive oil instead. There are even some substitutions that allow you to use pureed fruit to replace the fats and make them even healthier.

Tips for replacing butter for healthier oils:

Coconut oil — This is pretty much an even exchange, just be sure the coconut oil is the same consistency as the recipe needed for the butter. Cookies made with coconut oil tend to be crunchier.
Olive oil — For every Tablespoon of melted butter, use 2-1/2 teaspoons of olive oil. Remember to use a milder flavored oil and don’t try substituting in recipes that require you to cream the butter and sugar. Coconut oil would be a better option in that case.

Healthy Christmas Cookies Idea #4: Try Adding Some Dates

If you feel that your holiday cookies need to be sweeter, but you want to reduce the amount of sugar being used, you can replace the sweetness with dates. Dates are a type of fruit that tastes a bit nutty, but in general, has a mild flavor. They contain a lot of sweetness, so when you puree them and add them to your cookie recipes, it makes a big difference without adding to the fat or calories of the cookies recipes.

Healthy Christmas Cookies Idea #5: Increase the fiber

If your recipe calls for all-purpose flour, you can replace up to half of it with whole wheat flour. The resulting cookie may have a courser texture and then there may be less volume of dough, but you’ll increase the fiber of the cookie. Other ways to increase the fiber in your cookies include:

Add flaxseed meal to the dry ingredients. A single tablespoon can add 3 grams of fiber to your recipe.
Add ground high-fiber cereals to your recipes, such as oats, wheat germ, and wheat bran.
For moister cookies, replace some of the fat with applesauce.
Add grated apples or zucchini
Add nuts or seeds. In addition to increasing the fiber, they add texture and crunch.
Replace some of the fat with pureed beans, such as garbanzos or white beans

[divider]

[one_third] [/one_third]
[two_third_last]

Take Charge of Your Health!

Changing your eating habits can be tough. But it doesn’t have to be if you take a little time to think it out and create a plan.

This Healthy Eating Worksheet will walk you through the process of creating a healthy eating plan. All you need to do is print it out, set aside some time to complete it, and then fill it out. Then you can create your plan, knowing that you have addressed potential obstacles and came up with some creative ways to handle them.

[/two_third_last]

Tags Christmas, Cookies, healthy ingredients

All Things Pumpkin Taste Tests

Pumpkin Season 2017 Taste Test #5

Post author By Carma Spence
Post date December 12, 2017

This past weekend I baked the remaining bread, muffin and cupcake mixes I had left, as well as tried a couple more products. Frankly, nothing this week really wowed me, but here are my comments on each one.

Exclusive Holiday Edition Foodstirs Organic Chocolate Chippy Pumpkin Bread Mix

I purchased a three-month subscription to Foodstirs’ kits and have been having some fun with them. (I’ll be posting my results later.) Because I’m a customer, they sent me a coupon for a dollar off my next in-store purchase (you can find Foodstirs mixes at grocery stores and Target). Since I had the coupon, I thought I’d check out what they had … and found this pumpkin mix, as well as pumpkin pancakes. You can only get these two products at Target, and by the time I got there they were on clearance. So, you may not be able to get some for yourself until next year. Check your local Target, just in case, though.

This pumpkin bread is different than the ones I tested last week because it has chocolate chips in it. I liked the novelty of it and was impressed that they achieved a nice balance of having just enough chips to add flavor without overpowering the pumpkin bread flavor.

To my tastebuds, this bread didn’t taste much different than banana bread or peanut butter bread (perhaps a fusion of the two?). The pumpkin flavor was light and you can barely discern the spices (cinnamon, vanilla, ginger and other, according to the box).

Of course, this may be a plus since there are a lot of people who are adverse to pumpkin or pumpkin spice flavors. I think this pound cake-like bread would make a great part of a breakfast or brunch. Perhaps lightly toasted with some butter? And, if you get two packages, you could easily make a nice Bundt cake!

[one_half] [/one_half][one_half_last] [/one_half_last]

Rating

[one_fifth] [/one_fifth][one_fifth] [/one_fifth][one_fifth] [/one_fifth][one_fifth] [/one_fifth][one_fifth_last] [/one_fifth_last]

Limited Edition Decadent Duncan Hines Pumpkin Spice Cupcake Spice Cake & Frosting Mix

The box comes with cupcake mix, frosting mix and a bag to pipe the frosting with.

These light and fluffy cupcakes are flavored with a combination of cinnamon, allspice, coriander, ginger, and nutmeg. The texture — and flavor — is light and airy, just as a cupcake should be.

The mix comes with a frosting mix — add butter and touch of water — for an orange, faintly pumpkin-spicy frosting. It was very tasty. Not too sweet, but clearly a buttercream frosting.

In my opinion, these cupcakes strike a nice balance of just the right amount of spice, balanced with the sweet. They are good enough to serve without the frosting.

Note: The instructions suggest you fill the cupcakes with frosting. I found that when I did that, the frosting overwhelmed the cupcake. If I were to do this in future, I’d just top them with frosting.

[one_third] [/one_third]

[one_third_last] [/one_third_last]

Rating

[one_fifth] [/one_fifth][one_fifth] [/one_fifth][one_fifth] [/one_fifth][one_fifth] [/one_fifth][one_fifth_last] [/one_fifth_last]

Krusteaz Supreme Muffin Mix Pumpkin Spice

These simple, lightly spiced muffins underwhelmed me. They are really not that spicy. They are really not that pumpkin-y. In fact, they are kind of nondescript. If I didn’t know they were pumpkin spice muffins, I would think they were ordinary spice muffins.

Again, this might not be a bad thing. Krusteaz is a good brand, so the quality is good. The flavor just didn’t impress me.

Rating

[one_fifth] [/one_fifth][one_fifth] [/one_fifth][one_fifth] [/one_fifth][one_fifth] [/one_fifth][one_fifth_last] [/one_fifth_last]

R.W. Knudsen Limited Edition Sparkling Pumpkin Spice Juice

Tired of sparkling apple juice? Are you looking for a different kind of beverage to serve your guests? Then this could be a nice change of pace.

This is a non-alcoholic, sparkly beverage made from both apple and pumpkin juices. To me, it both smelled and tasted like mulled cider … only a bit different.

Compared to Martinelli’s Sparkling Apple Juice, it has a more mild apple flavor. I’m guessing the pumpkin juice is having that mellowing effect, however I couldn’t identify pumpkin as a flavor. And although it was reminiscent of mulled cider, it was also somehow different.

Frankly, I’m struggling on how to describe this beverage. It was unoffensive without being particularly interesting, either.

Rating

[one_fifth] [/one_fifth][one_fifth] [/one_fifth][one_fifth] [/one_fifth][one_fifth] [/one_fifth][one_fifth_last] [/one_fifth_last]

Trader Joe’s Pumpkin O’s Cereal

Compared to Cheerios, this O’s cereal is larger and lighter in texture. The flavor, however, is just robust enough to get your attention without screaming, “This is spice!”

I enjoyed them with some Oat Milk. If I were a cereal eater, I’d totally buy these again, if only for some variety to my breakfast. If fact, I would choose them over Cheerios, which I felt had a bit too much spice by comparison.

Rating

[one_fifth] [/one_fifth][one_fifth] [/one_fifth][one_fifth] [/one_fifth][one_fifth] [/one_fifth][one_fifth_last] [/one_fifth_last]

Previous Pumpkin Tastings

Forthcoming Pumpkin Tastings

Pumpkin pancake mixes: Foodstirs Organic Pumpkin Spice Stacks Pancake Mix, Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Pancake and Waffle Mix, and Krusteaz Complete Pancake Mix Pumpkin Spice Light and Fluffy
Pumpkin bar mixes: Betty Crocker Limited Edition Pumpkin Spice Bar Mix vs. Krusteaz Supreme Bar Mix Pumpkin Spice
Pumpkin cookie mixes: Betty Crocker Limited Edition Pumpkin Spice Cookie Mix vs. Krusteaz Bakery Style Cookie Mix Pumpkin Spice

Tags cereal, cupcakes, Duncan Hines, Foodstirs, Krusteaz, muffins, pumpkin, pumpkin bread, pumpkin taste tests, R.W. Knudsen, Trader Joe's

All Things Pumpkin Creative Cookery Recipes

What To Do with Leftover Decorative Mini-Squash (Squash Soup Recipe Included)

Post author By Carma Spence
Post date December 11, 2017

Let your roasted squash cool before prepping for puree.

This Thanksgiving, since I was hosting my parents and my husband’s parents, I got fancy with the decor and used some mini-pumpkins and mini-squash. Many people use these small winter squash as decorations and then throw them away. But did you know you can eat them? This year I made mini squash soup!

I purchased four mini pumpkins (one of them went bad before I tried to cook them) and two delicata squash to decorate the buffet and dinner tables. I arranged some in a basket and others elsewhere on the table, with a few extra Granny Smith apples I had. With the addition of some fake fall leaves I picked up at the Dollar Tree, I thought it looked pretty nice.

Now, you could just throw them away when you’re done. But you don’t have to waste your money that way. You can cook and eat them just like any winter squash. I decided to use them to make a squash soup. Here’s how I did it.

Step 1: Roast the Squash

In order to make a squash puree, I needed to cook them. I decided to roast them.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Prepare a large baking dish by lining with aluminum foil and spaying the foil with non-stick spray.
Cut open the squash and deseed.
Cut into 1/4 slices and place in a large bowl.
Toss with enough olive oil to coat all peices evenly.
Arrange squash on the baking sheet.
Bake for 10 minutes. Toss and then bake another 10 minutes. They are done when a fork can be easily stuck into them.

Arrange the olive-oil coated squash pieces on prepared baking sheet.

Let your roasted squash cool before prepping for puree.

Step 2: Puree the Squash

Remove skins/rinds from the squash.
Place squash in a food processor or blender (I used my NutriBullet). Add enough broth or stock (I used homemade turkey broth created from leftover Thanksgiving turkey bones).
Blend until smooth.

[one_third]

Place squash and broth in a blender to puree.

[/one_third][one_third]

The pureed squash with broth will be thick and creamy.

[/one_third][one_third_last]

This puree method is for a savory soup base, not to be used for desserts.

[/one_third_last]

Step 3: Make Squash Soup!

Mini Winter Squash Soup Ingredients

4 Tbsp butter
1 large onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 tsp fresh sage, minced
1 tsp fresh thyme, minced
1 tsp fresh rosemary, minced
1 tsp fresh parsley, minced
1 tsp fresh basil, minced
1 tsp fresh ginger, crushed
1/2 tsp dried marjarom
1/4 tsp ground white or black pepper
Up to 3 cups your favorite broth
1 3/4 cup pumpkin puree (as prepared above)
1 cup greek yogurt
Sour cream or greek yogurt for garnish

Mini Winter Squash Soup Directions

In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium-high heat. When hot, add the onion and garlic. Saute until softened and the onions are beginning to become transluscent.
Stir in sage, thyme, rosemary, parsley, basic, ginger, marjarom and pepper until fragrant, about 1 minute more.
Stir in broth. Continue to cook over medium-high heat, uncovered, for 15 minutes.
Stir in the pumpkin and yogurt.
Cook over medium heat, stirring, until heated through.
Optional: Transfer to a blender and blend until creamy. Return to saucepan and heat through.
Serve in shallow soup bowls and garnish with sour cream or greek yogurt.

The Recipe in Action — with Commentary

You might call this Thanksgiving Leftover Soup — many of the ingredients were leftover from the holiday. Waste not, want not, right?

[one_third]

I used fresh thyme and sage left over from Thanksgiving. I had some fresh frozen basil, ginger, parsley and rosemary, as well.

[/one_third][one_third]

I used one medium and one small onion, left over from Thanksgiving along with some fresh frozen crushed garlic.

[/one_third][one_third_last]

Once the onions began to become translucent, I tossed in the herbs.

[/one_third_last]

[one_third]

Once fragrant, I added in turkey broth I made from the leftover Thanksgiving turkey bones.

[/one_third][one_third]

Add the squash puree to the simmering soup base.

[/one_third][one_third_last]

You can use sour cream, sour cream alternative, or regular yogurt. I used plain Greek yogurt I had left over from Thanksgiving.

[/one_third_last]

[one_third]

Mix in the puree and yogurt while the soup heats up. You can serve this as is, or blend it like I did.

[/one_third][one_third]

If you like a creamier squash soup, transfer the warm soup to a blender and blend until desired consistency.

[/one_third][one_third_last]

Return the blended squash soup to the pot and heat until desired temperature.

[/one_third_last]

Serve in large, shallow bowls. I didn’t garnish, but you can garnish it with sour cream, yogurt, or a small sprig of parsley.

Carma’s Commentary

I wasn’t sure what to expect because I’ve never eaten mini-pumpkins nor delicata squash before. The resulting squash soup was delicious! The dominant flavors were rosemary and thyme, and I could tell that the roasted squash helped balance those flavors. You can serve the soup without blending it. I chose to blend it because I like a creamy soup better.

You don’t have to roast the squash the way I did, but you do need to cook it until it is tender. You can bake it or even boil it. Each method comes with its own flavor profile. I chose to roast with olive oil for the extra flavor that both the extra virgin olive oil and the roasting process adds to the squash.

When you are pureeing squash, such as pumpkin, to add to a pie, bread, or other such recipes, do not add broth! Purees used in most of those types of recipes require a dryer puree. And you don’t want the savoriness of the broth to change the quality of your dessert. When not adding extra liquid, a food processor is a better choice. Or you can push the squash through a metal sieve. I did it this way because I knew I’d be adding broth to the soup anyway, so it didn’t matter if I added some a bit earlier in the preparation of the recipe.

The beauty of this recipe is that it is highly adaptable. If you are Vegan or Vegetarian, use a vegetable-based broth. If you don’t want dairy, use a nut milk for the soup and garnish with a sour cream substitute, such as plain Greek yogurt (I like The Greek Gods Greek Yogurt) or a homemade substitute such as Cashew Sour Cream or Coconut Milk Sour Cream. If you do eat meat, you can try adding some savory sausage or diced ham to the soup.

Tags soup, winter squash

Special Occasions

4 Tips for Selecting a Coffee Machine To Give as a Gift this Holiday Season

Post author By Carma Spence
Post date December 7, 2017

We all have at least one special friend who’s totally nuts over coffee. If you’d like to give that person something he or she will definitely love, it’s got to be a coffee machine. Choosing a coffee machine as a gift may be challenging if you don’t know the basics because there’s just so many to choose from. There are simple drip makers, espresso makers, and Nespresso machines. What is the best Nespresso machine out there? What’s the perfect drip coffee maker to give? Don’t worry because I’m here to help you choose the perfect gift for a coffee lover. Here are four tips for selecting a coffee machine that would make a great gift this holiday season:

Coffee machine basics #1. Know your options

There are many types of coffee machines available. There’s the usual filter coffee makers, pod machines, espresso machines, and many more. Don’t get lost in the sea of choices. By being aware of their functions you can more easily make your choice.

Filter coffee makers are the most common ones in households today. It uses a filter paper you put in a filter basket where your coffee grounds are. Hot water then drips onto it and into your mug or coffee pot. These coffee makers can usually make 4 cups, but there are also bigger ones for a bigger party.

Pod coffee makers are pretty many newbies in the coffee machine industry. But no doubt they’ve earned their place. It works by inserting a single serve coffee capsule which the machine pricks into and drips some water. It’s definitely a great way to get barista quality coffee at the comforts of your own home. The only limitation is that you have to get your coffee pods from the same coffee maker because the cups are uniquely shaped per machine. Another nice thing about these types of machines is that there are pods available with other types of beverages, such as hot chocolate and tea, available, as well. Therefore it has a bit more beverage versatility.

Those are just a couple of options you’ll see when you start looking around. Make sure to check the shelves and consider what your friend would love the most. Which brings me to the next tip.

Coffee machine basics #2. Check for preferences

Nothing beats a personalized gift that actually touches on the recipient’s favorite things. How about a one cup coffee maker in her favorite color? With a bag of beans from his favorite coffee producing region? These little details matter. Check if your friend actually has an existing wish list you can draw ideas from. A bit of research goes a long way!

Coffee machine basics #3. Value for money

We always want to make sure we’re getting value for money in everything we buy. Is the coffee machine you’re eyeing worth it? Is it expensive but is known to be durable and long-lasting? Many factors come into play that adds value to the item you put in your cart. In terms of choice for coffee makers, you’ll never go wrong with the world’s most trusted brands. DeLonghi, Breville, Bunn, and Nespresso, these are arguably top of mind when it comes to coffee machines. You’ll never go wrong with a credible name.

Coffee machine basics #4. Ease of maintenance

Generally, the bigger the machine, the harder it is to maintain. Capsule coffee makers and the regular filter coffee makers are among the easiest to maintain in their line. You only need to dispose of the filter paper, wash the filter basket, and empty the water reservoir. A bit of wiping here and there in case of splatters, and you’re all set. Consider the complexity of the functions you want in your coffee maker. The more functions it has, the more moving parts it employs. Check with the sales crew and learn the different parts you need to clean.

If you make a good selection, your friend or loved one will be delighted with their new kitchen toy — and maybe invite you over to try it out!

Tags coffee, coffee machine, gift giving

All Things Pumpkin Product Reviews

Pumpkin Season 2017 Taste Test #4

Post author By Carma Spence
Post date December 4, 2017

This post will be a little different because the bulk of it will be a compare and contrast of two pumpkin bread baking products I tested. But first, I’ll start will a fun beverage I tried while stopping at The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf.

Pumpkin Spiced Chai Tea Latte & Ice Blended

Now, I just want to make this clear up-front: I avoid caffeine. I have ADD and it makes me sleepy. I also have acid reflux, so the acid in most caffeinated beverages upset my stomach. That said, I can occasionally have a caffeinated beverage without ill effects.

So, when I was killing time at a Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf in Los Angeles and saw “Pumpkin Spice” as an option for Ice Blended drinks, I was intrigued. I asked the girl behind the counter what was in it. She told me pumpkin, vanilla powder, and water. That sounded like something I could drink, so I ordered one.

When I tasted it, it was clear there was caffeine in it. I thought it was coffee, but apparently, it was black tea. It was delicious. The melding of the tea, pumpkin and vanilla flavors were refreshing and autumnal at the same time.

I really enjoyed it and, thankfully, suffered no ill effects. Perhaps the chocolate muffin and blueberry scone I had with it helped!

Rating

[one_fifth] [/one_fifth]

[one_fifth_last] [/one_fifth_last]

Pumpkin Bread Mix Compare and Contrast

There are several brands offering a pumpkin bread mix at this time of the year. This year I purchased a box of Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Bread and Muffin Mix and Libby’s Pumpkin Bread Kit with Icing. I chose Trader Joe’s because I wanted to try pretty much every pumpkin offering they had this year. And I picked up Libby’s kit because Libby’s is the only brand of canned pumpkin I’ll use. I figured I’d give their kit a try.

Trader Joe’s mix makes one loaf, while Libby’s kit makes two. I don’t own two loaf pans, so I make Libby’s kit in a Bundt pan, which was one of the options mentioned on the back of the box.

My first impressions of the packaging are that Trader Joe’s looked easy to use and Libby’s kit looked slightly more involved. The Trader Joe’s box gives you options to use one loaf pan or a standard muffin pan. There is also a creative suggestion for “Holiday Bread.” The Libby’s kit gives you options to use two 9” x 5” loaf pans, three 8” x 4” loaf pans, six mini loafs (you can buy a mini loaf pan with six loafs or use disposable aluminum pans), a 13” x 9” pan, a 12-cup Bundt Cake pan, 24 large muffins, 36 standard muffins, or 72 mini muffins. There is also a creative suggestion for Pumpkin Streusel Muffins.

[one_half] [/one_half]
[one_half_last] [/one_half_last]

Pumpkin Bread Mix Compare and Contrast Specifics

[one_third] Quality [/one_third][one_third] Trader Joe’s [/one_third][one_third_last] Libby’s [/one_third_last]

[one_third] Packaging: [/one_third]
[one_third] Simple and small, easy to fit into your pantry. [/one_third]
[one_third_last] Larger, but still relatively compact. [/one_third_last]

[one_third] Extra Ingredients: [/one_third]
[one_third] 2 large eggs, 1/2 cup oil and 1 cup water [/one_third]
[one_third_last] 4 large eggs, 1/2 cup oil and 1 cup water [/one_third_last]

[one_third] Ease of Use: [/one_third]
[one_third] It took me about 3-5 minutes to mix all the ingredients and place the pan in the oven. Baking time was 55 minutes. [/one_third]
[one_third_last] It took me about 4-7 minutes to combine all the ingredients and place the pan in the oven. Baking time was 65 minutes [/one_third_last]

[one_third] Aroma: [/one_third]
[one_third] I could detect the pumpkin, cinnamon, and nutmeg. There was also a touch of baking soda to the aroma. [/one_third]
[one_third_last] I could detect the pumpkin and cinnamon, but not as strongly as with the Trader Joe’s bread. And, like the Trader Joe’s bread, there was a touch of baking soda to the aroma. [/one_third_last]

[one_third] Texture: [/one_third]
[one_third] Moist, crumbly and even. [/one_third]
[one_third_last] Moist and smooth … just like a pound cake. A tad more dense than the Trader Joe’s. [/one_third_last]

[one_third] Flavor: [/one_third]
[one_third] Pumpkin, cinnamon with light notes of cloves. Mild flavored. [/one_third]
[one_third_last] Spicy pumpkin. Strong cinnamon and cloves, with a hint of ginger and nutmeg. [/one_third_last]

What Worked for Me

Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Bread and Muffin Mix was quick and easy to make. It has a light and breezy flavor. I believe this would be a nice option if you need to make some quick breakfast muffins for your Fall guests.

I really liked that I was adding in actual pumpkin pulp (rather than relying powdered pumpkin or pumpkin flavor) to the Libby’s Pumpkin Bread Kit with Icing. It made it feel fresher and more authentic. I believe the pumpkin was what made the pumpkin bread was moister than the Trader Joe’s mix, as well. I also liked that the quantity the kit made was more. I love making Bundt cakes and if I wanted to do that with the Trader Joe’s mix, I’d have to buy two.

Apples to Apples Comparison

On that note, I did the math for you: Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Bread and Muffin Mix retails for $2.99 per box, which, apparently, is how much they’ve charged for this product since 2008. The Libby’s Pumpkin Bread Kit with Icing retails for anywhere from $4.99 (WalMart) to $10 (Amazon), depending on where you buy it.

If you wanted to make the equivalent amount of pumpkin bread using Trader Joe’s mix, you could use two boxes. To achieve the moisture that Libby’s kit had, I would add in 1 can of pumpkin (or the equivalent of fresh pumpkin pulp), while reducing the added water. You can leave off the icing or make your own by mixing powdered sugar with a touch of vanilla and some milk.

In order to get the equivalent Bundt cake using Trader Joe’s mix, you’d need to spend around $8 [2 x $2.99 (mix) = $5.98 + $1.88 (can of pumpkin) = $7.86, plus whatever the cost of your icing ingredients]. Therefore, not only does Libby’s kit provide a better tasting result, it’s more cost-effective, too!

What Didn’t Work for Me

Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Bread and Muffin Mix had a tiny twinge of a baking-soda aftertaste. Not strong, but it may turn off some people.

As for Libby’s Pumpkin Bread Kit with Icing, I’m not a big fan of icing. I could live without it. It makes it look nice. But if I were to make icing for the bread, I’d make it thinner so it was more like a glaze.

Which Product Did I Like Better?

Although I liked how easy the Trader Joe’s mix was to use, the end product of Libby’s mix was clearly superior. The Libby’s pumpkin bread was moister, richer and had a more layered and textured flavor. Interestingly enough, the two pretty much smelled the same to me. It was the taste and mouthfeel that was different.

In addition, as I mentioned in my Apples to Apples Comparison above, the Libby’s Pumpkin Bread Kit with Icing ends up being more convenient and economical. Everything you need (besides the eggs, oil and water) are together in one kit and all for as little as $4.99!

Rating

Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Bread and Muffin Mix

[one_fifth] [/one_fifth]

[one_fifth_last] [/one_fifth_last]

Libby’s Pumpkin Bread Kit with Icing

[one_fifth] [/one_fifth]

[one_fifth_last] [/one_fifth_last]

Libby’s Pumpkin Bread Kit with Icing was the clear winner for me, resulting is a moister cake with a rich, complex flavor.

Previous Pumpkin Tastings

Forthcoming Pumpkin Tastings

Pumpkin pancake mixes: Foodstirs Organic Pumpkin Spice Stacks Pancake Mix, Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Pancake and Waffle Mix, and Krusteaz Complete Pancake Mix Pumpkin Spice Light and Fluffy
Pumpkin bar mixes: Betty Crocker Limited Edition Pumpkin Spice Bar Mix vs. Krusteaz Supreme Bar Mix Pumpkin Spice
Pumpkin cookie mixes: Betty Crocker Limited Edition Pumpkin Spice Cookie Mix vs. Krusteaz Bakery Style Cookie Mix Pumpkin Spice
Krusteaz Supreme Muffin Mix
Foodstirs Organic Chocolate Chippy Pumpkin Bread Mix
Trader Joe’s Pumpkin O’s

Tags Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, Libby's, pumpkin bread, Pumpkin Spiced Chai Tea Latte, pumpkin taste tests, Trader Joe's

Recipes

Johnny Appleseed Pie

Post author By Carma Spence
Post date November 30, 2017

Johnny Appleseed Pie is my husband’s favorite pie! I make it for his birthday every year.

Below you’ll find both traditional print directions, and photo-illustrated directions. Creative variations are included at the end.

Ingredients for Johnny Appleseed Pie

Filling

1/3 cup sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
6-8 tart apples, peeled, cored and thinly sliced¹
1/2 to 1 cup semisweet chocolate morsels

Crust

1 pie crust, uncooked²

Topping

1 cup Bisquick
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup butter
1/2 to 1 cup semisweet chocolate morsels

Directions for Johnny Appleseed Pie

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Combine sugar and cinnamon from Filling ingredients. Mix with apples.
Turn into the unbaked pie crust.
Top with semisweet chocolate morsels from Filling ingredients.
In a small bowl, combine the Bisquick and sugar from the Topping ingredients. Cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle evenly over the pie.
Bake until apples are tender, about 45 minutes.
After you remove the pie from the oven, top with semisweet chocolate morsels from Topping ingredients.
Let cool for about 15 to 30 minutes before serving.

Photo Directions

These photographs were taken when I made this pie on Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2017, for Thanksgiving.

[one_fourth]

Set the oven temperature to 400 degrees F.

[/one_fourth]
[one_fourth]

Slice apples and warm refrigerated pie dough to room temperature.

[/one_fourth]
[one_fourth]

Roll pie crust into your pie pan.

[/one_fourth]
[one_fourth_last]

Press crust to edges of pan.

[/one_fourth_last]

[one_fourth]

Measure cinnamon and sugar into a small bowl.

[/one_fourth]
[one_fourth]

Mix cinnamon and sugar together well.

[/one_fourth]
[one_fourth]

Add sugar mixture to apples.

[/one_fourth]
[one_fourth_last]

Mix together until apples are evenly coated with sugar mixture.

[/one_fourth_last]

[one_fourth]

Place apple mixture into the pie crust.

[/one_fourth]
[one_fourth]

Top with chocolate chips.

[/one_fourth]
[one_fourth]

Measure Bisquick and sugar into a small bowl. Cut in butter.

[/one_fourth]
[one_fourth_last]

Top pie with crumble mixture.

[/one_fourth_last]

[one_fourth]

Bake until apples are tender, about 45 minutes. Then remove from the oven.

[/one_fourth]
[one_fourth]

Top with chocolate chips while still warm.

[/one_fourth]
[one_fourth] [/one_fourth]
[one_fourth_last] [/one_fourth_last]

Want a plain apple pie? Simply leave out the semisweet chocolate morsels!
Try using butterscotch or white chocolate morsels instead of the semisweet chocolate morsels.
Want a little more kick to your pie? Add in 1/4 tsp of cloves, mace or allspice to the cinnamon sugar mix.
Toss chopped pecans or walnuts in with the apples for a cruchier texture.
Substitute raisins, yellow raisins or craisins for the semisweet chocolate morsels.
Use half pears and half apples for a more mild flavored pie.
In the filling, instead of cinnamon, use grated fresh ginger, and instead of semisweet chocolate morsels use chopped candied ginger. Then in the topping, replace half the Bisquick with crushed gingersnaps.
Get creative with your crust and make a cinnamon crust. You can find a recipe for it in my book, Your Perfect Pie.
Use a lattice topping instead of the crumble topping.
Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the topping.
Add in 1/2 tsp ground ginger to the cinnamon sugar mixture of the filling and replace 1/2 cup of the Bisquick with crushed gingersnaps for the topping.
Mix and match any of these suggestions, as well as any ideas of your own!

Notes

If you want to make the slicing task easier, use a apple peeler, slicer and corer. I show you how to use one here.
You can use one you make yourself, one that is pre-made and you roll out onto your pie pan or one that comes already in an aluminum pan. Regardless, I highly recommend using a deep-dish pie pan. I’ve also used a large tart pan.

Tags apples, Johnny Appleseed Pie