Ever since we won the neighborhood carving contest at Halloween, we've had a taste for pumpkin in our house. Maybe it can be traced back to the pumpkin cranberry scone mix that was included in our prize?? The pumpkin and cranberry flavors were so incredible mixed together that I had to try a few of our favorite breakfast treats with those two ingredients. I've also been on an eating "unprocessed" kick of late so we baked our own pie pumpkins to use in the recipes. When they come out of the oven they're just beautiful "as is" and yummy to boot:
Tasty enough that my daughter and I like to eat the pulp plain, hot from the oven (or later as a side dish with a meal). I think the above photographed pumpkin made it to the mashing stage tho to be used for pumpkin cranberry pancakes:
If you are a fan of pancakes, pumpkin, cranberry or all three, you must try this variation. Just add pumpkin and ground cranberries (along with some pumpkin pie spice and cinnamon) to your favorite pancake recipe and you're set. We've made these more than a few times they're SO good. Equally as tasty are pumpkin cranberry muffins. Same idea as the pancakes, add the extra ingredients to a basic muffin recipe. I think I tossed in some nuts as well?
Tis the season for pumpkin, right? I don't know about you, but I'm definitely hungry after posting these photos so I'm off to find a snack. Pumpkin cookies, maybe??!!
'Tis the season, indeed, and everything you've featured looks delicious! I used to make a Pumpkin Roll for Thanksgiving that was always a hit. Basically, it was just a batter for a spicy, pumpkin cake, baked in a jelly roll pan. When nearly cooled, you slather a thick coating of cream cheese icing on the "inside surface", then roll like any other jelly roll and chill. When sliced into spicy, aromatic pinwheels, it makes a delicious dessert, with or without a little dollop of whipped cream. :)
Posted by: Nancy Bond | November 10, 2008 at 09:55 AM
Yum! That sounds delicious too Nancy. I still have some pumpkin, maybe we'll give it a try. :-)
Posted by: Kathleen | November 10, 2008 at 11:02 AM
Hi Kathleen, that baked pumpkin was almost too beautiful to cut? I never knew they looked like that. Your ideas sound wonderful, I love the thought of those two flavors together but never would have thought of doing it. Thanks.
Frances
Posted by: Frances | November 10, 2008 at 11:56 AM
I love cranberries & pumpkin at this time of the year. They have such a fall flavor to them.
Posted by: Racquel | November 10, 2008 at 11:57 AM
Scrumptious looking...I like pumpkin in ravioli! Pumpkins and squashes are superfoods....so we don't have to feel guilty eating them in pancakes, pies or muffins!
Gail
Posted by: Gail | November 10, 2008 at 04:08 PM
Hi Kathleen, Wow! We're all on a cooking frenzy, aren't we? ;-) That's what the colder weather does... at least for me! I love these ideas... Nancy B's, too! Thank you!!
Posted by: Shady Gardener | November 10, 2008 at 06:31 PM
Wow! Kathleen, I just LOVE your photography...seriously girl, you can make even a pumpkin look simply divine. :) Beautiful pics. :)
Posted by: Hilary Kanwischer | November 10, 2008 at 07:13 PM
Oh my! Visiting this blog could be dangerous for my waistline!
Posted by: Amy | November 10, 2008 at 09:47 PM
I love using freash pumpkin for pies, but will admit I find it a lot of work. The grandgirls are coming this weekend though and I'll bet theu would love to do something like that. Thanks for the great recipe ideas.
Posted by: Beckie | November 11, 2008 at 12:17 AM
lol, I thought the same thing about cutting it Frances! It looked like a piece of art. I don't know that I've ever combined the two flavors before this year either but they're very tasty together.
Posted by: Kathleen | November 11, 2008 at 11:15 AM
You're so right Racquel. They are perfect for the season.
Posted by: Kathleen | November 11, 2008 at 11:16 AM
I've seen pumpkin ravioli on menus Gail, but I've never ordered/tasted it. Is it good?? Feeling better about eating all the pumpkin after your comment! :-)
Posted by: Kathleen | November 11, 2008 at 11:17 AM
It does seem like we're all in the kitchen Shady Gardener ~ or at least a lot of us. I guess it's what happens when we can't go outside in the garden!
Posted by: Kathleen | November 11, 2008 at 11:18 AM
Awww, Hilary, that's the nicest compliment ever. Thank you so much!
Posted by: Kathleen | November 11, 2008 at 11:19 AM
oops, sorry about that Amy!! I'll try to curtail the food posts! Winter is bad for the waistline period ~ or maybe that's only in my case where I hate to go outdoors and get cold?!!
Posted by: Kathleen | November 11, 2008 at 11:20 AM
You're welcome Beckie. I thought cooking pumpkin was a lot of work too until I discovered the pie pumpkins. They are SO easy. Just make a couple of slits in the outside, bake and when done the skin practically falls off and the insides scoop out very easily as well. I put mine in the oven stem and all!
Posted by: Kathleen | November 11, 2008 at 11:23 AM
Those pancakes and muffins look good! My husband found a killer recipe for pumpkin bread years ago in the newspaper; I still make several loaves every holiday season.
Your photographs are beautiful.
Posted by: Sweet Bay | November 13, 2008 at 08:36 PM