Pumpkin Pie Cupcakes

1 ~ 15 oz can pumpkin purée, not pie filling
2 eggs
1/2 c half and half
1/3 c honey
1 t vanilla extract
2/3 c flour
1/4 t baking soda
1/4 t baking powder
1/4 t salt
Dash of each; cinnamon, ground ginger, nutmeg, and cloves

Preheat oven to 350. Line 12 cup muffin tin with foil liners or use silicone liners. Set aside.

In medium bowl, mix pumpkin, eggs, half and half, honey, and vanilla until well mixed. Sift flour, soda, baking powder, spices, and salt into bowl with pumpkin and mix well. Divide evenly into muffin tin and bake 20 to 25 minutes, or until tops are not tacky.

Remove from oven to wire rack to cool 20 minutes. Place in freezer 20 minutes. Remove from liners and enjoy with light whipped cream, if desired. Yield 12 cupcakes, 99 calories each (without whipped cream).


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Pumpkin Soup

2 ~ 15 oz cans chicken broth
3 c canned solid pack pumpkin puree, not pie filling
1/2 t salt
1 t minced garlic
1/2 t fresh thyme, chopped
fresh ground black pepper to taste
1/3 c heavy cream

Place all ingredients except cream in large stock pot, whisk well and bring to boiling. Reduce heat to low and simmer, uncovered, 45 minutes stirring occasionally. Whisk in heavy cream and serve immediately. Serves 4 as a main dish, 6 as a side or appetizer.

Oatmeal Carrot Cookies ~ adapted from Amy's Healthy Baking

1 c quick cook oatmeal
3/4 c unbleached all purpose flour
1 t baking powder
1/2 t cinnamon
1/4 t salt
1 egg
2 T coconut oil, melted and cooled slightly
1/4 c honey
1 t vanilla
1 c grated carrot
1 c chopped walnuts
1 c golden raisins

In medium bowl, whisk together oats, flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt until well blended. Set aside. In separate large bowl, mix egg and oil together. Add honey and vanilla and beat until smooth. Add dry ingredients to egg mixture and stir just until dry ingredients are combined. Fold in carrot, walnuts, and raisins. Place dough in refrigerator for 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350. Drop cookie dough onto parchment lined baking sheet, making 15 cookies. Place baking sheet in center of oven, immediately reduce heat to 325 and bake cookies 15 minutes. Cool slightly on baking sheet, approximately 3 minutes, transfer to wire rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight container at room temperature 5 days. Yield 15 cookies, 135 calories each.

Baked Ravioli with Pumpkin Sauce ~ adapted from Real Simple

2 T unsalted butter
1 clove garlic, minced
fresh ground black pepper, to taste
2 T fresh sage, chopped
1/4 t fresh grated nutmeg
18 to 20 oz refrigerated cheese ravioli
1 c canned pumpkin (not pie filling)
1/2 c heavy cream
1/2 c plain greek yogurt
1/2 c low fat milk
1/2 c grated parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 400. Spray 9x13 baking dish or 4 qt casserole with butter flavored cooking spray.

In small skillet, melt butter over medium low heat. Add garlic and black pepper and sauté stirring constantly until lightly browned. Add chopped sage and cook slightly, approximately 2 minutes. Remove from heat, add grated nutmeg and set aside.

In large bowl, whisk together pumpkin, cream, yogurt, milk, and cheese until well blended.

Place one layer of half ravioli in bottom of prepared dish. Sprinkle with half butter sage, pour over half of pumpkin mixture and smooth to edge. Add remaining half ravioli, butter sage, and pumpkin. Cover with foil and bake 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 15 minutes. Serves 8 as a main dish.